Delaware travelers planning spring and summer getaways face mounting concerns about flight costs and availability as the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupts global oil supplies and sends jet fuel prices skyrocketing.
The International Energy Agency’s director has cautioned that European nations may face jet fuel shortages in the coming weeks, potentially forcing airlines serving Europe to drastically cut flight schedules. Jet fuel costs have more than doubled since late February, jumping from approximately $99 per barrel to peaks of $209 per barrel in early April, prompting many carriers to implement fuel surcharges and increase baggage fees.
The travel industry continues feeling the conflict’s effects, with Air Canada announcing Friday its decision to halt service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June 1 through October 25 to reduce fuel expenses. Major carriers including United, Delta, Air France-KLM, SAS, Philippine Airlines, and Cathay Pacific have trimmed route schedules and either raised ticket prices or announced plans to do so if the war continues blocking oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“It’s very hard for the airlines to make predictions in this environment, so they’re going to be conservative, and that’s why it’s likely that their prices will remain elevated for some time until things really stabilize,” said Shye Gilad, a former airline captain who now teaches at Georgetown University’s business school.
Despite rising costs, Delaware travelers can still make strategic decisions to minimize the impact on their vacation budgets.
Travel industry professionals warn against delaying ticket purchases while waiting for the conflict to resolve, particularly as summer travel season approaches. The uncertainty makes the traditional wait-and-see booking strategy particularly risky this year.
“Presuming there is a lasting ceasefire — or better yet, peace agreement — it will take a few months for normal levels of jet fuel production and delivery to resume,” airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group, said.
Iran’s weekend decision to reverse its plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, combined with President Donald Trump’s commitment to maintaining the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, demonstrates the volatile nature of oil supply prospects from the Persian Gulf region.
“My advice to travelers is this: If you find a flight whose schedule fits yours, with a fare you can afford, and on an airline you can at least tolerate, book it,” Harteveldt said. “But — and I cannot emphasize this enough —do not book a Basic Economy fare,” the cheapest but also the most restrictive airline ticket class.
Basic Economy tickets from most North American airlines offer no refunds or travel credits for cancellations made more than 24 hours after purchase, in addition to charging extra for checked luggage and seat selection. Standard Economy tickets provide greater flexibility despite the higher upfront cost, according to Harteveldt.
Purchasing refundable tickets may prove worthwhile since “if the prices start to dramatically change, you can cancel and rebook for the better price,” Gilad said.
Travel professionals suggest following established booking timelines as a starting point: international flights typically offer the best prices when booked two to five months ahead, while domestic trips are usually cheapest when reserved three to six weeks in advance.
Last-minute reservations and other traditionally expensive booking scenarios will likely become even more costly, Gilad noted.
“Remember, especially if you’re traveling on the major airlines, they’re going to have more ability to adjust fares. If you book too close to your travel date, you’re going to pay more,” he said. “The farther out you can book, the better.”
Travelers with flexible schedules can find significant savings by adjusting their plans. Moving departure or return dates by just a day or two, particularly avoiding peak weekends and holidays in favor of midweek travel, often results in substantial price differences.
Considering alternative destinations can also reduce costs. Flights from the U.S. to one European city may cost significantly less than to another, and Europe’s extensive budget airline and rail networks make it easy to reach multiple destinations from a single arrival point.
Flexible travelers can utilize tools like Skyscanner’s “Explore Everywhere” feature to identify less expensive destination options.
Expanding departure airport options beyond the nearest facility can yield meaningful savings. Major airport hubs typically provide more flight options and lower fares compared to smaller regional airports.
Sometimes booking a separate short flight or train connection to a major hub can unlock cheaper long-distance fares, such as traveling from Milwaukee instead of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Limiting luggage to carry-on items helps avoid the increased checked bag fees recently implemented by major U.S. carriers, including Delta, American, United, Southwest, and JetBlue.
When checking bags becomes necessary, planning ahead saves money since airlines typically charge higher fees for bags added closer to departure, especially within 24 hours of flight time.
While ticket prices climb, the number of airline points required for many flights hasn’t increased at the same rate, according to Adam Morvitz, CEO of points.me, a loyalty rewards redemption search platform.
Airlines still need to fill seats, Morvitz explained, and offering more award seats for fewer points helps accomplish this goal.
Travelers without sufficient points for complete round-trip tickets can still use rewards for one flight segment and preserve cash for other travel expenses.
Many people redeem points directly through credit card booking portals, where they typically hold about 1 cent value each, Morvitz noted. Transferring points to airline loyalty programs often provides significantly better value since most major credit card companies partner with multiple airlines.
For example, American Express points can transfer to Air France’s Flying Blue program, allowing travelers to use those points with partner carriers like Delta, even if they prefer not to fly Air France directly, Morvitz said.
“Points are a form of wealth, and consumers should recognize that those points increase spending power,” he said.
Those new to travel credit cards may find sign-up bonuses valuable enough to cover summer flights after meeting minimum spending requirements.
“Even if you were to travel the entire year, taking one trip per month, you would still earn more points simply by signing up for the card than actually sitting on a seat and flying,” Morvitz said.
Points accumulate through everyday purchases like groceries, dining, and gas, while some cards include benefits such as free or discounted checked bags.
