American airlines paid a combined $6.66 billion for jet fuel during the month of May, government figures released Tuesday show — the second month in a row that fuel spending has crossed the $6 billion threshold.
Compared to the same month a year ago, that figure represents an 84% jump. In April, carriers had already spent $6.47 billion on fuel, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
The dramatic year-over-year increase has less to do with airlines flying more and more to do with the soaring cost of fuel itself. U.S. carriers actually consumed 1.627 billion gallons in May — a slight dip of 0.6% compared to May 2025. Consumption in April was also marginally lower than the prior year.
Airlines paid an average of $4.09 per gallon in May, a hair below the $4.11 average recorded in April, but a staggering 85% above the $2.21 per gallon they paid in May 2025, according to the agency.
Across the globe, airlines have been working to offset the surge in fuel expenses by hiking ticket prices, adding fees, and scaling back the number of flights they offer. Fuel consistently ranks among the industry’s biggest operating costs, making carriers especially sensitive to energy price fluctuations.
The data reflects the ongoing ripple effects of a sharp rise in energy prices that followed the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East earlier this year, which disrupted shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical corridor for global crude oil and fuel supplies.
Prices have retreated somewhat from their spring peaks after the U.S. and Iran reached a temporary ceasefire agreement, giving airlines a measure of relief. However, the situation remains unstable.
On Tuesday, the British military reported that three tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, and the U.S. moved to revoke a license that had permitted Iranian oil sales under the terms of the agreement.
Delta Air Lines is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings results on Friday, kicking off a series of financial reports from major U.S. carriers. Industry executives are expected to address how the recent easing of fuel prices may shape the financial outlook for airlines in the months ahead.
As of Monday, the average price of jet fuel in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York stood at $2.90 per gallon, according to the Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index, which monitors daily average prices across those major aviation hubs.
