Some low-cost airlines have gone bankrupt, and others' finances are still recovering from the Covid slump, preventing them from being able to return to full capacity in terms of flight numbers. Flights from the US to Europe will cost an estimated 36 percent more this summer.

In 2026, airfare to Italy remains at historic highs due to a "perfect storm" of economic and operational factors. First, Italy has seen a massive surge in "revenge travel" that hasn't slowed down, allowing airlines to utilize AI-driven dynamic pricing to maximize profits on limited seats. Second, major carriers like ITA Airways and Delta are facing significantly higher operational costs, including volatile jet fuel prices and new "Green Taxes" mandated by the EU to fund sustainable aviation fuel. There is also a "capacity bottleneck"—Boeing and Airbus have faced significant delivery delays for new, more efficient aircraft, meaning airlines are flying older, thirstier planes or simply offering fewer total flights than the market demands. Furthermore, Italy is a "premium-heavy" market; airlines are shrinking their Economy sections to make room for more lucrative Business and Premium Economy suites, which naturally drives up the price of the remaining "cheap" seats. When demand is infinite and supply is restricted, the result is the $1,200+ trans-Atlantic fares we see today.