Summer sticker shock: Airfare up 15% as high jet fuel costs take hold
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For weeks, travelers have been reading headlines regarding rising oil and jet fuel prices, alongside warnings of increased airfare.
New data now illustrates exactly how expensive travel is airlines have rushed to increase baggage fees over the past week, while a growing number of international carriers have added fuel surcharges to their tickets.
All told, the situation is clear: Consumers will pay more for travel in the coming months.
“If people waited this long to book their summer travel, then it may already be too late to lock in cheap fares,” said Kerry Tan, professor of economics at Loyola University Maryland, whose research focuses on airfare.
How expensive has airfare become?
Higher flight costs appear to be impacting travelers across all categories, from the economy cabin to the front of the plane, including those looking to redeem miles for their bookings.
Here is how summer 2026 domestic fares compare to those from summer 2025:
Ticket type
Average cash fares: 2026 vs. 2025
Award pricing: 2026 vs. 2025
Main cabin
Up 14.8%
Up 14.8%
Premium (first class, business class and premium economy)
Up 15.7%
Up 17.9%
Based on Points Path data evaluating average domestic cash and award pricing from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
International outlook
The price shock may be even more severe for those flying internationally, depending on their intended traveling together could more than cover the card’s annual fee with a single trip.
Beyond that, you always have the option of traveling with only a carry-on bag. Just keep in mind that the items in your bag must comply with the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 liquids policy.
Could airfare eventually fall?
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.