Planning a trip? Expect to pay sky high airfare
Jul 30, 2012, 6:20 AM | Updated: 6:21 am
PHOENIX —
Average domestic airfares rose to $373 in the first quarter of 2012, up 4.8
percent from the average fare of $356 in the first quarter of 2011, the U.S.
Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported.
In Phoenix, the average fare rose to $327, up 1.8 percent for the same
period.
Not adjusted for inflation, the $373 first-quarter average
reached
an all-time high for any quarter. The previous high was $370 in the second
quarter of 2011. The previous first-quarter high was $356 in 2011.
First-
quarter 2012 fares were $246 in 1995 dollars, down 19.2 percent from
$304
in 1999, the inflation-adjusted high for any first-quarter since the
beginning
of the department’s airfare records in 1995.
Linda Zaro with Terra Travel said this shouldn’t put a damper on plans for
future trips. She said deals are out there, depending on when a person buys and how
flexible he or she is.
“If you’re contemplating on going anywhere, just check early.
Don’t wait until the last minute,” said Zaro. And don’t wait for sales that may never come, she added.
