After soaring in 2022, prices for domestic airline tickets are on the descent. In June 2023, airfares had dropped by 8.1% from May and by 18.9% over the previous 12 months, according to the June Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Booming supply and changing demand are the two key drivers of the decrease, says Scott Keyes, founder of Going, a website that provides airfare alerts and information.
“While 2022 was characterized by pilot and plane shortages, airlines have been making steady progress on both fronts this year," Keyes says. "More capacity is getting added to the flight system every month, and because aircraft have gotten significantly larger on average over the past decade, the number of available seats is already higher today than pre-pandemic.”
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
And passengers are less willing to pay inflated ticket prices than they were in the summer of 2022, he says, when many of them were embarking on their first trip in years following the pandemic.
International travel still pricey
International travel is another story. Over the summer, the average airfare to Europe was nearly $1,200 per ticket—the highest price in the past six years, according to travel-booking site Hopper. Flights to Asia had an average ticket price of more than $1,800. To save money, Hopper advises flying midweek, vacationing in the fall shoulder season, and traveling to more off-the-beaten path destinations, such as Reykjavik or Dublin.
Planning holiday travel
It’s likely that domestic airfares will continue to sink through the rest of 2023, says Keyes. But prices still tend to run higher in peak holiday periods. To watch for low fares, you can enter your itinerary at sites such as Google Flights and Kayak and receive e-mail alerts when prices drop. You may be able to get the best fares for flights near Thanksgiving and Christmas by booking them early in the fall.
Change plans without paying fees (mostly)
If your plans change, you can rest easy knowing that the major U.S. airlines no longer charge ticket-change fees for most fare classes, although you may be charged for same-day requests and some international flights. Basic economy tickets are typically not refundable or changeable.
Note: This item first appeared in Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.
Related Content
-
Seven Things You Should Do Before 2026 Because of One Big Beautiful Bill ChangesThe new law ushers in significant changes for most taxpayers. Make these moves now to take advantage of them.
-
Where the Ultra-Rich Are Buying Real Estate NowWhy the ultra-rich are flocking to new corners of the world — and what their moves reveal about real estate hotspots.
-
Seven Things You Should Do Before 2026 Because of One Big Beautiful Bill Changes
The new law ushers in significant changes for most taxpayers. Make these moves now to take advantage of them.
-
How to Master 'The Art of Spending'Delve into Morgan Housel's new book for an understanding of the psychology that drives what we buy — and why that can lead to smarter money decisions.
-
FAFSA Advice for 2025A new federal financial aid application drops on October 1 — and being an early bird will likely pay off.
-
'Rich' Tricks to Volunteer and Donate in RetirementThere may be some tax benefits to giving back in retirement.
-
Use Your Next Vacation to Explore Your RootsWith some research and preparation, you can design a meaningful tour of your family’s ancestral home.
-
4 Career Moves to Make Now if You're Worried About a RecessionWorried about a recession? These steps to protect your job prospects will help you professionally whether a downturn develops or not.
-
How StoryCorps Works and How You Can Tell Your StoryStoryCorps has recorded conversations between thousands of people, and anyone can participate. National facilitator Alan Jinich explains how to share your story.
-
Think Twice Before Getting a Credit Card Cash AdvanceA credit card cash advance can be a quick solution when you need emergency help with money. But you'll pay for the convenience with high interest and fees.
