What is the Best Time to Book Thanksgiving Flights 2025?

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, with millions of people flying across the United States and abroad to celebrate with family and friends. While the holiday spirit is all about gratitude and togetherness, the cost of traveling during this peak period can sometimes be overwhelming. The good news? With the right strategies, you can unlock cheap Thanksgiving flights and save money without compromising on comfort.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best tips and tricks for finding cheap flights for Thanksgiving, including when to book, how to search, and where to call for assistance.

Why Thanksgiving Flights Are Expensive

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays in the U.S., second only to Christmas and New Year’s. Since the majority of people have time off work and school, airlines know demand will be high. This leads to:

• Higher airfare costs due to demand.

• Limited seat availability on popular routes.

• Fewer discounts compared to other times of the year.

That said, with the right approach, you can still uncover cheap flights during Thanksgiving and avoid overspending.

1. Book Your Flight Early

The golden rule of travel is simple: the earlier you book, the better. Most experts recommend booking Thanksgiving flights at least 6–8 weeks before departure. Last-minute bookings often mean sky-high fares.

For example, if you’re traveling to a major city like New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, booking in September or early October can help you lock in cheap flight tickets for Thanksgiving. Waiting until the week before often leads to double or triple the price.

2. Be Flexible with Travel Dates

If you can adjust your travel dates, you’ll have a better chance of finding deals. Most people fly out on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and return on the Sunday after. These days are the most expensive.

Instead, try these tips:

• Fly on Thanksgiving Day itself for significant savings.

• Consider returning on Monday or Tuesday instead of Sunday.

• Look at early morning or late-night flights, which are often cheaper.

Flexibility is one of the best ways to uncover cheap flights over Thanksgiving that others may overlook.

3. Compare Multiple Airlines and Platforms

Don’t settle for the first price you see. Use flight comparison tools and aggregator websites to search across airlines. Low-cost carriers often release promotional fares that can help you secure cheap Thanksgiving flights if you’re quick to book.

Additionally, consider calling a trusted travel booking service. Travel agents often have access to unpublished fares or special Thanksgiving flight deals that aren’t available online.

👉 Call +1-800-651-8918 (US) or +44-203-376-3406 (UK) to speak with a representative and find hidden discounts.

4. Consider Nearby Airports

Instead of flying into a major hub, check fares for nearby airports. For example:

• Instead of flying into San Francisco International (SFO), check Oakland (OAK) or San Jose (SJC).

• If you’re going to Washington, D.C., look at Baltimore (BWI) or Dulles (IAD) in addition to Reagan (DCA).

Sometimes, a short drive or train ride from a nearby airport can save you hundreds on cheap flights over Thanksgiving.

5. Sign Up for Alerts and Deals

Airlines frequently release flash sales and limited-time Thanksgiving flight deals. Sign up for price alerts, airline newsletters, or travel deal apps so you’ll be the first to know when prices drop.

For additional support, you can also call +1-800-651-8918 (US) or +44-203-376-3406 (UK) for exclusive holiday airfare offers.

Conclusion:

Thanksgiving is about family, food, and creating memories—not stressing over travel costs. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can find cheap flight tickets for Thanksgiving that fit your budget. For more information, you can call us at +1-800-651-8918 (US) or +44-203-376-3406 (UK).