Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - Average domestic air fares in the first quarter of 2010 increased to the second highest January-to-March level since 2001, rising 4.7 percent from the first quarter of 2009 (Table 1), the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today.
BTS, a part of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
The $328 first-quarter 2010 average fares were down 8.3 percent from the all-time high, not inflation-adjusted, of $358 in the third quarter of 2008. Adjusted for inflation, first-quarter 2010 fares were down 25.0 percent from 1999, the inflation-adjusted high for any first-quarter since 1995. The first quarter 2010 average fares were up 8.9 percent from the post-9/11 fourth-quarter low of $301.39 in 2005 (Table 1). BTS air fare records reach back to 1995. See BTS Air Fare web page for historic data.
First quarter 2010 average fares were up 2.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2009. Quarter-to-quarter changes may be affected by seasonal factors (Table 2).
Air fares in the first quarter of 2010 declined 5.6 percent since the first quarter of 2001, compared to an overall increase in consumer prices of 23.5 percent during that period (Table 6). In the 15 years from 1995, the first year of BTS records, air fares rose 10.5 percent compared to a 43.7 percent inflation rate. In 1995 dollars, the average air fare in the first quarter of 2010 was $228, compared to $297 in 1995 and $301 in 2000 (Table 1).
See tables below for the following information about the top 100 airports based on 2009 originating passengers. For 2009, Lubbock, TX and Moline, IL were added to the top 100 rankings, replacing Sarasota, FL and Savannah, GA.
Table 3: Five highest and five lowest average fares in the first quarter: Huntsville, AL, had the highest average fare, $500, while Atlantic City, NJ, had the lowest, $188. For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 8on the BTS website.
Table 4: Five largest increases and five largest decreases from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010: Charleston, SC, had the largest increase, 16.1 percent, and Milwaukee, WI had the largest decrease, 16.6 percent. For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 9 on the BTS website.
Table 5: Five largest increases and five largest decreases from the first quarter of 2001 to the first quarter of 2010: Dallas Love had the largest increase, 31.7 percent, and White Plains, NY, had the largest decrease, 51.9 percent. For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 10 on the BTS website.
See the BTS Air Fare web page for average fares for the top 100 airports. Rankings can also be found on the BTS website. Fares for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico airports, which are not included in rankings, are available on the web page. Average fares for all airports are also available. Since average fares are based on the Origin and Destination Survey 10 percent ticket sample, averages for airports smaller samples may be less reliable.
Second-quarter 2010 average fare data will be released on Oct. 28.
The Air Travel Price Index (ATPI) for the first quarter of 2010 will be posted on the BTS website on Aug. 4. The ATPI is a separate statistical measure of the level of air fares.
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Averages do not include frequent flyer fares.
Average Domestic 1Q Fares ($) | Percent change from previous year | Percent change from 1995 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Average Fares (1Q to 1Q) | Inflation (Mar from previous Mar)* | Cumulative Average Fares (1Q 1995 to 1Q of each year) | Cumulative inflation rate (Mar of each year from Mar 1995)* | Average Fare in 1995 dollars | ||
1995 | 297 | 297 | ||||
1996 | 284 | -4.4 | 2.8 | -4.4 | 2.8 | 276 |
1997 | 283 | -0.2 | 2.8 | -4.5 | 5.7 | 268 |
1998 | 305 | 7.5 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 7.1 | 284 |
1999 | 332 | 8.9 | 1.7 | 11.7 | 9.0 | 304 |
2000 | 340 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 14.6 | 13.1 | 301 |
2001 | 348 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 17.1 | 16.4 | 299 |
2002 | 320 | -8.0 | 1.5 | 7.8 | 18.1 | 271 |
2003 | 319 | -0.3 | 3.0 | 7.5 | 21.7 | 262 |
2004 | 320 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 7.9 | 23.8 | 259 |
2005 | 301 | -5.9 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 27.7 | 236 |
2006 | 323 | 7.3 | 3.4 | 8.9 | 32.0 | 245 |
2007 | 318 | -1.7 | 2.8 | 7.1 | 35.6 | 234 |
2008 | 333 | 4.9 | 4.0 | 12.3 | 41.0 | 236 |
2009 | 313 | -6.0 | -0.4 | 5.5 | 40.5 | 223 |
2010 | 328 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 10.5 | 43.7 | 228 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Rate calculated using Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Percent Change by Quarter
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Average Domestic Fares | ||
---|---|---|
Avg Fare* ($) | Pct. Change from Previous Quarter | |
2Q 2008 | 346 | 3.8 |
3Q 2008 | 358 | 3.4 |
4Q 2008 | 345 | -3.7 |
1Q 2009 | 313 | -9.1 |
2Q 2009 | 301 | -3.8 |
3Q 2009 | 306 | 1.7 |
4Q 2009 | 319 | 4.2 |
1Q 2010 | 328 | 2.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Average fares from 2Q 2008 to 1Q 2009 revised from July 29, 2009 release.
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Note: Quarter-to-quarter changes may be affected by seasonal factors.
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2009 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Rank | Origin | 1st Quarter 2010 ($) |
---|---|---|
Highest Average Fares | ||
1 | Huntsville, AL | 500 |
2 | Charleston, SC | 443 |
3 | Knoxville TN | 441 |
4 | Memphis, TN | 433 |
5 | Newark-Liberty, NJ | 423 |
Average Fare at All Airports | 328 | |
Lowest Average Fares | ||
1 | Atlantic City, NJ | 188 |
2 | Long Beach, CA | 208 |
3 | Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena, CA | 241 |
4 | Orlando, FL | 245 |
5 | Dallas Love, TX | 248 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2009 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Rank | Origin | 1st Quarter 2009 ($) | 1st Quarter 2010 ($) | Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Largest Increases/Smallest Decreases | ||||
1 | Charleston, SC | 382 | 443 | 16.1 |
2 | Detroit, MI | 300 | 349 | 16.0 |
3 | Manchester, NH | 279 | 323 | 15.7 |
4 | Atlantic City, NJ | 163 | 188 | 15.2 |
5 | Albany, NY | 315 | 361 | 14.6 |
Average Fare at All Airports | 313 | 328 | 4.7 | |
Largest Decreases | ||||
1 | Milwaukee, WI | 300 | 250 | -16.6 |
2 | Cincinnati, OH | 446 | 404 | -9.3 |
3 | Des Moines, IA | 403 | 388 | -3.8 |
4 | Boston, MA | 342 | 332 | -3.0 |
5 | Grand Rapids, MI | 418 | 406 | -2.9 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2009 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Rank | Origin | 1st Quarter 2001 ($) | 1st Quarter 2010 ($) | Percent Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Largest Increases | ||||
1 | Dallas Love, TX | 189 | 248 | 31.7 |
2 | Lubbock, TX | 230 | 302 | 31.6 |
3 | Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena, CA | 185 | 241 | 30.6 |
4 | Reno, NV | 223 | 288 | 29.1 |
5 | Houston Hobby, TX | 219 | 275 | 25.2 |
Average Fare at All Airports | 348 | 328 | -5.6 | |
Largest Decreases | ||||
1 | White Plains, NY | 606 | 291 | -51.9 |
2 | Denver, CO | 452 | 291 | -35.8 |
3 | Long Beach, CA | 321 | 208 | -35.1 |
4 | Milwaukee, WI | 383 | 250 | -34.5 |
5 | Richmond, VA | 494 | 326 | -34.0 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
(1st Quarter to 1st Quarter for fares; March to March for inflation)
Fares based on domestic itinerary fares, round-trip or one-way for which no return is purchased. Fares are based on the total ticket value which consists of the price charged by the airlines plus any additional taxes and fees levied by an outside entity at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at the time of the ticket purchase and do not include other fees, such as baggage fees, paid at the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares.
Since 1st Quarter... | Duration in Years | Average 1Q Itinerary Fare ($) | 1st Quarter 2010 Average Fare Compared to Previous Years (% change) | Inflation Rate to Mar 2010 |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 328 | |||
2009 | 1 | 313 | 4.7 | 2.3 |
2008 | 2 | 333 | -1.6 | 1.9 |
2007 | 3 | 318 | 3.2 | 6.0 |
2006 | 4 | 323 | 1.5 | 8.9 |
2005 | 5 | 301 | 8.9 | 12.6 |
2004 | 6 | 320 | 2.5 | 16.1 |
2003 | 7 | 319 | 2.8 | 18.1 |
2002 | 8 | 320 | 2.5 | 21.7 |
2001 | 9 | 348 | -5.6 | 23.5 |
2000 | 10 | 340 | -3.6 | 27.1 |
1999 | 11 | 332 | -1.1 | 31.9 |
1998 | 12 | 305 | 7.7 | 34.2 |
1997 | 13 | 283 | 15.8 | 36.0 |
1996 | 14 | 284 | 15.5 | 39.8 |
1995 | 15 | 297 | 10.5 | 43.7 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics
* Rate calculated using Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index
** Revised
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
For air fares for the following airports, go to http://www.bts.gov/xml/atpi/src/index.xml.
Multiple airport areas for which a single average fare calculation is available are: Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
Airports covered by average fare calculations are:
Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville
Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson
Arkansas: Little Rock
California: Burbank,
Fresno,
Long Beach,
Los Angeles
Intl, Oakland, Ontario/San Bernardino, Sacramento, San Diego, San
Francisco, San Jose,
Santa Ana ( Orange County)
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver
Connecticut : Hartford
District of
Columbia: Dulles, Reagan National
Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers,
Jacksonville,
Miami,
Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Georgia: Atlanta
Idaho: Boise
Illinois: Chicago Midway, Chicago O'Hare, Moline
Indiana: Indianapolis
Iowa: Des Moines
Kansas: Wichita
Kentucky: Louisville
Louisiana: New Orleans
Maine: Portland
Maryland: Baltimore
Massachusetts: Boston
Michigan: Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids
Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Mississippi: Jackson/Vicksburg
Missouri: Kansas City, St. Louis
Nebraska: Omaha
Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
New Hampshire: Manchester
New Jersey: Atlantic City, Newark
New Mexico: Albuquerque
New York: Albany, Buffalo, Islip, New York JFK, New York LaGuardia,
Rochester, Syracuse, White Plains
North
Carolina: Charlotte, Greensboro,
Raleigh/Durham
Ohio: Akron/Canton,
Cincinnati,
Cleveland,
Columbus, Dayton
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Oregon: Portland
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
Rhode Island: Providence
South
Carolina: Charleston
Tennessee: Knoxville,
Memphis, Nashville
Texas: Austin,
Dallas
Love, Dallas/Ft. Worth,
El Paso, Houston Bush, Houston Hobby,
Lubbock, San
Antonio
Utah: Salt Lake City
Vermont: Burlington
Virginia: Newport News/Williamsburg, Norfolk, Richmond
Washington: Seattle, Spokane
Wisconsin: Madison, Milwaukee