More Britons capitalising on cheap ticket prices and opting to fly on Christmas Day. Christmas Day passenger numbers at Gatwick likely to be 48% higher than 2014. Flights 31% cheaper on average for those prepared to fly on Christmas Day. Savings of up to 66% available on some routes.
Increasing numbers of Britons are opting to take advantage of cheaper flights and jet off to foreign climes on Christmas Day, according to figures released by London Gatwick Airport.
Passenger numbers at the airport are expected to be 48% higher on December 25th than on Christmas Day 2014 with total traffic over the Christmas period more than 9% higher than last year.
Those who are prepared to fly on Christmas Day can expect to make significant savings on their tickets. Flights from Gatwick to a range of destinations across the world were found to be, on average, 31% cheaper on Christmas Day than identical tickets on other days during December, with some destinations significantly cheaper.
For example, a 5.40pm Norwegian Airways flight from Gatwick to New York JFK on Christmas Day currently costs just £239, compared to £329 24 hours later (a saving of 28%). Similarly, a flight to Miami will set passengers back £599 a week before Christmas, but just £329 on the day itself (a 45% saving).
Top savings include:
|
Destination |
Airlines that operate this route |
Christmas Day price |
Average Christmas Day saving |
|
Lisbon |
TAP Portugal, easyJet |
£142 |
66% |
|
Madrid |
Norwegian, easyJet, Air Europa, Iberia, British Airways, Iberia Express |
£85 |
56% |
|
Rome |
Vueling, British Airways, Iberia, easyJet, Norwegian |
£57 |
54% |
|
Oslo |
Norwegian |
£66 |
50% |
|
Miami |
Norwegian |
£329 |
45% |
|
New York |
Norwegian |
£239 |
34% |
|
Stockholm |
Norwegian |
£99 |
21% |
|
Barcelona |
Vueling, British Airways, Iberia, easyJet |
£88 |
18% |
|
Prague |
Czech Airlines, easyJet, Smart Wings |
£113 |
17% |
|
Malaga |
Monarch, easyJet, Norwegian, British Airways, Iberia |
£145 |
14% |
|
Dubai |
Emirates |
£425 |
8% |
Hundreds of airport staff will work December 25th at Gatwick to ensure passengers a safe and seamless experience as they set off across the globe.
Half of the top ten destinations on Christmas Day are long haul flights to locations as diverse as Orlando, Goa and Las Vegas, with the Dubai the most popular destination.
Gatwick’s Chief Comercial Officer Guy Stephenson said: “More and more passengers are wising up to the fact that flying on Christmas Day can bring with it big savings, and we expect to see a huge surge in demand compared to last year.
“Here at Gatwick, we have an incredibly dedicated team of people who will be giving up their own Christmases in order to ensure our passengers go safely on their way, as they would on any other day of the year.
“This has been another record-breaking year for the airport and it seems only fitting that we end it with an equally strong Christmas.”
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
