DALLAS - Airlines and tourist destinations are expecting big crowds this summer as travel restrictions and the lingering fear of the pandemic begin to ease. Forecasters believe the number of travelers may exceed pre-pandemic days. However, airlines have thousands fewer employees than in 2019, which has contributed to flight cancellations. People who are only now booking summer travels are experiencing sticker shock. Domestic airfare is more than $400/round trip, 24% higher than in 2019 and 45% higher than in 2021, according to the travel-data firm Hopper. “The time to have gotten cheap summer flights was probably ... months ago,” says Scott Keyes, who runs Scott’s Cheap Flights website. International fares are up about 10%. Prices to Europe are about 5% cheaper than before the pandemic ($868 on average/round trip), according to Hopper. Keyes said Europe is the best travel bargain. Online spending for domestic flights eased in April, but up 23% from 2019. Airlines blame the higher fees on jet fuel prices being up about 50%. However, the number of flights has not returned to pre-pandemic levels even as demand is surging. When travelers meet their destination, they will be greeted with hotel rates at 33% higher than in 2021. Hotels companies blame higher prices on increasing cost for supplies as well as a tight labor market. Good news: The cost of rental cars have eased. The national average price is currently around $70/day, according to Hopper. If you're driving your own car, the national average for regular gasoline hit $4.60/gallon on May 26. Those prices have some considering staying home. (Source: The AP 05/27/22) Prepare for sticker shock if you are traveling this summer | AP News
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