Why did flights just get more expensive?

Increased Demand The flight shortage, of course, drives up prices. But increased demand for air travel compounds the problem. More people are shopping for fewer flights, which means airlines can get away with charging more. For the first time since 2020, there is a population ready, eager and able to travel.



As of February 2026, flight prices have surged due to a combination of shrinking airline capacity and persistent economic pressures. A major driver is the global shortage of both pilots and new aircraft; supply chain delays at Boeing and Airbus have prevented airlines from replacing retired jets, forcing them to fly fewer routes while passenger demand remains at record highs. Regionally, disruptions like the IndiGo schedule meltdown in early 2026 have led to mandatory capacity cuts in major markets like India, driving up domestic fares. Furthermore, the 2026 travel season is grappling with high jet fuel costs and labor strikes across Europe and the US. With fewer seats available and higher operational costs for fuel and crew, airlines are passing these expenses directly to consumers, making "budget" travel significantly harder to find than in previous years.

People Also Ask

Airlines are also facing the reality of not having enough pilots and flight attendants to run their flights, as well as higher labor costs. All of these forces have combined to create rising ticket prices.

MORE DETAILS

Why are flights so expensive in 2023? Flights cost even more in early 2023 than they do now. Factors such as fuel costs, staffing shortages, aging IT infrastructure and hidden fees all contribute to expensive flights in 2023.

MORE DETAILS

It mostly comes down to supply and demand. Demand is contributing to higher prices as travel continues to surge post-pandemic, Berg said. Sustained strong demand in 2023 continues to put additional pressure on prices, especially to and within regions where travel has only recently reopened like parts of Asia.

MORE DETAILS

Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

MORE DETAILS

Is there a cheapest month to fly? If you're looking for a bargain month to travel, February is your best bet. Flights in January closely follow February for being most affordable. At the other end of the spectrum, December and July are the first and second most expensive months to travel, on average.

MORE DETAILS

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.

MORE DETAILS

Time your booking right
“For domestic flights, if you're talking peak season, it's about three to seven months in advance,” he says. “For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.”

MORE DETAILS

There are a number of reasons why airline prices fluctuate. These factors include booking and flight seasons, holidays, seasonal changes, and overall volatility. For instance, the travel restrictions put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed prices down as demand for travel waned.

MORE DETAILS

There's no sugarcoating it: Airfare is expensive. And while waiting until the last minute might sound like a good idea, it typically is cheaper to book your flights in advance. We are seeing fewer last-minute deals than in years past, especially when it comes to flights, a Kayak spokesperson tells Travel + Leisure.

MORE DETAILS

While the cheapest day to actually pay for airfare can vary from one week to the next, Expedia data shows consumers who book airfare on Sundays instead of Fridays tend to save approximately 5 percent on domestic flights and 15 percent on international airfare.

MORE DETAILS

The cheapest months to travel are:
  • November – early December.
  • Late January – March.


MORE DETAILS

The cheapest ticket to Europe found for each month in 2023 based on historical flight searches by Cheapflights users. January is currently the cheapest month to fly to Europe. At this moment in time June is the most expensive month.

MORE DETAILS

International airfare remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic given low supply of seats, high demand and overall higher costs, including high jet fuel prices, Berg said. A report by Hopper forecast airfare to Europe over the next six months to be 24% higher than pre-pandemic, on average.

MORE DETAILS

World's Best Low-Cost Airlines 2023
  • AirAsia.
  • Scoot.
  • IndiGo.
  • Flynas.
  • Volotea.
  • Transavia France.
  • Sun Country Airlines.
  • Southwest Airlines.


MORE DETAILS

Tuesday Around Midnight is the Cheapest Time to Book
In general, flights were slightly cheaper at midnight earlier in the week (Monday through Wednesday). However, this is only applicable to about 1.6% of U.S. markets, meaning that it's not likely you'll find the same savings on your specific route.

MORE DETAILS

Moreover, peak travel seasons and major holidays can also cause a surge in ticket prices due to increased demand. Understanding these elements can help passengers strategize their flight bookings for cost efficiency. National average cost of a domestic plane ticket is $382 dollars as of Q1 2023, according to the BTS.

MORE DETAILS