Airlines in the United States are still contending with ultra-high fuel bills, according to the most recently available federal data.
U.S. carriers spent a total of $6.66 billion on jet fuel in May 2026, which is an 84 percent increase compared to last year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
The fuel costs in May also increased by three percent compared to April 2026, when the total fuel bill was $6.47 billion.
Jet fuel prices have skyrocketed this year due to the war in Iran and ongoing peace negotiations.
The average cost of jet fuel in May 2026 was $4.09 per gallon. That’s nearly double the price compared to May 2025 when fuel costs were just $2.21 per gallon
Meanwhile, airlines’ fuel consumption held steady year-over-year at 1.63 billion gallons in May 2026 compared to 1.64 billion gallons consumed in May 2025.
Travelers have been feeling the impact of higher fuel costs in the form of increased airline fees and more expensive airfares.
Average airline ticket prices have shot up this spring and summer to become nearly 27 percent more expensive compared to last year, according to US Travel Association data.
Unfortunately for budget-conscious fliers, those prices show no indication of becoming more affordable anytime soon.
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