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As pandemic lockdowns eased in 2021, travel costs soared in response to the widespread urge to get away. But, according to Kayak CEO Steve Hafner, this “revenge travel effect is finally receding, and so are prices.” The average price of domestic flights dropped by 8% in the year leading up to September as air traffic returned to 2019 levels.
But there are many variables to consider when trying to get the best price for a domestic flight, from the timing of your booking to the airline with which you’ll fly. To help you find the best deals for domestic flights, the CashNetUSA team identified the most affordable airline you can fly with, depending on where you live.
The research team at CashNetUSA created flight route combinations from each official U.S. hub airport to all the others. Next, they collected a sample of one-way flights for each route for a solo adult traveling one way in economy, with no more than one stop. Finally, they calculated the average price per mile for each airline across all routes for each airport and the average for each state. Airlines were ranked based on these figures.
Key Findings
The cheapest airline for domestic flights from New York State is Alaska, at an average of $0.09 per mile.
In California, the most expensive airline for domestic flights is Horizon Air, at an average of $1.20 per mile.
The cheapest combination of airport + airline to take a domestic flight is flying Hawaiian Airlines from Kahului Airport, which costs $0.03 per mile.
The most expensive is flying United from Tulsa International Airport which averages $2.49 per mile.
Frontier is Most Often America’s Cheapest Domestic Carrier — If You Watch Your Fees
The study produced two fascinating maps that show the cheapest and most expensive airlines for domestic flights from each state. For example, the cheapest domestic flights of all are when flying Allegiant out of Arizona — the average cost is just $0.05 per mile.
However, Frontier is the cheapest airline for domestic flights in 15 states. Frontier has operated as an ultra-low-cost carrier since 2014, ensuring low basic fares — although optional extras can soon inflate the cost. As former Frontier CEO David Siegel put it: “We are basically reducing the fare and then will charge for everything else the customer may want a la carte.”
United Ranked as the Most Expensive Option for Domestic Flights in 38 States
United Airlines operates the most expensive flights out of 38 states (below), which is more than any other airline. Flying United from New Hampshire costs an average of $1.44 per mile — the most expensive domestic flight in the country.
United Airlines offered a limited discount to Taylor Swift fans in April 2024, offering the first 1,900 customers flying to the Eras Tour in Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis a 13% price reduction. However, this came after United raised its checked bag fee in February, and the company was later accused of price gouging on flights out of Florida as Hurricane Milton struck in October.
Methodology
The team built a seed list of all officially designated hub (major) airports in America as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They then used airmilescalculator.com to create flight route combinations from each airport to all other airports and calculate distances between airports.
Next, they used the ‘Flights’ section of Tripadvisor to collect a sample of one-way flights for all flight routes with the following filters:
One adult
Economy
One Way
Non-stop or one-stop
For each airport, they calculated the average price per mile for each airline across all routes. To calculate the state data, they aggregated data for airports within each state. This allowed them to isolate the cheapest and most expensive airline on average for each state and airport as of November 2024.
Note: Delaware lacks a hub airport.
Tips for Securing the Best Flight Deals
While knowing which airlines offer better rates in your state is helpful, consider these additional strategies to find the best deals:
Book in Advance: According to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, travelers who booked at least a month before domestic flights saved an average of 24% compared to those who waited until the last minute.
Be Flexible with Dates: Flying mid-week can save you money. Google Flights data shows that Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday departures are typically 13% cheaper than weekend flights.
Set Fare Alerts: Tools like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Hopper can notify you when prices drop for routes you’re interested in.
Consider Nearby Airports: Sometimes, flying from a less convenient airport can save substantial money. For example, flights from Baltimore-Washington International can be significantly cheaper than those from Reagan National or Dulles.
Review All Costs: Ultra-low-cost carriers may add fees for everything from carry-on bags to printing boarding passes. Factor these into your comparison when booking.
Have you found that certain airlines consistently offer better deals from your location? Or have you discovered clever ways to save on domestic flights? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
