With the war in Iran driving up the global price of oil, air fares and fees are rapidly increasing ahead of the summer travel season.
Many global airlines have begun adding fuel-related fees to ticket prices, including Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, which announced Wednesday it was raising its fuel fees from $140 to $200 per ticket.
Air New Zealand raised fares from the equivalent of $5.76 to $51.85, depending on the length of flights, while Thai Airways said it would raise ticket prices by 10% to 15%.
Other airlines, including Air France, Qantas and SAS, have announced new fuel surcharges, at least temporarily.
How US airlines are reacting
In America, JetBlue announced it will raise bag fees on certain routes during peak periods, such as summertime, from $40 to $49. It also said adding a checked bag within 24 hours of your flight will now cost $59.
While United Airlines has not yet raised any fees, CEO Scott Kirby warned that fares could increase by up to 20% due to the war. The carrier also cut back the number of flights it's offering during the summer months.
Some other airline leaders have also said they could cancel flights that don't generate enough revenue to offset fuel costs, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The price of fuel
The average price for jet fuel has increased more than 85% since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28 - from $2.50 to $4.64 a gallon, according to the group Airlines for America.
By contrast, gasoline prices have increased about 37% during the same period.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices continue to hover in the $100 per barrel range.
How you can save some money
If you're worried higher prices could spoil your summer vacation plans, there are things you can do to cut down costs.
First of all, book early. Prices tend to be lower the further out you book. And look for a changeable fare, so if the cost goes down, you can rebook at the lower price.
Don't forget to shop around. Using search engines, like Google Flights, can help you compare prices from multiple airlines at the same time.
If you're thinking about using points to book, ensure it's worthwhile. Sometimes taxes, fees and surcharges can make it not worth it.
Experts also say staying flexible is your best bet, whether it be for travel dates, airlines or even destination. They also say flying in August instead of June or July could save you some money, thanks to end-of-summer deals.
Related Links
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Hot peppers sent him to the ER. Two years later, a ‘ghost bill’ arrived. - 2Tesla Germany Registrations Quadruple to 9,252 Vehicles in Best March Ever
- 3Vote In favor of Feasible Way You Prescribe to Shop for Garments
- 4Track down the Ideal Weight reduction Methodology for Your Way of life
- 5More parents refusing this shot that prevents serious bleeding at birth
- Arctic is again the hottest it's been in 125 years, with record-low sea ice, NOAA report says
- Amateur's Manual for Venture Strategies for Tenderfoots
- 2 bright planets light up April evenings — here's where and when to look
- Watch SpaceX launch 119 payloads to orbit from California early on March 30
- Which sandwich do you find totally delectable? !
- New movies to watch this weekend: See 'The Drama' in theaters, rent 'Wuthering Heights,' stream 'Pizza Movie' on Hulu
- Michael Jordan donates $10M to North Carolina medical center in honor of his mother
- No red, no long shorts: The fashion rules Joe Burrows lives by
- 'Stranger Things' Season 5: When does Volume 2 come out? And Volume 3? Everything to know about the remaining episodes before the finale.
