November airfare is shaping up to be a mixed bag. Holiday travel is getting more expensive, but travelers flying outside the busiest Thanksgiving period can still find significantly better deals on certain routes.
Hopper’s analysis of November fares found that some of the lowest-priced routes are concentrated around Atlanta and other major Southeastern and Midwestern cities, while several of the most expensive routes involve remote destinations.
• Atlanta has some of the best bargains. Routes connecting Atlanta with cities across the Midwest and Southeast appear frequently among November’s cheaper options. High flight volume and competition can help keep prices lower.
• Florida offers inexpensive short-haul options. Some flights within Florida rank among the cheaper November routes, showing that short distance can still translate into affordable airfare when there is plenty of competition.
• Hawaii has some surprising deals. Certain inter-island routes are also among November’s less expensive flights, despite Hawaii’s geographic isolation.
• Small coastal airports can be expensive. Routes from Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard to major cities such as New York and Washington, D.C., are among the pricier options. Limited service and smaller airport networks can contribute to higher fares.
• Alaska is a different story. Flights from remote Alaska to the East Coast rank among the most expensive. The state’s distance from major population centers and its dependence on imported refined fuel can add pressure to airfare.
The biggest lesson is that distance alone doesn’t determine airfare. Competition, airport size, route demand and the number of available flights can have a major impact on what travelers pay.
The Smarter Take: If your November dates are flexible, don’t assume every route will be expensive. Look beyond the headline holiday fares and compare alternative airports, nearby destinations and less popular travel dates. The biggest savings may come from changing the route—not the destination.