Holiday Fares Push Travelers Toward Flexible Plans

Round-trip domestic airfares are substantially more expensive than a year ago. Hopper’s estimates put Thanksgiving fares 39% higher and Christmas fares 22% higher than at the same point last year. Rising jet-fuel costs, about 3% fewer scheduled domestic seats and heavy holiday demand are contributing to the increases.

Travelers can look for savings by changing their departure dates or using a different airport. For Thanksgiving, November 25 and 29 are among the costliest days to fly; November 23 or Thanksgiving Day may be cheaper. For Christmas, avoiding December 18 through 20 could help, while flying December 21 or 22 may save as much as 18%.

On Long Island, MacArthur Airport in Islip is drawing travelers from outside the area as an alternative to larger airports. Some routes, including West Palm Beach, may cost less from MacArthur, and a connection through Baltimore can open access to destinations farther west. Parking there is about $20 a day, compared with roughly $80 at JFK. One traveler said a three-person trip to Orlando cost nearly $1,900.

Orlando is among the destinations identified as offering holiday value, along with Myrtle Beach, Houston and Atlanta. Travelers are also advised to budget for costs beyond airfare, including lodging, baggage, transportation, meals and activities; monitor prices with alerts; and consider using airline miles or credit-card rewards.