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Passengers, Prepare for Takeoff (of Your Holiday Airfares)
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Holiday plane tickets for Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2026 have surged significantly, with domestic round-trip fares up 31% and 23% respectively compared to 2025, marking the highest holiday prices in at least a decade.
- Airlines attribute fare hikes to nearly doubled jet fuel costs since February and continue to raise prices despite strong demand, with some adding $10 per leg recently.
- The airfare component of the consumer-price index rose 22.4% year-over-year in September, reflecting broader inflationary pressures on travel costs.
- Travelers can mitigate some expenses by booking three to five weeks in advance and avoiding peak return dates, though many Americans still view holiday travel as essential despite higher prices.
