KAYAK Data Reveals One-Way Tickets Can Cut Holiday Airfares

One-Way Strategy for Holiday Savings

Travellers planning their year-end holiday trips could find significant savings by reconsidering traditional round-trip bookings, according to a new analysis from travel technology platform KAYAK. The company's '2026 Holiday Travel Check-In' report, released on 12 October 2026, compiled insights from its extensive search data spanning 2025 and 2026.

KAYAK's findings suggest that assembling two individual one-way tickets, rather than purchasing a single round-trip fare, presents an effective strategy for reducing flight costs during the peak holiday season. This approach challenges conventional booking wisdom, offering a flexible alternative for budget-conscious travellers seeking to optimise their travel expenditure.

Significant Reductions on International and Domestic Routes

The potential savings identified by KAYAK are substantial. For international travel, passengers could see airfare reductions of as much as 30% by opting for two one-way tickets. Key routes showing the highest international savings include flights to Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, with a 30% reduction; Liberia, Costa Rica, at 23%; and Lima, Peru, where savings reached 20%.

Domestically, within the United States, the strategy proved equally effective, with potential savings of up to 29%. Washington, D.C., led domestic routes with a 29% saving, followed by Chicago at 28% and San Diego at 22%. These figures highlight specific markets where the one-way booking method yielded the greatest financial benefit for travellers.

Implications for Asian Travellers and Industry

While KAYAK’s data specifically references routes primarily in the Americas, the underlying principle of finding value through flexible booking strategies holds relevance for Asian travellers. Passengers departing from major Asian hubs for long-haul international destinations, or those planning multi-city itineraries within Asia, could explore the one-way ticket approach.

Although specific data for Asian routes or carriers was not detailed in this report, the trend suggests that dynamic pricing models used by airlines globally may reward travellers who piece together their journeys.

Asian travel agencies and online booking platforms may consider integrating tools or advice that help consumers identify similar savings opportunities, especially as demand for year-end travel continues to rise across the region.