everywhere, airfares have continued to climb to new highs throughout 2026.
In July 2026, for example, average airfares were nearly 26% more expensive than in July 2025, according to
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics—a significant hit to travelers’ wallets. And unfortunately, due to a complex web of
factors, prices aren’t expected to drop anytime soon.
Historically, fall is the time of year when airfares cool off, but this year, shoulder season deals are harder than ever to find. In fact, airfares for fall are trending about 2% higher compared to summer prices, according to
Average airfares this autumn for domestic flights range from about $150 to $400 roundtrip, according to data emailed from Going. On international routes, flights to Europe are as high as $800 roundtrip, and airfares to the Caribbean are reaching up to $500.
However, while it might sound hopeless to try to scour booking sites for a good deal, rest assured there are tried-and-true strategies that travelers can use for finding reasonably priced fares through the end of the year. “Flexibility is key—both with dates and destination—to find affordable flights this fall,” says Jennifer Yellin, managing editor of Points Path, which shows travelers flight search results priced in points and miles.
Here are our top tips for unlocking affordable airfares through the end of the year.
Your choice of carrier, airport of origin, and destination can all play a major part in the final cost of your airfare. Aim to fly into or out of an airport that has a strong track record of offering affordable flights.
its 2026 flight deal data to find the US airports that have offered the most affordable departing flights so far in 2026. It found the best airports for cheap domestic flights were Denver (DEN), with 150 departing flight deals that cost an average of $219; New Orleans (MSY), which had 166 deals that were about $228; and Orlando (MCO), which offered 146 deals at an average of $211. Other top airports for domestic deals were Fort-Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Charleston (CHS), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Tampa (TPA), Portland (PDX), and Las Vegas (LAS).
for international flight deals were Boston (BOS), with 415 deals at about $451 roundtrip; New York (JFK), which has seen 404 international deals so far this year at an average of $445; and Newark (EWR), which has had 333 international deals for about $450 each. Other top airports for international deals included Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Austin (AUS).
Departing from one of these airports can add up to significant savings. If it’s feasible, consider driving or taking a train to one of these to score discounted airfare for your next big trip.
Some airlines offer a greater number of deals, too. Going found that American Airlines offers the most domestic deals (646 so far in 2026), and United offers the most international deals (1,850 and counting this year). Looking to these carriers first could help uncover the most affordable fare quickly.
Travelers on the hunt for an international deal should plan to fly on the Thanksgiving holiday—and plan to book their flights by early October.
Sursă: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/airfares-are-at-record-highs-heres-how-to-find-affordable-flights