Christmas is the busiest travel season of the year. Airports overflow with balikbayan boxes, students flying home, and families reuniting after years apart. For millions of overseas Filipinos, flying home for the holidays isn’t just a trip — it’s a tradition.
But here’s the challenge: airfare during December can easily double compared to other months. A round trip from Los Angeles to Manila might cost $750 in May, but $1,400+ in December. The key to saving? Knowing exactly when to book.
This guide reveals the golden booking window, the cheapest travel days, and insider hacks to help you save money on your Christmas 2025 flights.
Why Christmas Flights Cost So Much
The holiday price surge happens for a few reasons:
- Demand is at its peak. Airlines know that December is when everyone flies home, so discounts are rare.
- Limited nonstop flights. Direct flights to Manila from the U.S. or Europe are few and sell out months early.
- Blackout dates. Airlines mark December 22–24 and January 1–2 as “premium” dates, meaning higher fares.
👉 Looking for flights outside of December? Check our guide: How to Score Cheap Flights to Manila in 2025.
The Golden Booking Window for Christmas 2025
Booking at the right time is your biggest money-saver.
- Start tracking early: From July 2025, set alerts on Google Flights or Oojyu Flight Search.
- Book between August–October 2025. This is the sweet spot before fares jump.
- Avoid November. By then, most of the cheapest fare classes are gone.
- Skip December bookings. Unless you’re prepared to pay $1,200+, December is too late for bargains.
📌 Example: A traveler who booked LAX–MNL in September 2024 paid $890. Another who booked in December paid $1,450 for the same trip.
Cheapest Days to Fly
Christmas airfare isn’t just about when you book — the day you fly matters too.
- Depart early: Flying between December 15–20 is cheaper than December 22–24.
- Return later: Avoid January 1–2. Flying back January 5–7 (or later) saves big.
- Midweek flights: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheapest, while Fridays and Sundays are priciest.
👉 Tip: Use Oojyu Flight Search to check a whole month’s prices at once and spot the cheapest departure day.
Holiday Flight Booking Hacks
Here are extra tricks to stretch your Christmas travel budget:
1. Try Alternate Airports
- Philippines: Check Clark (CRK) or Cebu (CEB) instead of Manila. Savings: $100–200.
- U.S.: West Coast departures (LAX, SFO, SEA) are cheapest. East Coasters can book a positioning flight to save.
2. Consider Stopovers
Nonstop flights are convenient but often $400–600 more expensive. A stop in Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei can cut costs significantly.
3. Mix & Match Airlines
Sometimes booking one-way tickets with different airlines (e.g., Philippine Airlines outbound, EVA Air return) is cheaper than a round trip.
4. Use Miles or Points
Christmas is the perfect time to redeem loyalty points. Even partial redemptions can save $300–500.
5. Book Group Tickets Separately
Oddly enough, booking 2 seats at a time can be cheaper than booking 4–6 together, because of how airlines allocate fare classes.
👉 For more advanced booking tricks, explore our Flight Deals & Booking Hacks category.
Real-World Price Trends (Based on 2024 Data)
Here’s how prices climbed for LAX–MNL round trips in 2024:
- August: $650–750
- October: $850–950
- November: $1,100–1,300
- December: $1,200–1,500
Expect a similar pattern in 2025, with possible increases due to fuel costs and demand.
Extra Christmas Travel Tips
- Arrive early at NAIA: Expect long check-in and immigration lines. Arrive at least 4 hours before your flight.
- Ship balikbayan boxes in advance: Send them 2–3 months early to avoid overweight baggage fees.
- Build in long layovers: Flight delays are common in December. Give yourself extra time to avoid missed connections.
👉 Family traveling with kids? Browse our Travel Smart section for stress-free family travel hacks.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is the most expensive time of year to fly, but with planning, you don’t have to pay sky-high fares. The key is simple:
- Start tracking in July.
- Book in August–October.
- Avoid peak departure/return dates.
By following these tips, you can save money and guarantee a seat home for noche buena.
👉 Ready to start planning? Compare fares now on Oojyu Flight Search and don’t wait until prices double.
âť“ FAQs About Christmas Flights
Q: Is it ever cheaper to book last-minute for Christmas?
Almost never. Airlines know seats will sell, so waiting means higher prices. Use Oojyu Flight Alerts instead.
Q: What are the most expensive travel dates?
December 22–24 for departures, and January 1–2 for returns.
Q: Should I use miles or points for holiday flights?
Yes. Christmas is one of the best times to redeem points since cash fares are highest.
Q: How early should I get to the airport?
For international Christmas flights, arrive at least 4 hours before departure.
Q: Do promo fares ever apply to December travel?
Rarely. Most airline promos exclude Christmas week, so don’t rely on them.