The Average Cost of Airfare: How Much Is a Plane Ticket?

The average cost of a domestic plane ticket is $436 as of the second quarter of 2026, the most recent period for which data are available from the Department of Transportation. That's up from $428 in the previous quarter and about $51 higher than the average price recorded in the second quarter of 2025.

The average cost of an international economy-class plane ticket is $1,217, according to FCM and Corporate Traveler. Keep in mind the cost of international airfare fluctuates more than domestic plane tickets depending on destination. It costs much more to fly to Japan from the United States than it does to fly to Canada, for example.

How much a plane ticket costs depends on a number of factors, including the price of jet fuel, passenger demand, seat capacity, the number of carriers flying a route, and economic conditions like inflation and consumer confidence.

Motley Fool Money has the latest data on the average plane ticket costs, broken down by airport and route.

The average cost of a domestic plane ticket

The average cost of a domestic flight in the U.S. is $436 as of the second quarter of 2026, the most recent period for which data is available from the Department of Transportation. That's up 2% from $428 in the first quarter of 2026 and $51 — 13% — higher than the average fare a year earlier.

Domestic airfare plummeted to around $250 on average in the second and third quarters of 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost of domestic flights has since rebounded and has stayed above $350 on average every quarter since the second quarter of 2022.

The chart below shows the average cost of domestic airfare over time.

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled from a year ago

Jet fuel prices in North America averaged $187 per barrel in the week ending Sept. 25, 2026, up 104% from the prior year's average. The global average climbed 106% to $185 per barrel over the same period, according to the IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor.

Prices have remained elevated since the Iran conflict began, and the effect is showing up in holiday fares: Hopper's 2026 Holiday Travel Index found round-trip domestic airfare averaging $402 for Thanksgiving and $452 for Christmas this year, up 31% and 23% from 2025, respectively, making this the most expensive holiday travel season in a decade.

The average cost of domestic airfare in the U.S. by airport

The table below shows the average cost of domestic airfare by origin airport in the first quarter of 2026.

The most expensive flights originate from smaller and more remote airports, such as those in Guam and Alaska. The cheapest flights originate from secondary or regional airports served by low-cost carriers with limited routes. The busiest airports -- LAX, ORD, DEN -- have average domestic airfare costs close to the national average.

The most expensive domestic U.S. flights originate from Guam and Alaska. Domestic flights out of Guam International airport are the priciest, costing $1,576 on average. Unalaska Airport in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands is the most expensive departure point in the 50 states, with average domestic airfare of $1,114.

The most expensive airport to depart from for domestic travel in the continental U.S. is Centennial Airport in Colorado. The average cost of domestic airfare out of APA is $992.

The least expensive airports to fly out of for domestic travel are spread out across secondary and regional airports across the U.S. They include Chuathbaluk Airport in Alaska ($60 on average), Block Island State Airport in Rhode Island ($66), and Healy River Airport in Alaska ($70), according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics data from the first quarter of 2026.

The most and least expensive domestic flights in the U.S.

The most expensive city-pair flights within the U.S. cover long distances and sometimes originate or land at smaller airports, and mountain-resort routes climb the list in the winter travel quarter. Eagle, Colorado to Miami was the most expensive route in the first quarter of 2026, averaging $576. Aspen, Colorado to New York was the second most expensive ($570), followed by Jackson, Wyoming to New York ($565). The route with the most total passengers among the priciest, New York to San Francisco, averaged $518.

The least expensive domestic routes are served by ultra-low-cost carriers, like Allegiant, Spirit, Breeze and Avelo, connect secondary airports and leisure routes, and tend to be between mid-size cities. The cheapest domestic flight in the first quarter of 2026 was Knoxville, Tennessee to Sanford, Florida, averaging $94 a ticket.

International airfare price statistics

The average cost of an international plane ticket departing from the United States is $1,217, according to FCM and Corporate Traveler. International plane ticket prices vary widely based on route. A flight from Texas to Mexico or New York to Canada will be much cheaper than flying from Florida to France or California to Australia.

How to save on plane tickets

Planning ahead and using credit cards and apps can make flights more affordable. Here are a few tips to help you save.

• Use a travel credit card or credit card points: Many travel credit cards offer points or miles for everyday purchases which can be redeemed for flights. Some cards include perks like a free checked bag or airport lounge access. Motley Fool Money has breakdowns of the best travel credit cards and the best airline credit cards if you want to dive deeper.
• Monitor plane ticket prices: Flight prices can change daily, so setting up price alerts can alert you to a deal when prices drop. Be patient and let the deals come to you.
• Avoid peak travel days: Airline tickets are usually more expensive on the weekends and during holidays. If you can be flexible, look to book mid-week, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday, to snag a cheaper seat.

A little planning and flexibility can go a long way in finding a cheaper flight -- which keeps more money in your pocket for the fun parts of your trip.