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If you’ve ever wondered why your friend’s flight costs half as much as yours, the answer might not be timing. It might be geography.
A new report analyzing data from the 50 busiest U.S. airports shows that where you take off can swing your ticket price by hundreds of dollars. And yes, the gap is big: more than $200 separates the cheapest and priciest major departure hubs.
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To get a clearer picture of air travel right now, LocalsInsider.com crunched newly released federal airfare data from the 50 busiest U.S. airports and surveyed 1,500 Americans about their habits, budgets and biggest travel headaches.
If you’re looking to save, Florida has you covered, with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport coming in as the cheapest of them all, with average fares around $252, thanks in part to heavy competition from budget airlines. Rounding out the top three are Orlando International Airport and Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport. The common denominator for all three is competition, which tends to drive fares down.
The study also found that 63% of Americans plan to fly less in 2026 because of flight costs, while 93% believe flying is less affordable for the average American in general.
That's hard to argue when looking at the ticket prices out of the most expensive airports on the list, with Washington Dulles International Airport coming in at a whopping average fare of $439.39. New York doesn’t get off easy, either, with John F. Kennedy International Airport ranking at No. 9 with an average fare of $404.59.
One alternative is to drive—but then there's the price of gas, too. Instead, if possible, consider booking a trip out of a nearby airport, which will likely be less expensive. LaGuardia routinely offers cheaper fares than JFK, and Hobby Airport is a bargain compared to George Bush Intercontinental in Houston.
Here are the three most expensive airports:
1. Washington Dulles International: $439.39
2. Salt Lake City International: $434.16
3. Charlotte Douglas International: $432.16
Here are the three cheapest airports:
1. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL): $261.69
2. Orlando International (MCO): $262.47
3. Harry Reid International (LAS): $269.42