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Travel prices

Air Travelers Hit Hard by the 2026 Inflation Surge

If you’re a frequent flyer, 2026 hasn’t really been your year so far. First there was the government shutdown that plunged airports into chaos due to TSA staff shortages and then, once that problem was resolved, the war in Iran sent jet fuel prices surging, resulting in airline fares that are near historic highs.

Over the past twelve months, the for airline fares increased 25.5 percent, bringing prices to levels last seen in 2022, when high jet fuel prices due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine coincided with pent-up travel demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately for travelers, taking the car instead of flying is not really an option, as gasoline prices surged alongside the price of jet fuel. The best option for cost-conscious travelers in 2026 may be the train, as the Consumer Price Index for other intercity transportation, which includes trains and boats, declined 4.4 percent since July 2025.

Description

This chart shows the change in travel-related consumer prices in the United States between July 2025 and July 2026.

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Change in the travel price index in the U.S. April 2026, by industry
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Change in the travel price index vs. consumer price index in the U.S. 2020-2030
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Change in the travel price index in the U.S. 2020-2030, by industry
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Weekly consumer spending change on airline travel worldwide 2019-2021
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Travel price of sea cruises in Germany 2013 to 2016
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Gross income of PAL Holdings Inc. Philippines 2015-2024

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