Flying Into the Holidays: 2025 Airfare Affordability Report

Travelers in some cities can save up to $277 per ticket by choosing alternative airports, and average airfares are 36% lower today than in 1995.

Key Findings

• The average U.S. domestic airfare is $391 in 2025, down 1.3% year over year. Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than in 1995.
• Florida airports lead in affordability: St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE), Orlando Sanford (SFB), and Punta Gorda (PGD) are the nation’s cheapest airports for departures, all served by ultra low-cost carriers like Allegiant and Sun Country.
• High-altitude and small-market airports top the price charts: Flights originating from Aspen (ASE). Eagle County (EGE), and Tri-Cities (TRI) are the most expensive, with average airfares around $600.
• Among America’s 50 busiest airports, Washington Dulles International (IAD), Salt Lake City International (SLC), and Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) had the highest average fares. Fort Lauderdale International (FLL), Orlando International (MCO) and Harry Reid International (LAS) had the lowest average fares
• Choosing the right airport can pay off: Columbus travelers could save an average of 67% by flying from Rickenbacker (LCK) instead of John Glenn (CMH). Phoenix travelers can save 64% by departing from Mesa Gateway (AZA) rather than Sky Harbor (PHX).

The 2025 holiday travel season is shaping up to be one of the busiest on record, but for once, there’s a bit of good news for your wallet. According to the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) data, average airfares in the first half of 2025 decreased by 1.3 percent compared to the same period last year, signaling slight relief after several years of post-pandemic price surges. However, the national picture is one of contrast: air travel is getting cheaper overall, but where you fly — and from which airport — matters more than ever.

To understand where travelers can find the best deals, Savings.com analysts reviewed average fares for the 200 busiest airports in the U.S., comparing ticket prices across regions and carriers. The goal was to uncover which airports offer the most affordable flights heading into the holiday season and where travelers may be overpaying for convenience.

The Best Departure Cities for Holiday Travel

For travelers willing to think beyond the biggest hubs, some airports offer truly standout deals. Florida alone claims three of the top 10 cheapest airports, a sign that intense competition in the Sunshine State continues to hold down prices. For families flying north for the holidays, choosing these smaller airports could mean saving hundreds.

Top 10 Most Affordable Airports in the U.S., Q1-Q2 2025

What stands out immediately is the dominance of budget carriers. Nine of the ten airports listed above are served primarily by ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) such as Allegiant, Spirit, Avelo, or Breeze, airlines that often specialize in direct, low-frequency routes from smaller regional airports.

That model appears to be paying off for consumers. Average fares for flights from these airports fall well below $140, roughly 60 percent cheaper than the national average, and most have seen prices decline by five to 12 percent over the past year.

At the holidays, these savings matter more than ever. According to recent analyses from Google Flights and Afar, Thanksgiving airfare typically runs about 10 percent higher than the average, while Christmas-week fares increase by around seven percent. That means flying from one of these low-cost airports can help offset the seasonal price surge.

The Price of Convenience: America’s Most Expensive Airports

Not every traveler is so lucky to live near one of the most affordable airports above. Some smaller markets — particularly resort destinations and mountain towns — command some of the nation’s highest fares, thanks to limited airline competition and seasonal demand.

Top 10 Most Expensive Airports in the U.S., Q1-Q2 2025

The average fare for flights from these airports is approximately $580 per ticket, nearly five times higher than the fares at the country's cheapest airports. Mountain markets like Aspen and Jackson Hole lead the list, where limited capacity and high demand keep fares sky-high.

For travelers who live in these smaller markets, there’s little room for maneuvering. A round trip from Aspen costs more than five times the price of one from St. Pete–Clearwater. Measured another way, a typical American worker near the cities above would need to log nearly 23 hours of labor to afford a single round-trip ticket from one of these airports.

Even when compared to major hubs like Los Angeles International Airport or Denver International Airport, these boutique airports stand apart. They are proof that limited service often means premium pricing.

Average Fares at the Top 50 Largest U.S. Airports by Passenger Volume, Q1-Q2 2025

These figures show that size doesn’t always mean savings. The nation’s 50 busiest airports average around $387 per ticket. Scale alone doesn’t guarantee affordability; it’s the carrier mix and local competition that keep prices in check.

Among the nation’s most utilized airports, Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Salt Lake City International (SLC) were the most expensive for U.S. domestic travel in early 2025, with average fares of $475 and $461, respectively. Dulles’ higher pricing could be due to its mix of longer domestic routes and a concentration of full-service carriers. Salt Lake City’s fares are similarly elevated due in part to Delta Air Lines’ hub dominance, which limits fare competition.

At the other end, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) and Orlando International (MCO) have the lowest average domestic fares, both below $290. These airports are major leisure travel gateways and hubs for low-cost carriers such as Spirit, JetBlue, and Frontier, driving down average fares through intense price competition on short- and medium-haul routes.

Choosing the Right Airport Pays Off: Markets With Greatest Potential Savings

Even within the same metro area, airfare costs can vary dramatically depending on which airport you choose. For travelers in multi-airport regions, those differences can translate into serious savings. Of course, not all airports serve the same destinations, and differences in travel time and parking fees should be considered when deciding which airport to depart from.

Fare Gaps at Neighboring Airports

Based on average ticket fares for flights originating from airports, Q1-Q2 2025

In markets like Columbus, Ohio, the choice is clear for those heading to Southern destinations: flying out of Rickenbacker International (LCK) instead of John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) could save nearly 67 percent, or about $277 per ticket. It’s essential to note that at LCK, the primary carrier is Allegiant; however, travelers can use this airport to reach many popular vacation destinations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.

The story is similar in Phoenix, where average flights from Mesa Gateway (AZA) are 64 percent cheaper than those from Sky Harbor International (PHX). That price gap comes down to the types of airlines each airport serves. AZA is dominated by ultra-low-cost carriers, such as Allegiant Air and Sun Country, which specialize in direct leisure routes to vacation markets like Florida, Las Vegas, and smaller regional hubs. For travelers whose destinations align with those networks, the savings can be dramatic, often amounting to hundreds of dollars per ticket.

However, Sky Harbor (PHX) remains the region’s full-service hub, home to major carriers like American, Delta, and United, as well as international airlines including British Airways and Air Canada. That means travelers heading overseas or looking for multiple daily flight options will need to fly from PHX and pay a premium for the global connectivity it offers.

In Boston and Providence, travelers who start their journeys at T.F. Green Airport (PVD) instead of Boston Logan (BOS) can save almost 30 percent, largely thanks to low-cost carriers like Breeze Airways, Southwest, and Frontier, which have expanded service from Providence in recent years. These airlines cater to leisure and domestic travelers, offering affordable, point-to-point routes that bypass the higher costs and congestion of Logan. For anyone heading to East Coast or Sun Belt destinations, PVD can be a smart, money-saving alternative.

By contrast, Boston Logan remains New England’s primary international gateway, with a full roster of global carriers including Delta, JetBlue, American, and British Airways. That makes it the better choice for those needing more flight times, long-haul options, or premium services, but it also comes with higher average fares and heavier holiday crowds.

Even in dense urban markets like Los Angeles or New York, the same principle applies: choosing Long Beach (LGB) or LaGuardia (LGA) over the region’s larger hubs can easily shave $100 or more off a ticket, as smaller airports compete aggressively for local flyers.

Airfares Are Actually Decreasing Over Time

It might not always feel like it, but in real terms, air travel has never been more affordable. After adjusting for inflation, the average U.S. airfare is 36 percent lower than it was in 1995 — a striking long-term trend. In the first half of 2025, the average domestic airfare was $391. When adjusting for inflation, the average airfare in 1995 was $614, or $292 in nominal terms.

Despite higher short-term costs, Americans now spend less time and money flying than any previous generation. The expansion of budget carriers and ongoing competition between regional airports and airlines are the primary reasons costs are decreasing.

However, the benefits aren’t evenly distributed. Smaller markets with fewer carriers still face outsized fares and a growing equity gap in the nation’s travel network. For many rural travelers, driving a few extra hours to a nearby budget hub remains the best way to unlock lower fares.

How to Save on Airfare This Holiday Season

With holiday fares fluctuating daily, the key to saving money is to stay flexible and plan strategically. Here are practical ways to stretch your travel budget this year:

• Compare nearby airports. Checking prices at airports within a 50- to 75-mile radius from home can save hundreds of dollars. Many flight search websites will allow you to compare fares from several departure and destinations within the same area.
• Book at the right time. For domestic holiday travel, fares typically bottom out 30–60 days before departure. Use fare alerts and price trackers. Set up alerts on sites like Google Flights, CheapOair, or Booking.com to get notifications when fares drop.
• Be flexible with your travel dates. Flying a day or two before or after major holidays or choosing midweek departures can often mean significantly lower fares and less crowded airports.
• Watch baggage fees. Budget carriers advertise low base fares but compensate for them with extra charges like baggage fees or assigned seat costs. Traveling with just a carry-on or personal item can preserve your savings.
• Stack savings and deals. Combine airline deals, loyalty points, and travel credit card rewards for even deeper discounts.

Regardless of which airport you depart from, minor adjustments like these can make a significant difference, especially during peak travel periods like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

The data paints a hopeful picture for travelers: airfare affordability is improving, even as demand hits record highs. Whether it’s choosing a smaller airport, timing your purchase just right, or flying with a budget carrier, opportunities to save are everywhere. You just need to know where to look.

Methodology

This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design to examine patterns in U.S. airfare affordability using publicly available national datasets. The analysis focused on the top 200 U.S. airports by total passengers served in 2024, as defined by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Airports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were excluded to maintain comparability across the continental U.S. The study did not collect primary responses from individuals but relied exclusively on secondary data, including BTS airfare metrics and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage data.

Airfare information was sourced directly from the BTS, which compiles a 10% sample of all U.S. domestic ticket transactions for each reporting period. The BTS defines “Itinerary Fares" as the total ticket value for round-trip or one-way journeys without return tickets. These fares include the base price plus all taxes and fees assessed at the time of purchase but exclude baggage charges, onboard fees, frequent-flyer redemptions, and abnormally high fare reports.

The study used airfare data from the first and second quarters of 2025 and compared those values to equivalent data from the first half of 2024 to calculate year-over-year changes. Wage data were drawn from the 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) provided by the BLS. Where specific metropolitan areas were not represented in the BLS dataset, supplementary hourly wage data for 25 cities were obtained from ZipRecruiter to ensure full coverage across all sampled locations. Affordability was then calculated as the number of hours of local mean wages required to purchase one average round-trip fare.