Good News for Globetrotters: Summer 2025 Airfare Costs Are Expected to Decline

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:05 PM ET, Wed May 21, 2025

Finally, we have some good news on the travel front.

After weeks of reports about how travelers far and wide are avoiding the United States amid the growing spate of detentions at U.S. entry points and dismal economic news leading many Americans to rethink their travel plans, there’s finally a report that globetrotters can get excited about.

According to the experts at Going, the travel app for discovering flight deals, summer 2025 is shaping up to be a “season of opportunity."

“Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and tariffs are already softening demand for a season that usually delivers big revenue for airlines,” Going travel expert Katy Nastro explained.

“Deep discounts on long-haul flights during pricey months of July and August suggest even airlines are noticing a shift in how people are spending," Nastro added.

So what does that mean for you, the consumer?

Summer flights are still more expensive than other times of year, but with the right strategy, travelers can still find real savings, suggest the experts at Going.

What economic turbulence means for summer airfare

The simple rule of supply and demand affects prices far and wide and that includes the airline industry. If fewer people are flying, flights are going to get cheaper. And when demand dips, airlines look to drop prices to fill seats, says Going.

When applied to the summer ahead, that could mean more flash sales, fare wars on major routes and airfare deals targeting budget-conscious travelers.

Want to make the most of the softening demand and subsequent price wars? Take the time now to set up airfare price alerts for routes that you’re eyeing, Going’s Katy Nastro told TravelPulse.

“When those prices drop on the specific carrier you’re watching, take a peak at another carrier on that same route, if your alerts aren’t setup to include all flights,” explains Nastro. “Often we see fare wars happen in hub cities where one carrier is dominant and a competitor is looking to squeeze business away.”

Think, for example: American coming for Delta in its hometown hub of Atlanta or from a specific destination where there’s a healthy amount of competition, such as Hawaii.

“There’s no single best way to know for sure when this might happen, but using tracking services is the easiest way to stay on top of any type of directional movement from airlines,” says Nastro.

International routes will be on sale this summer

Price deals on international airfare are also expected to be disproportionately abundant this summer, says Going.

Already, deals to Europe during peak summer dates are popping up more, and they’re also sticking around longer than usual. This of course, is due to the widely reported dip in international arrivals to the US as visitors from other countries avoid the Trump Administration entry point detentions.

“Less international arrivals coupled with some softening demand is creating international fares that have been more widely available in what we would consider a last-minute booking for summer,” says Nastro.

Take NYC to Ireland, for example, says Nastro. You can get to Dublin at the end of July for a mere $377. And that price is roundtrip. Moreover, that bargain basement price has been holding pretty steady, says Nastro.

What’s more, Ireland is hardly the only example of a Europe deal that the experts at Going have seen over the last few weeks.

Just yesterday they saw widespread availability from cities in the west and midwest United States to select Greece locations for about 50 percent of what the cost would typically be, says Nastro. For example, it is now possible to fly from St. Louis to Athens for a mere $573.

Premium cabins are becoming less expensive

And now for another bit of very good news in the Going report. After several years of airlines capitalizing on premium-leisure demand, shifting traveler priorities may now make premium cabins more affordable as fewer people are opting to splurge on business class seats, says Going.

For those who fly frequently, there’s nothing better then scoring a far more comfortable seat without the typical price gouging that airlines engage in.

“Select European carriers have been providing some decent premium economy fares with some summer availability,” says Nastro. “Take Seattle to Frankfurt on Condor as an example. Earlier today, we found a $970 roundtrip in premium economy with select June dates available.”

August will be the Cheapest Month to Fly

One parting tip for summer 2025, courtesy of Going.

Of the three peak summer travel months, August is emerging as the most budget-friendly for both domestic and international flights, averaging just $424 domestically and $1,224 internationally.

“That’s more than $180 cheaper than flying overseas in June, and $22 less than domestic prices in July, making late-summer travel a sweet spot for deal-seekers,” says the Going report.

Why August you ask?

“Many schools in the South head back in session by early August, meaning fewer families are traveling, and that effect grows as the month goes on,” explains the report.

Looked at by region, Latin America and the Caribbean are the standout values, with average fares of $752 and $703 respectively, both significantly lower than fares to Europe ($1,232) or Asia ($2,064).

“If you’re looking for a good deal on summer travel, your best bet is to aim for the first two weeks of June or the last two weeks of August,” says Nastro. “Prices peak during the middle eight weeks when just about everyone’s out of school, but things are a bit more scattered at the edges.”

Hawaii for example, sees less tourists in September than any other month of the year.
“If you can target the very end of August into Labor Day, you just might score the best of both worlds, fewer crowds and better fares.” said Nastro.