Airlines for America chief Chris Sununu expects U.S. plane ticket prices to stabilise rather than surge further, even as jet fuel remains expensive because of the Iran war. The comments came in a Sunday interview and pointed to a domestic market still supported by strong demand, with the main pressure centred on fuel rather than a fresh spike in fares.
Jet fuel is averaging about $3.82 a gallon after easing from a peak in May, while domestic fares are around 20% higher than a year earlier. International prices have also climbed, with Europe and Asia routes facing particular pressure because of fuel costs. Sununu indicated that airlines are already absorbing some of the increase and passing through some of it, but do not expect fuel costs to fall enough to deliver meaningful relief soon.
The outlook suggests the industry sees limited room for near-term fare inflation, but also little prospect of lower prices in the months ahead. That leaves airlines balancing stronger demand against a cost base that remains elevated after the disruption tied to the Iran conflict.