Airfares may rise next year, following labor negotiations, fuel costs

  • Airfare is expected to rise in 2025, a new GBT report suggests
  • Labor negotiations and climbing fuel costs are driving the increase
  • Departures may also grow more frequent, but not always on popular routes

Travelers use the kiosk by the ticketing gate as they prepare for travel from Love Field airport, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Dallas. The unofficial start of the summer travel season is here, with airlines hoping to avoid the chaos of last year and travelers scrounging for ways to save a few bucks on pricey airfares and hotel rooms. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(NewsNation) — Travelers can expect to pay steeper fares in 2025 as airlines tackle labor and revenue challenges.

Labor costs and shortages, fuel costs and carrier surcharges are influencing next year’s airfares, according to an Amex Global Business Travel Group (GBT) forecast.

Many worker disputes were resolved in 2024, ushering in new contracts that can lead to more expensive operation costs and, in turn, higher ticket prices.

Customers may also notice more frequent flights, but not always along popular routes.

Airlines are shifting to narrower planes that accommodate more travelers and frequent departures. Those changes, however, could make discounts harder to score, according to GBT’s report.

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