Summer travel 2026 will be most expensive in years, airlines aren't backing off high prices

If you were hoping to score any sort of bargain on summer travel this year, you'll need to work especially hard to find it.

A new analysis of flight searches conducted by Points Path reveals that summer 2026 will be one of the most costly for consumers in a long time.

In particular, domestic cash fares are up roughly 15% between June 1 and Sept. 20, while points fares have surged 18%. Internationally, cash fares are up 12% and points fares are up 14%, according to the analysis.

Climbing prices are being driven by a variety of factors, including the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran, which has caused oil prices to spike globally. In response, airlines have been busy cutting capacity growth and raising fees to offset higher jet fuel expenses. Carriers have also seized the opportunity to hike checked baggage fees to help cover their increased costs.

"Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the pricier travel seasons we've seen in recent years," said Points Path Founder and CEO Julian Kheel. "And airlines clearly aren't losing sleep over whether travelers will show up this summer. With demand still running strong, there's simply no incentive to lower prices."

Underscoring Kheel's point about the steep travel costs remaining even after the oil market settles, Delta's CEO said during a recent earnings call that higher checked baggage fees will likely be here to stay, serving as a revenue generator going forward. That news comes as Delta Air Lines reported record Q1 revenue of $14.2 billion, an increase of 9% year-over-year.

Still, there are places to find value, suggests Points Path. And their latest report breaks down where and how to do that, along with key statistics on summer travel 2026. Here's a closer look.

Key airfare trends

--Prices are up year over year for both domestic and international travel.

--Points fares are increasing even faster than cash fares

--Domestic fares remain volatile, especially on peak summer dates

--International fares are up ~6–12%, depending on route

Where travelers can still find deals

--Mid-to-late August (when demand starts to taper)

--Tuesdays (17.6% cheaper than Sundays), plus Wednesdays and Saturdays

--Secondary cities and alternative airports

--Routes with added airline capacity

--International premium cabins

Unexpected sweet spot

For deal hunters, here's one bright spot to scout as you scope out summer flights.

--International premium cabins (business/first) are up just ~7%

--Compared to steep economy cabin increases, this is a rare value opportunity

"Travelers have been gravitating toward premium experiences ever since the pandemic, but a 7% increase in business and first-class cash fares is remarkably modest," said Kheel. "For travelers who've been eyeing an upgrade, this summer may actually be the time to pull the trigger."

Best (cheapest) travel timing

--Cheapest dates cluster in mid-to-late August (e.g., Aug. 1, Aug. 14, Aug. 26)

--Peak pricing remains late June through July

--Booking early still matters as prices are expected to rise

Where travelers are going for summer 2026

So, where's everyone headed this summer? The Points Path report sheds light on that as well. It seems domestically, summer travelers are focusing on two specific areas: major cities (especially those that get snowed-in during the winter) and West Coast destinations. Meanwhile, internationally, the usual trifecta is dominating summer getaways.

--Domestic: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Boston

--International: London, Paris, Rome, Cancun, Dublin

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 1:21 AM.