If you’re planning to fly for Thanksgiving but haven’t booked a ticket yet, you might actually be in luck.

Travelers could still have a few weeks before they hit the sweet spot for booking their Thanksgiving flights, according to new data from KAYAK. But wait too long, and those potential savings could disappear quickly. KAYAK’s 2026 Holiday Travel Check-In looked at historical airfare trends to determine when travelers are most likely to find cheaper flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as which destinations are getting cheaper this year.

The big takeaway for Thanksgiving travelers: You probably don’t need to panic-book a flight today, but you also shouldn’t wait until November.

Historically, domestic Thanksgiving airfare hits its lowest point about five weeks before the holiday, according to KAYAK. That puts the potential sweet spot toward the end of October this year. After that, travelers could see prices start heading in the opposite direction, particularly as the holiday gets closer. KAYAK says fares have historically climbed sharply within two weeks of departure.

“Throughout 2026, airfare has largely followed the seasonal patterns we saw in 2025, just at a higher price point,” KAYAK CEO Peer Bueller said. “That makes history a useful guide, not a guarantee.”

When you fly can make an even bigger difference in how much you pay. Travelers willing to fly on Thanksgiving Day itself could save as much as 19% on domestic airfare compared with departing Nov. 20, which KAYAK identified as the most expensive day around the holiday to fly.

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