{
  "id": 10539370,
  "title": "Holiday airfares soar to 10-year high. Here's how to save on flights.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/holiday-airfares-soar-to-10-year-high-heres-how-to-save-on-flights",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T21:30:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-airfares-10-year-high-jet-fuel-costs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Americans planning holiday trips could face significant airfare hikes, with the average round-trip ticket for a U.S. flight during Thanksgiving soaring to $402, an increase of $95 from last year, according to fare aggregator Hopper. Christmas round-trip fares are expected to average $452, up $85 from the previous year. These prices are already 31% higher than the same period last year, driven by elevated jet fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The conflict has reduced oil supplies from the Middle East, causing a surge in oil and distillate prices, including jet fuel.\n\nThe conflict began in late February, pushing jet fuel costs from an average of $99 per barrel to as high as $209 per barrel in April and $195 per barrel in mid-September. When these costs increase by more than double, airlines must raise fares to offset them, according to Hopper economist Hayley Berg. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, briefly surpassed $101 a barrel on Monday before settling at $97.83, after briefly topping $101 on Monday.\n\nTo save on holiday trips, travelers should be flexible with their destinations. Those heading to warmer locations can compare prices and potentially save hundreds of dollars. Booking before Halloween is also advised, as fares are not expected to drop as the holiday season approaches. Travel experts recommend locking in fares for Thanksgiving and Christmas trips before Halloween, anticipating fare spikes afterward. Traveling off-peak, such as on Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, can also help reduce costs. Avoid flying on Sundays, as fares can increase by $250 per round-trip ticket compared to weekdays.",
  "summary": "Airfares for round-trip U.S. flights have jumped 31% compared to the same period last year, and tickets are likely to get pricier, according to a new analysis.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}