Travelers could see high flight prices, route cuts for summer. Booking ahead can help.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Travelers could expect high airfare prices, flight cancellations, and long security lines this summer.

As jet fuel costs stay high during the war in Iran, United Airlines has warned that airfares could increase up to 20 percent. In a recent earnings call, Alaska Airlines said it expects to pay $600 million more for jet fuel in the second quarter than previously forecast.

The war in Iran is pushing up prices, but another impact is flight cuts, with some airlines cancelling routes.

As of last week, more than 5,000 flight routes had been cancelled between Delta, United and American Airlines from May to September.

Officials at South Bend International Airport say Allegiant removed two Tuesday flights to/from SBN and Punta Gorda on July 28th and August 4th.

That is one frequency, and ABC57 is told flights are still operating 3-4 times a week, though, during that time.

Less than two weeks ago, federal officials said about 300 flights per day had to be cut from the schedule at O’Hare International Airport due to an effort to reduce flight delays this summer at the airport.

Aliyah Turner lives in South Bend. She and her family are heading to Toronto with friends for a big 4th of July trip.

She booked it about three months in advance, which she says is on the early side.

“Especially because we know we're traveling around a holiday. Booking in advance really does help you secure the best price. Because as you like, teeter and get closer to when you're traveling, obviously flights can be so expensive, and then also, knowing that we're traveling with children, we obviously wanted to, kind of like lock in our seats and make sure we're able to sit together as a family and kind of do those things in advance to make sure the trip will go as smoothly as possible,” said Turner.

Turner says she’s already planning a trip for her daughter's fifth birthday in November.

“I'm like, already thinking, like, by summer, August, at the absolute latest, I want to have that booked if we are going to go that route. And that would also be that kind of three to four months in advance. So yeah, I think just kind of moving forward, I'm definitely going to be of the mindset of, like, if I know I want to travel, start looking, book early, do the flight tracking,” said Turner.

Even with the threat of higher airfares, Molly Hart, a spokesperson with AAA, says Americans still want to travel!

“We did a consumer pulse survey, which showed that four in ten Americans are planning on taking more than one trip this year, so, 2026, compared to last year. So, it's showing that people love to travel. They love the adventure, and this is a priority for them, even in regards to the Iran conflict, people still plan to go somewhere, and road trips are definitely taking the top lead of how people are going to get there,” said Hart.

Whether you are driving or flying, Hart says the higher jet fuel and gas prices may lead people to budget differently for their trip.

“That just means that they might not stay at they might stay at less expensive hotel. They might not might not dine out as much or just go to a more casual restaurant,” said Hart.

If you haven’t booked your summer trip yet, Hart says to book as soon as possible!

“Most people do not finalize their summer plans until towards the end of April or even in May, which means, number one, things are going to get more expensive. So, you do want to book now. It's just, you know, it's going to be cost-efficient, and you're going to where you want to go without more complications,” said Hart.