Airfares may stay high despite jet fuel price swings (bostonglobe.com)

Airfares remain elevated even as jet fuel prices fell from an April peak of $4.88 a gallon to $2.70 in June, with average fares rising from $405 in late 2025 to $436 in the second quarter. Fuel costs have since climbed back to $4.53 a gallon, and holiday round-trip fares are up 31% for Thanksgiving and 23% for Christmas. Airlines like United, American, and Southwest are cutting flights, and analysts say fares are unlikely to drop soon.