Let's get Going!

For the past four years, every November, we’ve surveyed thousands of our members to get their thoughts on travel—how much they traveled over the previous year, how much they plan to travel in the coming year, where they want to go, how they’ll get there, and how much they’ll spend. 

And because we’re all about cheap flights—even if it’s no longer in our name—we’ve also looked at our own data to see how prices compare year over year, what destinations are cheapest, and how global events are affecting airfare. 

This year, three things were immediately clear: 

1. Three years after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, travel is more important to people than ever before. 
2. While the coronavirus is still here, it’s no longer the biggest concern among travelers, with most people more worried about an economic downturn impacting their travel plans. 
3. While we’re not seeing the widespread rock-bottom fares of 2020 and 2021—and in fact, summer 2022 saw some of the highest fares of recent years—we’re still in the Golden Age of Cheap Flights, and deals abound for those willing to look (or let us find the deals for them). 

Let’s dive in!

What a difference a year makes

It’s hard to believe that at the beginning of 2022 (we know, it feels like ages ago!), most countries still required proof of vaccination and a negative coronavirus test to enter. Much of Asia and the Pacific, including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, were not even open to travelers.

But over time, the world opened back up, and travel has come roaring back. 

Among Going members, nearly half (42%) actually took more trips in 2022 than they initially expected, and only a quarter (24%) took fewer trips than they expected. 

The better news: Only 5% of travelers reported not taking any trips in 2022, down from 9% in 2021.

Surging travel, surging prices

TSA numbers bear this out. The number of daily screened passengers surpassed 2019 numbers for the first time in a long time in late June, and then again on several days in November and December. 

But with a shortage of airline and airport workers and pilots, many of whom were given early retirement during the pandemic, fewer planes were in the sky. Which meant, especially over the summer, planes were more full and fares were up. 

Average fares peaked in late May, up 27% from a year earlier in inflation-adjusted terms. Thankfully, they fell 3% in June and then 8% in July, the third largest drop on record. While average fare levels are not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, as we’ll cover later, there are still plenty of deals to be had.

Another boom year may be coming

We may be in for a repeat of 2022 when it comes to traveler volume if traveler expectations become reality. More than half (60%) of respondents expect to travel more internationally in 2023 than they did in 2022, and nearly half (46%) plan to take more domestic trips in 2023 vs 2022. For the majority of people, that means taking at least two domestic trips and two international trips this year. 

Most people also expect to spend more money on travel in the coming year as well, with 68% planning to spend more on international trips and 44% planning to spend more on domestic trips this year than they did in 2022. For at least half of respondents, that means spending at least $2,500 on domestic trips and at least the same amount on international travel.

But an economic downturn may burst the bubble

In our 2022 report, 66% of people cited Covid concerns as their main barrier to travel. Now, that number’s down to 15%. This year, the single biggest concern, with 27% citing it as their main barrier to travel, is a lack of money to pay for trips.

"The downturn in the economy has definitely changed the way we are planning our international travel plans. Historically we did at least two international trips per year, but next year we may only do one, or maybe none. We’re favoring instead staying close to home, driving to visit friends, etc."

- Going member

"Trying to find a good value in travel has become much more difficult. Much higher hotel rates, flights, and car rentals have had an impact on the trips that I will do."

- Going member

Despite big plans, most people haven’t booked much for the coming year

About one-third (32%) of respondents already have plane tickets for an international trip, and 30% have already booked a domestic flight for 2023.

‍

This isn’t that unusual though. With summer being the most popular time to travel, and most people (64%) booking 3-6 months in advance for international trips and 1-4 months in advance for domestic trips (73%) , this means most folks will likely look for their international flights starting in January and domestic flights starting in March. 

For the best deals, we recommend booking in the Goldilocks Window—not too early, not too late. For domestic flights, that’s 1-3 months in advance, while for international flights it’s 2-8 months in advance. If you plan to travel during peak season, like Christmas or summer, it’s best to pad that a bit and start looking even earlier.

Things are nearly back to pre-Covid "normal"

Covid was top of mind for travelers in 2020 and 2021, but it seems now that we’re entering year four of the pandemic and most people are vaccinated, it’s far less of a concern when it comes to travel. It also—perhaps surprisingly—hasn’t impacted that way many people travel. 

Nearly half (44%) of respondents say they have not changed their travel style since the pandemic began. And the majority (65%) say requiring proof of vaccination has no bearing on how likely they are to visit a country. 

Of those who say the pandemic has changed their travel style, the most common changes are more interest in buying travel insurance, booking a changeable ticket, booking a nonstop or traveling with only a carry-on, and prioritizing trips to visit family or do outdoor, distanced activities.

Travel remains extremely important to people

Travel is still critical or highly important to 82% of respondents. People were also willing to make sacrifices in order to keep traveling, like giving up pizza, Netflix, or social media. Only 2% said they’d rather give up traveling than any of those other things.

"Traveling has been the only activity that has taken me out of some very dark places in my life. Being somewhere else and experiencing a whole new world helps me feel better when I’m struggling."

- Going member

More people are combining work and travel

Almost three-quarters (71%) of respondents get at least 15 vacation days and almost half (46%) get at least 21 days. And we’re happy to hear that 80% of people plan to use all of their well-deserved vacation time.

"I learned life is short. I want to see the world and I’m not as afraid to take the time off I’m given, instead of not using it as I used to."

- Going member

Of those with full-time jobs, 63% of people can work remotely and of those who are able to work remotely, half (56%) plan to do so while they travel in 2023. This remote work allows people to take more trips and take longer trips.

"I definitely experienced a blurring of business and leisure travel this year. Nearly every trip I took in 2022 combined both a business purpose with extra leisure time before or after that commitment. Very much see the same thing happening for 2023."

- Going member

Economy prices are still among the lowest they have ever been

In our 2020 report, we declared that we are—and have been for a few years—in a Golden Age of Cheap Flights. For example, in 1948, a roundtrip ticket from NYC to Rome cost $848—the equivalent of about $9,000 today. But Going regularly finds our members flights (on full-service airlines) from NYC to Rome for under $300 roundtrip. 

The average price of all our deals has fluctuated over the year, and the average fares for flights to some regions, like Europe, are marginally higher than the average for previous years, thanks largely to the higher prices for summer travel this year. Other regions, like Oceania and Asia, have slightly higher average fares this year because, for much of the year, those regions were largely closed—and fewer flights going to a destination means far fewer opportunities for deals. 

But in general, we’re still seeing prices in the same range, give or take $50, than we did in 2018 and 2019, and, perhaps most importantly, we’ve actually seen some “lowest price ever” fares on several routes, including our cheapest fares ever from Boston to Cancún or Seattle to Tokyo.

Cheaper business and first-class tickets are also more common

With fewer suits taking to the skies in business and first class, airlines have been slashing fares on the big seats up front—in many cases lowering them into the range of what most people (those not members of Going, that is) pay for economy class. 

We’re talking roundtrip San Francisco to Amsterdam for $753 in premium economy, New York to London for $885 in business class, or Austin to Oaxaca for $572 in business class. 

Even when prices aren’t as low as full-priced economy fares, we’re still seeing an average savings of $2,000 per international trip in business class.

*Note: Premium economy is not always offered on routes within North America and the Caribbean. Domestic business class reflects a range between short haul and transcontinental flights.

Europe, Asia, Mexico, and the Western US top travelers' lists

Once again, the West Coast tops travelers lists of which US regions they want to visit. California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, New York, Florida, Colorado, Alaska, Maine, Utah, Arizona, and Montana are among the states people are most interested in visiting. 

Sorry to West Virginia, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Delaware, which were all among those at the bottom of the list (we still love you!).

*Note: Percentages total more than 100 because respondents could select multiple places. 
‍

When it comes to the world, Europe and Asia once again top the list of most-coveted destinations, along with the US and Mexico.

*Note: Percentages total more than 100 because respondents could select multiple places. 
‍

Within those destinations, people are still gravitating towards the major cities, but also to small towns and beaches. In the US, national parks are also popular spots.

"I am more interested in less popular places that maybe have less tourists than where masses of tourists go. Think something like Serbia vs Paris. My focus tends to be on natural places and off the beaten track already, but I dislike visiting mass tourism meccas even more now since Covid."

- Going member

Price is still a major deciding factor

When asked how they choose a flight, most travelers select price as their #1 factor in decision making, followed by layovers and the departure and arrival times. Airline service and safety were farther down the list, with loyalty to a particular airline the least important factor for Going members. 

In fact, 50% of members would not pay more for a flight on an airline where they’d earn miles, while 33% of respondents would pay up to 100% more if it meant a nonstop flight.

"Cheap tickets are my highest priority. I'll go nearly anywhere if the price is right."

- Going member

Price is also the main factor that influences travelers' decisions on where to go, with 66% of people saying they choose destinations because they found a good deal and 56% choosing based on a recommendation from a friend or family member.

*Note: Percentages total more than 100 because respondents could select multiple options.

‍