Q2 2023 Consumer Travel Index

6 Month Airfare Forecast

Domestic airfare will rise slightly (+7%) to $321 per round trip ticket in May then rise 5% more to peak in June at $328. Peak summer airfare in June will be 10% lower than the record peak at $400 per ticket in June 2022, but remains 4% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 prices. Airfare will fall seasonally each month from July to August as travelers book trips for the shoulder season. Fares in late summer and early fall are expected to be in line with pre pandemic prices. 

Airfare

Today, domestic round trip airfare is averaging $285 per ticket, down 15% or about $50 per ticket compared to this time last year. Fares are in line with 2019 levels, only 1.4% higher than prices in April 2019. With domestic airline capacity back above 2019 levels and improving jet fuel costs compared to last year, airfare is expected to remain in line with historical levels through the peak summer season. 

International travelers are in for some sticker shock this year. High demand and lower supply on international routes is driving airfare to the highest levels in at least 5 years. Europe and Asia will capture more than half of international demand this summer, but will see some of the highest price increases in the last 4 years at least. Airfare to Europe is 24% higher than pre-pandemic, while airfare to Asia has surged to 60% higher.

Accommodations

Hotel prices in the US are averaging $216 per night, up 29% compared to April 2022. Despite higher prices, hotel bookers remain willing to pay a premium for certain amenities during their stay. Access to pools and pet friendly options standing out as some of the most important when it comes to booking. 

For trips in the US, travelers are paying premiums as high as $123 per night (New York City) for access to a pool. In Florida, where warm weather attracts visitors from around the world, travelers are spending $30 more per night for pool access.  Travelers also remain willing to shell out more for the convenience of including their four legged friends in trips last year, with 60% of Hopper hotel bookings in 2022 for pet friendly properties. Across major cities in the US the pet friendly premium ranged from 30% more per night to 51% more per night.

Car Rentals

Road trippers will see price relief this spring and summer with average rental rates in the US down 21% from last year, averaging $38 per day. Travelers will feel relief at the pump as well, with retail gas prices down almost $0.40 per gallon, or about 10% compared to this time last year.

Airfare to rise through June

Domestic airfare will rise slightly (+7%) to $321 per round trip ticket in May then rise 5% more to peak in June at $328. Peak summer airfare in June will be 10% lower than the record peak at $400 per ticket in June 2022, but remains 4% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 prices. Airfare will fall seasonally each month from July to August as travelers book trips for the shoulder season. Fares in late summer and early fall are expected to be in line with pre pandemic prices. 

Trending Destinations

For domestic travelers, the outdoors are calling. Santa Rosa offers access to California’s wide range of famed wineries in Sonoma County, while Bangor, Traverse City and Myrtle Beach offer access to beach, lake and mountain experiences. 

Travelers headed abroad are looking towards Asia, with cities in China, Taiwan and Thailand topping the list for trending international destinations. Ponce, Puerto Rico and Vancouver also top the list, offering significantly lower airfares than those long haul trips across the Pacific. 

Jet Fuel Prices

Jet Fuel prices, a considerable cost for airlines, remain about 16% higher than pre pandemic levels but have dropped 40% from this time in 2022. Jet Fuel price reached their lowest level since January 2022 this week, a drop of $1.53 from April 2022.

Though fuel costs have improved considerably in the last 15 months, prices remain the highest they’ve been since late 2014. Higher fuel costs will continue to put pressure on airfares, especially on expensive long haul international routes. 

Flight Deals to Book Now:

Domestic

• Boston to Orlando, Florida - $95 round-trip on Hopper

• Chicago to Denver, Colorado - $86 round-trip on Hopper

• Dallas to Las Vegas, Nevada - $78 round-trip on Hopper

• Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, Utah - $91 round-trip on Hopper

• New York City to Miami, Florida - $81 round-trip on Hopper

International

• Boston to San Juan, Puerto Rico - $194 round-trip on Hopper

• Chicago to San Jose, Costa Rica - $264 round-trip on Hopper

• Dallas to Montego Bay, Jamaica - $252 round-trip on Hopper

• Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico - $200 round-trip on Hopper

• New York City to San Juan, Puerto Rico - $171 round-trip on Hopper