Holiday travel was already disrupted by weekend storms, and while lines at airports have started to ease, travelers now face rising ticket prices as airlines pass along higher jet fuel costs. At Newark Liberty Airport, CBS News reporter Shanelle Kaul noted carriers are boosting fares after jet fuel prices nearly doubled since the conflict with Iran began. Passengers report steep increases in round‑trip fares — one said a trip that would typically cost about $500 climbed to roughly $1,000, prompting them to cancel.
CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg pointed out that fuel and labor are airlines’ largest expenses, and fuel costs are outside carriers’ control. Airlines around the world are responding: European carriers have begun adding fuel surcharges of roughly $50 to $200 per ticket, and U.S. fares are trending upward — analysts expect ticket prices to rise between about 7% and 20% in the near term.
The jump in fuel prices is also pushing up ancillary fees. Last week JetBlue increased checked‑bag charges by as much as $9, and United followed with increases up to $10. Greenberg’s recommendation for summer travelers is to book now; even if the conflict ends suddenly, the additional costs and resulting price adjustments may persist for at least six weeks.