KRIS VAN CLEAVE:
00:00:07
Coming to the nation's airports this fall, a nonstop flight to holiday travel sticker shock. I just anticipate the cost being close to $1,000 and then just picking up extra work to make that.
KRIS VAN CLEAVE:
00:00:20
Airfare tracker Hopper's Holiday Travel Index predicts 2026 will be the most expensive holiday travel season in a decade, driven primarily by rising jet fuel prices due to the conflict with Iran. Hopper says the average domestic round trip for Thanksgiving will hit $402, up 31% from 2025. Christmastime will cost you even more, on average, $452, up 23% from last year. I would absolutely recommend that travelers book their Thanksgiving and Christmas travel before Halloween. The sweet spot is the next two weeks or so.
KRIS VAN CLEAVE:
00:00:57
Amid those higher fuel prices, Alaska Airlines is debuting its fancy new business class suites and new premium economy options. CEO Ben Minicucci says it's following customer demand, but rising fares are squeezing some. Is the idea of that low-fare flight deal gone? Can it exist at 4-plus dollar-a-gallon fuel? I think it gets more difficult. Are there people that aren't taking trips now? The strongest demand we're seeing is in premium and less in main cabin. So that's an area that we're focused on, is, how do we get people that are not going on that trip because of the increase in fares? Still, Minicucci says holiday demand looks strong, so don't expect there to be a fare sale close to the holidays. He says it's just not going to happen this year. So book early. Be flexible. Avoid the Sunday after Thanksgiving if you can. Hopper says simply traveling back Monday or Tuesday could save you $250 a ticket. And if you're sitting on a bunch of points, this might be the year to use them for the holidays, Tony. All right, Kris. Good advice. Appreciate it.
