Whether you’re planning a last-minute getaway or a summer vacation, airfare costs vary not only by when you book your ticket but also where you’re flying from.
While some airports consistently offer budget-friendly airfare, others leave travelers paying a premium just to get to their destination.
In 2025, airline ticket prices have increased by 7.1% year-over-year, and the average airfare is $365.64, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. But which airports across the country offer the most affordable flights and which ones will cost you the most?
To find out, LocalsInsider.com took an in-depth look at average airfare from the 50 busiest airports across the country. We analyzed airfare data provided by the Bureau of Transportation to determine which airports are the most and least affordable to depart from.
Additionally, we conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans to gain insights into how travelers are adjusting their budgets, safety concerns, and booking habits this year.
Highlights:
- Most expensive airport: Washington Dulles International ($472.61 avg airfare).
- Most affordable airport: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International ($252.15 avg airfare).
- Florida dominates the affordability list, with three of the top 10 cheapest airports being in the Sunshine State (FLL, MCO, MIA).
- Largest airfare increase YoY: John Wayne Airport-Orange County in San Jose saw a 11.8% rise.
- Overall, 1 in 4 (25%) Americans plan to spend less on travel this year compared to last year.
- 1 in 3 (33%) Americans say they feel less safe flying after recent air traffic incidents.
Ranking the 50 Busiest Airports by Affordability
Not all airports are created equal when it comes to airfare costs.
Below is a ranking of the 50 busiest airports in the U.S., from the most to least affordable based on average ticket prices, according to the latest Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Top 10 Most Expensive Airports
Flying out of certain airports will cost you significantly more.
For example, Washington Dulles International ranks as the most expensive airport, with an average fare of $472.61, which is over $200 more than the most affordable option, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.
#1. Washington Dulles International (Washington, DC)
Average airfare: $472.61
YoY Price Change: 1.4%
#2. John Wayne Airport-Orange County (Santa Ana, CA)
Average airfare: $427.82
YoY Price Change: 11.8%
#3. San Francisco International (San Francisco, CA)
Average airfare: $424.68
YoY Price Change: 1.4%
#4. Salt Lake City International (Salt Lake City, UT)
Average airfare: $410.70
YoY Price Change: -0.8%
#5. Detroit Metro Wayne County (Detroit, MI)
Average airfare: $403.80
YoY Price Change: 0.4%
#6. Newark Liberty International (Newark, NJ)
Average airfare: $402.85
YoY Price Change: 4.4%
#7. Charlotte Douglas International (Charlotte, NC)
Average airfare: $398.64
YoY Price Change: -5.8%
#8. John F. Kennedy International (New York, NY)
Average airfare: $397.44
YoY Price Change: 0.3%
#9. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (Atlanta, GA)
Average airfare: $396.12
YoY Price Change: 3.6%
#10. Dallas/Fort Worth International (Dallas, TX)
Average airfare: $392.31
YoY Price Change: -4.6%
Top 10 Most Affordable Airports
Looking to save on airfare?
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) tops the list as the most affordable airport to depart from, with an average ticket price of $252.15. Along with Fort Lauderdale, two other Florida airports rank within the top 10 most affordable airports including Orlando International ($269.61), and Miami International ($317.97).
With Florida being a high-volume state for tourism, there is considerable competition from low-cost airlines, which help keep airfare prices low. Elsewhere, other tourist spots like Las Vegas (LAS), and New Orleans (MSY) also make the list.
Opting to fly out of secondary airports in large cities like New York’s LaGuardia or Chicago’s Midway International can also help you save on airfare.
Whether you're looking to save on airfare or avoid the congestion of major hubs, these airports provide some of the most affordable ways to fly.
#1. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Average airfare: $252.15
YoY Price Change: -1.6%
#2. Orlando International (Orlando, FL)
Average airfare: $269.61
YoY Price Change: 5.9%
#3. Harry Reid International (Las Vegas, NV)
Average airfare: $275.16
YoY Price Change: 4.1%
#4. Chicago Midway International (Chicago, IL)
Average airfare: $292.17
YoY Price Change: -1.6%
#5. LaGuardia (New York, NY)
Average airfare: $302.88
YoY Price Change: -2.1%
#6. Metro Oakland International (Oakland, CA)
Average airfare: $313.64
YoY Price Change: 3.0%
#7. Miami International (Miami, FL)
Average airfare: $317.97
YoY Price Change: -2.1%
#8. Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (San Jose, CA)
Average airfare: $322.54
YoY Price Change: -1.3%
#9. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (New Orleans, LA)
Average airfare: $323.50
YoY Price Change: 2.5%
#10. Dallas Love Field (Dallas, TX)
Average airfare: $323.76
YoY Price Change: -4.2%
Where Airfare is Rising the Most
While some airports remain affordable, others have seen airfare spike in the past year. Here’s where ticket prices have changed the most.
Skip-Lagging: Where Are Travelers Trying to Outsmart Airlines?
As airfare costs climb, some travelers are searching for creative ways to save through booking tactics like skip-lagging.
For those travelers who aren’t familiar with the travel hack, “skip-lagging” is when a traveler books a flight with a layover but intentionally exits at the layover city instead of continuing to the final destination. Travelers often save money with this strategy because nonstop flights tend to be more expensive than multi-leg flights with layovers in the same city.
Although skip-lagging provides travelers with the opportunity to bypass higher fares, it’s important to keep in mind that airlines discourage this travel hack, and they may even impose penalties on repeat offenders.
Despite these potential penalties, skip-lagging is still trending. But where are travelers seeking out this travel hack the most? We analyzed Google search volume for keywords related to skip-lagging in the largest cities across the country to determine where skip-lagging is trending.
It might not be a surprise that Atlanta tops the list of cities where skip-lagging is trending the most, especially considering that the city is one of the largest layover hubs in the U.S. Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, and Charlotte round out the top five — all of which serve as major connection points for domestic and international travel. Based on search volume analysis, travelers might be looking for ways to take advantage of cheaper multi-leg flights that route through these cities.
Beyond airfare trends and travel hacks, our nationwide survey of 1,000 Americans revealed how travel habits are shifting in 2025.
Overall, 1 in 4 (25%) Americans plan to spend less on travel this year, 28% say they’ll spend more, and 47% say their budget won’t change. In terms of spring break travel, 1 in 4 (24%) Americans say they’ll be flying during spring break.
Along with affordability, safety will also be top of mind for travelers this year.
According to survey respondents, 1 in 3 (33%) feel less safe flying after recent air traffic incidents in the U.S., while 1 in 10 have gone as far as canceling or postponing a trip due to safety concerns.
Top 5 Booking Tips
If you’re looking to cut travel costs, there are several ways to find deals on flights. Everything from when you book and which airport you fly from can significantly impact your airfare budget.
Fly Midweek:
Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be cheaper.
Alternative Airports:
Nearby regional airports may offer better deals than major hubs.
Book in Advance:
The best time to book domestic flights is typically one to three months in advance.
Use Fare Tracking Tools:
Websites like Google Flights and Hopper can alert you when prices drop.
Methodology
We analyzed average airfare statistics from the 50 largest U.S. airports based on passenger volume. Average fares are based on domestic itinerary fares, including round-trip or one-way tickets without a return purchase.
Fare calculations include the total ticket value, which consists of: The price charged by airlines, taxes and fees imposed at the time of purchase.
Excluded from averages: Additional fees paid at the airport or onboard (e.g., baggage fees), frequent-flyer or "zero fares,” and abnormally high reported fares.
The top 50 airports were ranked by U.S.-originating domestic passengers according to BTS data.
Skip-Lagging Search Analysis
To determine where skip-lagging is trending, we analyzed Google search volume for keywords related to skip-lagging between February 2024 – January 2025 in cities with a population of 275,000 or more. Normalization: Search volume was adjusted per 100,000 residents.
Survey Demographics
Gender: Female (51%); Male (48%); Non-binary (1%)
Age Range: 18 - 86 (average: 46 years old)
Household Income Distribution:
Under $20,000 (9%); $20,000 - $40,000 (16%); $40,001 - $60,000 (17%); $60,001 - $80,000 (17%); $80,001 - $100,000 (12%); Over $100,001 (29%)
Limitations: Self-reported survey data may be subject to recall bias or social desirability bias.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI), Google search volume analysis (Feb. 2024 - Jan. 2025)
