Flying home for the holidays? Here’s when to buy tickets, Fresno airport says
Flying from Fresno can be an expensive way to travel.
A round-trip plane ticket to and from Fresno-Yosemite International Airport cost $429.28 on average for domestic destinations in the first quarter of 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Despite the high price tag — and now increased delays and flight cancellations amid the federal government shutdown — air travel is still a popular option for those visiting home for the holidays.
If you’re planning to fly into or out of the Fresno airport this holiday season, here’s what you need to know:
When should I book a flight for Thanksgiving?
Traveling for Thanksgiving? You should have booked your flight back in early October, according to Vikkie Calderon, a spokesperson for Fresno-Yosemite International Airport.
“If travelers have not already started their Thanksgiving travel plans, they should start planning now,” Calderon told The Fresno Bee in an email. “Typically, travelers begin looking at Thanksgiving flights 60 to 90 days out.”
“Prices usually pop fast once mid-October hits because travelers recognize the season to gather with friends and family is approaching,” Calderon said.
Local travel agent Stacy Gray with Affinity Travel recommended booking “as soon as possible.”
“A good rule of thumb is to book at least four to five months in advance for domestic flights and at least six to eight months in advance for international flights,” Gray told The Fresno Bee via email. “Holiday travel is of course going to be a high travel time, so the longer you wait to book the more likely you will have fewer options and higher pricing.”
“Booking well in advance typically will allow for more options as well as better seat selection,” Gray added.
What’s best time to buy tickets for Christmas? New Year’s?
“Christmas and New Year’s travel planning is one of the trickiest to coordinate because travel is spread over two weeks,” Calderon told The Bee. “Planning for winter holiday travel is usually 70 to 100 days out.”
The Fresno airport’s airline partners “recognize the increased demand during this peak travel period and add more capacity in December and early January,” she said.
That still won’t guarantee you a seat on a flight, especially late in the game, Calderon explained.
“While more airline seats have been added, if travelers wait until after Thanksgiving to plan, they are most likely left with less options to choose from,” Calderon said.
If you see plane tickets for a good price, don’t overthink it — just buy, Calderon said.
“Holiday fares do not ‘come back down’ the way off-peak fares sometimes do,” she said.
What are cheapest days to fly from Fresno?
Fares don’t fluctuate based on the day you buy — but can vary by the day you fly, Gray said.
“Airlines use dynamic pricing that changes constantly so there really isn’t a specific day of the week that is better for booking,” she said.
However, she said, “Flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays can often be less expensive than other days of the week.”
Travelers who plan to fly to or from small or medium-sized airports should book those flights earlier than they would when traveling through a larger airport “because inventory is thinner and flights fill up faster,” Calderon said.
Where can I fly direct from Fresno airport?
Fresno Yosemite International Airport offers direct flights to 14 major hubs, including Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, The Bee previously reported.
Nonstop flights are also available to three locations in Mexico.
United Airlines operates the most direct flights out of the Fresno airport, linking travelers to major destinations including San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, while Alaska Airlines offers the most options for people traveling up and down the West Coast.
Fresno-Yosemite flyers can use the FlyMyAirport feature at flyfresno.com “for trip planning, travel deals and airfare price alerts.”
Third-party websites including Google Flights, Expedia and Priceline “are great for comparing prices and flight schedules, but once you have narrowed down your options, it is always best to book directly with the airline or with a trusted travel agent,” Gray said.
“Booking through a third party-website can add extra complications if you have to deal with flight delays, schedule changes, and/or cancellations,” she explained.
How long of a layover do I need?
When buying plane tickets, Gray recommends factoring in “at least a two-hour layover for domestic flights, and at least a three-hour layover for outbound international flights.”
“For international flights returning to the U.S., I recommend at least a three- to five-hour layover to allow for plenty of time to clear customs and immigration,” she said. “Travel insurance is always a good idea, and is especially important when traveling internationally.”
When should I arrive at the airport?
You should arrive at the Fresno airport at least a couple of hours before your flight, especially around the holidays and during a government shutdown, Gray said.
Travelers should “always plan to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight departure and at least three hours before an international flight departure,” Gray said.
“During holidays or other peak travel times, it might be a good idea to arrive even sooner,” she said. “I always tell my clients that having extra time will be much less stressful than not having enough time.”
She also recommends TSA PreCheck and CLEAR to speed up the airport process for frequent flyers, as well as Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control for international travelers returning to the United States.
