NEW YORK, NY — Summer 2026 flight prices are running higher than last year, but travelers can still find pockets of value if they time their trips carefully. Going says domestic and international fares have not moved the same way, with August offering the strongest overall savings.
The company’s data shows average domestic roundtrip fares for June through August at about $510, up 18% year over year. International prices are averaging around $1,299 roundtrip, roughly flat with 2025 levels, though some routes remain much more expensive than they were a year ago.
Domestic fares climb as budget travelers feel the biggest jump
Going’s breakdown shows mid-tier domestic tickets rising to $464 from $403 last summer, while lower-end fares climbed to $352 from $297. That means travelers shopping at the cheapest end of the market are seeing some of the sharpest increases.
International fares are also up, with average prices rising 7.5% to $1,162 from $1,115. The lowest-tier international tickets increased to $843 from $765, reinforcing that price pressure is not limited to one part of the market.
August offers the best summer window for lower fares
Among the three peak summer months, August is the cheapest on average for both domestic and international trips. Going puts August fares at $579 domestically and $1,320 internationally, making it the most attractive month for travelers trying to avoid peak pricing.
The first two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August are the strongest value periods in the summer calendar. Going says the weeks of August 17 and August 24 create a consistent price floor, and August 28 ranks among the cheapest dates for both domestic and international travel.
Caribbean and select US routes show the strongest deal activity
Going says the Caribbean is the best international value this summer, helped by hurricane season lowering demand. Aruba, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica stand out for deal availability, and some destinations sit below the traditional hurricane belt.
On the domestic side, relatively strong availability is showing up in the Northeast, parts of Florida, Alaska through Anchorage, and smaller airports such as Grand Junction and Provo. Sample fares shared by Going include Charleston to Fort Lauderdale for $98 roundtrip and Chicago or Los Angeles to New York for $119 to $154 roundtrip.
Travelers heading to Europe may need to wait until August
Europe is one of the tougher regions for summer bargains. Going says June and July fares are elevated, with peak-summer roundtrips from major US cities now landing in the $600 to $800-plus range, above the typical $500 to $700 span seen in easier years.
For travelers who still want a European trip, August remains the most realistic chance at a deal. Going also says points and miles may stretch further than cash this summer, especially as airlines continue to discount some routes unevenly and checked bag fees remain higher across the major US carriers.
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