by It’s notoriously expensive to book a flight during the holiday season, and this year the nationwide average fare hit $397 in the second quarter, a high not seen since 2014, according to the latest data from SmartAsset.
The SmartAsset survey reported the average fare and percentage change in fares at 100 US airports over the past year. First, the 100 busiest US airports were summarized based on the number of domestic travelers in 2021.
From there, SmartAsset looked at three things:
- Average flight cost
- Percentage change in fare by one year
- One year change in airfare in dollars
All data comes from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and compares the second quarter to the same period last year.
Overall, air fares have skyrocketed. The national average rose by 21%.
According to SmartAsset, these are the 10 most expensive airports in the US.
1. Madison, Wisconsin – Dane County Regional-Truax Field
Average fare: $526
percentage increase: 34.54%
Change in dollar amount: $135
2. Washington, DC – Washington-Dulles International Airport
Average fare: $526
percentage increase: 33.06%
Change in dollar amount: $131
3. Birmingham, Alabama – Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International
Average fare: $503
percentage increase: 37.52%
Change in dollar amount: $137
4. San Francisco—San Francisco International
Average fare: $499
percentage increase: 28%
Change in dollar amount: $109
5. Greer, South Carolina—Greenville-Spartanburg International
Average fare: $490
percentage increase: 35.62%
Change in dollar amount: $129
6. Greensboro, NC—Piedmont Triad International
Average fare: $486
percentage increase: 35.41%
Change in dollar amount: $127
7. Fresno, California – Fresno Yosemite International
Average fare: $474
percentage increase: 42.15%
Change in dollar amount: $140
8. Tucson, Ariz.—Tucson International
Average fare: $470
percentage increase: 37.6%
Change in dollar amount: $128
9. Little Rock, Arkansas – Bill and Hillary Clinton Nat Adams Field
Average fare: $466
percentage increase: 36.22%
Change in dollar amount: $124
10. Pensacola, Fla.—Pensacola International
Average fare: $462
percentage increase: 51.28%
Change in dollar amount: $157
Although the prices are high, there are still strategies you can try to save on airfare.
First, “The earlier you book your flights, the less money you’re going to spend,” Amanda Poses, founder and travel consultant at Poses Travel & Co., tells CNBC Make It.
Once you know what trip you want to take, book it, Poses said. If you plan as far ahead as possible, hopefully you’ll be ahead of the curve when your flight becomes more in demand.
Another good thing to look out for is the ability to check in your luggage online. It’s often cheaper to buy a bag online for your flight than check it in in person, she said.
And planning your vacation ahead of time shouldn’t be limited to airfare. “Even if your plans are fully booked, be sure to book transfers, food and anything else you want so you can get the most out of your trip,” Poses said.
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