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Black Friday flights: Do they go on sale, and are they actually cheaper?
Do flights go on sale for Black Friday? Yes, but they aren't always cheaper. See 2026 dates, which airlines ran sales last year, and how to spot real deals.
As Black Friday rolls around again, you might be wondering, “Do flights go on sale for Black Friday?”
Yes, but the deals aren’t always legit.
Some airlines rebrand normal low fares as “Black Friday” deals or raise fares before lowering them back to the normal rate, creating the illusion of a deal.
Despite these tactics, it’s totally possible to find real Black Friday flight deals if you know where to look.
Read on to learn when 2026’s deals start, which airlines ran sales last year, and how to spot the real bargains and avoid falling for fake discounts.
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Are flights actually cheaper on Black Friday?
Not automatically. Black Friday brings a wave of time-limited airline sales, but whether they beat the usual price depends on your route and travel dates.
Here’s what the data shows:
- Travel Tuesday often beats Black Friday: Hopper, which created Travel Deal Tuesday in 2017, saw more deals on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in 2024 than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.
- Flying on Black Friday costs more: An Upgraded Points study found that flights departing on Black Friday 2025 cost 30.3% more than flights in a typical early-November week. That’s about when you fly, not when you book.
- Most sales are for off-peak trips: In 2025, Southwest’s and easyJet’s sales covered flights between December or January and March, not the holiday season.
Should you wait until Black Friday to book?
If your dates are flexible and you’re planning a trip for early next year, waiting for the sales can pay off. If you need to fly over the holidays, or you’ve already found a fair price for your route, waiting rarely helps. In most cases, how far ahead you book matters as much as the day you buy.
When do Black Friday flight deals start in 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27. Airline sales don’t stick to one day, though. Most run across Thanksgiving week and continue into Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday.
| Sale event | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Early airline sales | From mid-November |
| Thanksgiving | Thursday, November 26 |
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27 |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, November 30 |
| Travel Tuesday | Tuesday, December 1 |
Some airlines start early. In 2025, WestJet ran a pre-Black Friday sale that ended on November 17, and easyJet added extra discounts from November 21.
Most airline sales last from a few days to a week, so book once you find a fare that works for you.
💡 Pro tip: Start checking prices on Wednesday (November 25th) before Black Friday (November 27th). Many airlines release early deals in the middle of the week, and snagging them before the weekend can save you the most money.
Where to actually find Black Friday flight deals
So, where exactly do flights go on sale for Black Friday? There are three key places to look:
Airline websites
Many airlines release their best deals directly on their own websites.
For example, in 2025, Southwest offered up to 50% off base fares on select US flights with the code 50CYBER, while Delta ran its Cyber Monday deals from December 1 to 3.
Checking airline sites ensures you don’t miss exclusive offers that aren’t shared elsewhere. Even budget airlines like easyJet and Vueling offer special promotions and time-limited discounts.
And it’s not just Black Friday when you can find deals. Many sale prices continue through to the following Monday (Cyber Monday) or Travel Tuesday (the annual shopping event explicitly created for travel deals).
Flight aggregators
When scrolling through airline websites, it can be hard to keep track of all the deals and understand which ones are the best. That’s where platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak come in.
With these reputable flight aggregators, you can quickly and easily compare deals across multiple airlines. Skyscanner often highlights “Black Friday” deals in its search results, making it simple to spot genuine savings.
You can also track price drops and set alerts, saving you tons of time and effort.
Travel apps and newsletters
When searching for Black Friday flights, don’t forget to check booking apps like Hopper, Going, and Expedia, which offer member deals around Black Friday
Travel apps promote their exclusive Black Friday fares via email newsletters and app notifications. So be sure to sign up for their newsletters and enable your notifications ahead of time to get early access to their sales or special discount codes.
How to tell if a flight deal is real or fake
Not every Black Friday flight deal is as good as it seems. Airlines and aggregators sometimes use marketing tactics to make regular fares look like discounts.
Knowing what to watch for can save you from overpaying and ensure you get the real bargains.
Red flags
- “Limited time” countdowns: Some sites use flashy timers to create a sense of urgency, making you feel like you must book immediately, but often, the advertised “sale fare” is actually the regular price.
- Hidden baggage, seat selection, or service fees: You might think you’ve nabbed a cheap flight, but when you get to checkout, you’ll find extra charges such as seat selection or checked baggage that inflate the cost.
- “From $99” fares that apply only to a single random date: A common tactic is to highlight a single, low-cost option that’s not practical for most travelers. Aside from being one specific flight, it’s usually mid-week or off-season. When you search for the same flight on weekends or peak travel dates, you will likely see it costs double or triple the advertised price.
Signs of a genuine deal
- Discounts apply across multiple dates, routes, or cabin classes
- Deals are listed by verified airlines or reputable OTAs
- Price drops are consistent with historical averages for that specific route
Quick tips to actually save money on Black Friday flight deals
Here are some smart strategies to help you maximize your Black Friday savings and avoid overpaying:
- Compare the deal against your usual route prices: Tools like Google Flights or Hopper can help you compare current deals with historical averages. It also helps to know the cheapest days to fly on your route.
- Check if the headline fare includes all fees: If you have to pay extra for checked luggage, seat selection, or airport fees, the real price will quickly increase. Real discounts stand out even after the fine print.
- Avoid unknown or third-party sites: Some lesser-known booking platforms may advertise low fares that don’t actually exist. Stick to verified airlines or reputable OTAs like Expedia, Kayak, or Skyscanner to ensure your booking is safe and confirmed.
- Set price alerts a week early: Many aggregators and apps let you track fares for your preferred routes a few days before Black Friday. This helps you spot real deals (which are often limited in quantity) the moment they appear.
- Use incognito mode or a fare-tracking app: Flight prices can increase after a few repeated searches in your browser. Using incognito mode (or relying on a fare-tracking app like Hopper) can prevent dynamic pricing from inflating fares. Some travelers also use a VPN to compare fares from different locations.
- Compare two or three sites before booking: Checking a deal across a few trusted sites before buying will ensure you’re getting the lowest possible price.
- Check deals on Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday: Sometimes you will find better deals on these days rather than Black Friday.
Black Friday is not just about cheap flights. Check out our Black Friday 2026 travel deals guide to discover what other travel-related bargains you can find!
Travel smarter with Holafly this Black Friday
Black Friday flight deals can be a great way to save, especially if you’re flexible with your dates, destinations, and airlines.
Once you’ve locked in your flight deal, keep those savings going by avoiding costly roaming fees with a Holafly eSIM. You can install it before you leave, and it connects to speeds up to 5G as soon as you land.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
