Why is it so expensive to travel in June?

Demand is higher than it has been since the pandemic began. Even as airline capacity broadly remains slightly below 2019 levels, a supply-and-demand mismatch is driving prices sky-high. In fact, the U.S. Travel Association, an industry trade group, says domestic leisure demand has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.



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There are far fewer seats available than before the pandemic, as airlines have struggled to return to normal capacity. There aren't enough planes or pilots. We are also seeing increased demand. All of it adds up to higher prices.

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The higher prices are due to a combination of high demand, inflation, and lower airline capacity.

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More good news: While Hopper researchers also report that airfare prices should continue to rise in June, then start to fall from July through October. Also be aware that where you travel can make a big difference in what you'll pay — even if you wind up traveling during a very busy time.

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  • Jun 6 The least expensive day to travel this month is the first Tuesday. We recommend shopping early. ...
  • Jun 23 The most expensive day to fly this month is a Friday. Put it this way. ...
  • Jun 20 The first official day of summer.
  • Jun 27 Tuesdays and Wednesdays almost always offer the best airfare prices in any week.


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Expedia and Hopper do note that prices will likely reach their maximum in June and decrease throughout July and August, so look for late-summer travel to find the best deals on airfare.

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2023: Fall from the Peak As we left the highs of 2022 behind, a trend began emerging in flight prices. Airline tickets, especially for domestic routes, started witnessing a downward trajectory. This culminated in June 2023, with a marked drop in domestic ticket prices, offering some relief to travelers.

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Flights are generally the most inexpensive between four months and three weeks before your departure date. Seasonal changes and holidays can create price fluctuations in ticket prices. The day of the week that you book a flight does not affect the price.

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Generally, flight prices are also cheaper in early June before schools break up for the summer.

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For most destinations, peak summer is madness for travel. And that high demand for peak season raises flight prices for you. Typically, flight prices increase from mid-May or maybe early June through to mid-August or early September as families get out for summer break and other travelers set out for sunny adventures.

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If you're traveling during an off-peak season, you're going to want to look at airfares one to three months in advance for domestic flights, and two to eight months ahead of the flight for international trips.

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


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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.

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More demand for fewer seats is the classic formula for increasing prices. Inflation of all kinds is also at play here. Higher fuel and labor costs are also incentivizing airlines to try to raise prices where they can. Eventually, the higher prices will take a bite out of demand.

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Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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Generally, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly, while Fridays and Sundays are pricier, according to travel deal site FareCompare. Leisure travelers tend to fly on the weekends, either starting their vacations on Friday or taking a long weekend Friday to Sunday.

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