U.S. Airline Fares Jump 27% in Summer as Holiday Tickets Rise 9% to 18%
Updated
Updated · TIME · Sep 29
U.S. Airline Fares Jump 27% in Summer as Holiday Tickets Rise 9% to 18%
1 articles · Updated · TIME · Sep 29
Summary
Holiday airfares are projected to run 9% to 18% above last year after summer 2026 ticket prices climbed by as much as 27%, extending the squeeze on U.S. travelers.
Higher fuel costs drove the latest surge, but the report says airlines had already built pricing power through bag fees, seat charges and frequent fare changes.
$7 billion in 2025 bag-fee revenue underscores how carriers have unbundled basic services while shrinking seat space and legroom.
Atlanta and Charlotte show the concentration behind that pricing power: Delta controls nearly 80% of flights in Atlanta, while American has about 90% in Charlotte.
The report argues decades of post-1978 consolidation and hub dominance have weakened competition, especially in smaller cities, and calls for tighter regulation, service mandates and pricing limits.