Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one. It seems that the major US airlines have reported a significant increase in fares during the July to September period, and it’s not just a minor bump. We’re talking about a 25% jump compared to 2025, according to data from the Consumer Price Index. I mean, who doesn’t love paying more for the same old thing? The airlines are blaming it on higher fuel costs, which is understandable, but it’s not like they’re absorbing the cost themselves. They’re passing it on to us, the consumers, and expecting us to just take it.
The airlines’ executives are saying that this trend of higher fares is going to continue for the foreseeable future. United CEO Scott Kirby even said that there’s a good chance that fares will rise even higher than expected next year. I’m sure that’s music to our ears. And to make matters worse, passengers are booking their holiday travel earlier this year, which is only pushing ticket prices even higher. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve got a captive audience.
Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel site Hopper, told CNN that Thanksgiving flights are already averaging $389 a ticket, up 39% compared to this time last year. And Christmas flights are $452 on average, up 22% from a year ago. It’s like they’re trying to make it impossible for us to travel without breaking the bank. The airlines are also cutting their cheaper flights, which is just great for those of us who are trying to save a buck.
The war in Iran is being blamed for the increase in fuel costs, which is a pretty convenient excuse. I mean, who can argue with that? It’s not like the airlines are trying to make a profit or anything. They’re just trying to stay afloat in these tough times. And with no end to the conflict in sight, United assumes fuel will stay pricey through all of 2027. So, we can expect to pay even more for our flights next year.
The four largest airlines – United, Delta, America, and Southwest — spent $6.3 billion more on fuel in the third quarter than in 2025. That’s $69 million more a day. I’m no math expert, but that seems like a lot of money to me. And they’re expecting us to just absorb the cost. Higher fares and fees, including baggage, haven’t yet offset the added fuel costs, but the airlines expect they will. Because, you know, we’re just made of money.
Airlines have also cut their cheaper flights, which is just great for those of us who are trying to save a buck. I mean, who needs affordable flights anyway? It’s not like we’re trying to visit our families or anything. The airlines are doing whatever they can to bring in the greatest possible revenue, according to Zach Griff, author of airline newsletter “From the Tray Table.” He said that even if fuel prices drop, the airlines won’t just drop their fares because of that. Because, you know, they’re in it for the profit.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian told investors that while fuel costs were the impetus for hiking ticket prices and baggage fees, because travelers have accepted the higher fares, he believes they are “sustainable” even if fuel prices drop. Sustainable for who, exactly? The airlines, maybe. But not for us, the consumers. We’re the ones who are going to be feeling the pinch.
Airlines note that airfares are still relatively cheap when controlled for inflation, but that’s just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. I mean, who cares about inflation when you’re trying to book a flight? All I care about is how much it’s going to cost me. And right now, it’s going to cost me an arm and a leg. Griff said that adjusting for inflation is popular with economists and airline executives, but it means little to the average airline passenger. Because, you know, we’re not economists. We’re just regular people trying to get from point A to point B without breaking the bank.
In conclusion, it seems like the airlines are just going to keep on raising their prices, and we’re going to have to keep on paying them. It’s a never-ending cycle of expense and frustration. But hey, at least we can take comfort in the fact that the airlines are making a profit. And that’s all that really matters, right? I mean, who needs affordable flights when you can have a profitable airline industry? It’s all about priorities, folks. And apparently, our priority is to line the pockets of the airlines. 🙄
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
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