Airlines raise fares as jet fuel jumps 56.4%

U.S. airlines are charging more for summer tickets as higher jet-fuel bills feed through to fares and travelers keep booking trips. CNBC reported on May 23 that carriers have been able to raise prices even as fuel costs climbed and some schedules were adjusted. Department of Transportation data released earlier this month showed U.S. airlines spent $5.06 billion on fuel in March, up 56.4% from February. Points Path, a flight-search and rewards company, said domestic cash fares for trips booked between June 1 and Sept. 20 are running about 15% above last year. ### How big was the jump in airline fuel costs? The Bureau of Transportation Statistics said on May 6 that U.S. airlines’ March fuel spending rose to $5.06 billion from $3.23 billion in February. The agency said fuel consumption increased 19.5% month over month and the average fuel cost per gallon rose 30.9%. CNBC said the March increase came in the first full month after the Iran war began. Airlines have described fuel as their biggest expense after labor, and CNBC reported that some carriers cut or adjusted schedules as costs rose. (cnbc.com) ### Are travelers actually still paying higher fares? Points Path said in a May 5 analysis that summer 2026 airfare is up 15% overall, with the increase measured across bookings for June 1 through Sept. 20. (bts.gov) The company said award-ticket prices were up even more, rising 18%, while some late-August and midweek departures still offered lower prices. The Points Guy separately reported that domestic airfare for summer 2026 was trending nearly 15% higher than last year, with international fares to some European destinations up 20% to 30%. (cnbc.com) That suggests the increase is broader than a single route or carrier. ### Why haven’t airlines had to back off prices? CNBC reported on May 23 that travelers are still booking despite the higher prices. (pointspath.com) That has given airlines room to pass through at least part of the fuel increase rather than absorb it entirely. NBC News reported in March that airlines were already looking at reduced schedules and higher fares as a global jet-fuel shortage threatened summer travel. (thepointsguy.com) CNBC also reported in April that potential shortages in Europe could force additional flight cuts ahead of peak season. ### Are schedule cuts part of the story too? (cnbc.com) CNBC reported that schedule adjustments are also tightening the market. Fewer available seats can support higher fares when demand remains firm, especially heading into the summer peak. Separate reporting on Newark, one of the busiest U.S. airports, showed how capacity limits can compound pricing pressure. The FAA previously ordered temporary flight cuts there after disruptions tied to equipment outages, runway construction and staffing issues. (nbcnews.com) ### What should travelers watch next? June 1 is the start date for the fare window highlighted by Points Path, and Sept. 20 is the end of the booking period in its analysis. (cnbc.com) Those dates will give the clearest read on whether airlines can hold higher prices through the core summer season. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics will publish subsequent monthly fuel data after March, and airline booking sites will show whether carriers keep adding fare increases or discounting seats closer to departure. (cnbc.com) (bts.gov) (pointspath.com)