But even compared to pre-pandemic prices, airfares are lower. Average U.S. airfares are more than 6.5% lower in September 2023 than they were in September 2019, meaning prices aren't just lower than they were last year, but even lower than what they were pre-pandemic.

Looking back at 2023 from 2026, we saw that flights did not generally get cheaper; in fact, it was a year of record-high fares due to "revenge travel" demand and high fuel costs. However, in 2026, the market is beginning to stabilize. While the 2023 era was marked by post-pandemic capacity shortages, 2026 is seeing an influx of new narrow-body aircraft (like the A321XLR) that are more fuel-efficient and allow for cheaper long-haul "thin" routes. Low-cost carriers are expanding aggressively, which is forcing legacy airlines to lower prices on competitive routes. While "ultra-cheap" $20 flights are rarer due to environmental taxes and inflation, the "Goldilocks Window"—booking 1–3 months in advance for domestic and 2–8 months for international—remains the best strategy to find value. Overall, 2026 is more affordable than the 2023 peak, provided you are flexible with your travel days and avoid major holidays.