U.S. airfares are up 26.5% year-over-year as of June 2026, driven primarily by jet fuel prices that are 70% higher than last year due to geopolitical disruptions, reduced airline competition, and rising ancillary fees. Prices are unlikely to fall significantly before late 2026 or early 2027. Booking 1–3 months ahead for domestic and 2–8 months…
Airline vacation packages bundle flights, hotels, and sometimes car rentals into a single discounted booking. In 2026, major carriers like Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United are offering up to 60% off when you bundle often hundreds of dollars cheaper than booking each component separately. The biggest savings come from off-peak travel windows and all-inclusive resort…
An airline buddy pass is a discounted standby ticket that airline employees can share with friends or family. Recipients board only if empty seats remain after all paying passengers and higher-priority standby travelers. Passes are heavily discounted often costing $60–$700 depending on the route but travel is never guaranteed and policies vary widely by carrier….
The three major airline alliances Star Alliance (26 carriers, 1,150+ destinations), SkyTeam (18 carriers, 945+ destinations), and Oneworld (13 carriers, 1,000+ destinations) each dominate different routes and offer distinct redemption sweet spots. The right alliance depends on your home airport, target destinations, cabin preference, and which loyalty programs you already use. Picking the wrong alliance…
In 2026, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines offer the cheapest checked bag fees among major US carriers, starting at around $35 when prepaid online. No major US airline checks a bag for free anymore after Southwest ended its free-bag policy in 2025. International carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines include a checked bag…
The best airline loyalty program in 2026 is American Airlines AAdvantage, named both the TPG Award winner and Newsweek’s #1 program for its flexible Loyalty Points system, Oneworld alliance coverage, and strong elite tier perks. However, the right program for you depends on your home airport, travel frequency, and preferred destinations. Airline loyalty programs have…
At least a dozen airlines have filed for bankruptcy or ceased operations since the start of 2026, driven primarily by soaring jet fuel prices linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict. Spirit Airlines was the largest casualty, shutting down on May 2, 2026. Budget carriers face the greatest risk. IATA has cut its 2026 industry profit forecast…
Alaska Airlines ranks as the most pet-friendly airline in 2026, earning 57 out of 60 points in NerdWallet’s analysis, with cabin fees starting at $100 each way, multi-species acceptance, and transparent cargo options. For international travel, Lufthansa, KLM, and Turkish Airlines lead with structured in-cabin and cargo programs across global routes. Flying with a pet…
American Airlines holds the highest raw crash count since 1970 (28 accidents), but raw counts are misleading. When measured by accident rate per million flights the only fair comparison Africa-based carriers lead with 7.86 accidents per million flights, while North Asian carriers record the lowest global rate at just 0.16, according to IATA’s 2025 Annual…
If your flight is canceled in 2026, you’re entitled to a full refund (US), cash compensation up to €600 (EU), or up to CAD $1,000 (Canada), depending on where you fly. US passengers don’t get mandatory cash compensation, but airlines must offer automatic refunds within 7–20 business days. EU and Canadian rules go further, requiring…
At least nine airlines worldwide have collapsed or filed for bankruptcy in 2026, led by Spirit Airlines shutting down on May 2. The primary driver is a ~70% spike in U.S. jet fuel prices following the U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran in February 2026. If your airline goes bankrupt, your best path to a refund is…
The TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule which limits carry-on liquids to 3.4 oz (100ml) containers in a single quart-size bag has not been abolished, but is being relaxed at airports equipped with advanced 3D CT scanners. As of 2026, select U.S. and international airports allow larger liquid containers, and 11 specific item categories are now exempt…
A personal item is a small bag such as a backpack, purse, or laptop bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. Most US airlines allow up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Dimensions vary by carrier, fare type, and route. Exceeding the limit can…
U.S. airline on-time performance dipped to 76.4% for full-year 2025, down from 78.1% in 2024, marking a multi-year slide. February 2026 marked the first measurable uptick of the new year, per DOT data released May 7, 2026 a modest but meaningful signal amid a turbulent start to 2026. The first months of 2026 were rough…
Delta Air Lines placed its first-ever direct order for up to 60 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners in January 2026, alongside an incoming 737 MAX 10 fleet expected from 2027. The 787-10 delivers 25% better fuel efficiency per seat, over 50% premium seating, and enhanced passenger comfort but first deliveries won’t arrive until 2031. Delta’s fleet is…
Indian airlines reduced domestic free checked baggage from 25kg to 15kg primarily to adopt the low-cost carrier (LCC) unbundling model separating base fares from add-on services like baggage. This allows airlines to advertise cheaper ticket prices while recovering revenue through ancillary fees. Baggage charges now account for 34% of India’s airline ancillary revenue (Credence Research,…
easyJet’s board agreed in principle to a £5.5bn takeover by US investment firm Castlelake on July 5, 2026 with Apollo later entering a competing £5.7bn bid. No baggage rule changes have been announced. Current 2026 rules remain in force: one free underseat bag (45 x 36 x 20 cm), with overhead cabin bags and hold…