Many travelers made flight reservations earlier this year, snapping up the lowest fares on the most popular travel days, said Minneapolis-based fare expert Terry Trippler.
Nationally, holiday fares are as much as 15 percent higher, with the average price up about $30 from a year ago, according to Trippler.
Still, for the flexible few, there might be affordable options left for holiday travel.
Traveling on off-peak days such as the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the Friday and Saturday after are less popular, which could mean lower fares.
“That Wednesday before Thanksgiving is very, very busy, and the chance of getting a real good deal there is not as good,” Trippler said. “You may have to be flexible to get the fare you want.”
Other good fares can still be had by those willing to travel on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
At United Airlines, flights at peak holiday travel times are filled up to the low 90 percent range, said spokeswoman Robin Urbanski. Still, United, the largest carrier in Denver, started a fare sale last week, offering last-minute deals for the holiday travel season on less popular days.
Increased competition among United, Frontier and Southwest airlines in Denver means Denver fares may be only 8 to 10 percent higher than last year, Trippler said.
Frontier Airlines spokesman Joe Hodas said the carrier’s Denver fares are on par with last year.
“That bodes well for the Denver traveler – fares have remained pretty steady here,” Hodas said. Still, bargains depend on travelers’ willingness to fly on off-peak days, he said.
Southwest Airlines has good deals available, said spokeswoman Paula Berg, and is advertising them on its website. The offers pop up after travelers enter their itineraries – in addition to the standard menu of flight choices, the site will display a “Shortcut to Lowest Fares” function.
The competition at DIA has led United, Frontier and Southwest to add flights this year, contributing to what could be record passenger-traffic levels at the airport this holiday season.
Last year, about 900,000 people traveled through Denver International Airport during Thanksgiving week.
The Air Transport Association, an airline industry group, forecasts that 25 million passengers, or an average of more than 2 million daily, will travel on U.S. airlines Nov. 17-28. That translates to planes being more than 80 percent full.
Christmas travel fares nationally are also up 10 to 15 percent and will be lower on off-peak travel days, Trippler said.
The holidays bring more travelers who fly only once a year and may not be aware of changes in security rules.
“There will be lines,” and it may take longer for each individual to get through the checkpoint, said Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Andrea McCauley.
“Give yourself plenty of time,” said DIA spokesman Chuck Cannon, noting that airlines are recommending travelers get to the airport lobby two hours before departure. Surface-lot “economy” parking could be at a premium, but the airport does not expect to run out of parking when including shuttle lots.
“Parking will take more time, check-in will take more time, and security screening will take more time,” Cannon said.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com.
