From my own experience, flying on Christmas Day can actually be one of the best-kept secrets for saving money on airfare. A few years back, I had to fly from Chicago to Los Angeles to visit family, but the ticket prices leading up to Christmas Eve were sky-high. Out of curiosity, I checked flights for Christmas Day itself, and to my surprise, the fare was significantly lower. I hesitated at first—who really wants to fly on Christmas morning?—but once I realized how much I’d save, I booked it.
It turned out to be one of the most peaceful travel days I’ve ever had. The airport was quiet, security lines were practically nonexistent, and the United staff were in a great mood, greeting passengers with candy canes and smiles. Even though it felt odd being on a plane while everyone else was probably opening gifts, the flight was smooth, and I arrived just in time for Christmas dinner.
Since then, I’ve made a habit of checking Christmas Day flights whenever I travel during the holidays. Prices do tend to drop because most people prefer to fly before or after the holiday, so demand is lower. Of course, flexibility helps—early morning or late-night flights are usually the cheapest. If you don’t mind giving up a few holiday hours for a calmer airport and cheaper fares, flying on Christmas Day can be surprisingly pleasant and budget-friendly.
