JFK Airport winter deals: Escape to Aruba, St. Thomas and Cancún

Winter travel bargains start as soon as the holiday rush ends. Traveling from Kennedy Airport in January and February offers a rare window when flights to warm-weather escapes and major European cities fall well below peak-season prices.

Unlike peak holiday pricing in December, many domestic, Caribbean and even trans-Atlantic routes fall well below $400, and in some cases $300 and $200, round-trip once the calendar flips.

Below are the destinations showing some of the best bargains in midwinter compared to summer and other peak seasons, including when to go for the best fares, what draws travelers there and the temperatures to expect when you land.

Aruba

The draw: A Long Island favorite, with consistent sunshine and airfare sweet spots.

JetBlue offers some of the best winter pricing to Aruba, with round-trip fares from Kennedy as low as $300 between Jan. 7 and 12 and Jan. 19 and 30. Fares rise in early February but dip again around Feb. 19 and 23.

Aruba’s trade winds keep temperatures comfortable, making beach days pleasant even at peak midday sun. Savings on airfare can help offset the cost of the stay, with the Holiday Inn Resort and Radisson Blu offering rates as low as $500 a night in late January.

If you go:

• Flight time: 4½ hours
• Best days to fly: January
• Lowest fare: $300 round-trip, JetBlue
• Weather: High 85 degrees

Tip: Early-morning departures often unlock the lowest fares.

St. Thomas

The draw: Caribbean warmth without a passport.

Delta is offering round-trip flights from Kennedy to St. Thomas for as low as $210 from Jan. 19 to 27, with similarly low pricing extending into early February. As a U.S. territory, the Virgin Islands eliminate passport concerns while delivering classic Caribbean beaches and snorkeling.

Relax at Magens Bay, explore Charlotte Amalie’s historic downtown and take a ferry to nearby St. John for hiking and pristine beaches. The Pink Palm Hotel offers daily rates as low as $388.

If you go:

• Flight time: 4 hours
• Best days to fly: Jan. 19-27
• Lowest fare: $210 round-trip, Delta
• Weather: High 84 degrees

Tip: Late January avoids peak winter crowds and pricing.

Cancún

The draw: All-inclusive value during the Caribbean’s shoulder season.

American Airlines is offering round-trip flights from Kennedy to Cancún as low as $279 in mid-January, a notable drop from February school-break pricing. Winter travelers can expect warm water, dry days and smaller crowds before peak season kicks in.

Christine Earls, of You and Me By the Sea Travel, in Islip, says choosing the right resort and timing matters just as much as airfare, recommending Moon Palace Cancún for the best all-inclusive experience.

"A stay at Moon Palace Cancún offers expansive beachfront, polished service and a true all-inclusive experience designed for couples, families and groups," Earls says. "With multiple resort sections, dining options and entertainment areas, it feels more like a destination than a single resort."

If you go:

• Flight time: 4½ hours
• Best days to fly: Jan. 13-20
• Lowest fare: $279 round-trip, American 
• Weather: High 82 degrees

Tip: January stays are often hundreds less than February at large all-inclusive resorts.

Los Angeles

The draw: Sunshine, beaches and a rare coast-to-coast bargain.

Winter is one of the best times to visit Southern California, with fewer crowds, mild temperatures and lower hotel rates. Frontier is offering nonstop flights from Kennedy  to LAX for $217 round-trip on select January dates, including Jan. 7, 8 and 11. While the fare is bare bones, it undercuts most legacy carriers by hundreds of dollars.

Daily highs hover in the mid-60s, making it ideal for sightseeing, hiking and beach walks without summer heat. Winter storms can hit Los Angeles from December to March, so bring layers and watch the forecast.

Skip Hollywood Boulevard and ride the A-Line metro from Pasadena instead: Cruise down Figueroa to Highland Park for tacos, record shops and bars, book a ride share to York Boulevard or stay in Lincoln Heights. End downtown at Grand Central Market, check out the Bradbury Building and hit The Broad and Museum of Contemporary Art. Airbnbs are plentiful in the Pasadena area for under $200 a night in January.

If you go:

• Flight time: 6 hours
• Best days to fly: Midweek in January
• Lowest fare: $192 round-trip, Frontier
• Weather: High 65 degrees

Tip: Weather can change quickly, especially in winter. Pack layers, sunscreen and a light rain jacket and plan for early departures to avoid traffic on major highways.

London

The draw: Transatlantic travel at offseason prices.

Norse Atlantic Airways continues to push European fares lower, offering round-trip flights from Kennedy to London Gatwick for $411 from Jan. 18 to 30.

Norse moves to the new Terminal 6 in 2026 as part of Kennedy’s $19 billion redevelopment, promising shorter walks to gates and upgraded passenger amenities.

See the British Museum and Tate Modern, stroll along the South Bank, explore Covent Garden and take in a West End show. The Waldorf Hilton has rooms as low as $270 per night.

If you go:

• Flight time: 7 hours
• Best days to fly: Late January weekends
• Lowest fare: $411 round-trip, Norse Atlantic
• Weather: High 48 degrees

Tip: Winter hotel rates in London are among the lowest of the year.

Paris

The draw: Low-season charm and rare winter airfare deals.

Air France and Delta offer comparable fares later in the month and throughout February, generally in the $430-$450 range.

With fewer tourists, museum access is easier and hotel rates drop sharply. Visit the Musée d’Orsay, walk along the Seine, see Montmartre, take photos of Notre-Dame and Sacré-Cœur and enjoy cafes and patisseries. Hôtel Le petit Paris has rooms available for as low as $219.

If you go:

• Flight time: 7½ hours
• Best days to fly: Mid-January
• Lowest fare: $439 round-trip, AirFrance and Delta 
• Weather: High 45 degrees

Tip: Winter is ideal for museum-heavy itineraries and cafe hopping.