U.S. airlines spent $6.66B on fuel

U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May, according to government data released Tuesday, extending a run of monthly fuel bills above $6 billion for a second straight month. The May total was 84% higher than a year earlier, while April fuel spending was $6.47 billion, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics data showed. (foxla.com) The increase came even though airlines did not burn materially more fuel. (wcbi.com) U.S. carriers used 1.627 billion gallons in May, down 0.6% from May 2025, while the average price paid was $4.09 a gallon, slightly below April’s $4.11 but far above the $2.21 recorded a year earlier. (lasvegassun.com) The result is a cost picture in which airlines are paying much more for roughly the same flying. News reports citing the government figures said the jump followed disruptions in global energy markets after conflict in the Middle East this year affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for crude and fuel supplies. (abcnews.com) ### Why did spending jump if airlines used slightly less fuel? The Bureau of Transportation Statistics figures show price, not volume, was the main driver. May fuel consumption slipped to 1.627 billion gallons from a year earlier, but the average price airlines paid climbed 85% to $4.09 a gallon. (wcbi.com) ABC’s AP pickup and other reports said higher year-over-year spending was driven mostly by pricier jet fuel rather than a significant increase in consumption. That left carriers with a much larger fuel bill even as usage was flat to lower. ### How unusual is a second month above $6 billion? (foxla.com) May was the second straight month above that threshold, after April’s $6.47 billion total. The back-to-back readings show the increase was not a one-month spike in the government data. Transport Topics, citing the same release, reported the May spending leap at 84% from a year earlier. (wcbi.com) The year-ago comparison is large because average fuel prices were much lower in May 2025. ### How are airlines responding? Airlines worldwide have responded to higher fuel costs by raising fares and fees and trimming schedules, according to AP-based reports on the data. (abcnews.com) FOX 11 Los Angeles also reported that carriers have increased fares, added fees and reduced flight schedules as fuel costs climbed. At the same time, major U.S. carriers are putting more emphasis on travelers who pay more. (wcbi.com) The Las Vegas Sun reported that Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines are expanding premium cabins, redesigning aircraft layouts and adding higher-end perks to attract higher-paying passengers. (ttnews.com) ### Which numbers matter most for travelers? The most important figures are $6.66 billion in May spending, 1.627 billion gallons consumed and $4.09 per gallon paid on average. Those numbers show airline fuel costs stayed elevated even though actual usage edged down. (ingest.abcnews.com) The premium-cabin push is a separate but related pressure point for travelers. The Las Vegas Sun said two passengers on the same plane can now have sharply different experiences depending on what they paid, as airlines add more premium seats and amenities. ### What comes next in the data? The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released the May figures on Tuesday after reporting April at $6.47 billion. (lasvegassun.com) The next monthly fuel update will show whether June remained above $6 billion and whether the average price paid stayed near May’s $4.09 a gallon. (wcbi.com)