Summer 2026 travel costs to be highest

Points Path said in a May 7 analysis that summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most expensive travel seasons in recent years, with domestic cash fares up about 15% between June 1 and Sept. 20 and international cash fares up about 12%. The fare increases come as airlines face higher fuel costs and keep leaning on ancillary charges such as checked-bag fees. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways all raised checked-bag fees in early April, while American Airlines and Alaska Airlines later followed with increases of their own, according to carrier statements and published fee schedules. CNBC reported on April 7 that Delta and Southwest raised first- and second-bag charges by $10, and Delta’s baggage page now lists $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second on many domestic itineraries. (travelpulse.com) ### Why are fares still high even after the first spring booking rush? Julian Kheel, founder and chief executive of Points Path, said strong demand has given airlines little reason to cut prices. “Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the pricier travel seasons we've seen in recent years,” Kheel said, adding that carriers “aren't losing sleep over whether travelers will show up this summer.” (cnbc.com) TravelPulse, citing the Points Path analysis, said points fares have risen even faster than cash fares, with domestic award prices up about 18% and international award prices up about 14%. That means travelers using miles are also seeing fewer bargains on peak summer dates. (travelpulse.com) ### What changed on baggage fees this spring? Delta said its higher bag fees applied to bookings starting April 9 on domestic and shorter international routes, while Southwest said the same day that its increases would take effect on reservations ticketed or voluntarily changed on or after April 9, 2026. CNBC reported the changes lifted first-bag fees to $45 and second-bag fees to $55 on both carriers. (travelpulse.com) United’s baggage page says fees increased for domestic flights and several short-haul international markets for tickets purchased on or after April 3, 2026, with additional increases for some long-haul markets starting May 12. Delta’s current baggage page shows the same $45 first-bag and $55 second-bag pricing for many U.S. domestic travelers. (cnbc.com) ### How much of this is tied to fuel? Jet fuel prices were $4.69 a gallon in major U.S. cities on April 6, according to Airlines for America data cited by CNBC, up nearly 88% since Feb. 28. NewsNation, in a separate April 9 report, cited International Air Transport Association data showing jet fuel at $209 a barrel the prior week, up from about $99 at the end of February. (united.com) Reuters reported on April 8 that Delta pulled planned capacity growth for the quarter as the fuel spike reshaped airline cost forecasts. Reuters also said U.S. airlines had cut planned domestic capacity growth by more than half a percentage point since March 13. ### Are airlines also cutting flights? (cnbc.com) United said in March that it would trim “temporarily unprofitable” flying as high fuel prices persisted, according to CNBC. Reuters later reported that Delta had removed planned capacity growth for the quarter, a sign that airlines were protecting margins rather than adding seats into the summer peak. (money.usnews.com) TravelPulse said airlines have been “cutting capacity growth and raising fees” at the same time, a combination that helps explain why travelers are seeing fewer cheap seats even outside holiday weekends. That description matches the current fare and fee data published by carriers and travel analysts. (cnbc.com) ### Where can travelers see the current prices before booking? Delta and United both publish current baggage rules and fee calculators on their websites, with United noting date-based fee changes for tickets bought on or after April 3 and May 12, 2026. Points Path’s summer airfare report also breaks out price changes by domestic and international market and by cash versus points bookings. (travelpulse.com) Summer 2026 fares will continue to move with booking dates and route demand, but the posted fee schedules and the latest airfare analyses are already in place for travel through the main June-to-September season. (travelpulse.com) (united.com)