The Christmas holiday season (December 18th to January 1st) is a peak travel period, which means pricier flights.
Christmas is already an expensive season, with all the heating bills and presents to buy. The last thing you're going to want is a large flight expense on top of that. Luckily, there are ways of getting around this.
Discover how you can acquire the cheapest flights possible this Christmas.
This guide will also feature information on the least busy times to fly, travelling with children, presents and more!
Keep you and your bank account jolly this Christmas with cheaper travel. 🎅
Christmas flights are expensive. The Christmas season is one of the busiest points of travel, and because of this, you can expect flights to be pricier than usual. While the cost of your tickets will vary depending on the airline you select and how far you're travelling, it's best to anticipate that the cost of those tickets will be above the standard rate - especially compared to the rest of winter.
At Alternative Airlines, our average customer books their flights 6 weeks ahead of departure. However, when it comes to booking Christmas flights, we recommend booking earlier than this to avoid steep prices.
Flight prices are dynamic, and while there are no guarantees, booking early can increase your chances of affordable travel. By booking in the months rather than weeks leading up to Christmas, you'll miss the Christmas flight price boom, where prices skyrocket as everyone scrambles to book their holiday tickets.
Another great time for cheap Christmas flights is Black Friday. You can snag yourself some nice discounts at Alternative Airlines on Black Friday (Friday, 27th of November 2026) and the days surrounding it.
If you want to book your flights outside our recommended time frame, then you're still in luck! Check out our deals and discounts page. We have promo codes available throughout the year (subject to certain conditions).
Another way to make your flights more affordable is through pay-later travel. By selecting a Buy Now Pay Later lender (BNPL) at checkout, you can spread the cost of your Christmas flights over weeks, months or even years. Fly now and pay later without the financial stress.
Although many people believe that flying on Christmas Day results in cheaper travel, this is actually an urban myth. Christmas Day flights are often more expensive!
What makes Christmas Day especially pricey is the high travel demand combined with limited staff. With fewer airport and airline staff working on Christmas Day, and plenty of people still wanting to travel, ticket costs often skyrocket.
If possible, fly before the 18th as this is when most schools will break up for the holidays.
To see how prices are looking for this year's Christmas, check out our best fare finder tool. It shows you the difference in flight prices per day by using a traffic light system. Days in green are the least expensive and red are the most.
For further information on booking cheap winter travel, have a look at our page dedicated to flights in December.
If your priority is a peaceful flight with barely any airport queues, then it's best to avoid the general Christmas season altogether or only travel between less-well-known airports.
If you can't do this, then try to fly on a weekday. The Saturday before Christmas in particular should be avoided, as it's often the busiest travel day during the Christmas period.
Another way to up your chances of a quieter airport and flight experience is by getting a red-eye flight. These are flights that depart late in the evening and arrive early in the morning. Due to red-eye flights being quite disruptive to people's sleep, they're often less popular than day flights.
New York transforms into a winter wonderland come Christmas. With its snow-dusted streets and cosy festive markets, it's no wonder New York is one of the most beloved Christmas destinations.
Fly to New York with American Airlines, British Airways and more ✈️
With over 80 Christmas markets to explore, you'll be spoilt for choice in Berlin. Meander through markets draped in golden lights while drinking Heiße Schokolade, a thick, creamy German hot chocolate.
Fly to Berlin with Lufthansa, Eurowings and more ✈️
If you're used to a chilly, white Christmas, then why not mix things up in 2026 by going to Australia? Switch making snow angels for soaking up rays at the beach. Instead of a roast dinner, step up to the grill and enjoy a BBQ.
Fly to Australia with Jetstar Airways, Qantas and more ✈️
Check out our blog on Unique Christmas Markets to discover some of the most distinct festive markets in the world.
Make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time. Roads and public transport are often busier during the holiday season. The last thing you're going to want is to miss your flight due to transport delays.
The general advice is to arrive 2 hours before departure for domestic flights and 3 hours for international travel. Give yourself a little more time than this to account for potential issues.
With long queues and heightened emotions, travelling around Christmas can be stressful. The best way to combat this is by being as prepared as possible. Pack well in advance, research the airports, and bring calming items like noise-cancelling headphones.
Presents that are already wrapped should be kept in your hold luggage, so that security don't unwrap them.
Delicate items should be kept in your hand luggage as they're less likely to be handled roughly and damaged.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
For many, what makes Christmas so special is being surrounded by family. Here are some recommendations to make your flight experience and your children's as stress-free as possible.
It's not a family holiday if someone's missing - no matter how small and fluffy they are. These are some tips for flying with pets over the Christmas period.
If you're travelling for Christmas, chances are you'll be bringing a few gifts with you (other than yourself). Here's some advice to keep in mind for when you go through security and customs.
Is there a destination your loved one's always dreamed of visiting? Then, consider gifting them flights this Christmas.
Flights are the perfect Christmas gift because they tick off so many boxes!
At Alternative Airlines, you can buy flights as a gift. Surprise your loved one with an extra-special gift this Christmas. Feel your heart soar when you see their reaction ❤️✈️
Whether you're booking months in advance or last-minute, you can always find Christmas flights at Alternative Airlines! Thanks to the 600+ airlines we ticket and 40+ ways to pay, you can travel how and when you want stress-free.
You should aim to book your flights early to avoid rising prices. This usually means around 2-3 months in advance.
If you're aiming to book discount flights, then wait until Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Travel Tuesday (these events occur in late November/early December), where you can expect deals on a vast array of goods and services, including flights.
Generally, airports will be less busy on Christmas Day compared to the rest of the Christmas season. However, this doesn't mean that flights will be less expensive. Although fewer flights will operate on Christmas Day, high demand for tickets often results in steeper prices.
No. The idea that flights are cheaper on Christmas Day is unfortunately an urban myth. In fact, flights are often more expensive on Christmas Day due to high demand and fewer staff.
This depends on the airline. Check out our page detailing how early you can book your flights. Some airlines, such as Cathay Pacific and Iberia, allow bookings up to a year in advance, whereas others must be made a few months prior.
Yes. Christmas is a peak travel time. An increase in passenger demand leads to more expensive flights.
Luckily, there are still ways to make sure your Christmas flights fit your budget. You can choose a low-cost airline, pay for your holiday flights in instalments, and use one of Alternative Airlines' deals and discounts to cut the ticket cost.
Yes, you can book flights on/ for Boxing Day at Alternative Airlines.
Yes, you can book flights on/ for New Year's at Alternative Airlines.
