Families flying to Walt Disney World for Thanksgiving or Christmas may face a pricier trip before they reach Orlando. The Associated Press reported that average U.S. airfares, excluding optional fees such as checked bags and seat selection, rose from $405 in the final quarter of 2025 to $436 from April through June 2026.
By August, U.S. airfares were 23% higher than a year earlier, according to the report. In a late-September snapshot of flight searches, average domestic round-trip fares were $402 for Thanksgiving travel and $452 for Christmas travel—up 31% and 23%, respectively, from the comparable period a year earlier.
The increases are part of a broader air-travel price shift, not a Disney-specific airfare policy. Disney does not set airline fares, and fares for Orlando International Airport can vary by departure city, travel dates, demand, competition and seat availability.
Fuel costs are one factor. U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed Gulf Coast jet fuel prices climbed above $4 per gallon in September after falling below $3 during parts of June and July. The International Air Transport Association said fuel accounts for nearly one-third of airline operating costs in 2026.
Planning Your Trip
Undercover Tourist is an authorized seller of Walt Disney World tickets, often at a discount off gate price.
Even if fuel prices fall, airfare may not decline immediately. Airlines set schedules, capacity and ticket sales months ahead, and the Associated Press reported that carriers may need time to absorb earlier cost increases. American, United and Southwest have also said they are reducing some service, particularly on less-profitable routes; United removed some December flights and said further cuts could follow in 2027 if fuel costs remain high.
For travelers with fixed resort stays, park dates or holiday events already booked, fewer flight options can make changes harder. Anyone still arranging a visit can factor airfare into the broader cost of planning Disney World tickets, while keeping in mind that national averages may not reflect a particular itinerary.
