When it comes to holiday travel, Travelocity says flexibility is always crucial – especially since average domestic airfare is up 5 percent and international airfare is up 6 percent from the 2010 holiday season. In addition, New Year’s domestic airfare is up 6 percent and international airfare is up 12 percent versus 2010 prices. However, knowing when to fly can save travelers more than $230 this holiday season.

 

Despite rising airfare for Christmas and New Year’s, it is still possible to save this holiday when booking on Travelocity.  What travelers sometimes don’t realize about holiday airline tickets, is that they fluctuate depending on the days you choose to travel. Using Travelocity’s vacation package booking engine and avoiding peak travel dates around Christmas and New Year’s such as Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Dec. 30 will save travelers the most for the 2011 holiday season.

 

CHEAPEST DAYS TO FLY FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S 2011

Cheapest Days to Fly around Christmas and New Year’s

Depart

On

Return On

Dec. 26

Monday

Dec. 27

Tuesday

Dec. 28

Wednesday

Dec. 29

Thursday

Dec. 30

Friday

Dec. 19

Monday

$441

$453

$435

$442

$496

Dec. 20

Tuesday

$416

$423

$405

$421

$450

Dec. 21

Wednesday

$418

$423

$406

$444

$444

Dec. 22

Thursday

$413

$423

$418

$436

$475

Dec. 23

Friday

$404

$413

$423

$433

$459

Dec. 24

Saturday

$370

$358

$368

$389

$428

Dec. 25

Sunday

$262

$331

$353

$379

$416

 

As represented in the chart above, travelers who can’t get away for long vacations but want to spend Christmas with loved ones can still fly out on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25 and return Monday, Dec. 26, to spend the least at an average of $262. Travelers departing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, will find their tickets to be below this year’s average airfare ($17 - $144 less than average). In comparison, travelers will spend the most when departing the Monday before Christmas, Dec. 19, and returning the Friday after, Dec. 30 ($90 more than average).  

 

ADDITIONAL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S DATA

Average domestic airfare over Christmas is $406 and average international airfare is $918 (both inclusive of tax). Travelers should avoid Friday, Dec. 23 departures and Friday, Dec. 30 returns over the Christmas travel period - as this is the most expensive itinerary this holiday season. In addition, travelers should keep in mind that some airlines charge surcharges around the holidays, driving fares up. Holiday travel dates with surcharges are: Dec. 22, 23 and 26, and Jan. 2.