Airlines Raise Summer Fares as Demand Rebounds

Air travel demand is on the rise, pushing airlines to increase fares by 13% for the peak summer season. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and other US carriers are benefiting from the surge in bookings, which is expected to continue after the recession-driven travel slump that saw over 500 jets parked over the past two years. As a result, average round-trip fares have jumped to $471, a significant increase from the previous year's average of $415.

Key Takeaways:

• Airlines have regained pricing power due to increased demand and reduced capacity, leading to a 13% fare increase for the summer season.
• The average round-trip fare has jumped to $471, a $56 increase from the previous year's average of $415.
• Travelocity's survey of 2,000 customers found that 49% plan to travel more this year, indicating increased confidence in spending on vacations.
• Orlando, Florida, remains the cheapest summer destination with fares averaging $259, unchanged from last year.
• Las Vegas fares have increased the most, with a 13% jump to $333, followed by the Washington area with a 12% increase to $301.
• The summer vacation season is traditionally the most profitable for airlines, with strong bookings adding to the evidence of their recovery from the recession.

Statistics:

• 13%: increase in summer fares compared to the previous year
• $471: average round-trip fare for the summer season
• $415: average round-trip fare for the previous year
• 49%: percentage of Travelocity customers planning to travel more this year
• 500: number of jets parked by airlines during the recession
• 2,000: number of customers surveyed by Travelocity
• $259: average fare for flights to Orlando, Florida, for the summer season
• $301: average fare for flights to the Washington area for the summer season

Sources:

• Bloomberg News
• Travelocity.com