Brace for pricier Houston flights — and how to find deals
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Austin travelers might soon have to pay more to fly if airlines decide to raise ticket prices due to higher jet fuel prices.
Why it matters: Flights out of the Austin airport have already skewed pricier than the national average since 2024, making summer travel more expensive.
State of play: The price of jet fuel rose to $4.57 per gallon Friday, up from $2.50 the day before the Iran war began.
- Jet fuel accounts for more than 40% of airlines' operating expenses, and a small commercial jet like a Boeing 737 consumes as many as 2,700 gallons during a three-hour flight, roughly the flying time from Austin to Pittsburgh.
Yes, but: There are still some ways to hack a cheaper flight, per travel experts at Points Guy and Expedia:
Book now: Especially for June and July, which are already among the most expensive months.
Use airline points: Most U.S. carriers refund miles and fees if plans change.
Be flexible: Fly later in the summer (like August).
Track prices: Google Flights lets you scout the cheapest fares over the next six months and set alerts for fare drops.