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Summer Travel Holds Strong as Airfare and Gas Prices Jump

Rising fuel and ticket costs are pushing many lower‑income Americans to skip or shrink trips.

Overview

  • New survey results show resilient demand, with 70% of Americans planning to travel this summer and 85% saying they need a vacation, according to Allianz Partners and Ipsos.
  • Prices have surged since late winter, with AAA reporting average gas at $4.51 a gallon, jet fuel up about 62%, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics noting April airfares 21% higher than a year earlier.
  • Bank of America Institute data shows a clear income split, as lower‑income households are more than twice as likely to forgo a summer trip compared with higher earners.
  • Most travelers plan to stay in the United States, with many choosing scenic spots or major cities, while only about one in five plan international travel.
  • Timing has helped some avoid higher costs, with about 47% booking summer trips by early April as airlines later raised baggage fees and trimmed some schedules in response to fuel spikes.