Airlines raise fares

Airlines are raising fares and trimming flight schedules as jet fuel prices surge, making summer travel costlier and harder to rebook. (ideastream.org) Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war in Iran began, according to NPR, and Reuters reported prices jumped from about $85-$90 a barrel to $150-$200 in recent weeks. Fuel is typically one of an airline’s biggest costs, accounting for up to a quarter of operating expenses. (ideastream.org; marketscreener.com) Airlines have started passing those costs to travelers. CNBC reported on March 12 that Qantas, Scandinavian Airlines and Air New Zealand had already raised fares, while United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby said higher fares were likely in the United States too. (cnbc.com) The response is not just higher ticket prices. Reuters reported on March 20 that United planned to cut 5% of scheduled flights over the next two quarters, and Reuters reported on April 17 that Air Canada would trim daily New York flights to 34 from 38 starting in June. (usnews.com; msn.com) Canada’s fare data is already moving up. Statistics Canada said airfares in March 2026 rose 2.9% from a year earlier and nearly 5% from February, the first year-over-year increase for air travel since June 2024. (toronto.citynews.ca) In the United States, consumer-facing travel data is showing the same direction. NerdWallet’s April 14 Travel Price Index said average U.S. travel costs were up 7% from a year earlier, with airfare up 14.9%, outpacing lodging and restaurant prices. (nerdwallet.com) Long-haul leisure routes are getting squeezed first. A Hawaii travel site reported roundtrip Portland-to-Kauai summer fares at $1,329 and Los Angeles-to-Hawaii fares around $583 for early August, while noting Alaska has suspended multiple Hawaii routes this summer. (hawaiisbesttravel.com) Airlines are also leaning on fees as well as fares. NPR reported carriers around the world are adding fuel surcharges and boosting baggage fees, a shift that lets them raise the total trip cost without relying only on the base ticket price. (ideastream.org) Executives say demand is still holding up, which gives carriers room to keep pushing prices higher. CNBC reported several U.S. airline executives said bookings remained strong in March even as fuel costs climbed. (cnbc.com) For travelers, the near-term change is fewer cheap seats, fewer backup flights and more add-on charges heading into summer. The airlines’ playbook so far has been price increases and route cuts, not broad fee rollbacks. (ideastream.org; toronto.citynews.ca)