The 5 airports with the highest domestic airfares in America — and the 5 with the lowest

The price of a plane ticket can feel completely arbitrary: One day a flight costs $350, a week later it jumps to $450, and a month after that it might drop to $300. Because complicated algorithms govern pricing, it’s often hard to tell if you’re getting a good deal.

But a new study reveals that how much you pay for a domestic flight is often determined by the airport from which you depart. Finance Buzz analyzed data from the 45 busiest airports in America and ranked them based on the average price of a flight.

While it found the average price of a flight decreased by 2.3% from 2023 to 2024, it also uncovered major differences in prices by location.

Continue reading to see which airports in the U.S. have the most expensive domestic plane tickets — and the least expensive.

John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City was ranked the fifth most expensive airport for departures, with an average flight costing $427.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan was ranked the fourth most expensive, with the average flight costing $432.

Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah was ranked the third most expensive, with the average flight costing $434.

San Francisco International Airport in California was ranked the second most expensive, with the average flight costing $453.

Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia was ranked the most expensive, with the average flight costing $490.

Oakland International Airport in California was ranked the fifth cheapest, with the average flight costing $319.

Chicago Midway International Airport in Illinois was ranked the fourth cheapest, with the average flight costing $307.

Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada was ranked the third cheapest, with the average flight costing $285.

Orlando International Airport in Florida was ranked the second cheapest, with the average flight costing $276.

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport in Florida was ranked the cheapest, with the average flight costing $265.