Airfares for the upcoming holiday season have reached their highest levels in a decade, and travelers may not see immediate relief even if jet fuel prices decline.
According to Hopper, average round-trip domestic fares in the United States were $402 for Thanksgiving and $452 for Christmas.
American Airlines expects about $1 billion in additional fourth-quarter fuel costs, with each one-cent increase per gallon adding roughly $10 million to its quarterly expenses.
United Airlines said about 35% of its fourth-quarter tickets had already been sold before fuel prices surged, limiting its ability to adjust those fares.
Economists and industry analysts say airlines may remain cautious about lowering ticket prices even if fuel costs eventually fall, potentially keeping airfares elevated through the holiday travel period.
Related Tweet:
High airfares could stick around even if jet fuel prices fall https://t.co/1r1sD9PkPM
— O.C. Register (@ocregister) September 28, 2026
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