Planning a summer flight? Book now before prices surge, airline experts say.

MoneyWatch Planning to fly this summer? Book now before prices surge, airline experts say. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Mary Cunningham, Mary Cunningham Reporter, MoneyWatch Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. She previously worked at "60 Minutes," CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program. Read Full Bio Mary Cunningham, Kris Van Cleave Kris Van Cleave Kris Van Cleave Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. Read Full Bio Kris Van Cleave Updated on: April 23, 2026 / 8:42 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google As many Americans plan their summer vacations, airfares are taking off.Airline ticket prices have jumped because of higher oil and jet fuel costs stemming from the Iran war. With prices likely to stay elevated, aviation experts urged consumers to move quickly to lock in their travel plans."If you haven't booked for this summer, get busy," Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, told CBS News. "Don't wait, hoping that the fares are going to go down," he added. "They're not."Travelers eager to save money should consider leaving later in the summer, when demand is typically lower and jet fuel prices are potentially more certain, Harteveldt said. Jet fuel prices, which account for roughly 25% to 30% airlines' costs, were up more than $2 a gallon as of earlier this month and remain elevated. With operational costs sharply higher than before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, airlines are passing along some of those expenses to travelers.As of April 13, the average domestic round-trip flight cost $358, up 18%, or about $55, from the same period a year ago, according to Kayak. Internati...