Air travelers are facing a new reality of higher fees, fewer flights and tough choices about whether a trip is worth the cost. The culprit is volatile oil and jet fuel prices that have been swinging since the war in the Middle East started and fighting near the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global oil shipments. Airlines around the world are responding by trimming schedules and raising fees and fares. Experts say budget carriers and the customers who rely on them will feel the pinch first, but even business travelers and front-cabin passengers won't escape higher costs. Relief may not come quickly even if oil prices start to drop, experts warn, because airlines can take months to adjust fares while they wait for energy markets to stabilize.
Labor Day weekend is the last blast of summer vacation, and that means lots of Americans will be traveling. Airports, highways, beaches and theme parks are all expected to be packed for the long holiday weekend. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more people at airports than during any previous Labor Day period. Auto club AAA says bookings for domestic travel are running 9% higher than at this time last year, but international trips are down 4%. Motorists and air travelers are getting a break on prices, with gasoline and airfares both down a little from very high levels last year.
