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Original poster

Flying on Christmas Day

15 replies

Lamontaine · 07/07/2025 22:24

Appreciate it’s early to talk about Christmas but need to get booking… We’re looking to go away for New Year and considering flying on Christmas Day (evening flight). We live in Europe and have a big celebration meal on the 24th but do presents on the 25th.

I’m definitely not bothered about not cooking and eating Christmas lunch on the 25th but worried that the day will still end up being frazzling and not enjoyable for the the kids (8 and 11) as we will need to leave mid afternoon for the airport.

Alternatively can leave on the 23rd and have Christmas there (concerned not Christmassy enough for kids) or the 26th but that leaves us with one less day out there and it’s already a short trip!

Has anyone flown on Xmas day with children and what was it like? Thanks 😊

OP posts:
backinthebox · 07/07/2025 22:45

Bloody awful. But that’s because I was the pilot, and taking my kids to work with me was the only way I would see them on Christmas Day. I hate working Christmas Day. I’ll work any other day of the year and not be that bothered. But there’s something particularly joyless about the travelling public on Christmas Day.

Fluidwarers · 07/07/2025 22:49

It used to be it was cheap to fly on Christmas day but not any more. I'd go on the 26th i think the cons outweigh any pros otherwise.

TheChosenTwo · 07/07/2025 23:07

I’d go before Christmas and have Christmas on holiday. It won’t be like Christmas anyway having to leave and go to the airport halfway through the day.
If you plan to have Christmas abroad you can make it into a fun new experience for everyone.
Just my two pennys worth really, it’s what I’d choose.

Bjorkdidit · 08/07/2025 05:23

If you're going for new year it's going to be at least a week even if you go on the 26th so not really a 'short trip'.

Also people's perceptions in the UK will be different to yours because your celebrations start a day earlier than here.

I think in your circumstances Christmas Day is the best day to go but make sure you're organised so packing etc isn't a big deal.

When do they finish school? I think the dates are such that this year they will finish quite early so there will be a long lead up to Christmas that people will be starting to feel a bit over it by the 25th so will be a good day to go away for a change of scene.

Original poster
Lamontaine · 08/07/2025 06:28

Thanks @Bjorkdidit i think you get it. They finish the previous Friday although we may have to travel the their grandparents for that weekend. But still, will have a Christmas celebration then too.
i think I would prefer the 26th but just remembered no direct flights that day! Organisation will indeed be key.
thanks for inputs everyone.

OP posts:
digiwidgy · 08/07/2025 07:03

If we are visiting family in Oz we would always fly on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. We always seemed to get a good deal as most others wanted to be there for Christmas Day itself. Always worked well for us. Even been upgraded a couple of times. I don’t mind it.

WonderingWanda · 08/07/2025 07:08

You could have a big fancy breakfast then do opening presents. The kids then have a bit of time to enjoy presents while you tidy up and do last minute packing. I guess it depends how far you are from the airport. We are 3.5 hrs for long haul so it wouldn't work for us.

Original poster
Lamontaine · 08/07/2025 07:20

Yes that’s what I was thinking @WonderingWanda. Airport is indeed 2 hours away but flight not until 7:30pm so would leave around 3.

OP posts:
notimagain · 08/07/2025 07:39

backinthebox · 07/07/2025 22:45

Bloody awful. But that’s because I was the pilot, and taking my kids to work with me was the only way I would see them on Christmas Day. I hate working Christmas Day. I’ll work any other day of the year and not be that bothered. But there’s something particularly joyless about the travelling public on Christmas Day.

What?

You mean your spirits weren't lifted by the management Happy Christmas Holiday card sellotaped to the ops/admin desk in crew report?

The forced greetings at whatever a O'Clock in the briefing room because, no, they didn't want to go to none Christmas observing XXX on an extra long trip either.

The various usually failed attempts at making uniforms jolly (one day off uniform regs, one day only..)

...and a travelling public who often didn't want to fly on the 25th but the tickets were cheap..and were quite happy to tell you that...

Baah Humbug,...and Happy Christmas in anticipation...ATB

WonderingWanda · 08/07/2025 07:42

Lamontaine · 08/07/2025 07:20

Yes that’s what I was thinking @WonderingWanda. Airport is indeed 2 hours away but flight not until 7:30pm so would leave around 3.

That sounds doable then. You could pack up some posh cheese and crackers and mince pies to eat at the airport while you wait for your flight.

notimagain · 08/07/2025 08:21

Fluidwarers · 07/07/2025 22:49

It used to be it was cheap to fly on Christmas day but not any more. I'd go on the 26th i think the cons outweigh any pros otherwise.

Pretty much agree,

There used to be some v v good deals and very empty aircraft on Christmas Day itself, certainly ex-UK

However in recentish years the public have cottoned on to that - there are still good deals to be had but not as many as back in the day.

Edit to add: one issue can be getting to/from the airport on Christmas Day can be a stuggle.if you are a user of public transport..even a major airport such as LHR..

YesHonestly · 08/07/2025 08:25

I think if you have the big meal on the 24th, gifts in the morning of the 25th and you’re super organised with packing, it will be fine!

Christmas day is almost over at 3pm, it’s when most people are starting to relax after the big meal and thinking about what to put on TV.

As long as everything is ready to just put in the car and there’s no last minute packing to cause stress, it could be really enjoyable.

backinthebox · 08/07/2025 09:25

@notimagain 🤣🤣🤣 got potentially 2 more working Christmases left if I work my leave points hard. I’ve only ever flown once as a passenger on Christmas Day and that’s because a family member died and I was away at work. On my last Christmas trip a passenger made a complaint about me because I gave my children their Christmas stockings as we were airborne at midnight on Christmas Eve, and I didn’t give her children a stocking too. You couldn’t make it up!

notimagain · 08/07/2025 09:37

@backinthebox

On my last Christmas trip a passenger made a complaint about me because I gave my children their Christmas stockings as we were airborne at midnight on Christmas Eve, and I didn’t give her children a stocking too. You couldn’t make it up!

Yikes...that's horrible but sadly believable..

I bet management rushed to your defence...oh, maybe it's best you don't answer that.

Original poster
Lamontaine · 08/07/2025 14:41

YesHonestly · 08/07/2025 08:25

I think if you have the big meal on the 24th, gifts in the morning of the 25th and you’re super organised with packing, it will be fine!

Christmas day is almost over at 3pm, it’s when most people are starting to relax after the big meal and thinking about what to put on TV.

As long as everything is ready to just put in the car and there’s no last minute packing to cause stress, it could be really enjoyable.

Ok thanks - feeling a bit better about the plan now. Just need to get mega organised!

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