U.S. airlines are hiking fares — and travelers keep booking

A United Airlines plane taxis at Los Angeles International Airport on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Jet fuel prices have surged this year since the attacks on Iran that began two months ago led to the Strait of Hormuz effectively closing. For now, airline executives say travelers are still flying, increasingly covering the bill. The price spike hit just ahead of spring break and is eating into airline profits this year . …