Michelle Thompson- According to Hopper, international airfare has decreased compared to last year, while domestic U.S. ticket prices have risen.
- Airlines have expanded flights to high-demand destinations like Japan from the U.S. in recent years.
- Demand is anticipated to remain steadier, avoiding the sharp surges seen in the years following the pandemic.
Planning an international trip this year? You might be in luck, especially if you’re open to long-haul flights.
According to recent data from flight-tracking service Hopper, long-distance travel is more affordable than last year.
For instance, flights from the U.S. to Asia are 11% cheaper in 2025 compared to 2024, averaging $1,087, with a 6% increase in available seats. Flights to Europe have dropped by 6%, now costing $754, as per Hopper’s data.
Flights to Africa and the Middle East are steady, while South America trips have decreased by 4%, with fares averaging $685. On the other hand, flights to Mexico and Central America have risen by 9%, reaching $469.
In contrast, domestic U.S. flights are becoming more expensive due to airlines managing capacity growth cautiously and facing delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus. The lower prices for international flights are attributed to increased capacity to high-demand locations and more stable demand levels compared to the post-pandemic surge when travelers were eager to travel abroad. Fares had been higher during that period due to labor and aircraft shortages.
As airlines expanded capacity, Europe saw its lowest fares in years toward the end of 2024.
Scott Keyes, founder of the travel app Going, noted that the rush for travel has slowed down. Favorable exchange rates, especially in destinations like Japan, have also spurred demand. Japan saw nearly a 50% increase in international visitors in 2024, reaching 33.4 million people, according to government data.
Travel platform Kayak reported that flights to Asia are now at their lowest in three years, with rising interest from travelers. Cities like Tokyo, Sapporo, and Osaka have seen the largest increases in search interest.
On November 29, 2024, tourists gathered in front of the Patong Beach sign by the seafront on the southern Thai island of Phuket.
According to Kayak, airfares in the Caribbean are also more affordable, with tickets to Dominica dropping by 21% compared to last year, and flights to Barbados and St. Lucia down by 17%.
Additionally, there is increased interest in business class travel this year, a trend that airlines like Delta have leveraged. Kayak reports a 19% rise in searches for business class fares, compared to the previous year.
