Labor Day airfares not as steep
Airfares typically soar for travel around Labor Day weekend. This year is no exception.
From Aug. 16 until the start of the Labor Day weekend, domestic airfares will shoot up nearly 30%, according to an analysis by the travel site CheapOAir. After all, everybody wants to get away for the last holiday weekend of the summer.
Despite the price jump, airline tickets for Labor Day weekend travel will either be on par with or cheaper than the Labor Day fares over the last few years. Industry experts attribute the lower fares to cheaper jet fuel.
Based on the CheapOAir study, the average cost for tickets sold in August for Labor Day weekend flights are only $3 higher this year than in the same period last year.
But this year’s average ticket price is more than $50 cheaper than in the same period in 2014 and 2013 and about $15 cheaper than in 2012, according to the website.
Airlines for America, an airline trade group, has projected a 4% increase in total passengers flying on U.S.-based airlines this holiday weekend. That means vacationers can expect longer lines at the airports and at vacation spots.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport are expected to the busiest airports during the holiday weekend.
Flights between U.S. and Mexico expected to soar
If you’re planning a trip south of the border, you can expect to save a little on your flight to Mexico.
An agreement between the U.S. and Mexico that took effect Aug. 21 will drop restrictions on the number of airlines that can fly between the two countries, thus increasing competition and lowering fares.
Thanks to the agreement that followed four years of negotiations, U.S. and Mexican airlines seeking to fly between the two countries will only be limited by the number of slots — a scheduled time to land or takeoff — available at various airports.
“The new agreement will benefit U.S. and Mexican airlines, travelers, businesses, airports, and communities by allowing increased market access for passenger and cargo airlines to fly between any city in Mexico and any city in the United States,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. He added that the increased competition should lead to lower air fares.
Several airlines have already announced new routes to Mexico.
Southwest Airlines said that starting Dec. 4, the carrier will f ly three new nonstop flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Cancun, San Jose Del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.
Delta Air Lines said it plans on Dec. 17 to start new daily nonstop services from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Cancun and from LAX to Los Cabos, plus a Saturday flight from Kansas City, Mo., to Cancun.
American Airlines said it has started taking reservations for new daily flights from LAX to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta starting Dec. 15.