Holiday airfares soar at PDX

• The rising cost of jet fuel, driven in part by the conflict in Iran, coupled with fewer seats on popular routes is pushing fares higher.

• Plus: Airlines are increasingly willing to fly with empty seats if it means charging remaining passengers more, per Fortune.

By the numbers: Flying out of PDX cost an average of $437 for a domestic ticket this spring, nearly 14% more than a year earlier, according to the O's analysis of federal transportation data.

• The outlet found fares rose on all 50 of PDX's busiest routes over the last year.
• For example, the price of a flight to Las Vegas increased by 55% between July 2025 and July 2026. Flights to Ontario, California, went up 41% over that same period.

Yes, but: Higher prices aren't deterring travelers. PDX expects more than 1.4 million people to pass through its terminal this holiday season, up 7% from 2025, per the O.

The bottom line: If you're still set on jetting out of town in the next two months, Hopper recommends booking flights before Halloween to avoid even steeper fares.