According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for airline fares are 34.39% higher in 2026 versus 1995 (a $34.39 difference in value).
Between 1995 and 2026:Airfare experienced an average inflation rate of 0.96% per year. In other words, airfare costing $100 in the year 1995 would cost $134.39 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.46% during this same period, inflation for airfare was lower.
In the year 1995: Pricing changed by 2.27%, which is above the average yearly change for airfare during the 1995-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1995 (2.81%), inflation for airfare was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Airfare, over time, for $100 beginning in 1995. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | $100.00 | 2.27% |
| 1996 | $101.45 | 1.45% |
| 1997 | $105.03 | 3.52% |
| 1998 | $108.22 | 3.04% |
| 1999 | $115.32 | 6.57% |
| 2000 | $126.22 | 9.45% |
| 2001 | $126.21 | -0.01% |
| 2002 | $122.08 | -3.28% |
| 2003 | $121.93 | -0.12% |
| 2004 | $119.78 | -1.77% |
| 2005 | $124.74 | 4.14% |
| 2006 | $130.36 | 4.50% |
| 2007 | $132.68 | 1.78% |
| 2008 | $148.66 | 12.04% |
| 2009 | $135.99 | -8.52% |
| 2010 | $146.65 | 7.84% |
| 2011 | $160.27 | 9.29% |
| 2012 | $160.76 | 0.30% |
| 2013 | $164.85 | 2.54% |
| 2014 | $162.21 | -1.60% |
| 2015 | $154.05 | -5.03% |
| 2016 | $148.96 | -3.31% |
| 2017 | $145.38 | -2.40% |
| 2018 | $139.65 | -3.94% |
| 2019 | $139.91 | 0.19% |
| 2020 | $114.68 | -18.03% |
| 2021 | $114.69 | 0.00% |
| 2022 | $149.26 | 30.15% |
| 2023 | $140.87 | -5.62% |
| 2024 | $137.88 | -2.12% |
| 2025 | $135.22 | -1.93% |
| 2026 | $134.39 | -0.62%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Airline fares:
| Year | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 23.700 | 23.650 | 23.767 | 23.842 | 23.867 | 24.367 | 26.200 | 28.258 | 30.333 | 31.150 | 32.208 | 34.850 | 37.983 | 41.158 | 43.500 | 45.533 | 49.142 | 68.017 | 85.608 | 94.350 | 99.808 | 105.825 | 112.500 | 117.100 | 122.817 | 124.233 | 131.642 | 148.358 | 155.175 | 155.242 | 178.725 | 185.483 | 189.692 | 192.450 | 199.225 | 205.275 | 218.758 | 239.425 | 239.408 | 231.567 | 231.292 | 227.208 | 236.617 | 247.275 | 251.686 | 281.998 | 257.971 | 278.186 | 304.026 | 304.950 | 312.709 | 307.708 | 292.227 | 282.557 | 275.783 | 264.909 | 265.401 | 217.546 | 217.549 | 283.143 | 267.221 | 261.550 | 256.510 | 254.924 |