• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Travel

Airfare prices plummet: Prepare to book holiday travel soon

1:50
3 expert tips to save on holiday travel
Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
BySam Sweeney and Amanda Maile
September 06, 2023, 5:35 PM

The cost of a plane ticket is plummeting: Experts say domestic airfare for the fall is down 29% from the summer.

"That's about $87 per ticket less expensive than trips taken in June, July, August -- the peak summer months," Haley Berg, economist at Hopper, told ABC News.

Berg says the drop in ticket costs is in part due to seasonal price changes, but also because of an international travel boom.

"This is the first full summer where folks could head to Europe, Asia with no visa requirements that are abnormal, no COVID-related testing requirements," Berg said. "So many travelers who had been staying domestic last year and in the years prior now had new options to go international."

Related Articles

MORE: 'Skiplagging' may get you a cheaper flight, but be aware of the risks

The change also comes as flight cancellations subside nationwide. Over the summer, airlines reported canceled flights were below 2%, showing significant improvement from last summer.

Editor’s Picks

What to know about new requirements for US travel to Europe, now delayed til 2025

  • Oct 02, 2023

What's aboard the new Disney Treasure cruise ship

  • Sep 05, 2023

Booking a vacation rental? Here's how to avoid a fake listing

  • Jun 09, 2023
A flight departs from Reagan National Airport as another waits to land, Sept. 01, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia.
Win Mcnamee/Getty Images

Earlier this year US officials asked airlines to cut their schedules into NY airspace where the nation's air traffic control workforce is currently limited. The reduced traffic allowed airlines to reduce delays and cancellations throughout the country.

Planning holiday travel

Experts say we are just weeks away from the ideal time to book holiday travel at the best price.

"You should be monitoring the price of your holiday travel now and expect to book in the next 4 to 6 weeks. You want to book both your Christmas and Thanksgiving travel by mid-October, but expect that prices will be the lowest between about Sept. 15 and Oct. 15," Berg told ABC.

Related Articles

MORE: Expert tips to save big on holiday travel now by booking this summer

If the end of the year is still too expensive for you, Berg said she expects the beginning of next year to be even cheaper.

"If you have one of those tighter budgets, you're thinking about travel, book something now or keep January in mind. January is absolutely the cheapest month of the year to take a trip," she said.

Related Topics

  • Travel

Editor’s Picks

What to know about new requirements for US travel to Europe, now delayed til 2025

  • Oct 02, 2023

What's aboard the new Disney Treasure cruise ship

  • Sep 05, 2023

Booking a vacation rental? Here's how to avoid a fake listing

  • Jun 09, 2023

Up Next in Travel—

What to know about secondhand travel booking: Expert tips to get discounts on dream destinations

July 14, 2025

America the Beautiful: 'GMA' travels to 50 states in 50 weeks

July 11, 2025

Charleston dethroned as No. 1 US travel destination by this Southwest city

July 10, 2025

Disney World closes iconic attractions to make way for new land

July 6, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News