U.S. airfare increased by 26.5% year-over-year in June 2026 as carriers passed surging fuel, labor, and maintenance costs on to travelers, according to federal data cited by CNBC. Two of the four largest U.S. airlines now expect roughly $6 billion in additional fuel expense this year, an increase of more than 50% from 2025. The average price per gallon for U.S. Gulf Coast jet fuel was $3.60 on July 27, 2026, down from $4.78 on April 2, 2026, but up from $2.39 on February 27, 2026.