When it comes to holiday travel, Travelocity says flexibility is always crucial – especially since average domestic airfare is up 5 percent and international airfare is up 6 percent from the 2010 holiday season. In addition, New Year’s domestic airfare is up 6 percent and international airfare is up 12 percent versus 2010 prices. However, knowing when to fly can save travelers more than $230 this holiday season.

“Despite rising airfare for Christmas and New Year’s, it is still possible to save this holiday when booking on Travelocity,” said Melissa Klurman, Travelocity’s contributing editor. “What travelers sometimes don’t realize about holiday airline tickets, is that they fluctuate depending on the days you choose to travel. Using Travelocity’s vacation package booking engine and avoiding peak travel dates around Christmas and New Year’s such as Dec. 23, Dec. 26 and Dec. 30 will save travelers the most for the 2011 holiday season.”

Travelers who can’t get away for long vacations but want to spend Christmas with loved ones can still fly out on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25 and return Monday, Dec. 26, to spend the least at an average of $262. Travelers departing on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, will find their tickets to be below this year’s average airfare ($17 - $144 less than average). In comparison, travelers will spend the most when departing the Monday before Christmas, Dec. 19, and returning the Friday after, Dec. 30 ($90 more than average).