Holiday flight costs hit highest level in a decade

Flying this holiday season will cost a whole lot more. Kris Van Cleave has details and how to save. TRANSCRIPT FOR: “HOLIDAY FLIGHT COSTS HIT HIGHEST LEVEL IN A DECADE” Coming to the nation's airports this fall, a nonstop flight to holiday travel sticker shock. I just anticipate the cost being close to $1,000 and then just picking up extra work to make that. Airfare tracker Hopper's Holiday Travel Index predicts 2026 will be the most expensive holiday travel season in a decade, driven primarily by rising jet fuel prices due to the conflict with Iran. Hopper says the average domestic round trip for Thanksgiving will hit $402, up 31% from 2025.

Christmastime will cost you even more, on average, $452, up 23% from last year. I would absolutely recommend that travelers book their Thanksgiving and Christmas travel before Halloween. The sweet spot is the next two weeks or so. Amid those higher fuel prices, Alaska Airlines is debuting its fancy new business class suites and new premium economy options. CEO Ben Minicucci says it's following customer demand, but rising fares are squeezing some. Is the idea of that low-fare flight deal gone? Can it exist at 4-plus dollar-a-gallon fuel? I think it gets more difficult. Are there people that aren't taking trips now? The strongest demand we're seeing is