Episode Overview

Podcast: Your Money Minute
Title: Booking Holiday Flights Now
Host: Jessica Ettinger, CNBC
Date: October 6, 2025
Duration: 1 minute (excluding ads/outros)

This episode spotlights timely advice on booking holiday flights early to avoid rising airfare costs. Host Jessica Ettinger leverages insights from United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and recent government data to help listeners make smart travel spending decisions as the busy holiday season approaches.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Surge in Early Holiday Flight Bookings

• Main Point: Americans are booking their holiday flights earlier this year, largely to avoid further increases in airfare prices.
• Jessica Ettinger (Host):
  • "Americans are already starting to book their flights for the holidays, hoping to head off any more plane ticket price increases." (00:05)

Airline Executive Perspective

• Guest: Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines
• Observations:
  • Bookings for major fall and winter holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) have substantially increased since Labor Day.
  • "Bookings have been even stronger as we have come into September." (Scott Kirby, 00:16)
  • The CEO suggests the broader economy is robust, stronger than suggested by past economic statistics.
    • "I actually think that the economy is stronger than some of the backward looking statistics would suggest." (Scott Kirby, 00:22)

Price Trends & Consumer Impact

• Recent Price Increase:

  • In August, airfare prices spiked by 6% according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
    • "In August, plane ticket prices soared 6% percent according to the government's CPI report, the consumer price index." (Jessica Ettinger, 00:28)

• Premium vs. Main Cabin Ticket Sales:

  • It's the higher-priced premium and business class seats that are seeing more sales increases, not necessarily economy/main cabin seats.
    • "Selling it has been better in the premium cabin. I think it's less about demand on main cabin and more about supply." (Scott Kirby, 00:40)

Why Main Cabin Prices Are Steadier

• Supply Dynamics:

  • There is a larger supply of main cabin seats available across all airlines compared to premium cabins.
    • "There's still a lot of supply in the main cabin from a number of airlines and when you have that, there's more pressure on pricing in the main cabin." (Scott Kirby, 00:46)
  • This competition helps keep economy ticket prices in check, even as premium fares rise.

• Warning About Waiting:

  • Even though main cabin prices are stable now, all fares tend to rise as the holidays draw nearer.
    • "Although airfares routinely go up the closer we get to the holidays." (Jessica Ettinger, 00:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jessica Ettinger: "Americans are already starting to book their flights for the holidays, hoping to head off any more plane ticket price increases." (00:05)
• Scott Kirby: "Bookings have been even stronger as we have come into September." (00:16)
• Scott Kirby: "I actually think that the economy is stronger than some of the backward looking statistics would suggest." (00:22)
• Jessica Ettinger: "In August, plane ticket prices soared 6% percent according to the government's CPI report." (00:28)
• Scott Kirby: "Selling it has been better in the premium cabin... There's still a lot of supply in the main cabin... there's more pressure on pricing in the main cabin." (00:40-00:46)
• Jessica Ettinger: "Although airfares routinely go up the closer we get to the holidays." (00:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-00:10 – Jessica Ettinger introduces the spike in early holiday flight bookings
• 00:10-00:19 – United CEO Scott Kirby on stronger than expected holiday travel bookings
• 00:22-00:28 – Kirby’s assessment of the economy versus backward-looking stats
• 00:28-00:40 – CPI data: August plane ticket price surge; premium seats driving the pricing
• 00:40-00:56 – Kirby breaks down supply/demand in premium vs. main cabins
• 00:56-00:58 – Jessica Ettinger warns: airfares go up closer to the holidays
• 00:58+ – Directs listeners to cnbc.com for more info (end of content section)

Actionable Takeaway

• Book your holiday flights early: To avoid inevitable fare hikes as the holidays approach, act now, especially if you want premium seats or specific dates/routes.

This quick yet information-rich episode distills the current state of holiday air travel: high demand and rising costs—especially for premium seats—underscore the importance of booking sooner rather than later.