Busiest Days to Fly During Christmas: How to Plan Around Peak Travel

The holiday season brings a special kind of energy to the skies!

Unfortunately, these are also the busiest days to fly during Christmas holidays, and airports reach their absolute peak. It is no wonder that holiday travelers during the month of December are in the millions, and waiting in endless lines, in overcrowded terminals, and at jammed baggage carousels.

Back-to-back year-end work meetings are coming to a close, and it is time for winter break. At the airport, the excitement and exhaustion are obvious, as there is a convergence of joyful and stressed travelers.

Everyone looks forward to the holiday travel hotspots for Christmas and New Year, and there are certainly better times to fly for a more enjoyable trip, and a less chaotic and stressful travel season.

Quick Summary

The last few weeks of December present a global increase in passenger numbers, crowded airports, and postponed flights. This article analyzes the parameters that help define the busiest days in the year and the most congested airports and describes how smart planning can help avoid turbulent trips and make them enjoyable.

Holiday Travel Madness: What’s Behind the Surge?

Why December Becomes the Busiest Month to Fly During Christmas?

The combination of leisure travel, family reunions, and last-minute business trips contributes to increasing air traffic every December. FAA recorded nearly 49,000 flights on Christmas in 2023. Airports Council International also reported an 18.3% increase in passenger traffic to 5.1 million in December 2024. 

Those seeking higher-end travel experiences should plan around the busiest days to fly during Christmas.

One of the primary reasons why Christmas is stressful to travel is the limited time frame of three weeks during which people travel. During the summer, the longer time breaks allow for longer travel time, which reduces the pressure on the travel systems.  Christmas, on the other hand, increases the pressure on already overstressed systems. 

The Human Side of Holiday Crowds

People travel during the holidays with more luggage and gifts, often for business purposes or to take a holiday break after completing deals for the year. Factors like unpredictable climatic conditions and tight schedules continue to heighten the anxiety of the traveler, which poses a higher potential for delays. Departure gates can become very stressful, as holiday anticipation, excitement of the season, and the stress of deadlines become a “pressure cooker”.

What are the Heaviest Travel Days Around Christmas?

Busiest Days Before Christmas

As per the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the peak travel days of the year are December 20 and 23. These days fall just before Christmas and are the busiest days to fly during Christmas because most people are arriving home or heading to a holiday destination.

On December 22, 2023, more than 2.8 million travelers were screened at U.S. airports, marking the highest number for the entire month and confirming it as one of the busiest days to fly during Christmas.

Return Rush After the Holidays

The return journey immediately follows the holiday. December 26 and 27 are some of the busiest days for outbound flights, as families return home. The last Friday before Christmas is notorious in Europe as ‘Flyaway Friday’, and is known for its packed airports and delayed flights.

Calmer Days to Fly

Only if your schedule allows, the most peaceful days to fly are December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 25 (Christmas Day). Most travelers have already arrived, so terminals are quieter and ticket prices often dip slightly.

The Busiest Airports During the Christmas Period

Some airports operate near capacity during the holiday season, typically in December. Based on global passenger data from ACI World, the following are the busiest airports in the world in December:

1. Dubai International Airport (DXB) –  Located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, DXB serves over 5 million travelers every December.

2. London Heathrow (LHR) – With flights to every continent, the crown jewel of the British aviation sector, and Europe’s busiest airport, handles around 200,000 passengers every holiday.

3. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta (ATL) –  It is one of the busiest hubs in the United States. It manages around 50.9 million passengers every year and almost 1,000 flights a day.

4. Singapore Changi (SIN) – A key connection hub for Southeast Asia’s year-end tourism boom. During Q3 2025, around 17.3 million passengers passed through Changi, marking a 3.1% jump from the same quarter in 2024.

5. Los Angeles International (LAX) – A mix of vacationers, expats, and domestic holiday travelers. In 2024, LAX served around 76.6 million passengers, showing a slight increase compared to 2023.

Travelers flying through major UK hubs can find more region-specific insights in the UK airport holiday travel guide, which offers details on passenger flow, airport operations, and tips for navigating Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester during the festive rush.

Travel Tip for Airports During Christmas Holiday Season

Holiday airports can get hectic fast, and even the luxury lounges start to fill up. If you want to skip the long lines and glide through check-in, don’t forget to book a concierge service in advance. 

Why Airports Feel Overwhelmed During the Holidays?

Multiple reasons cause airports to be more crowded during the holidays: 

 

• Families and other groups traveling together tend to bring more luggage, thus increasing baggage handling time and payload of the aircraft.
• Students, tourists, and business professionals are traveling during the same limited dates, all of which contribute to peak travel season and overcrowded flights. 
• Poor weather in one area of the world and the resultant delays can cause complications in subsequent flights in other regions. An additional cause for delays during the peak season is the extended and thinly stretched staffing. 
• Increased security facilities and measures during peak season also tend to overwhelm every passenger, thus extending the time taken for check-in and boarding. 

 

Even on less crowded days, the airlines tend to fill flights to more than 95 percent of capacity, thus making fully booked flights the norm in December.

Tips to Manage Christmas Travel Like a Pro

• • Book Early and Strategically
    Around mid-November, flight prices are likely to rise by around 20-25% and should be booked at least six weeks in advance. Departing midweek, on Tuesday through Thursday, will also help avoid the weekend crowds.

  • Fly During Off-Peak Days
    Travel between December 17 and 19, or December 24-25, for a smoother airport experience and shorter lines.

  • Arrive Early and Stay Informed
    For international flights, please arrive at least 3 hours prior to departure; for domestic flights, please arrive at least 2 hours prior to departure. Real-time updates on flights and delays can be found in the airline apps.

• Pack Light and Smart

Sticking to carry-ons is the best plan. It saves time at baggage claim and during check-in. Always keep medication and important documents, chargers, and other essentials in your personal bag.

• Think About Premium Airport Assistance

On the busiest days, consider services like lounge access, fast-track, or meet and assist to help you skip long lines. airssist is a platform that allows travelers to pre-book these services at more than 1950 airports worldwide, offering peace of mind when terminals are busy.

• Monitoring Weather and Flexibility

During winter, the weather can delay or cancel flights. Always stay flexible and have a couple of backup options for your connecting flights. And if you’ve booked with airssist, your personal greeter will keep you informed about any flight changes and handle the adjustments for you, so there’s no need to worry.

How do Assistance Services Improve Holiday Travel?

On a stressful travel day, airport assistance services can make your experience more pleasant. A personal greeter assists you with check-in, baggage, and expedited immigration procedures, while the lounges offer a relaxing or working space.

For executives who often travel under tight schedules, this level of support eliminates unnecessary waiting and logistical stress. It allows them to focus on priorities, maintain productivity, and arrive refreshed and prepared for business commitments at their destination.

As airports continue to modernize, travelers can now digitally compare and book assistance services, efficiently enhancing their travel experience during peak travel weeks. With airssist, seamless coordination and personalized attention transform even the most demanding travel days into smooth, stress-free experiences.

When to Book Flights for the Best Experience?

For the best prices on Christmas tickets, be sure to book by mid-November, as prices tend to increase significantly after this date. It gets difficult to find available seats in the premium cabins, especially at large hubs that rank among the busiest airports at Christmas. 

Avoid Friday evenings and weekend flights, as they are the most congested during airport Christmas travel. To have the easiest time at the airport, it’s best to fly early in the morning or late at night, when the lines are shorter and terminals are calmer.

FAQs About the Busiest Days to Fly During Christmas

When Are the Best Days to Fly Around Christmas?

The best days to travel by plane during Christmas would be a few days before December 23 or a few days after December 26. These dates tend to be the least crowded and the most affordable. Additionally, traveling the week before Christmas or on Christmas Day usually offers less congestion and lower prices compared to the most popular travel days. 

When is the Busiest Day to Travel during Christmas?

December 22 and 23 are the busiest travel days, as most people are either going to or coming from the holidays. During this time, major highways and airports are at their busiest. If you must travel during this time, be sure to arrive as early as you can, plan for the overall traffic volume, and consider fast-track airport services to help make your journey as seamless as possible.

When are the Worst Traffic Days for Christmas?

December 23, 24, and 27 are the most crowded days for both road and air travel. These are the days people begin their holiday and post-holiday trips, leading to a spike in traffic and congestion. Suppose you are traveling to or from a holiday gathering. In that case, you can also expect an increase in traffic after January 2, as many people return to work from their holiday breaks.

What Day Is the Least Busy to Travel During Christmas?

Typically, the least busy travel days are Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year’s Eve (December 31st). By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, most travelers will have arrived at their destinations, resulting in minimal lines and a peaceful airport atmosphere. 

Are Airport Concierge Services Offered During Christmas?

Yes, airport concierge and meet-and-greet services are available during the Christmas season. Concierge services are provided during Christmas and other major holidays. Book early, though; demand increases greatly during December. Booking early allows you to skip long lines, access airport lounges, and enjoy a hassle-free airport experience.

Ending the Year with Smooth Travel Plans

Airports become dynamic and vibrant centers of activity during the Christmas season. Knowing the busiest days to fly during Christmas and planning your trip around them can make your journey far less stressful and much more enjoyable.  Whether it’s a vacation overseas or time with family, getting there is a lot smoother with the right preparations.

Make the most of your time by traveling early, streamlining your load, remaining flexible, and utilizing services that assist with the more tedious aspects of the airport. Every holiday journey will be a lot easier and more enjoyable.

 

Sources

1. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – https://www.faa.gov
2. Airports Council International Asia-Pacific (ACI Asia-Pacific) https://www.aci-asiapac.aero
3. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – https://www.tsa.gov
4. Airlines for America (A4A) – https://www.airlines.org
5. Airports Council International World (ACI World) – https://aci.aero

Note: Please note that the information on this page is generic & subject to change due to fluctuations in airport services. Kindly confirm service availability with our team, as offerings may vary daily.