2026 holiday airfares rising to highest in a decade, experts say

Travel experts report that the 2026 holiday travel season is expected to have the highest airfares in a decade. This trend is prompting recommendations for travelers to book their flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas as soon as possible to avoid higher costs.

Passengers at McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa, Tennessee, were observed amid these rising airfare trends, illustrating the ongoing demand for holiday travel. Airline executives have issued warnings that flight prices will continue to increase next year.

Specifically, the chief executive of Ryanair has indicated that European airfares could see significant rises, contributing to the overall increase in travel costs during the holiday period.

These reports come from multiple Lee Enterprises newspapers including the Chippewa Herald, The Journal Times, and The Montana Standard, highlighting a consistent outlook across different regions.

Travelers are advised to plan ahead and secure their flight bookings early to mitigate the impact of soaring airfares during the 2026 holiday season.