Sachin Walls
Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for travel, with crowded airports and expensive flights. However, Christmas Day itself is usually the least crowded day to fly during the holiday week. Airports tend to be quieter, with some sources reporting up to 23% fewer visitors than usual. This is because most people are already at their destination by then. However, it's important to note that public transport options may be limited on Christmas Day, and reduced staffing at airports may cause delays. Additionally, those travelling in the days immediately before or after Christmas Day may experience busier airports and higher ticket prices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busyness of airports on Christmas Day | Airports are usually less busy on Christmas Day, with up to 23% fewer visitors than usual. However, some sources suggest that Christmas Day 2024 may be busier than usual due to Christmas Day and the first night of Hannukah falling on the same date. |
| Airfare prices on Christmas Day | Christmas Day is usually one of the cheapest days to fly due to lower demand. |
| Public transport availability | Public transport options may be limited on Christmas Day, depending on the country. |
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What You'll Learn
Airports are generally quieter on Christmas Day than the days before
Although December is one of the busiest times of the year to fly, Christmas Day itself is usually quieter than the days before. This is because most people are already at their destination by 25 December, so there are fewer people travelling on this day. In fact, in 2023, 31% more people flew on the day after Christmas compared to Christmas Day itself.
While airports are generally quieter on Christmas Day, it's worth noting that some services within the airport may be operating with reduced staffing, which could slow things down. Additionally, public transport options may be limited on Christmas Day, so it's important to plan your journey to and from the airport in advance.
If you're looking for a cheaper day to fly, Christmas Day is a good option. As it is a less busy day, ticket prices tend to be lower. However, if your trip is short, you may need to return during the "twixmas" period between 26 December and New Year's Eve, when ticket prices are higher.
To avoid the worst crowds, it's best to fly on Christmas Day itself or on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, which also tend to be quieter. The weekend before Christmas, from Friday 22 December to Sunday 24 December, is usually the busiest time, with some airports hosting 25% more airline passengers than usual.
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Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are also quiet
While December is one of the busiest times of the year to fly, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are often quieter than the days leading up to them. The four days before Christmas Eve—the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd—are typically the busiest travel days, with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve offering the least crowded flights.
The same pattern is observed at LAX, where the weekends, particularly Sunday evenings, are known for their heavy traffic. However, on Christmas Eve, things start to quiet down, and the airport sees significantly less traffic than usual. Similarly, one traveller noted that their flights out of LAX on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were almost quiet, if such a thing is possible at LAX.
Christmas Day itself is also usually quieter than the days before and after, with up to 23% fewer visitors than usual. This is because most people are at their destination by Christmas morning. However, it's important to note that some services within the airport may be reduced or closed, and public transport to and from the airport may be limited.
If you're looking to avoid the crowds, it's best to fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, or New Year's Day. These are typically the least busy days for air travel during the holiday season. However, keep in mind that there may be limited flight options on these days, and you may need to be flexible with your travel days and times to find the best deals.
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The weekend before Christmas is very busy
The busy period starts as early as the 20th of December, with the 21st and 22nd being two of the most expensive and busy days to fly. The weekend before Christmas is therefore a time to avoid flying if you want to skip the crowds.
This year, an unprecedented number of people are set to travel, with a 2.4% increase in the number of seats scheduled to depart from US airports between 23 December and New Year's Day compared to last year. This period, from 23 December to 1 January, is anticipated to be the busiest, with Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve offering some respite with the least crowded flights.
However, it's important to note that Christmas Day itself is usually one of the least busy and cheapest days to fly, as most people are already at their destinations by then. Airports tend to be quieter, with up to 23% fewer visitors than usual, and there are often deals to be found.
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The Friday before Christmas is very busy and expensive
The Friday before Christmas is often one of the most expensive days to fly, with some sources citing it as the most expensive day. This is because it is a popular travel day, with people returning home for the holidays or going on vacation. In 2023, the Friday before Christmas saw an average of 25% more airline passengers, causing overcrowding at airports.
The Friday before Christmas is also a busy day for airports due to the high demand for travel. With many people trying to get to their holiday destinations, there are often longer queues and busier terminals. This can cause stress and uncertainty for travellers, especially if there are issues with public transport or taxi services to and from the airport.
To avoid the crowds and high prices of the Friday before Christmas, travellers are advised to depart earlier in the week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be less busy and cheaper days to fly. Flying on Christmas Day itself is also an option, as it is usually a quieter day at airports, with fewer people travelling.
However, it is important to note that flying on Christmas Day may result in reduced services and staffing, which can slow things down. Additionally, public transport options may be limited on Christmas Day, so it is essential to plan your journey to and from the airport in advance.
Overall, the Friday before Christmas is a very busy and expensive day at airports. To ensure a stress-free experience, travellers should consider alternative travel dates and book their flights in advance to secure the best prices and avoid the crowds.
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The week between Christmas and New Year is busy
The week between Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest times of the year for airports. In 2024, airports are only expected to get busier, with year-on-year flight searches for Christmas travel up by 20%. This is due, in part, to Christmas Day and the first night of Hannukah falling on the same date, creating higher-than-usual demand for holiday flights. This will result in busier terminals, longer queues, and higher ticket prices.
The days with the highest volume of air passengers are anticipated to be between 23 December and 1 January, with 32.5 million seats scheduled to depart from US airports during this period. The days with the lowest demand, and therefore the best days to fly, are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. These are also the days when airfare is the most expensive.
The Friday before Christmas is also a busy day for airports, with an average of 25% more airline passengers than usual. The weekend before Christmas is when most people will be heading to their holiday destinations, so it is best to avoid flying from Friday 20 December to Sunday 22 December. The day after Christmas is also busier than Christmas Day, with 31% more people flying.
While Christmas Day is usually quieter than the days before and after, it is still a good idea to plan your onward journey in advance, as public transport options may be limited. Taxis and public transport are also at their busiest during the Christmas weekend, so it is worth booking train or bus tickets in advance to save money.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas Day is usually one of the least busy days at the airport, with up to 23% fewer visitors than usual. However, in 2024, the festive period is expected to be one of the busiest in years due to Christmas Day and the first night of Hannukah falling on the same date.
The days with the lowest demand are usually the ones with the fewest crowds and the lowest prices. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are also good options for avoiding crowds.
The days before and after Christmas tend to be the busiest. In 2023, the busiest day to fly after Christmas was December 26. The weekend before Christmas is also usually busy, with many people headed to their holiday destinations.
