US Airfare Prices Skyrocket in April

Airfares have been on the rise amid the Iran war oil crisis, and last month, airline prices once again saw a dramatic increase. 

In April 2026, average airfares jumped by 20.7% year over year, according to Consumer Price Index data released by the U.S. Labor Department on May 12.

Between March and April of this year, fares increased 2.7% after adjusting for seasonal price shifts.

April marked the fourth month in a row that seasonally adjusted airfares became more expensive in 2026.

The fare increases coincide with the rising cost of crude oil and aviation fuel.

Average oil prices have nearly doubled since the start of the Iran war, according to Argus, whose data shows the price per gallon just before the war averaged about $2.50, compared to $4.03 per gallon on May 11. 

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