Flight prices dipping for travel during October and November isn't new. In fact, it's a tried and true trend in domestic airfare travel when demand drops as the weather starts to turn and the kids go back to school.
But this year is different. For one, flight prices are dropping to even crazier lows than we're used to seeing. Case in point: In just the last week or so, we saw two different airlines selling $57 roundtrip fares in like Chicago, Miami, Orlando, and New York City this fall.
Cheap domestic flights are in steady supply this fall, but the clock is ticket. The U.S. airline landscape is drastically changing, which will likely lead to higher fares in the near future. You might have heard about Southwest's sweeping changes, which will see the airline begin upcharging for seat assignment and converting a third of its planes to more expensive, extra-legroom seating. Southwest has long been the most important airline for dictating flight prices in the U.S., and with these big upheavals, we think it's going to affect airfare all over the country.
On top of that, several airlines (Southwest included) have been promising their investors that they will reduce the number of flights flying around the U.S. because fares are too low. Those low fares we're seeing right now are good for travelers, but not good for investors who want you paying higher rates. And I hate to break it to you, but airline executives are going to listen to their deep-pocketed investors before they do us travelers a favor. Its supply and demand: Fewer flights means airlines can charge more for those seats.
So, if you've been putting off a visit to friends and family or just want to getaway for a quick fall weekend, there's no better time to book.
Especially because prices sometimes look like this…
This was a one-day JetBlue flash sale the airline ran a little over a week ago. It offered these unthinkably cheap nonstop, roundtrip fares to Florida, Boston, and New York City.
While these specific low fares are gone, there are savings to be had this fall on many airlines – not just JetBlue.
Nonstop flights to Chicago, anyone?
Southwest Airlines was the culprit behind these $57 roundtrip flights to Chicago-Midway (MDW). On the north side of Chicago, at O'Hare Airport (ORD), there were still some unbelievable savings to be had on airlines like Alaska, American, Delta, and United if you'd rather not fly Southwest.
This list is more indicative of what we're seeing in fall flight prices at the moment. Almost every airport in the country is seeing major discounts if you fly in October, November, or even the first two weeks of December, too.
Thanksgiving is the exception, though. Flights over the holiday weekend are almost always going to be expensive if you fly in the U.S. In fact, it might be cheaper to fly to Europe for Thanksgiving to fly home.
Let's look west, where another cheap flights haven was the beneficiary of some seriously reduced airfare for this fall.
You think you could convince your friends or significant others of a fall colors trip in the Rockies? If the trip idea doesn't entice them, maybe these fares will.
Just like Chicago, Denver can really flex its muscles when it comes to cheap fares. You can fly to so many places from either major city, making finding a cheap flight a breeze.
But you don't have to live in metropolis to get good deals this fall. In fact, it doesn't get much more regional than Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH).
This flight deal we sent to Hilton Head Island included about two dozen U.S. airports flying to the island airport for under $245 roundtrip. So long as you're willing to make a quick connection, you can avoid the road trip up from Savannah (SAV) and land straight on the island for your fall retreat.
Not ready for colder temperatures just yet? Across the country is a destination where summer never really ends: Southern California.
These flights to Los Angeles (LAX) all dropped to unbelievably cheap prices a few days ago, giving our Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers a crack at an idyllic California getaway this fall.
Almost every flight you've seen on this list you could make work over a long weekend. If you or your family is tied to the academic calendar, a long weekend might be the best you can do.
For a trip to Hawaii, though, you're going to want to budget a little more time – but not necessarily that much more money!
These nonstop flights to the Hawaiian islands courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines were stunners. Anything under $200 roundtrip to Hawaii will end up in the inboxes of our Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers.
The West Coast doesn't get all the love, though. When Hawaii deals pop up, we search more than 200 U.S. and Canadian airports to see who can take advantage.
In this case, dozens and dozens of airports benefitted!
Bottom Line
Whether you're flying to Hawaii or to Chicago for a long weekend, flight prices are too good to pass up this fall.
Flight prices haven't been this low in years within the U.S., and with big changes afoot in the industry, it's high time you get booking for a fall trip this year.