Why flights from Portland are getting more expensive

Fares from Portland (PDX) are rising for holiday travel as jet fuel stays costly and airlines trim capacity on some routes, even while overall passenger service at Portland International Airport grows. Hopper estimates Thanksgiving and Christmas fares nationwide are up 31% and 23%, respectively, to their highest levels in a decade. Average domestic airfare from PDX reached about $437 in Q2 2026, up nearly 14% from $384 a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, with the national average rising to $445. Port of Portland expects more than 1.4 million travelers during the Thanksgiving-to-December holiday period. Experts advise booking before Halloween and, for savings, choosing less popular dates—Hopper also notes fuel and recent Middle East-related volatility pushed rates higher.