Best Time to Book Flight for December: How to Lock In Christmas Flights at the Best Prices

December travel is a balancing act between timing, flexibility, and knowing exactly when fares shift from reasonable to painful. Whether you fly commercial or charter a private jet, understanding the best time to book flights for December can save hundreds - or thousands - of dollars. Here is what the data actually says.

Quick Answer: When to Book December and Christmas Flights

The short version: most travelers should start planning their December trip well before autumn ends. The prime booking window for Christmas flights generally falls between 33 and 67 days before departure, with the typical lowest-price window landing around 56 days out.

• For most U.S. domestic trips over Christmas:

  • Start tracking fares in early September.

  • Aim to book between late September and the end of October.

  • Booking for domestic U.S. flights should occur 1 to 3 months in advance.

  • Booking holiday flights by the end of October yields better prices for Christmas.

• For international flights and long-haul flights over Christmas:

  • Start tracking in July.

  • Booking for international flights should occur 4 to 6 months in advance (roughly August through October for December departures).

  • Booking international trips early can help avoid major price surges.

• For ultra-peak dates (Dec 20–23 departures, Dec 26–29 returns):

  • Book on the earlier side of those windows.

  • Book Christmas flights by the first week of November at the latest.

• Private jet charter through Jettly:

  • Does not follow the same "buy 2–3 months ahead" rule.

  • Availability and pricing depend more on aircraft type, route, and whether travelers can use empty leg flights.

  • Early planning still matters, but the dynamics differ.

How December Pricing Works: Why Christmas Flights Are Different

December combines low-demand early weeks with extreme peak travel around Christmas and New Year's, making the best time to book more sensitive than other months. Travel demand is typically highest around major holidays like Christmas and New Year's, and unlike summer, those price jumps are compressed into a shorter booking window. Flight prices tend to rise as departure dates approach, and airlines penalize late bookers during peak travel seasons.

December Fare Patterns

• Dec 1–15: Often cheaper, especially midweek. These dates sit outside school holidays in many regions and carry moderate demand.

• Around Dec 16–18: Prices start rising as holiday travel begins. December 16–18 are still more affordable than the peak days that follow.

• Dec 20–23 and Dec 26–29: Highest fares of the year for many routes. Price spikes occur as inventory diminishes within weeks of departure - flight prices tend to spike dramatically within 2 to 3 weeks of major December holidays.

Airline Pricing Dynamics

• Most airlines use dynamic pricing and open seats 11–12 months in advance, but raise fares as cabins fill.

• Average airfares reflect this: domestic airfare is up 6% this holiday season, and the average domestic ticket during holidays exceeds $600.

• International holiday flights average around $1,200 this year.

• International and long-haul flights in December see strong demand from both leisure travelers and those visiting family abroad - a double source of pressure on fares.

Private Jet Pricing in December

• Private jet operators price December flights with peak-day premiums of 30–60% above standard rates.

• Limited crew availability and high demand for popular leisure routes (for example, New York–Aspen, London–Geneva, Los Angeles–Vail).

Best Time to Book December Flights by Route Type

Ideal booking windows differ depending on whether travelers are flying domestically, crossing the Atlantic, or heading to a resort destination, and on some routes December holiday peaks can rival or exceed fares seen in the summer months. Avoid booking last-minute flights during peak travel times to prevent steep fare increases.

Domestic U.S. and Canada

• For early December (Dec 1–15):

  • Domestic flights are best booked 21–30 days in advance if travel dates are flexible and fall midweek.

• For Christmas flights and school-holiday travel (Dec 18–Jan 2):

  • Start checking fares in August.

  • Book between late September and late October for the best prices and seat choice.

Europe and Transatlantic Long Haul Flights

• For U.S.–Europe Christmas trips:

  • The best time to book is typically 3–6 months before departure (June–September for December trips).

  • Google Flights data places the lowest fares for European-bound tickets at about 90 days out.

• For intra-Europe Christmas markets and ski trips:

  • Carriers may show the best fares 2–4 months before travel, but book earlier for Dec 21–26 departures.

Mexico, Caribbean, and Sun Destinations

• December is high season. Book Christmas week 4–6 months ahead (June–August) for the best deal at popular destinations.

• Shoulder dates in the first half of December can be booked closer in, about 2–3 months out - shoulder season pricing still applies for early December.

Asia, Middle East, and Africa

• Travelers heading to India for the holidays, for example on routes served by private jet charter in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, private jet charter in Kolkata, West Bengal, or private jet charter in New Delhi, Delhi, should pay particular attention to local school breaks and festivals when planning.

• December is peak for many routes. Aim for 4–7 months ahead for the best prices, especially for long-haul flights from North America or Europe.

• International flights should be booked 7–14 days before departure only for non-peak early December dates where demand is lighter.

• For Middle East and Africa holiday safaris or resort stays, 3–6 months' lead time usually yields the best prices.

• Jettly customers can use on-demand private jet charter to secure December flight times that no longer exist in commercial schedules, but should still plan early for peak holiday weekends. Learn more about affordable private jet charter options and how to choose the best private jet charter companies for your route and budget.

Cheapest Days to Fly in December (Including Christmas Flights)

Day-of-week and day-of-month choices matter more in December than almost any other month. Flying on midweek days offers lower fares than weekend travel, and traveling on off-peak days can significantly reduce ticket costs.

Outbound Flights

• Early December Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically offer the best prices - Tuesday and Wednesday are generally the cheapest days to fly.

• For Christmas travel, flying on Dec 16–18 often costs less than leaving Dec 20–23.

• For U.S.–Europe Christmas trips, Europe is traditionally priciest in the summer months, but holiday-demand routes still reward early booking.

• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the cheapest days to fly during the holidays, with lighter crowds than Dec 21–23.

Return Flights

• Dec 26–29 returns are usually the most expensive days and most crowded.

• Flying on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is cheaper post-Christmas - returning Dec 31 or Jan 1 can save money compared to Dec 27–30.

Tips for Flexible Dates

• Use flexible date search tools like Google Flights and fare calendars to spot the least expensive days for December and Christmas flights, especially if you have flexible dates.

• Set alerts on specific routes to catch price drops.

• Private jet travelers using Jettly can shift to off-peak hours (very early morning, late night on Dec 24–25 or Dec 31–Jan 1) to secure better aircraft options and sometimes lower hourly rates, particularly when using instant-book operators like Zenflight via Jettly's platform.

• Even with private jets, demand spikes for prime mid-day slots on Dec 22–23 and Jan 1–2, so planning timing strategically matters.

When to Book if You're Using Points, Miles, or Private Jet Memberships

Award seats and membership inventory behave differently from standard cash fares. The window to find good deals on award travel for Christmas is often even narrower than for cash tickets.

• Airline points and miles:

  • For December and Christmas flights, open award space as soon as schedules load (often 330–355 days in advance).

  • Popular premium-cabin awards on long-haul flights (New York–London, Los Angeles–Tokyo) can disappear quickly over Christmas.

  • Some programs release additional award seats closer to departure, but December is risky for a "wait and see" strategy.

  • If award space stays tight, booking early can still help travelers pay less in cash or even explore buying a single seat on a private jet as an alternative.

  • Use fare calendars and search tools when you have flexible dates, and set alerts on specific routes; many loyalty experts, including Brian Kelly of The Points Guy, also recommend being flexible with one-stop routings to secure holiday award travel.

• Private jet memberships and Jettly:

  • Jettly offers membership options and on-demand charter rather than traditional jet cards, giving travelers access to a wide aircraft pool for December trips, as well as tools to sell or share empty seats on private jet flights to reduce costs.

  • Members and frequent users should request peak holiday flights early (often 4–8 weeks out) to ensure preferred aircraft size and schedule.

  • For empty leg flights around December, the best deals may appear last minute as operators reposition aircraft after Christmas and New Year's, but routes and times are fixed.

• Both miles and private jet access reward early planning - but private charter can still solve last-minute issues that miles cannot, especially if you know how to get a seat on a private jet easily.

Best Time to Book December Private Jet Charters with Jettly

Holiday travel through private aviation follows its own calendar. The best time to secure a charter depends on when in December travelers plan to fly and what destination they have in mind.

• For standard December business trips (early or mid-month):

  • Many clients book 7–21 days in advance with good availability, often through vetted operators like Jettly-partner Dexter Air Taxi private jet services.

• For Christmas week leisure trips (family ski trips, island getaways):

  • Jettly recommends locking in aircraft 3–6 weeks out for the best selection.

• For New Year's Eve events (New York–Miami, London–Dubai):

  • High-demand slots can sell out weeks ahead, especially for midsize and heavy jets, making instant-book services such as Zenflight private jet charter particularly useful for securing last-minute availability.

• Jettly's instant pricing engine helps compare aircraft types (light jet vs midsize vs heavy) across different December dates to find optimal pricing and schedule. Try the charter cost estimator to compare options, or use Jettly's dedicated jet card flight cost estimator if you prefer flying on a prepaid jet card.

• Peak-day surcharges and crew-rest constraints around Dec 24–26 and Dec 31–Jan 1 mean confirming times early is smart. Carriers apply minimums and repositioning fees that grow as availability tightens.

• Accessing 20,000+ aircraft globally through a single digital platform during holiday travel beats being locked into one fleet, and Jettly can serve as a flexible NetJets alternative for private flyers.

• Example:

  • A family chartering a midsize jet from Toronto to Vail on Dec 23, booked 4 weeks ahead, typically gets moderate surcharges and flexible departure times.

  • Wait until 2 weeks out, and the same route may only have heavy jets available at significantly higher cost.

  • An executive group flying Los Angeles–Aspen on Dec 27 faces similar dynamics - availability for midsize jets drops sharply inside 30 days.

How Flexible Travel Dates and Airports Unlock the Best Deal

Flexibility with travel dates, departure times, and airports is more valuable in December than almost any other month.

• Commercial flights:

  • Shifting departure by 1–2 days earlier (leaving Dec 19 instead of Dec 21) can save hundreds of dollars on Christmas flights.

  • Using nearby airports (Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami, London Gatwick instead of Heathrow) often yields lower prices, and tools like Jettly's airport locator for private jet charter make comparing alternative fields easier.

  • Flying early-morning or late-night flights in December tends to be cheaper than mid-day peaks.

• Private jet charter flexibility:

  • Jettly can access smaller regional airports closer to ski resorts or holiday homes, reducing ground time and sometimes flight costs.

  • Travelers willing to depart during less popular time slots (late evening Dec 24, early morning Jan 1) may see more aircraft options and competitive pricing.

  • For ideas on mountain destinations and a broader overview of charter airlines and private flights, flexible airports make a real difference.

• Decide which element is the "must-have" - exact date, exact time, specific cabin class, or jet size - and be flexible on the rest. That single decision often matters more than any booking trick, including whether you choose shared charter flights or full private charters for your December itinerary.

Tools and Tactics to Track December Flight Prices

December airfare pricing moves quickly. Tracking tools help identify the best time to book rather than guessing. Data practices from platforms like Google Flights reveal route-specific trends that generic advice misses.

Commercial Flight Tools

• Use Google Flights or similar platforms to set price alerts on specific December travel dates and routes.

• Receive newsletters from airlines or travel sites for fare updates and promotions.

• Watch for trend signals - consistent increases week over week are a cue not to wait longer.

• Combine alerts, flexible date calendars, and fare monitoring to improve savings.

• Use flexible date calendars to spot cheaper outbound and return combinations around Christmas.

• Travelers considering private aviation can also apply similar tactics from Jettly's guide to booking the cheapest private jet flights.

• For more on general timing, see when is the cheapest time to buy flights.

Private Jet Charter Tactics

• Use Jettly's instant pricing engine to compare multiple December dates and departure times on the same route.

• Explore private charter aircraft options across cabin sizes.

• Check the platform for empty leg flights around major hubs (New York, London, Los Angeles, Toronto, Dubai) where December repositioning is common.

• Request quotes early for key holiday weekends, then refine aircraft choice as plans firm up.

Calendar Reminders

• Set calendar reminders:

  1. One 6 months before planned December trips (for international).

  2. Another 90 days before (for final decision-making) to avoid missing the best prices.

• Waiting for a magical day of the week to book matters less than tracking route-specific price patterns.

• The news cycle of promotional content about "best day to buy" often oversimplifies what is really a route-by-route question, just as averages can be misleading when analyzing jet card costs and pricing structures.

Common Mistakes When Booking December and Christmas Flights

Many travelers either book far too early or far too late for December, missing the true best time to book. Treat December like a special case month - the booking windows that work for March or October trips do not apply here.

• Timing errors:

  • Assuming booking 10–11 months ahead always guarantees the best deal on Christmas flights.

  • Waiting until after Halloween or even into December to buy tickets for Dec 20–23 departures - by then, sales are over, and fares are generally expensive.

  • Insisting on exact midday departures on the busiest days instead of shifting by a few hours.

  • Booking Thanksgiving flights should occur by early October; for Christmas flights, book by the first week of November.

• Over-reliance on myths:

  • Believing there is a single best day of the week to book, instead of watching actual price trends.

  • Ignoring how school calendars and regional holidays push demand on particular December weekends.

• Mismanaging points and miles:

  • Trying to save miles for a last-minute "dream redemption" in December instead of booking award seats when they first appear.

  • Forgetting mileage programs may use dynamic pricing, making close-in Christmas awards very expensive.

  • Don't wonder why awards cost more in December - it is simply demand. Check out whether holiday flight prices go down for a complete look at what to expect.

• Private jet charter mistakes:

  • Requesting peak holiday flights only a few days before departure and expecting a wide range of aircraft choices.

  • Not considering alternative airports or aircraft categories (turboprop vs light jet for shorter regional hops).

  • Spend time comparing options early rather than paying cash premiums later.

Bottom Line: Planning Your Best Time to Book Flights for December

For commercial flights, the best time to book flights for December usually falls 2–5 months ahead - earlier for international flights and peak Christmas dates. Flexibility with travel dates, airports, and cabin or aircraft type is the strongest lever for finding the best prices and the best fares.

• There is no universal rule. The right timing depends on the route, demand patterns, and whether the trip falls in early December or the Christmas–New Year's peak. Start planning months in advance for long-haul flights; use a shorter booking window only for non-peak early December domestic trips.

• Private jet charter via Jettly provides an escape hatch from sold-out or inconvenient commercial schedules, especially for high-value holiday travel - but it still rewards early planning for Christmas flights. Travelers who wait risk paying more and receiving fewer aircraft options.

• Ready to plan your December travel on your own terms? Learn more about Jettly's charter options or request instant pricing for your holiday itinerary at https://www.jettly.com.