By Jeremy Branham on Jul 04, 2012 with Comments 0

4th of July, summer vacations, and lying on a beach in the hot sun. What better time of year to think about cheap flights for the holidays?

Believe it nor not, airlines are already offering flights with an early Fall, Winter, and Thanksgiving airfare sale.

Sort of.

While we are five months away from Thanksgiving, many airlines are offering domestic and international flights through February 2013. While there are a number of blackout dates and restrictions, it’s not too early to start looking for flights this Thanksgiving.

Summer travel demand, higher airfares for holiday travel?

With higher demand for travel, summer airfares are on the rise. Fewer flights, the negative effect of airline mergers, and higher demand has forced capacity and airfares higher this summer.

While the summer travel season just kicked off in June, passengers are already seeing higher airfare prices and fewer cheap flights. Even we are in the middle of the summer vacation season, it’s time to look ahead to the Fall and holidays.

Will there be cheap flights for the holidays? Yes – but probably not as many as years past. You can still use tips to find cheap flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas but be prepared to do your research.

More importantly, start researching and planning your holiday travel season now. Thanksgiving occurs the same time every year – the 4th Thursday in November. However, this November will see five Thursdays – which may give people a little more time to travel.

Research those holiday airfares now as airlines already have airfare sales for Fall, Winter, and the Thanksgiving holiday season.

It’s never too early to research airfares or check out some holiday travel tips.

Thanksgiving airfare sale, cheap flights for Fall and Winter

This summer, many of the best deals were purchased 3 months in advance due to higher travel demand. While no one knows for sure what will happen during the holidays, airfares are already on sale into 2013.

Just beware of the new family airline fee.

Southwest Airlines and AirTran

Last week, Southwest Airlines kicked off their weekly airfare sale with flights into November. This week, the Southwest Airlines airfare sale has flights through December 12. Flights are only for Tuesdays and Wednesdays and are blacked out those two days before Thanksgiving (November 20 and 21).

However, you can already find some good deals on Fall airfares. By looking for a Thanksgiving airfare now, you can began pricing flights for the holidays.

A sample round trip flight from Boston to Los Angeles for 11/20 – 11/27 (leaving 2 days before Thanksgiving) will cost $465 round trip.

AirTran also has a similar airfare sale with flights July 17 through December 12 for flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for as low as $72 each way (November 20 and 21 blackout dates apply). Check out the Stars, Stripes, and Savings Sale.

Remember, the prices of airfares now includes all mandatory taxes and fees.

Europe, Mexico, Central and South America on American Airlines

American Airlines hasn’t launched a nationwide Fall or Thanksgiving airfare sale. However, Europe, Central America, South America, Mexico, and ski destinations are on sale for Fall and Winter.

Find business class flights to Cancun and Cozumel for mid August through early February for as low as $348 each way. Get Mexico and Central America deals for August through early February for as low as $126 each way (Miami to Cancun).

Get summer deals on ski destinations from now through late September for as low as $167 each way. Or plan that trip to Europe in the Fall for as low as $400 each way (here are 5 reasons to travel to Europe in the Fall).

And these are just a few of the airfare deals for Fall and Winter. Check out all the airfare deals on American Airlines.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines is on board with flights to Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Get flights to Europe for as low as $487 through November. Dates, cities, and blackout dates vary by destination so check to see the best price for your trip.

Flights to Asia are as low as $668 for Fall and Winter. Dates, cities, and blackout dates vary.

Flights to Latin America are as low as $114 for Fall and Winter. Dates, cities, and blackout dates vary.

Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines

A last summer airfare sale for the Fall is on sale now with flights as low as $70 each way from 16 cities through November 14. So find your Fall getaway now.

Alaska Airlines has a number of airfares on sale through July 9 to many popular cities like Portland, San Diego, Philadelphia, and more. They are also advertising low airfares to Hawaii. For more information, check out Alaska Airlines airfare sale page.

Spend Fall in Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines with airfares as low as $462 round trip!

Summer savings on your Fall, Winter, and Thanksgiving airfare

This year, 4th of July sales are limited to hardware stores and online shopping. Airlines are getting in on the Fall, Winter, and Thanksgiving airfare sales early.

Is it a little early to buy holiday airfares now? Probably. However, a busy summer travel season and holiday travel demand may mean cheap tickets for holiday travel may go quickly.

One thing is for sure – begin your research and planning for Fall, Winter, and holiday travel now.

Get more travel tips and news for all your summer and holiday travel and check out my complaints letter to US airlines.

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