Paying Above the Odds for Flights in the U.S.
Flying in the USA has become an essential part of life for millions of people, as it connects us to destinations near and far. Whether it's a business trip to seal a deal, a long-awaited vacation to unwind or a visit to reunite with loved ones, air travel makes it all possible with speed and convenience (and perhaps a glass of wine or whiskey along
the way).
From bustling airports to scenic flights over breathtaking landscapes, every journey serves a purpose. For many, it’s more than just a way to get from point A to point B – it’s the beginning of new opportunities, cherished memories and unforgettable experiences.
However, flights can often be very expensive, with some people finding themselves paying above the odds to get where they need to be. In order to find out how much people are willing to pay for airfares, we carried out some research focusing on which states are paying the most for their flights. Now, let’s see whether or not you’ve been paying above the odds for flights.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES TO FLY FROM
Whether you’re a local traveling away or a tourist returning home, these are the most expensive states to fly out of:
1. ALASKA
With a population of around 733,000, Alaska is the most expensive state to fly from. The average cost of a plane ticket is $522.94, which we’re sure you’ll agree is a hefty price tag, and with Alaska’s major air hubs only including Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and Fairbanks International Airport, residents don’t have a lot of options to choose from.
2. UTAH
Utah has a population of 3.4 million and its major air hubs include Salt Lake City International Airport and St. George Regional Airport – again limiting the locals to just two airport options and an average plane ticket cost of $436.98.
3. MICHIGAN
If you’re flying out of Michigan, you can expect to pay an average airfare of $435.09. Even though the state has a population of just over 10 million, it is once again limited by just two major air hubs: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and Capital Region International Airport.
4. NEW JERSEY
A trip out of New Jersey, which has a population of around 9.3 million, is likely to cost around $426.80, with a large number of flights out of this state taking off from Newark Liberty International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport. Again we see the two airports trend of these states limiting cost and travel options.
5. NEBRASKA
For around $422.93, you can fly out of a Nebraskan airport to wherever it is you want to visit. Nebraska’s population is almost two million people and its two major air hubs only include Central Nebraska Regional Airport and Eppley Airfield.
6. IDAHO
Idaho’s major air hubs include Boise Airport and Idaho Falls Regional Airport, which allow the state’s population of 1.96 million people to fly to destinations near and far. But on average, a plane ticket will set you back around $419.02.
7. OREGON
Sat on the American west coast with a population of 4.2 million, Oregon thankfully has many major air hubs, including Portland International Airport and Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. However, even if you’re flying out of this state, you can expect the airfare to be an average of $410.84.
8. NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina’s population of 10.8 million people means that the state requires excellent air hubs in order to accommodate such regular air travel. Such airports include Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and yet, flying from this state will still cost around $407.28 per ticket.
9. NEW MEXICO
If you have around $405.36 to spare, you can fly out of one of New Mexico’s air hubs, such as Albuquerque International Sunport or Sante Fe Municipal Airport, on the regular. This state has a population of 2.1 million people, many of which fly to business meetings, family gatherings and sports events, though this seems to have done little to
reduce flight costs.
10. VIRGINIA
Finally, with a population of around 8.7 million people living in Virginia, and with major air hubs including Norfolk International Airport and Richmond International Airport, you may expect airfares to be a little lower for this state. But when it comes to buying a plane ticket, costs still around $404.40 for the average ticket.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE AIRPORTS TO FLY FROM
Now that we’ve been through the states, let’s see which airports are the most expensive to fly from:
1. TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL
- Location: Anchorage, Alaska
- Average flight price: $522.94
- Fun fact: Thanks to its strategic location between North America and Asia, ANC is a hub for cargo planes.
2. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Average flight price: $458.53
- Fun fact: SFO is the second largest airport in California (the largest is Los Angeles International Airport, commonly referred to as LAX).
3. CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- Average flight price: $438.96
- Fun face: Famous for its rocking chairs scattered throughout the terminal, CLT offers travelers a relaxing southern vibe.
4. JOHN F. KENNEDY INTERNATIONAL
- Location: Queens, New York
- Average flight price: $437.32
- Fun fact: JFK houses the TWA Hotel, a retro marvel with a rooftop pool overlooking the runways.
5. SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Average flight price: $436.98
- Fun fact: Located near the Rocky Mountains, SLC offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks as you take off.
WHICH STATES HAVE SEEN THE BIGGEST DROP IN FLIGHT PRICES OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS?
Fortunately, flight prices have been steadily decreasing, but which states have seen the biggest drop in air fares over the last thirty years? For this section, 1994 prices have been adjusted for inflation:
1. MINNESOTA
- Average flight price in 1994: $943.32
- Average flight price in 2024: $401.17
- Decrease in price: 135.14%
2. CONNECTICUT
- Average flight price in 1994: $852.70
- Average flight price in 2024: $381.76
- Decrease in price: 123.36%
3. COLORADO
- Average flight price in 1994: $735.44
- Average flight price in 2024: $349.36
- Decrease in price: 110.51%
4. PENNSLYVANIA
- Average flight price in 1994: $789.20
- Average flight price in 2024: $386.10
- Decrease in price: 104.40%
5. GEORGIA
- Average flight price in 1994: $690.86
- Average flight price in 2024: $347.79
- Decrease in price: 98.64%
THE PRICE OF VEGAS FLIGHTS
Flying home from a weekend of entertainment in some of the many Vegas casinos on offer? Harry Reid International Airport has an average flight cost of $369.49 and was the 37th most expensive in our rankings. And there you have it; those were our insights into the cost of air travel in the US, and whether or not it’s cost you more than the average. Fortunately, the odds of you paying less for a plane ticket are steadily decreasing. And with VegasInsider, you can increase the odds of winning money on your next bet. Head over to VegasInsider today to see our insights into the sporting world today!
METHODOLOGY
This dataset contains three rankings using airplane fare data for U.S. domestic, and outbound flights. The first two rankings highlight the most expensive state and airport to fly out of in 2024. Only data from Q1 and Q2 of 2024 was available at the time of collection, so an average of these two figures has been used. For 1994, data from the entire year was used. The third-ranking highlights the states where flight prices have decreased the most since 1994. All 1994 prices have been adjusted for inflation by the Bureau of Transportation. All data is correct as of December 2024. All data is accurate with regard to the sources provided.