Flight prices skyrocket ahead of holiday season [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Flight prices could cost about 20 percent more compared to last year, according to travel site Hopper.
• An average domestic round-trip ticket could end up costing $274 during the holiday season.
• Travel experts advise consumers to book a flight now or to look for other holiday plans.

The holiday season is about to get more expensive for people planning to travel.

Flight prices are expected to cost about 20 percent more compared to last year, according to travel site Hopper. An average domestic round-trip ticket could end up costing $274.

With the busiest travel season just around the corner, airlines are now facing pressure to prevent a service meltdown like when they had to cancel 55,000 flights this summer.

From January to July this year, U.S. airlines had to cancel 128,943 flights, according to Reuters‘ analysis of data from the flight statistic website FlightAware.

Travelers should book a flight now to get ahead of the price hike.

Speaking at NewsNation’s “Rush Hour,” travel expert Sandra McLemore noted, “Flight prices are at an all-time high. We haven’t seen flights this expensive in five years. So if you haven’t booked your holiday flights, now is the time to do it.”

McLemore expects high flight prices to continue into 2023, so she advised travelers to look into other holiday plans or other modes of travel.

She suggested looking into “all-inclusive travel styles, like cruising,” or similar all-inclusive destinations, since inflation has also caused price hikes in gas, groceries, and hotels. Such options would be fully inclusive of accommodations, food, entertainment, and other deals such as drink packages and Wi-Fi.

President Joe Biden announced a new initiative last month that will prevent airlines from hiding the “true cost” of airline tickets. According to the White House, the Transportation Department’s proposed rule will allow travelers to see an airline ticket’s complete price, including baggage and change fees. Armed with more information upfront, travelers could save more money.

The rule could also encourage airlines to offer competitive prices.

Source: The Hill