Your Black Friday Flight Guide: How to Score the Best Deals This Year

A No-BS, Skyscanner-Approved Breakdown of How to Save Big on Flights for Black Friday and Travel Tuesday

Black Friday is almost here - the one time of year when flights can drop so dramatically you start checking for typos. If you’ve ever dreamt of booking that trip to Tokyo, finally visiting Colombia, or running away to Mexico for a spicy little week in the sun, Black Friday might just be your moment.

And because I’m partnered with Skyscanner (yes, the flight-finding wizards who make cheap travel possible), I’ve put together a guide to help you avoid the noise, grab the bargains, and actually win Black Friday this year — instead of panic-buying an air fryer.

(Flight trends and insights referenced from Skyscanner’s 2024 Black Friday data)

What Even Is Black Friday for Flights?

Black Friday started in the U.S. in the 1960s as the unofficial kick-off to holiday shopping - the day retailers slashed prices to get “back in the black.” Fast-forward to now, and it has become a global phenomenon.

Airlines, travel agencies, and booking platforms (including Skyscanner) roll out some of their biggest discounts of the year. For travelers, this means one thing: prime time for cheap flights.

Black Friday 2025 lands on Friday, November 28, but here’s the insider truth:Deals usually run for the entire week.The real wins go to people who start looking early — not the ones who show up on Friday hoping for a miracle.

Black Friday vs Travel Tuesday: Which Day Actually Has the Best Deals?

Here’s where things get interesting.

Black Friday is famous - but Travel Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) is quietly becoming the MVP for flight deals.

According to Skyscanner’s research:

• Black Friday tends to bring great discounts on all-inclusive packages and beach destinations (Mexico, Jamaica, the Caribbean).

• Travel Tuesday can offer even better discounts on pure flight bookings, especially long-haul.

Why?Because by Tuesday, people are tired - they’ve shopped, they’ve spent money, and they’re not thinking about booking trips yet. Airlines seize the moment and drop prices to spark demand.

The winning strategy: Watch both. And yes, Skyscanner Price Alerts will literally do that for you.

Where Travelers Are Searching (and Saving)

Skyscanner looked at last year’s Black Friday data, and these were the destinations that surged in search volume - and where flight prices dipped the most.

Top Trending Countries (2024 Black Friday Period)

• Japan — +46% surge

• Colombia — +40%

• Mexico — +33%

• Brazil — +32%

• Spain — +20%

Top Trending Cities

• Tokyo, Japan

• San Juan, Puerto Rico

• Mexico City, Mexico

• Cancún, Mexico

• Mumbai, India

  
  

So, if sushi or samba is on your 2025 mood board, now’s the time to start watching those fares.

How to Actually Get Cheap Flights This Black Friday

Here’s the part where most guides get vague. So let’s skip the fluff and talk strategy.

1. Be flexible with dates

A simple shift - even one day - can drop your fare dramatically. Use Skyscanner’s Whole Month search to view the cheapest days instantly.

2. Set up Skyscanner Price Alerts

If you do nothing else, do this. Price Alerts notify you the second fares change. Perfect for catching drops before everyone else sees them.

3. Check nearby airports

Flying into a smaller airport can save you hundreds, especially in Europe and Asia.

4. Go for early-morning departures

They’re less in demand - which means they’re cheaper.

Black Friday Flight Pitfalls to Avoid

It’s not all sunshine and discounted airfares. Black Friday has its traps, and here’s how to dodge them like a pro:

Impulse booking

Just because it’s discounted doesn’t mean you need a spontaneous trip to Alaska.

Not reading the fine print

Some airlines lure you in cheap and then ambush you with surprise fees. Check baggage and seat selection costs before you commit.

Expecting every route to be dirt-cheap

Black Friday is great - but it’s not a miracle for every destination. Focus on value, not fantasy.

Extra Travel Hacks to Crush Black Friday and Travel Tuesday

These come straight from the Skyscanner playbook - and yes, they work.

• Hack 1: Price Alerts Your secret weapon for catching fare drops in real time.

• Hack 2: Explore Everywhere Perfect if you’re open to inspiration and want the best deal from your departure airport.

• Hack 3: Drops Feature Shows all destinations that have dropped 20% or more that day.

• Hack 4: Flexible Dates Move your travel dates by a day or two and watch the magic happen.

• Hack 5: Filter Fast Sort by stops, duration, and airlines so you don’t scroll your way into madness.

Your 2025 Black Friday Flight Game Plan

Black Friday isn’t just for TVs, noise-cancelling headphones, and things you’ll forget you bought. It’s one of the best times of the year to score cheap flights, plan 2026 adventures, and get ahead of the travel rush.

So this year, skip the chaos in the shopping centre parking lot. Open Skyscanner, set your alerts, and start tracking those fares.

The best deals always go to travellers who plan - and react - just a little faster than everyone else.

Ready to find your own Black Friday flight deals? Start browsing on Skyscanner: https://skyscanner.pxf.io/ra54Nv