Airports And Christmas Eve: A Busy Travel Combination

Christmas Eve is one of the least busy days to fly, with fewer crowds and cheaper prices. However, this may not be the case for all airports, as some sources suggest that Christmas Eve morning flights can be quite busy, especially those departing before 9 am. Nevertheless, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are generally good days to fly if you want to avoid the crowds and high prices associated with the busy holiday travel season.

Christmas Eve is one of the least busy days to fly

NerdWallet analysed three years' worth of travel data from the TSA and found that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the best days to fly during the last two weeks of the year. The data showed that 31% more people flew on the day after Christmas compared to Christmas Day itself.

Similarly, a discussion thread on a Disney Trip Planning Forum revealed that some travellers found airports on Christmas Eve to be "absolutely dead" and "not crowded at all". However, others reported that it depended on the airport and the time of day. For example, one person said that LAX on Christmas Eve morning would be "a little less hectic" than usual, while another said that it would be "pretty quiet".

The cheapest days to fly are also Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Expedia. So, if you're looking to save some money on your holiday travel, booking a flight on Christmas Eve could be a good option.

If you're planning to fly during the Christmas period, it's generally recommended to book as early as possible to get the best prices. For domestic flights, it's best to book at least one to three months in advance, while for international flights, two to eight months in advance is ideal.

Christmas Day is also a good day to fly

Christmas Day is historically the least crowded travel day during the holiday week. In 2023, 31% more people flew on the day after Christmas compared to those who flew on Christmas Day.

If you can be flexible with your travel dates, it's worth considering flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. These dates are ideal for cheaper prices and fewer crowds. However, you may not want to travel on a holiday, and that's okay!

If you're looking to avoid the worst of the crowds, avoid flying from Friday, December 20, to Sunday, December 22. These dates tend to be extremely busy as everyone heads to their holiday destinations.

The days immediately after Christmas can also be busy, with people returning home and taking off ahead of New Year's Eve. Thursday, December 26, Friday, December 27, and Saturday, December 28 are expected to be particularly busy this year.

If you can extend your trip and return later, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are also good options for lower demand and potentially lower prices.

So, if you're looking to save money and avoid the crowds, Christmas Day and the surrounding days can be a great option for your travel plans!

The days before Christmas Eve are busy

The days before Christmas Eve are often busy at airports, with higher volumes of travellers than usual. This is especially true if Christmas falls mid-week, as people tend to travel the night before after work. The weekend before Christmas is also a busy period, with many people travelling to their holiday destinations.

In 2024, Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, which is usually a quieter day for travel. However, the days leading up to the 24th are expected to be busy. According to travel data, the four days before Christmas Eve—the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of December—are likely to be crowded. These days tend to be more expensive as well, with domestic airfares averaging $100 more than on other days.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, it is recommended to fly earlier in the week before Christmas Eve. The best days to fly are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. For example, Tuesday, December 17, Wednesday, December 18, and Thursday, December 19 are ideal departure dates.

If you can be flexible with your travel plans, it is best to avoid the busy days before Christmas Eve. By shifting your travel itinerary, you can not only avoid the crowds but also find cheaper flights.

The days after Christmas are busy

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among the least busy days for airports, as fewer people want to travel on the holidays themselves. However, the days after Christmas are a different story.

Christmas falls on a Wednesday in 2024, and many people will be flying home on Thursday, December 26, and Friday, December 27. Saturday, December 28, and Monday, December 30, are likely to be quieter, but Sunday, December 29, is expected to be busy. This is partly because people want to get home as soon as possible after Christmas, but also because Christmas falling mid-week means that some travellers will be returning home before they have to go back to work.

In 2023, the four days before Christmas Eve were busy, and the same is expected in 2024. The days from December 20 to 22 are predicted to be the busiest and most expensive days to fly, with domestic airfares averaging $100 more than on the cheapest days. The days after Christmas are also expected to be busy, with Thursday, December 26, being the busiest and most expensive day to fly after Christmas.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it's best to fly on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. However, this might not be ideal for everyone. If you can't face spending part of your holiday in an airport, it's best to fly on Tuesday, December 17, Wednesday, December 18, or Thursday, December 19, in the week before Christmas. For your return flight, Saturday, December 28, or Monday, December 30, are your best options.

Book early morning flights to avoid delays

Christmas Eve is one of the busiest times to fly, with many people choosing to travel to be with their families for Christmas Day. However, there are ways to avoid delays and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Booking an early morning flight is one of the best ways to do this.

Firstly, early morning flights are less likely to be delayed. As the day goes on, if one flight is delayed, it has a knock-on effect, and the chances of subsequent flights being delayed increase. Morning flights are often the first of the day, so the aircraft is already at the airport, making the boarding process more efficient.

Secondly, airports and flights are generally less busy in the morning. This means quicker check-in times, shorter queues, and a more peaceful atmosphere. This is especially true for Christmas Eve, which is one of the least busy flying days, along with Christmas Day.

Thirdly, morning flights are often cheaper. Airlines sell these flights at a lower rate to incentivize customers to choose these off-peak times. So, booking an early morning flight can save you money, as well as time.

Finally, an early morning flight means you have more time at your destination. You can make the most of your holiday by having an extra half-day to relax and enjoy your trip.

So, while setting an alarm for the early hours of the morning may be challenging, it is worth it to avoid delays and start your holiday sooner. You may even get a cleaner plane!

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