KAYAK releases 2026 holiday travel timing and savings guide

Based on · First reported 2 Oct 2026

KAYAK published its 2026 Holiday Travel Check-In, outlining optimal purchase windows and flight dates for the upcoming holiday season.
The report notes that domestic fares typically reach their lowest point about five weeks before Thanksgiving and that flying on Thanksgiving Day can yield savings of up to 19% on domestic routes and 49% on international routes compared with departing on November 20. It also states that travelers flying the week of Christmas can save up to 18% domestically and 34% internationally, while average fares to Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean are lower than the previous year. Additionally, the guide suggests that combining two one‑way tickets instead of a traditional round‑trip can reduce airfare by as much as 30% on international itineraries and 29% on domestic ones.

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