When is the best time to book holiday flights? What flyers should know for 2023

When is the best time to book your holiday flights?

September and October are traditionally when most travelers book their Thanksgiving and Christmas trips, according to AAA.

But buying your holiday plane tickets as early as the summer gives you a wider selection of flights, particularly nonstops so you can avoid getting stuck with a layover, AAA travel adviser Jodi Abata said in a travel forecast.

It doesn't necessarily mean travelers missed out on the best deals on their travel, even with months to go before the holidays.

They just need to book now to avoid the risk of missing out and paying more.

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When to book flights for holiday 2023 travel?

Booking sooner rather than later is key for travelers with limited flexibility and families with children so they can get their desired travel dates and families can sit together, AAA spokeswoman Aixa Diaz said.

Travelers seeking the lowest prices may find the best airfares from 36 to 74 days before departure for Thanksgiving flights, with the best deals about 52 days prior, according to Google Flights data.

For Christmas, the best airfares may be found 20 to 88 days before departure, with the best deals about 22 days prior. But the analysis cautions it may be cutting it close.

AAA Mountain West Group spokesman Julian Paredes agrees waiting too long for low holiday airfares is risky for travelers. He said there will likely be fewer flight options by then, meaning layovers are likely. Some routes may be sold out.

Are flights expected to go down in 2023?

Airfares are similar to last year's prices, Diaz said.

Travelers should keep in mind that "bookend" travel dates, like the day before Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas, tend to be the busiest as well as the most expensive dates to fly, Diaz said.

"Although some domestic flights have gone down a bit, those cheaper prices are around off-peak days (and) times," Diaz said.

What to know if you're flying in the US for the holidays

If travel trends hold through the holidays, it will be busy. A recent Tripadvisor survey showed 74% of American travelers plan to go on vacation this fall, and 52% of travelers intend to travel more than they did last fall.

Travelers can expect full flights and busy airports during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Paredes said.

"I can't predict the future, but every holiday thus far has been a record or near record for domestic travel numbers, and I don't see why Thanksgiving or Christmas will be any different as of now," he said.

Flyers enrolled in TSA PreCheck should make sure their enrollment isn't due to expire around the time they plan to travel.

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What to know about flying international for the 2023 holidays

International travel continues to increase, as Tripadvisor's survey observed 27% of travelers plan to travel both domestically and internationally this fall and another 8% plan to exclusively travel internationally. Tripadvisor said the level of international travel interest has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

Booking a flight isn't your only concern. Take into account how long it will take to get or renew a passport, Diaz said.

Passport applications currently take 10 to 13 weeks for routine service and seven to nine weeks for expedited service, according to the U.S. Department of State. The department continues to handle an above-average volume of applications.

Flyers enrolled in a Trusted Traveler program for expedited reentry in the U.S., like Global Entry, should make sure their enrollment isn't due to expire around the time they plan to travel.

The application or renewal process for Global Entry and other U.S. Customs and Border Patrol programs like SENTRI (expedited entry from Canada and Mexico) and NEXUS (expedited entry from Canada) could take six to 18 months, and interview availability is limited.

Wherever you travel, consider using a travel agent or buying travel insurance in case something goes wrong, such as the mass flight cancellations that took place last Christmas, Paredes said.

"Knowing your rights as a traveler is essential, too," he said.

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's the best time to book your holiday flights for winter 2023