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Airfarewatchdog today released the results of its 2014 Summer Travel Survey. Over 13,000 Airfarewatchdog subscribers responded to the poll, which indicated that most respondents plan to fly for vacation, but that 61 percent have yet to fully book their trips. 

Flying High

• 77 percent of the Airfarewatchdog survey respondents said they are flying (or a combination of flying and driving) to their summer vacation destination while only 15 percent are planning to drive.

Most Travelers Saying "Yes" to a Summer Vacation

• 83% are taking at least one vacation this summer—and they're spending.
  Of those who are vacationing:
  • The average overall summer travel budget is $4,467.      
  • 32 percent are taking 4–7 vacation days.
  • 22 percent are taking 8-11 vacation days.
  • 17 percent are taking more than 15 vacation days.

Last-Minute Planning Takes the Lead

• 46 percent still haven't booked their summer vacation.
• Only 38 percent of travelers have fully booked their vacation.
• 15 percent have only booked a part of their vacation.

Which Is The Best U.S. Airline?

• An overwhelming 29 percent said that Southwest Airlines is their favorite airline to fly, followed by Delta at 18 percent and Jetblue at 11 percent.

Airfares a Major Deterrent, but Still a Bargain Compared to Years Before

While many of us have to travel by air, there are still points of pain.

• From a wide range of choices, expensive fares were the highest booking deterrent (74 percent) in the survey results. But not all fares have consistently risen over the years. New York to Liberia, Costa Rica cost $302 round-trip in May 2005, but recently it cost $288 round-trip. That $302 fare adjusted for inflation is equivalent to $366 today— so in almost 10 years, that fare has actually dropped $78 in inflation-adjusted terms.
• Fees (all of them) were the second-highest deterrent (22 percent).
• Lack of space/legroom on the plane rounded out the top three (18 percent).

SOURCE: Airfarewatchdog press release