Five smaller (often cheaper) airports in the USA
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that the best flight deals this summer are typically found at smaller airports near major cities.
Scott L. Hall, USA TODAY
Friday marks the unofficial start of a season with cheaper airfares.
August 23 is National Cheap Flight Day, which commemorates the historic trend of lower airfares during the off-season.
The period between Labor Day and the week before Thanksgiving is traditionally low season for air travel, as children go back to school and fewer people book vacations.
That means consumers will have more deals available as they have more flexibility to travel after the summer, said Hayley Berg, economist at airfare tracking website Hopper, in a recent airfare forecast.
Route section: Frontier ends this Phoenix flight after only 3 months
In which month are flights cheapest?
The cheapest autumn flight prices are expected in September.
Berg predicted that domestic flights would cost an average of $240 in September, $253 in October and $266 in November. In all three months, airfares will be lower compared to 2023.
Now is the best time to book fall travel to get the best deals. In August, Berg predicted that travelers could save up to 30% on their flights by moving their trips from summer to fall.
Why are airfares so low at the moment?
Airlines are offering lower fares because they have increased their seating capacity, Berg said. In July, airlines flew 94.5 million seats, a 6% increase from the same month in 2023.
However, some airlines are currently working to rebalance seat supply and demand and increase their profitability, she said.
The need for airlines to improve their financial situation was evident from some recent service cuts in Phoenix.
Southwest Airlines reduced nonstop flights between Phoenix and Chicago O’Hare International Airport as part of an ongoing effort to improve profitability, which includes phasing out open seats. American Airlines’ Phoenix-London route, which was initially seasonal but became year-round after the pandemic, will return to seasonal service.
How far in advance should I book a flight?
Flight experts generally recommend booking at least one to two months in advance to get the best fares.
Waiting until the last minute can result in travelers paying the highest airfare because fewer seats are available.
Where is the cheapest place to fly at the moment?
It depends on when you want to travel and which airline you fly with.
The cheapest nonstop destinations include popular annual weekend getaways like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. Some round-trip flights to San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Denver are cheaper than driving there.
Here are examples of nonstop round-trip flights to these destinations from September 23-27 from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport:
- Las Vegas: $46–$53 with Frontier or Spirit; $164–$244 with American or Southwest.
- Los Angeles: $58 with Frontier; $101 with American or Delta; $102 with Southwest; $147 with United.
- San Diego: $69 with Frontier, $179 with American, $199 with Southwest.
- San Francisco: $98 with Frontier; $115 with United; $116 with Southwest; $135 with American.
- Salt Lake City: $58 with Frontier; $135 with Delta; $136 with Southwest; $196 with American.
- Denver: $68 with Frontier; $168 with United; $169 with Southwest; $188 with American.
Ultra-low-cost airlines Frontier and Spirit generally offer the lowest base fares and charge additional fees for seat reservations, carry-on and checked baggage, and other amenities.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who has been covering travel and tourism since 2014. His work as a travel reporter for The Arizona Republic aims to help readers manage the stress of travel and get the best value for their money on vacation. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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