Is it time to make your travel plans for 2024? The average airfare has increased slightly nationwide, but you can fly from some California cities for significantly less than others.
The average domestic airfare has approached pre-pandemic levels, rising 1.5% to $392 in the second quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. That’s an inflation-adjusted increase of $6 from the first quarter’s $386. (Third-quarter data is not yet available.)
The $392 is a decrease of 5.1% from the second quarter of 2022. It is also a decrease of 7.1% from the fourth quarter of 2019.
The consumer price index, a common measure of inflation, has risen 3.1% since November 2022, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
We compared average flight costs in the second quarter of 2023 from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics to find the cheapest airports in California.
For some flights, average values may be lower because the airports offer more regional destinations or are less busy.
Santa Maria Public Airport – which had the third-fewest passenger numbers in the state in 2022 – offered the cheapest flights at $112, up 19% from last year. Stockton had the second-cheapest prices at $131, a decrease of 5.55%.
Flights from Sacramento increased by an average of $408. In Fresno, prices were even higher at $461. And flights to San Luis Obispo were the second most expensive at $583.
Here is the full list:
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SMX – Santa Maria – $112
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SCK – Stockton – $131
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BUR – Burbank – $304
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OAK – Oakland – $314
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LGB – Long Beach – $322
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STS – Santa Rosa – $333
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SJC – San Jose – $347
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SAN – San Diego – $390
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ONT – Ontario – $393
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SNA – Santa Ana – 401 USD
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SMF – Sacramento – $408
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LAX – Los Angeles – $425
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PSP – Palm Springs – $441
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RDD – Redding – $446
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FAT – Fresno – $461
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SFO – San Francisco – $466
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SBA – Santa Barbara – $472
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LBL – Liberal – $475
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MRY – Monterey – $494
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LEB – Lebanon-Hanover – 524 USD
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ACV – Arcata/Eureka – $532
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SBP – San Luis Obispo – $583
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BFL – Bakersfield – $588
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