Christmas Airfare

[BuzzLiteyear]

We're thinking of flying to WDW for Christmas 2014. Having never flown during a holiday I was wondering what to expect in terms of prices. Generally speaking...

1) How do prices compare to the rest of the year?
2) When is the best time to book / when are prices usually lowest?

 

[sam_gordon]

We're thinking of flying to WDW for Christmas 2014. Having never flown during a holiday I was wondering what to expect in terms of prices. Generally speaking...

1) How do prices compare to the rest of the year?
2) When is the best time to book / when are prices usually lowest?

1) Prices will generally be higher, but will depend on exact travel days
2) I started tracking prices for this Christmas season back in February. I checked roughly once a week (always on Tues-Wed-Thurs). Although I'm still checking, here's a chart from a month ago or so...

With the exception of American, the lowest prices were a couple weeks after fares were first released.

Now, this is travel from 12/26-1/3, but I'm guessing Christmas week will be comparable.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If I were flying a legacy airline next Christmas and had firm travel plans, I would book shortly after prices were released, which should be around February 2014. You aren't getting any great deals if you wait for holiday travel.

 

[MKFan-PR]

The closer your travel date is to the actual Holiday weeks, the higher the prices. Even more on Fri-Sun of those weeks.

I would book shortly after prices were released, which should be around February 2014.

Absolutely. Christmas is a very busy travel season. No need for airlines to offer discounts, so your chances of finding one if you wait are slim to none.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

1) Prices will generally be higher, but will depend on exact travel days 2) I started tracking prices for this Christmas season back in February. I checked roughly once a week (always on Tues-Wed-Thurs). Although I'm still checking, here's a chart from a month ago or so... With the exception of American, the lowest prices were a couple weeks after fares were first released. Now, this is travel from 12/26-1/3, but I'm guessing Christmas week will be comparable.

Thank you for the info. This helps a lot. Thanks to all who responded.

 

[dis_guy]

If I were flying a legacy airline next Christmas and had firm travel plans, I would book shortly after prices were released, which should be around February 2014. You aren't getting any great deals if you wait for holiday travel.

I strongly agree! If you're using a legacy carrier like United, for example, you'll get the better fares a week or so after they are released. The fares start out high and then settle into the normal prices a few days after they are released. Good luck!