23-05-2025
Flying This Summer? There's Good News and Bad News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
If you're feeling uneasy about booking that summer vacation, you're far from alone. Across the U.S., economic anxieties combined with political uncertainties are prompting millions of would-be travelers to hit pause, rethink plans, or scale back on travel entirely. What was expected to be a booming 2025 travel season is instead shaping up to be one defined by caution and contingency.
But for budget-conscious travelers, that shift may not be entirely bad news.
As demand for air travel softens, airlines are slashing fares, trimming routes and loosening pricing strategies to fill seats. According to Skyscanner's 2025 Smarter Summer Report, 84 percent of American travelers are open to adjusting their travel dates or destinations to save money. And with 64 percent still undecided or unbooked, the market is ripe for last-minute deals.
"We're seeing travelers becoming more flexible than ever," Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner's global travel trends expert, told Newsweek. "They are stretching their budgets, extending their travel time, and exploring more underrated destinations."
Travel Deals in a Downturn
This summer's backdrop—marked by President Donald Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs, safety concerns and a volatile stock market—has upended high-end vacation plans for many Americans. But those very disruptions are creating unexpected opportunities for those willing to pivot.
Ticket prices are down significantly. The average domestic airfare is 7 percent lower than at the same point last year, and international ticket prices have also dipped, especially in late August and during the shoulder season months of June and September. Skyscanner identified the week of August 25–31 as the cheapest time to travel, with Wednesdays offering the most affordable fares.
Travelers walk through Newark Liberty International Airport on one of the busiest travel days of the season on May 23, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. According to AAA, a record 45.1 million people are expected...
Travelers walk through Newark Liberty International Airport on one of the busiest travel days of the season on May 23, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. According to AAA, a record 45.1 million people are expected to travel on highways, trains, and by plane between Thursday, May 22, and Monday, May 26. This is anticipated to break the 2005 Memorial Day holiday weekend record of 44 million travelers. More
Photo byThis price drop is driven by softening demand. The big U.S. carriers, including Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue, have all pulled back on capacity and issued more conservative financial forecasts. For travelers with flexibility, this contraction has translated into cheaper fares and more options.
"Not only does it appear that travel demand is relatively inelastic, but demand for air travel is driven by growing economic status," said Addison Schonland, aviation expert and co-founder of AirInsight.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian also noted a swift slowdown in both corporate travel and bookings during the company's first-quarter 2025 earnings call, warning that continued weakness could lead to further route reductions.
"In a period of maximum or potentially maximum uncertainty all companies do what they can to make sure they protect their future," Bastian said in March.
Flexibility Over Frills
In an effort to manage costs, Delta plans to keep its second-half 2025 capacity flat year over year, "with domestic main cabin seats declining as we align supply to demand," Bastian said.
Americans aren't giving up on summer vacations entirely—they're just getting smarter about planning them. According to Skyscanner, 52 percent are actively looking for ways to stretch their travel budgets, and nearly a third are planning off-peak trips to avoid high prices and crowds.
"The desire to travel appears robust, so any exogenous impact (like tariffs) is unlikely to slow down demand. What we might see is that travel changes destinations," Schonland said.
Travelers are pivoting not only in terms of timing but also in choosing lesser-known locations. Off-the-beaten-path cities like Asheville Wilmington in North Carolina and Hilo, Hawaii, are among Skyscanner's top affordable picks. Avoiding the traditional July and early August rush also helps travelers sidestep peak-season prices and crowds.
Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Mike Stewart/AP
September airfares to destinations like Buffalo, Portland, Ore. and Miami are averaging below $260, while June flights to Atlanta and Tampa are hovering around $200.
Travel habits are shifting too. Instead of lavish long-haul trips, more travelers are opting for manageable, relaxed getaways. According to Deloitte, 41 percent of Americans plan trips lasting three nights or fewer—up from 37 percent in 2024. Road trips and domestic vacations are surging, with 68 percent of Skyscanner users planning to stay within the U.S. altogether this summer.
The shoulder season, in particular, is gaining popularity. A third of Americans say they're traveling in June or September for better prices and a more laid-back vibe. Among Gen Z travelers, that number jumps to 42 percent.
Silver Linings for Domestic Travelers
International arrivals to the U.S. are expected to decline this year, driven in part by trade tensions and political backlash to the Trump administration. As a result, industry analysts forecast a $12.5 billion drop in travel spending—from $181 billion in 2024 to under $169 billion.
That's bad news for local economies that depend on those summer tourist dollars, but good news for domestic travelers and their pocketbooks. To stay competitive, major hotel chains and travel platforms are slashing prices and lowering their forecasts. Both Expedia and Airbnb have revised their revenue expectations downward, while hotel giants like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt are reporting slower growth.
Despite the economic and political uncertainty, Americans are hitting the road in record numbers. According to AAA, an estimated 45.1 million people are expected to travel by car, train, or plane over Memorial Day weekend, up from 43.8 million last year.
SkyScanner's Top 10 Cheapest Domestic Destinations
