How to get cheap flights this festive season

Millions of Aussies will be travelling across the country this festive season, but those who don’t mind missing a few hours with family could save on expensive tickets if they book to travel on December 25. RMIT Aviation Academy operations manager Justin Brownjohn said if travellers were willing to wait, they could save hundreds on their flights if opting to fly on Christmas Day. “There’s always a lot of discussion about how to get the best deal when you’re travelling over summer,” Mr Brownjohn said. “The tried-and-true method is to travel on Christmas Day. “Domestic travel goes crazy in the days leading up to Christmas, and then international travel is popular from Boxing Day and into the New Year. “If you’re looking for a relatively stress-free day of travel, and to make some savings, the sweet spot is December 25th itself. “For example, a one-way flight from Melbourne to London on Christmas Day with one major airline costs $1684.” Mr Brownjohn said travelling on Christmas Day was often far less stressful for passengers. “People are in a festive mood and there’s a shared sense of community at airports for those working and travelling,” he said. “There’s also a feeling of gratitude to staff who are working to keep airlines flying over Christmas.” But for those who don’t want to miss out on Christmas fun with family, Compare the Market research found travellers could save hundreds of dollars on flights on certain days in the lead-up to the big day. Searching for a single one-way ticket for the cheapest available flights, the data analysed Skyscanner options and found that flights out of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington, NZ to the rest of Australia’s major cities and Christchurch were on average cheapest between December 10-13. Compare The Market research found the most expensive days to fly from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington were from December 20-22 and December 26-29. Ways to save on travel Compare the Market travel expert Catriona Rowntree said there were still ways people could save on travel despite the cost-of-living pressures facing many households. “If you have the option, fly out during the day when there’s not as much demand,” Ms Rowntree said. “You’ll hit peak traffic if you’re flying out after everyone is finished at school or commuting home from work and that can be stressful. “Creating family memories doesn’t have to cost a fortune. “Your kids don’t care about that fancy hotel – all they really want is to spend quality time with you and that could be anywhere. “When looking for accommodation always prioritise safety and convenience over luxuries.” RMIT associate finance professor Angel Zhong said travellers should also be aware of several things before booking their flights in order to get the best deal. “Dynamic pricing taps into the urgency and emotions of the holiday season, knowing many travellers are willing to pay more to reunite with loved ones,” Dr Zhong said. “This makes it crucial to stick to a budget and avoid spur-of-the-moment purchases. “For budget-conscious travellers, the unpredictability of airfare changes can be tough. “Tools like price alerts and fare trackers can help manage costs and avoid surprises. “Planning ahead, being flexible with dates, and considering alternative airports can also make a big difference. “Airlines adjust prices in real time based on demand, seat availability, and competition. “Over the festive season, surging demand often leads to sharp price increases, leaving late bookers to bear the brunt.” While flying during the festive season can be expensive, the average flight price out of Brisbane is 9.9 per cent less than a year ago. Flight prices also reduced in other major cities, with passengers paying 6.1 per cent less for flights out of Sydney and 14.3 per cent less for flights out of any of Melbourne’s airports compared with 2023 prices.