Christmas travel demand drives up flight prices
Research by UK hotel booking platform hoo has revealed that the cost faced by those flying home for Christmas will soon start to spiral by as much as 184 per cent as a result of heightened December demand
hoo analysed the cost of an economy class ticket for one adult taking a direct flight from the UK to several destinations, starting the week commencing 29 November. hoo then analysed how this cost is set to change over the coming weeks right up until Christmas week (20 to 26 December).
The research shows that flying home for Christmas will cost the least during the first week of December (29 November to 5 December). This cost then jumps by 15 per cent the following week (6 to 12 December) to an average of GB£248 per person and a further nine per cent to £271 per person the week after that (13-19 December).
However, the biggest increase comes during Christmas week (20-26 December), when the average cost of a ticket hits £399 – a 47-per-cent increase on the previous week and 85 per cent more expensive than flying during the first week of December.
Low emission flights even more expensive
It’s also bad news for those trying to reduce their Christmas carbon footprint when flying. The cost of a low-emission flight comes in 81 per cent more expensive on average throughout December when compared to the cost of a regular flight. Again, this premium is at its highest during Christmas week (20-26 December) when a low-emission flight will cost 139 per cent more on average.
hoo Co-founder Adrian Murdock commented: “Driving home for Christmas might see you top to toe in tailbacks but spare a thought for those facing some rapidly rising ticket prices to fly home to see their loved ones for the festive period. With many of us also spending last Christmas grounded due to Covid restrictions, demand is likely to be even higher than usual this year.”