Move Over Europe, Shoulder Season Has a New Favorite

NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 – As the golden summer of unusually cheap flights comes to a close, early indicators show that fall 2025 is shaping up to be a season of quiet opportunity,  especially for travelers looking east. New data from Going, the travel app for discovering flight deals, reveals shifting interest toward select destinations and highlights key spots to watch as prices drop heading into shoulder season.

“Three of the last six months in 2025 have seen fewer travelers compared to the same time last year,” said Going travel expert Katy Nastro. “While demand has flattened overall, we’re seeing clear pockets of rising interest, with Japan leading the charge. Some legacy carriers are trimming their schedules to match the flat demand, but that doesn’t mean we will automatically see higher fares in response. The savviest travelers know to head to key destinations during this window of opportunity, and this fall is already delivering.”

Travelers Are Falling For Japan 

• Flight capacity is up: 1.6% more flights between the U.S. and Japan for summer 2025 vs. 2024 — and 15% more vs. 2023 (Cirium).
• Tourism is surging: Foreign arrivals to Japan rose 4.2% in June, led by U.S. travelers.
• Spring jump-started demand: April 2025 saw a 28.5% YoY increase in U.S. visitors (JNTO).
• Fall interest remains strong: Tokyo is the #1 most-watched destination for fall Flight Alerts in the Going app.¹
• Some recent deals to Japan with fall availability include:² 
  • Los Angeles to Tokyo for $532 (53% off), 
  • San Diego to Tokyo for $710 (40% off)
  • Boise to Osaka for $779 (48% off)

Fall Fares to Watch

While Japan leads in popularity, average international fares this fall range from $1,095 to $1,131, and domestic fares climb from $480 in September to $591 by November. With kids back in school and summer crowds fading, September stands out as the best-value window for travel, offering nearly 19% savings on domestic flights and 8% savings internationally compared to November.³

Though Japan has captured the attention of travelers, Europe still remains a heavily requested region. Travelers who didn’t make Europe a part of their summer plans can take advantage of fewer crowds and off-the-beaten-path destinations for a more memorable experience. Areas we are seeing the biggest price drops are:

Eastern Europe airfare has fallen nearly 9%, offering excellent value for fall travelers exploring destinations like Poland, Romania, and Hungary. 

• Boston to Bucharest for $394 (56% off)
• Seattle to Warsaw for $499 (41% off)

Southeast Europe airfare dropped 7.6%, making Greece, Albania, and Croatia especially appealing after the summer rush.

• Newark to Albania for $392 (58% off)
• New Orleans to Athens for $598 (41% off)

Western Europe saw fares decline 7.4%, with France, Spain, and Portugal providing iconic escapes at reduced prices. 

• Chicago to Madrid (cheapest since 2021) for $299 (65% off)
• Los Angeles to Paris for $472 (50% off)

Tips to Fly Cheap This Fall

“Our Goldilocks Window advice, the sweet spot for booking flights, is key to making the most of shoulder season,” said Nastro. “It’s 1 to 3 months out for domestic and 2 to 8 for international to find the best deals. And with airlines adjusting their pricing strategies, now’s the time to act for fall travel.”

Additional tips include:

• Use Flight Alerts: Let the Going app track specific routes and notify you of price drops
• Avoid peak departure days: Tuesday and Wednesday remain the cheapest to fly; Sundays continue to be the priciest.
• Price compare domestic one-way trips: Single-ticket pricing on domestic one-way flights may be higher than booking two tickets together — always compare when booking on one of the big three legacy carriers: American Airlines, Delta Airlines or United Airlines.
• Consider Japan Airlines free domestic flight offer: Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering free domestic add-ons within Japan when booked with a roundtrip international flight. All segments must be on the same itinerary, and stopovers over 24 hours may trigger a ~$100 fee. Value varies by route, so it’s worth comparing total costs.

¹Based on Flight Alerts set by members in the Going app between March 1 and June 30, 2025 for travel dates between September 1 and November 30, 2025

²These fares represent just a sample of what Going members are seeing, and more live deals can be found in the Going app

³Based on average prices of fares sourced from all Travelport searches conducted between January 1 through June 30, 2025 inclusive, for any itinerary departing on or after September 1 through November 22, 2025