Soaring flight prices and inflation have many rethinking summer travel plans - Why a staycation could be a smart move

Donald Trump’s war with Iran is having reverberations around the globe. One area that has been hit especially hard is the price of fuel, which along with other war-related issues is already trickling into the rest of the economy and stoking inflation, forcing many to rethink summer holiday plans.

While many see every day on their commute to work that gasoline has risen by around a third, the U.S. average has been over $4 per gallon since the start of April, up from around $3 at the start of the conflict, the cost of aviation fuel has roughly doubled. In recent weeks, the price of jet fuel has jumped from between $85 and $90 per barrel to $150 and $200.

Not only has the price soared, but there are concerns about supply. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol warned last week that Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of jet fuel left.

This all bodes ill for summer travel plans this year with some airlines already cancelling flights, raising rates and tacking on extra fees. In the U.S. the cost of domestic flights are already up 20% in April and May.

2026 set to be the staycation summer

Regina Lewis, a consumer analyst and travel industry expert, speaking to FOX News said that Americans are cutting back on their travel plans for this summer. Instead of taking a European holiday, well-heeled travelers will opt for domestic destinations. Middle-class consumers will restrict themselves to shorter holidays, reducing their trips from five days to three, creating a new term ‘micro-cation’.

Instead of planning multi-state road trips, Americans are expected to stay closer to home, enjoying staycations. Paul Whitten, the CEO of Nashville Adventures told The Food Institute, “this increase in the price of gas is certainly going to ensure that Americans stay local, stay shorter, or spend less,” adding, “I’m hearing more and more from visitors that (feel) they can splurge for one family dinner on a vacation; I never used to hear that.”

Fortunately, there will be plenty of things to do this summer within a short drive said Lewis thanks to celebrations marking the nation’s 250^th anniversary. She recommends checking out America 250 events which are free and taking place in cities all across the nation, and not just on the 4^th of July.

For those looking to get value for their money, she also recommends to say to yourself, “I can’t believe we’ve never been there,” and “I can’t believe we’ve never done that.” Then you should fill in the blank “there” and “that” making those your priority. “And maybe it’s in your own hometown,” she pointed out.

“So, treat your own city and state, community as if you’re a tourist and that gets you pointed in the right direction on the budget,” she concluded.

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