2024 U.S. Airport Cost Rankings: See How Airfare Compares at the Nation's Busiest Airports

As frequent flyers know, air travel isn’t cheap. With the summer months in full swing, demand for air travel is expected to reach record numbers in 2024 as airlines continue to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily for those who are looking for ways to save on travel, one way to cut costs on your next vacation may be in finding the right places to fly in and out of.

FinanceBuzz looked at average domestic airfares from the 45 busiest airports in the U.S. to learn which airports are best for travelers on a budget, as well as which ones to avoid if you are trying to travel affordably.

Overall, the national average airfare cost decreased by 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 when adjusted for inflation (which translates to a 0.9% increase in non-adjusted dollars). The last time inflation-adjusted airfare costs dropped year-over-year was during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell 18% between 2019 and 2020.  

Largely, this is good news for consumers who can spend less on airfare and have more room in their budget for hotels, restaurants, and other travel fees. In addition to earning rewards on airfare, most travel credit cards offer rewards for spending in these areas, which can offset overall vacation costs.

The least and most expensive airports to fly from

For this report, we compared domestic airfares from the 45 busiest airports in the U.S. using data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Least expensive airports

Orlando International Airport (MCO) had the lowest airfare cost in the country at $265.58 on average. Home to iconic theme parks like Universal Studios, Sea World, and most notably, Walt Disney World, Orlando is one of America’s top tourist destinations.

This is welcome news for those bracing for expensive park tickets and food prices at the House of Mouse. Beyond saving with a Disney credit card on park-related purchases, visitors can also maximize savings by using a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve which offers an annual travel credit, or even using a 0% APR credit card if you don’t want to pay for your entire vacation at once.

Another Florida-based airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), has the second-lowest average airfare cost in the country — tickets here are only about $5 more expensive than Orlando’s.

Just a few dollars behind FLL is Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International (LAS), where fares cost $272.15 on average. LAS is also the last airport on our list where average airfare costs are less than $300.

Oakland International Airport (OAK) has the fourth-lowest average airfare costs in the country at $303.79. And the fifth-least expensive airport, Chicago Midway International (MDW), comes in at $308.27.

Most expensive airports

For the third year in a row, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have the two highest average fares in the country. Flights from Dulles cost $488.40 on average in 2023, while flights from San Francisco cost $444.59.

Some silver lining for travelers who need to travel through Dulles: IAD is home to some of the best airport lounges in the country, including the recently-opened Capital One Lounge, available to Capital One Venture X or Venture Rewards credit card holders. With free food, drinks, and recharging stations, lounges can be one easy way to offset otherwise-expensive airport costs.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has the third-highest average airfare in the country, with an average cost of $438.34.

Last on our top-five list of the most expensive airports are Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Average airfare from Charlotte cost $436.80 last year, while flights from Detroit had an average price tag of $427.05. 

Biggest jumps in affordability rankings

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) had the biggest was the biggest affordability winner over the last year, dropping prices by more than $18 on average. SEA jumped from 36th most-affordable place last year to 28th place this year — an increase of eight spots.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Portland International Airport (PDX) experienced similar jumps, rising by seven spots each. RDU went from 24th place in 2022 to 17th in 2023, while PDX went from 42nd to 35th.  

Biggest drops in affordability rankings

Complete list of airport cost rankings

Expert insights

Considering how much our cost rankings have changed from 2023, we asked a few experts their opinions on how inflation has and will continue to influence airline travel.

Rachel Fu, Ph.D.

Chair of the University of Florida’s Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management | Director of the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute

Which travel costs have faced the largest impact from inflation?

Inflation has notably impacted various aspects of travel costs, including airfare and additional services, such as checked baggage and seat selection fees.

Recent data shows that airline ticket prices have seen substantial increases due to higher fuel costs and increased consumer demand post-pandemic. Additional fees for amenities like checked bags, onboard food, lounge membership, and seat upgrades have also escalated as airlines capitalize on these ancillary revenues to bolster their financial recovery.

These trends indicate an increase in the overall cost of air travel, making it one of the most affected areas by inflation within the travel sector.

What factors (other than proximity) should travelers consider when deciding on which airport to travel through?

Beyond proximity, travelers usually consider several factors when choosing an airport, including flight availability, airport amenities, and connectivity. Larger airports often offer a wider range of flight times and direct connections, which can reduce overall travel time. Airport amenities, such as dining options, lounges, and shopping, can also enhance the travel experience, particularly for those facing long layovers.

Transportation options to and from the airport, such as public transit availability and parking costs, are also important for ensuring convenient and cost-effective travel.

What do you predict the airport/travel economy will look like in the next five years, and what factors contribute to your prediction?

Over the next five years, the airport and travel economy may experience substantial growth driven by ongoing global economic recovery, technological advancements, and increased consumer demand for travel. Factors contributing to this prediction include the resurgence of international tourism, investment in airport infrastructure to enhance capacity, efficiency and security, and the integration of digital technologies improving passenger experiences and operational effectiveness.

Sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of air travel are also expected to shape industry practices, potentially leading to innovations in fuel technology and energy efficiency.

^{Some responses may have been edited for punctuation, clarity, and brevity.}

James Petrick, Ph.D.

Research Fellow & Professor  | Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management & Tourism, Texas A&M

Which travel costs have faced the largest impact from inflation?

The current inflation rate is around 3.4% in the U.S., while the inflation rate for flights has fallen by 7.1% year to date, though [unadjusted] prices last year were the highest they’ve been since 1979.

Checked bag prices vary by airline and likely have an impact on which airlines people choose.

What factors (other than proximity) should travelers consider when deciding on which airport to travel through?

Other factors include average wait times for security, ease and cost of parking, number of flights out of the airport to your [chosen] destination (in case flights are canceled), and the amenities within the airport itself, e.g., restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

What do you predict the airport/travel economy will look like in the next five years, and what factors contribute to your prediction?

The airline industry has consistently seen growth year to date over time, with the exception of major disturbances like COVID-19, economic recessions, etc. I’d expect consistent growth each year, barring a major disturbance.

^{Some responses may have been edited for punctuation, clarity, and brevity.}

How to save when you fly

As you plan your travel, you'll find costs can vary widely at a single airport. With a little research and smart planning, you can find a deal at any airport.

Here are a few tips to save on airfare:

• One way to save on airfare is to use airline credit card points, or travel cards, to book your travel. For newer travelers, some welcome bonuses on beginner travel credit cards can be enough to earn you a free flight (or two).
  
• As we all know, flights aren’t the only expensive part of traveling. Save money on baggage fees by understanding your airlines and prepping for the hidden costs of air travel.
• For those who prefer to avoid airports all together and are exploring road trips or staycations this year, finding the right credit card for gas and groceries can earn cash back and other rewards for car rides and food for vacation rental stays.

Methodology

We looked at 2023 airfare data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2024 to compare domestic airfares by origin city. This report calculated average fares based on domestic itinerary fares.

"Itinerary fares" consist of round-trip fares unless a return trip was not purchased, in which case the one-way fare was used. Fares are based on total ticket value, including the price charged by the airline plus any additional taxes and fees levied at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at booking and do not include fees for optional services like baggage fees. Averages also do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares” or a few abnormally high reported fares.

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