Which U.S. airport you fly out of can make
a much bigger difference in cost than most travelers realize, sometimes adding
hundreds of dollars to your trip price.
A recent study, as
reported by Fox
News, examined average domestic airfares at the 200 busiest U.S. airports
and found major price differences, depending on departure airport. The Savings.com
analysis used data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) covering
the first half of 2025.
Its findings
indicated that flying right now isn’t actually as expensive as it might feel. According
to the report, “the average U.S. domestic airfare is $391 in 2025, down 1.3%
year over year. Adjusted for inflation, flying is actually 36% cheaper now than
in 1995.”
But that national
average doesn’t tell the full story, because prices can vary a lot from one
airport to another.
Some of the
nation’s largest airports are also the most expensive places to start a trip.
Washington Dulles International Airport ranked as the priciest, with travelers
paying about $475 on average for a domestic flight in early 2025. Salt Lake
City International Airport followed close behind at around $461, while
Charlotte Douglas International Airport averaged roughly $445.
On the other hand,
a few major airports stood out as much more affordable. Fort
Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport ranked as the cheapest large
airport, with average fares around $281. Orlando International Airport and Las
Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport weren’t far behind, with flights
costing an average of $289 and $291, respectively.
Significant
savings are possible for travelers who live near smaller, secondary airports.
Places like St. Petersburg–Clearwater, Orlando Sanford and Punta Gorda all
reported average fares under $150. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport and
Rickenbacker International Airport also made the top five list. These airports
are mostly served by ultra-low-cost airlines, which helps keep fares reasonable, although
travelers still need to watch out for extra fees.
Of course, "not
every traveler is so lucky to live near one of the most affordable airports,"
the report pointed out. It also noted that not all smaller airports are among
the cheapest, saying, "some smaller markets—particularly resort
destinations and mountain towns—command some of the nation’s highest
fares, thanks to limited airline competition and seasonal demand."
One of the study’s
most important takeaways is that airport selection makes a real difference,
even within the same city. "Even within the same metro area, airfare costs
can vary dramatically depending on which airport you choose. For travelers in
multi-airport regions, those differences can translate into serious savings. Of
course, not all airports serve the same destinations, and differences in travel
time and parking fees should be considered when deciding which airport to
depart from."
To save money, the
analysis suggests using fare alerts, booking flights several weeks in advance
and paying close attention to baggage fees, especially when flying budget
airlines.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
