Last-Minute Flights: Where to Find Christmas Flight Deals in 2025

Christmas and the winter holidays are just days away. If you still haven’t booked your flight, you’re not alone. Every year, many travelers wait until the last minute due to work schedules, family plans, or sudden changes. The challenge is that with last-minute flights prices are high, availability is limited, and online search tools don’t always show the full picture.

The good news is that last-minute Christmas flights are still possible. Even on the eve of the holidays, there are ways to find untraditional routes, flexible options, and agent-only fares that don’t appear online. Knowing when to fly, which airports to use, and who to call is your key to finding last-minute flight deals.

In this guide, we’ll share practical tips on where to find last-minute deals, which travel days are more affordable, and how a talking to a travel agent can help you secure a flight before Christmas. And if you need immediate assistance, ASAP Tickets is available 24/7 to help you book your holiday travel. Call 844-300-7983 to speak with a travel expert today.

Cheapest Days to Fly Before Christmas

With last-minute flights, the day you fly usually matters more than the airline. Prices can vary widely within the same week, especially right before Christmas. So, choosing the right travel day can save you hundreds of dollars.

December 24 (Christmas Eve)

This is often one of the cheapest days to fly before Christmas. Many travelers prefer to arrive earlier, so demand drops. Flights are usually less crowded, and availability can improve at the last minute.

December 25 (Christmas Day)

Christmas Day itself is usually the cheapest option. Airports are quieter, and airlines often reduce prices to fill any remaining seats. If your plans are flexible, this is your best bet to try and find affordable last-minute flights.

Early morning or late-night departures

Flights leaving very early or late at night are often cheaper. These times are less popular, but they can unlock better last-minute pricing.

Days to avoid if possible

December 21, 22, and 23 are typically the most expensive travel days. Demand is high, planes are overbooked, and prices spike quickly. If you must fly on these dates, working with a travel agent becomes even more important.

If you’re flexible by even one day, your chances of finding affordable last-minute flights improve significantly. A travel agent can quickly compare options and suggest alternative dates that still get you home for the holidays.

Best Airports for Last-Minute Christmas Flights

When booking last-minute flights, your departure and arrival airports will make a difference in terms of price. Bigger airports usually offer more options, more airlines, and better chances of finding available seats close to Christmas.

Major hub airports give you more flexibility

Airports with heavy airline traffic often have better last-minute availability. These include:

• New York (JFK, EWR)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Atlanta (ATL)

If you live near a smaller airport, connecting through one of these hubs can open up more last-minute routes.

Alternative airports can unlock savings

Flying into or out of a nearby secondary airport can reduce prices and improve availability. This strategy works especially well for international last-minute flights, where flexibility often opens more routing options.

In the U.S.:

• Flying into Oakland (OAK) instead of San Francisco
• Using Fort Lauderdale (FLL) instead of Miami
• Choosing Baltimore (BWI) instead of Washington, D.C.

For international travel:

• Flying into London Gatwick (LGW) instead of Heathrow
• Choosing Paris Orly (ORY) instead of Charles de Gaulle
• Using Rome Fiumicino (FCO) with a return from Milan (MXP)
• Flying into Frankfurt (FRA) instead of smaller European airports

For travelers heading to Asia or the Philippines, arriving at a major hub and continuing with a short connection can also improve last-minute availability.

Being flexible with airports, both at departure and arrival, is often the key to securing last-minute flights when seats are limited.

Flexibility matters most at the last minute

Being open to a different airport,even one a few hours away, can be the key to finding a workable itinerary. A travel agent can quickly compare nearby airports and suggest options you may not see online. Call 844-300-7983 to check last-minute availability across multiple airports and secure the best route before Christmas.

Tips for Last-Minute Flights

Airlines still release flash deals on select routes, even close to Christmas. These can apply to both domestic and international flights, but they usually appear without warning and disappear fast. By the time many travelers spot them online, the lowest seats are already gone.

One way to stay ahead of these limited-time offers is to subscribe to ASAP Tickets’ special offers alerts. Instead of checking multiple airline websites, you’ll receive updates based on the regions you care about. If you’re planning to travel to Africa, Europe, or somewhere else, you’ll only get notifications for those regions.

These alerts are designed to save you time when searching for last-minute flights. You can receive updates by email, SMS, or both, so you don’t miss an opportunity when seats suddenly open up.

But remember, when travel is just days away, calling a live agent is often faster than waiting for a sale alert. An expert can check real-time availability and agent-only fares that don’t appear online.

Top Tips for Booking Last-Minute Flights Before Christmas

• Be open to one-stop itineraries: At the last minute, non-stop flights sell out first. A single connection can unlock many more options and better pricing.
• Mix airlines on the same ticket: Combining different carriers can create routes that don’t show up in standard searches but are still fully protected under one itinerary.
• Check both round-trip and one-way pricing: Sometimes booking two one-way tickets costs less than a traditional round-trip, especially close to Christmas.
• Look at nearby countries for international trips: Flying into a neighboring country and continuing by a short regional flight or train can improve availability when direct routes are full.
• Avoid strict baggage assumptions: Some last-minute fares are cheaper but come with different baggage rules. A travel agent can help compare total cost, not just the base fare.
• Have traveler details ready before calling: Having passport info, preferred dates, and flexibility in mind helps secure seats faster when availability is limited.

Call ASAP Tickets at 844-300-7983 to check real-time availability and book your last-minute flight before Christmas.

Last-Minute Flights: Checklist

If you do decide to go on a spontaneous last-minute flight, then make sure to follow a few simple tips:

1. Pack your essentials: Clothes, cosmetics, anything you’ll need. Also, be prepared for different types of weather, so check the forecast before you go.
2. Check your documents: If you’re traveling overseas, check that your passport is valid and you don’t need a visa for your destination. Many countries will want your passport valid for at least another 4-6 months. So check before you book your flights.
3. Let someone close know you’re traveling: You want to stay safe, so someone should know when you’re traveling and when you’ll be back. Make sure to check in with a friend regularly.
4. Book accommodation: Your flight ticket is not the only thing you’ll need to book at the last minute; you also need accommodation. ASAP Tickets offers Affordable Flight and Hotel Packages. So, if you book your flights with ASAP Tickets, ask our agents about a vacation package and save on accommodation!

Final Thoughts

Christmas may be days away, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Last-minute flights are still available if you know where to look and stay flexible. Choosing the right travel day, airport, and route can make the difference between an overpriced ticket and a workable holiday flight.

When you book flights in December, speed and expertise matter more than searching online. A live travel agent can see real availability, combine airlines, and access exclusive fares that aren’t available online. That’s often the fastest way to secure a seat before Christmas.

If you need to travel soon, don’t wait. Availability changes by the hour during the holidays.

Book your winter holiday getaway today by calling 844-300-7983 and checking last-minute options.