3rd-Quarter 2014 Air Fare Data
The average domestic air fare of $396 in the third quarter of 2014 was virtually the same as the average fare in the third quarter of 2013, adjusted for inflation (Table 1), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported today. During the July to September 2014 period, passengers originating in Cincinnati, Ohio, paid the highest average fare, $533, while passengers originating in Mesa, Arizona, paid the lowest, $100 (Table 6).
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, BTS Air Fares
BTS reports average fares based on domestic itinerary fares. Itinerary fares consist of round-trip fares, unless the customer does not purchase a return trip. In that case, the one-way fare is included. One-way trips accounted for 33 percent of fares calculated for the third quarter of 2014. 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 either the airport or onboard the aircraft. Averages do not include frequent-flyer or “zero fares,” or abnormally high reported fares. Constant 2014 dollars are used for inflation adjustment.
Inflation-Adjusted Air Fares
Third-quarter fares rose 11.8 percent from the recession-affected low of $338 in 2009 to the third quarter of 2011. Since 2011, third quarter fares have shown little change, increasing 4.7 percent from 2011 to 2014 (Table 1). (Corrected 2/2/15).
The third-quarter 2014 fare was down 16.4 percent from the average fare of $461 in 2000, the highest inflation-adjusted third quarter average fare in the 19 years since BTS began collecting air fare records in 1995. The 16.4 percent decline took place while overall consumer prices rose 37 percent. Since 1995, inflation-adjusted fares declined 11.3 percent compared to a 55.4 percent increase in overall consumer prices (Table 2). See BTS Air Fare web page for historic data.
U.S. passenger airlines collected 71.8 percent of their total revenue from passenger fares during the third quarter of 2014, down from 1990 when 87.6 percent of airline revenue was received from fares (Table 1A).
Quarter-to-Quarter Change
In the three-year period from the third quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2014, inflation-adjusted fares increased 4.7 percent. In the two-year period from the third quarter of 2012 to the third quarter of 2014, inflation-adjusted fares decreased 1.0 percent (Table 3).
Unadjusted Air Fares
The $396 third-quarter 2014 average fare equaled the highest average fare for any quarter since 1995 which was $396 in the second quarter of 2014. The previous highest unadjusted third-quarter fare was $390 in 2013. Since 1995, unadjusted fares rose 37.9 percent compared to a 55.4 percent increase in overall consumer prices (Table 4).
Unadjusted third-quarter 2014 fares were the same as the second quarter of 2014 (Table 5). See Tables 13-16 for additional unadjusted fare data by airport.
Fares by Airport
Tables 6-8 provide fare data on the top 100 airports based on 2013 originating passengers. All figures are reported in constant 2014 dollars.
Table 6: Five highest and five lowest average fares in the third quarter: Cincinnati had the highest average fare ($533) while Mesa had the lowest ($100). For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 10 on the BTS website.
Table 7: Five largest increases and five largest decreases adjusted for inflation from the third quarter of 2013 to the third quarter of 2014: Jackson/Vicksburg, MS, had the largest increase (9.4 percent) and Bellingham, Washington, had the largest decrease (-12.5 percent). For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 11 on the BTS website.
Table 8: Five largest increases and five largest decreases adjusted for inflation from the third quarter of 2000 to the third quarter of 2014: Houston Hobby, Texas, had the largest increase (20.3 percent) and Bellingham, Washington, had the largest decrease (-64.4 percent). For the Top 100 Airports, see Table 12 on the BTS website.
For additional data, see Top 100 Airports, Rankings or All Airports. Since average fares are based on the Origin and Destination Survey 10 percent ticket sample, averages for airports with smaller samples may be less reliable. Fares for Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico airports are not included in rankings but are available on the web page. Fourth-quarter 2014 average fare data will be released April 21.
Table 1. 3rd Quarter Average Fare 1995-2014, Adjusted for Inflation
| Average Fare in constant 2014 dollars ($) | Year-to-Year Percent Change in Average Fare (3Q to 3Q) (%) | Cumulative Percent Change in Average Fare (3Q 1995 to 3Q of each year) (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 447 | ||
| 1996 | 407 | -9.0 | -9.0 |
| 1997 | 417 | 2.5 | -6.7 |
| 1998 | 459 | 10.0 | 2.7 |
| 1999 | 450 | -2.0 | 0.7 |
| 2000 | 461 | 2.6 | 3.3 |
| 2001 | 405 | -12.3 | -9.4 |
| 2002 | 399 | -1.4 | -10.7 |
| 2003 | 402 | 0.7 | -10.1 |
| 2004 | 372 | -7.4 | -16.8 |
| 2005 | 366 | -1.5 | -18.0 |
| 2006 | 387 | 5.7 | -13.3 |
| 2007 | 374 | -3.4 | -16.3 |
| 2008 | 391 | 4.4 | -12.6 |
| 2009 | 338 | -13.4 | -24.3 |
| 2010 | 370 | 9.4 | -17.1 |
| 2011 | 378 | 2.2 | -15.3 |
| 2012 | 377 | -0.3 | -15.5 |
| 2013 | 397 | 5.0 | -11.2 |
| 2014 | 396 | 0.0 | -11.3 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Table 1A. Passenger Airline Revenue from Fares 1990-2014
| Year | Revenue from Passenger Fares as Percent of Total Scheduled Passenger Airline Revenue* (%) |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 87.6 |
| 1995 | 85.6 |
| 2000 | 84.1 |
| 2001 | 82.7 |
| 2002 | 82.3 |
| 2003 | 79.5 |
| 2004 | 76.6 |
| 2005 | 75.0 |
| 2006 | 74.4 |
| 2007 | 74.3 |
| 2008 | 72.9 |
| 2009 | 70.2 |
| 2010 | 71.3 |
| 2011 | 71.0 |
| 2012 | 70.3 |
| 2013 | 70.7 |
| 2014 (1Q) | 70.2 |
| 2014 (2Q) | 71.4 |
| 2014 (3Q) | 71.8 |
| 2014 (thru 3Q) | 71.2 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, P-12
* Scheduled passenger airline total revenue is the sum of the following Schedule P12 accounts with account numbers: Reservation cancellation fees (3919.1), Baggage fees (3906.2), Miscellaneous Operating Revenue (3919.2), Transport-Related Revenue (4898) and Passenger Revenue (Fares) (3901).
Table 2. Percent Changes to 2014 in Average Domestic Average Fares and the Inflation Rate* by Year Since 1995
(3rd Quarter to 3rd Quarter for fares; Sep to Sep for inflation)
| Since 3rd Quarter of ... | Duration in Years | Average Fare in constant 2014 dollars ($) | Percent Change in Average Fare to 3rdQuarter 2014 (%) | Inflation Rate Change to Sep 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 396 | |||
| 2013 | 1 | 397 | 0.0 | 1.7 |
| 2012 | 2 | 377 | 5.0 | 2.9 |
| 2011 | 3 | 378 | 4.7 | 4.9 |
| 2010 | 4 | 370 | 7.1 | 9.0 |
| 2009 | 5 | 338 | 17.2 | 10.2 |
| 2008 | 6 | 391 | 1.5 | 8.8 |
| 2007 | 7 | 374 | 6.0 | 14.2 |
| 2006 | 8 | 387 | 2.3 | 17.3 |
| 2005 | 9 | 366 | 8.2 | 19.7 |
| 2004 | 10 | 372 | 6.6 | 25.3 |
| 2003 | 11 | 402 | -1.3 | 28.5 |
| 2002 | 12 | 399 | -0.6 | 31.5 |
| 2001 | 13 | 405 | -2.0 | 33.5 |
| 2000 | 14 | 461 | -14.1 | 37.0 |
| 1999 | 15 | 450 | -11.9 | 41.8 |
| 1998 | 16 | 459 | -13.6 | 45.5 |
| 1997 | 17 | 417 | -4.9 | 47.7 |
| 1996 | 18 | 407 | -2.5 | 50.8 |
| 1995 | 19 | 447 | -11.3 | 55.4 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
* Rate calculated using Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index
Table 3. Inflation-Adjusted Average Domestic Airline Fares by Quarter
Average Fare and Percent Change by Quarter
| Quarter/Year | Average Domestic Fare (2014$) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Fare in constant 2014 dollars ($) | Quarter-to-Quarter Percent Change in Average Fare (%) | |
| 2Q 2011 | 390 | 2.9 |
| 3Q 2011 | 378 | -2.9 |
| 4Q 2011 | 389 | 2.7 |
| 1Q 2012 | 387 | -0.4 |
| 2Q 2012 | 399 | 3.1 |
| 3Q 2012 | 377 | -5.4 |
| 4Q 2012 | 388 | 2.8 |
| 1Q 2013 | 386 | -0.4 |
| 2Q 2013 | 385 | -0.3 |
| 3Q 2013 | 397 | 2.9 |
| 4Q 2013 | 390 | -1.6 |
| 1Q 2014* | 382 | -2.1 |
| 2Q 2014* | 395 | 3.4 |
| 3Q 2014* | 396 | 0.3 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
* Fares for the most recent four quarters are in current dollars, not adjusted for inflation.
Table 4. Unadjusted 3rd Quarter Average Fares, 1995-2014
| Average Fare in current dollars ($) | Year-to-Year Percent Change in Average Fare (3Q to 3Q) (%) | Cumulative Percent Change in Average Fare (3Q 1995 to 3Q of each year) (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 288 | ||
| 1996 | 269 | -6.3 | -6.3 |
| 1997 | 282 | 4.7 | -1.8 |
| 1998 | 315 | 11.7 | 9.6 |
| 1999 | 317 | 0.6 | 10.3 |
| 2000 | 337 | 6.1 | 17.1 |
| 2001 | 303 | -10.0 | 5.4 |
| 2002 | 303 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
| 2003 | 312 | 3.0 | 8.7 |
| 2004 | 297 | -5.1 | 3.1 |
| 2005 | 306 | 3.2 | 6.4 |
| 2006 | 330 | 7.9 | 14.8 |
| 2007 | 328 | -0.8 | 13.9 |
| 2008 | 359 | 9.6 | 24.8 |
| 2009 | 307 | -14.5 | 6.8 |
| 2010 | 340 | 10.7 | 18.2 |
| 2011 | 361 | 6.2 | 25.5 |
| 2012 | 367 | 1.7 | 27.6 |
| 2013 | 390 | 6.3 | 35.7 |
| 2014 | 396 | 1.6 | 37.9 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Table 5. Unadjusted Average Domestic Airline Fares by Quarter
Average Fare and Percent Change by Quarter
| Quarter/Year | Average Domestic Fare (current$) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Fare in current dollars ($) | Quarter-to-Quarter Percent Change in Average Fare (%) | |
| 2Q 2011 | 370 | 3.9 |
| 3Q 2011 | 361 | -2.4 |
| 4Q 2011 | 368 | 2.1 |
| 1Q 2012 | 373 | 1.2 |
| 2Q 2012 | 385 | 3.2 |
| 3Q 2012 | 367 | -4.6 |
| 4Q 2012 | 374 | 2.0 |
| 1Q 2013 | 378 | 1.0 |
| 2Q 2013 | 378 | 0.0 |
| 3Q 2013 | 390 | 3.2 |
| 4Q 2013 | 382 | -2.0 |
| 1Q 2014 | 382 | 0.0 |
| 2Q 2014 | 396 | 3.5 |
| 3Q 2014 | 396 | 0.2 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Table 6. Airports with Highest and Lowest U.S. Domestic Average Itinerary Fares 3rd Quarter 2014
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2013 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers
| Rank | Origin | 3rd Quarter 2014 ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Average Fares | ||
| 1 | Cincinnati, OH | 533 |
| 2 | Madison, WI | 508 |
| 3 | Newark, NJ | 506 |
| 4 | Jackson/Vicksburg, MS | 503 |
| 5 | Houston Bush, TX | 501 |
| Average Fare at All Airports | 396 | |
| Lowest Average Fares | ||
| 1 | Mesa, AZ | 100 |
| 2 | Sanford, FL | 106 |
| 3 | Atlantic City, NJ | 166 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | 185 |
| 5 | Long Beach, CA | 261 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Table 7. One-Year Change by Airport: Top 5 Airport Percentage Increases and Decreases in U.S. Domestic Average Itinerary Fare, 3Q 2013 to 3Q 2014
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2013 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers, Fares Adjusted for Inflation
| Rank | Origin | 3rd Quarter 2013 (2014$) | 3rd Quarter 2014 (2014$) | Percent Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest Increases | ||||
| 1 | Jackson/Vicksburg, MS | 460 | 503 | 9.4 |
| 2 | Dayton, OH | 398 | 434 | 9.2 |
| 3 | Albuquerque, NM | 365 | 394 | 8.0 |
| 4 | Norfolk, VA | 428 | 462 | 8.0 |
| 5 | Manchester, NH | 360 | 385 | 7.0 |
| Average Fare at All Airports | 397 | 396 | 0.0 | |
| Largest Decreases | ||||
| 1 | Bellingham, WA | 211 | 185 | -12.5 |
| 2 | Savannah/Hilton Head | 503 | 445 | -11.6 |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | 480 | 445 | -7.3 |
| 4 | Memphis, TN | 487 | 457 | -6.3 |
| 5 | Mesa, AZ | 106 | 100 | -5.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers
Table 8. 14-Year Change by Airport: Top 5 Percentage Increases and Decreases in U.S. Domestic Average Itinerary Fare, 2000-2014
Top 100 Airports* Based on 2013 U.S. Originating Domestic Passengers, Fares Adjusted for Inflation
| Rank | Origin | 3rd Quarter 2000 (2014$) | 3rd Quarter 2014 (2014$) | Percent Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest Increases | ||||
| 1 | Houston Hobby, TX | 301 | 362 | 20.3 |
| 2 | Dallas Love Field, TX | 264 | 305 | 15.5 |
| 3 | Burbank, CA | 260 | 299 | 15.1 |
| 4 | Reno, NV | 319 | 366 | 15.0 |
| 5 | Chicago Midway, IL | 290 | 332 | 14.2 |
| Average Fare at All Airports | 461 | 396 | -14.1 | |
| Largest Decreases | ||||
| 1 | Bellingham, WA | 520 | 185 | -64.4 |
| 2 | White Plains, NY | 761 | 382 | -49.8 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | 597 | 338 | -43.4 |
| 4 | Long Beach, CA | 433 | 261 | -39.7 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | 258 | 166 | -35.8 |
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
* Not including Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico
Note: Percent change based on unrounded numbers.
Top 100 airports based on 2013 originating domestic passengers:
Alabama Birmingham
Arizona Mesa, 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, Sanford, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Georgia Atlanta, Savannah
Idaho Boise
Illinois Chicago Midway, Chicago O'Hare
Indiana Indianapolis
Iowa Des Moines
Kansas Wichita
Kentucky Louisville
Louisiana New Orleans
Maine Portland
Maryland Baltimore
Massachusetts Boston
Michigan Detroit, 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, Greenville-Spartanburg
Tennessee Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville
Texas Austin, Dallas Love, Dallas/Ft. Worth, El Paso, Houston Bush, Houston Hobby, San Antonio
Utah Salt Lake City
Vermont Burlington
Virginia Norfolk, Richmond
Washington Bellingham, Seattle, Spokane
Wisconsin Madison, Milwaukee