Travelers looking toward Thanksgiving and Christmas can expect to see the same prices as last year. Bing Travel's Fareologists issued its preliminary outlook for the 2010 holiday season, reporting that this year will be the first time since 2007 that airfares have changed less than 10 percent in either direction.
Last year, airfares and hotel rates were low to stimulate consumer travel during the economic crisis. Bing found 2010 for domestic travel for Thanksgiving to average $310, down three percent from 2009 and 13 percent down from 2008. Christmas and New Year's domestic travel averages $368, up 2 percent from the same period in 2009 and level with 2008's figures.
"What has been a seesaw of fares over the past few years -- from sky high to rock bottom -- is finally finding its balance point," said Chief Fareologist David Lindheimer, Global Lead for Bing Travel. "Airlines have made the right capacity cuts and are now consistently filling their planes, which has evened out fares. Though holiday flights are pretty reasonable now, prices will increase as more people finalize and book their holiday travel."
Bing's tips for easing holiday travel include watching the first two October for holiday price drops, being flexible with dates and avoiding travel surcharges by booking in the fall and knowing airlines' fees, including checking baggage, having overweight baggage, receiving pillows or meals and getting aisle or exit row seats.
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