Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links below. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
A new analysis of government data has revealed which US airports offer travelers the best deals on airfare and which ones come with the highest price tags. Using recently released Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, Only In Your State compared average domestic airfare costs at the nation’s 100 busiest airports. The study found that the average domestic ticket price in 2025 was $387, which was down from $394 in 2024 and marked the third consecutive year of declining airfare costs.
Among all major US airports, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) offered the cheapest average departing airfare at $269.20. Orlando International Airport (MCO) ranked second at $274.11 while Lihue Airport (LIH) in Hawaii placed third at $283.60.
Florida dominated the affordability rankings, with six airports placing among the 20 least expensive airports in the country. Hawaii also performed well with Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) and Kahului Airport (OGG) both ranking among the top 10 most affordable airports.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) had the highest average domestic airfare in the nation at $521.54. Among airports in the contiguous United States, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) was the most expensive with average fares reaching $497.72. Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, WI ranked third nationally at $491.19.
Several major airline hubs also appeared among the 20 most expensive airports, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
The study also highlighted airports where fares changed significantly year over year. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) recorded the largest average airfare decrease with prices falling by $28.23. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville also saw substantial declines.
Meanwhile, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) experienced the largest fare increase with average ticket prices rising by $30.22. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) followed with increases of $28.64 and $25.49, respectively.
Anthony’s Take: While the data predates recent increases in jet fuel costs that have pushed airfares higher in 2026, researchers noted that the relative ranking of airports is likely to remain useful for travelers looking to find the best value when booking flights.
(Image Credits: American Airlines and Only In Your State.)
User Generated Content Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
