If you’re planning to travel this summer, expect to pay a little more.
Rising jet fuel costs are driving up airfare. And as 5 On Your Side found, that’s already changing what flights look like out of Raleigh.
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New data shows jet fuel prices surged in March. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports energy prices are up more than 12 percent from last year, helping push transportation costs up 17 percent overall.
And when airlines pay more for fuel, travelers usually do too.
“It’s a very complex fare structure, but it’s engineered in a way to maximize their profitability,” said Harold Panel with Travel Experts Inc.
That impact is already hitting local flights.
Delta Air Lines said it will pause its route from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Las Vegas starting June 2, calling it routine summer planning with service expected to return in September.
“So if they see a significant deterioration in their market share, then they’ll just take those airplanes out and fly them somewhere else where it’s more profitable.”
Travel experts say timing is everything.
Booking early and sometimes months in advance can help lock in lower fares before demand pushes prices higher.
“Because when the airplane is almost empty, they have seats that they are selling at the very lowest fare,” Panel said.
But flexibility can also make a difference.
“Traveling on Tuesday or Wednesday, there are more lower fares available simply because more business travelers travel out on Sunday or Monday and return on Thursday or Fridays,” Panel said.
And if you’re tracking prices, experts say don’t settle on the first option you see.
Comparing fares across platforms and setting price alerts can help you catch deals when they drop. Because sometimes, it’s not about the cheapest ticket, it’s about what you’re getting for the price.
“That could be a basic fare that will not allow you to get a seat assignment, or you’re the last to board, and there are some drawbacks to that price,” Panel said.
