Airline ticket prices rising, cheap seats will be harder to come by 855-738-3598

Global airline ticket prices are rising. That’s up 5% from last year and 10% from the first quarter of 2018, when airline fares increased as much as 8%. To offset those costs, airlines have been aggressively selling cheap tickets in bulk, even offering them at deep discounts if you book at least 14 days before departure. These so-called low-cost carriers (LCC) typically operate smaller planes with more limited seating options than their full service counterparts, which can mean cheaper fares for passengers who are willing to give up a little comfiness in exchange for saving money.

What are the latest airline ticket price trends?

Delta Air Lines Cheap Flight Tickets continues to have the cheapest fares. The Delta fares rose less than airline competitors in February, when they increased just 1%. Other carriers have since followed suit, with American Airlines charging passengers an average of $377 and Southwest Airlines charging $354 for a round-trip ticket. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines are part of the SkyTeam alliance, which recently merged its frequent flyer program to better compete with the largest airlines. United has some of the most expensive tickets.

The New York-based airline has the highest average price for a one-way ticket among the top 20 airlines in North America. But if you book a round-trip ticket, United fares are slightly cheaper than Southwest’s and slightly pricier than American’s. Air Canada and United offer the most expensive tickets. The Toronto-based airline and the New York-based airline have the highest average one-way fares among the top 20 airlines in North America.

Airline ticket prices rising, cheap seats will be harder to come by

There are now more than 3,000 daily international flights connecting North American cities with airports in more than 160 countries and territories. But while the number of destinations is climbing, the number of available seats is falling. That’s because airlines are increasingly flying smaller planes with fewer seats. Airline seats have been shrinking for years as explorers push into new air routes and companies expand their networks beyond dense cities.

Beyond the growth in air travel, the shrinking supply of seats is also happening because many planes were built decades ago and airlines are retiring older planes. But airlines in North America have also been boosting their capacity in recent years, as they expand their fleets to fly more passengers at faster speeds. That’s made it more expensive to buy a ticket. For fliers, the best strategy may be to choose your dates wisely, look for deals on less popular routes, and travel during off-peak seasons.

Delta Air Lines continues to have the cheapest fares

Delta fares are 11% cheaper than American’s, and 9% cheaper than Southwest’s. You’ll save even more if you book a round trip. Delta is also the best deal for international travelers, offering the lowest average round-trip ticket price to the UK, France, Australia, and China. American’s prices are highest to the UK, and Southwest has the lowest fare to China. If you’re willing to fly during off-peak season, Delta fares are among the cheapest in the country.

The Atlanta-based airline has the lowest average round-trip price for flights between May and September. Southwest and American airlines have the lowest fares during the other off-peak seasons. Delta fares are also the best deal for flexible travel dates. The Atlanta-based airline has the lowest average fares for travel between March and May, and the cheapest rates between October and December.

How to find cheap flights

The best way to find cheap flights is to use a flight search engine like Skyscanner or Momondo. These websites let you search for flights by month, city, or even price range. You can also search for low-cost carriers (LCC) by searching for “budget airline.” These flight search engines can help you find cheap flights on smaller airlines that fly short routes with limited seating options.

You can also book flights through your travel agent or directly with airlines. But booking with a travel agent can be expensive because fees are often included in the cost of travel. You can also book through various online travel agencies for free.

Focus on flexible travel dates

For cheap flights, consider flexible travel dates. Flights that are priced low enough to be affordable during off-peak seasons may be sold out during popular times. Off-peak and low-demand times are often a week or two after a holiday weekend, during spring break, and around the time of a big conference.

If you’re particularly lucky, you might be able to snag a last-minute deal during another time of the year. But you should also be willing to pay a premium for flexible travel dates. For example, some flights on low-cost carriers are more expensive on weekends, when they’re sold out on weekdays.

Avoid peak season travel and weekend returns

If you want to save money on cheap flights reservations, you should avoid booking them during peak travel seasons and during the weekend. Peak travel seasons are typically the summer, winter, and spring, when airlines are busiest with flights. The summer is also the most expensive time to fly, when people are searching for vacation destinations, and when airline workers are busy booking travel for the upcoming holidays.

In addition to peak travel seasons, weekend travel is often more expensive than other flights because it’s more crowded. But even during non-peak seasons, it’s best to book your flight during the daytime, when it’s less crowded. There are fewer flights operated during the night and early morning, when they’re less likely to be sold out.

Tips for booking a last minute flight

Travel during off-peak seasons and on flexible travel dates. Shorter flights tend to be less expensive than long-distance flights. Avoid booking a last-minute flight if you can afford to wait a few days. Airline prices tend to drop as inventory increases. Usually, the closer you are to a departure date, the less expensive the flight will be. Plan your trip around any blackout dates that your airline may have in place. There are usually blackout dates related to football games, holidays, or other major events. Book your flight through an online travel agent or travel website. Prices are often cheaper on these websites than booking directly with the airline.

Also, Read: How do I find my reservation number on Southwest Airlines 855-738-3598

Conclusion

The association predicts that air travel will experience the most drastic decline in costs since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.