Domestic air fares flying high
The average round-trip fare within the US is now above $500 as air fares have leapt 10.7% during the last five years.
Domestic ticket prices continue to keep ahead of inflation, rising 2.7% against a 2.1 percent increase in the consumer price index.
Data from Airlines Reporting Corp., which records transactions for airlines and travel agencies, shows the average round-trip flight including taxes rose to $509.15 during the first half of the year.
"Airlines have reduced the number of seats while more people want to fly because of the economic recovery which leads to higher airfares," said Chuck Thackston, ARC managing director of data and analytics.
"This trend in airfares is likely to continue for the near future, as the economy continues to grow."
Also after a spate of mergers, 80% of the domestic market is now in the control of just four carriers – American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
In the second quarter the big four reported combined profits of almost $3 billion.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025