Domestic flights surged 35% while overseas fares rose just 15% -- as travel demand remains high

Domestic airfares in the U.S. are rising faster than international fares this summer, according to findings summarized by Skiplagged and reported by The New York Times. Many of the hottest domestic routes are up 35% versus last year, while international flights increased by 15%. The last time summer domestic demand and prices were at this level was in 2022, during the post-lockdown “revenge travel” period. The report notes that international flying can involve higher fuel burn, but airlines often carry more passengers on larger aircraft and distribute costs across many seats. Pricing also reflects what travelers will pay, not only fuel costs, and demand for seats has remained strong despite multiple fare increases earlier this year. The International Air Transport Association said total international demand rose 3.8% between January 2025 and 2026, while capacity trends diverged, with domestic capacity down 0.4%. Beyond seats, airlines are also increasingly monetizing ancillary options such as priority boarding and checked bags, with premium products climbing faster than economy.