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Consumers will pay slightly more this year when they prepare side dishes that make the Thanksgiving meal, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist said. The Thanksgiving table side dishes will cost consumers a little more this year than last year, but a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist said there could be some savings with regional sales. (Adobe Stock) There will be some good buys possible this year, but overall, the meal will cost more, said David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station. “We’re looking at overall retail prices being a little higher this year,” Anderson said. “These retail prices include what it costs to get it packaged and to the store, so that doesn’t necessarily mean higher prices are happening at the farm level.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics latest Consumer Price Index shows that at-home food prices have risen 1.1% over the last 12 months. A mixed shopping bag of produce prices Anderson said there’s some interesting data from the October reports by U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, which provides produce prices after surveying 29,000 grocery stores about their specials, features and items on sale. Green beans and russet potatoes are Thanksgiving dinner items where consumers might see slight savings or fairly stable prices, but many other items will be higher unless they find a grocery store with an advertised special, he said. Green beans are $1.82 per pound on average this year compared to $1.99 per pound last year. Russet potatoes will cost about 88 cents per pound this year, compared to 85 cents per pound last year. Another cost savings may be found with apples, Anderson said. With such a large variety of apples offered, it could pay to shop around. For example, varieties like Gala and Granny Smith are cheaper in dollars per pound than a year ago, while Fuji apples are a little more expensive. Staples of the season, like cranberries, sweet potatoes and onions, also saw a price jump. Cranberries went from $2.01 for a 12-ounce bag last year to $2.34 this year. Anderson said this could directly result from fewer outlets featuring them in their sales this year. Last year, of the surveyed outlets, 14,300 outlets featured cranberries in ads, but only 5,300 had cranberries on sale this year. Sweet potatoes will cost about 80 cents per pound this year compared to 69 cents per pound last year, and fewer outlets also had them as a featured sale item. “They also have yellow onions selling for $1.06 per pound this year versus 74 cents per pound last year,” Anderson said. “In percentage terms, that’s one of the bigger jumps.” Some baking ingredients rise as well The biggest price jump will be felt on baked goods and deviled eggs, if that’s a side dish headed to the Thanksgiving feast, as the price of a dozen eggs has risen from $2.07 last year to $3.37 this October. “Eggs are quite a bit more expensive after the industry was hit by the avian influenza issue, which really cut our egg production,” Anderson said. “The holidays are a high-use time with all the baking, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise because the consumer has seen those prices rise over the entire year.” Anderson said the monthly Consumer Price Index, which reports on milk, cheese, sugar and flour, indicated consumers would see a mixed bag of prices. Milk rose to $4.04 per gallon this year compared to $3.93 per gallon a year ago, while cheddar cheese stayed flat at $5.84 per pound this year compared to $5.85 last year. The report indicated sugar prices have declined slightly in recent months, but they are higher than a year ago, he said. And flour prices are lower this year than last year. “We know wheat prices are pretty low, so it is probably a case where lower wheat prices translate back to lower flour prices,” Anderson said. AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Central The weather had been favorable for crop development, with mild temperatures, sunny days and intermittent rain the previous week. The rain improved small grain and pasture conditions, although more moisture was needed as rapid drying raised concerns. Pastures greened up, and early planted winter pastures were being grazed, though some areas remained dry. The rain encouraged the germination of ryegrass, wheat and oats, but full seed emergence remained uncertain. Wheat planting neared completion, and oat planting continued. Cattle remained in good condition, with supplemental feeding ongoing. The cattle, sheep and goat markets remained strong. The pecan harvest was in full swing, but additional moisture was needed to sustain growth. Rolling Plains Favorable conditions were reported across the Rolling Plains last week, with widespread rains providing much-needed relief to farmers and ranchers. Farmers who had been unable to plant wheat due to dry conditions were able to finish planting in those areas, as well as patch seed into spots that may have washed out from localized heavy rainfall. Livestock benefited from the improved conditions, with noticeable growth in pasture grasses. Most calves had been weaned and shipped to market, and cattle prices favored producers. With the rains improving native grass pastures and winter wheat grazing, stocker calves were expected to have optimal conditions heading into the winter. Coastal Bend Warm, dry conditions persisted, with no significant rain in many areas for the past 45 days. Temperatures remained in the upper 80s, with cool mornings. Soil moisture levels were critically low, and pasture conditions continued to deteriorate due to dry weather and the seasonal dormancy of warm-season grasses. Forage quality was low, and hay feeding of livestock was in full swing, with protein supplements also being provided on heavily stocked pastures. Field crop producers held off on fertilization until conditions improved, while some prepared fields and booked seed and chemicals for the next year. Corn stalk destruction and fall bedding activities resumed in some areas following recent rains. Cattle remained in good condition, with prices steady and high. The pecan harvest continued, though yields were minimal. East Most of the district received some rainfall, but high winds and temperatures had already dried out some counties. Daytime temperatures were warmer than normal. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from poor to fair. Subsoil conditions were short to adequate, while topsoil conditions were adequate. As nighttime temperatures began to cool, summer grasses slowed, and winter forages started to grow. Marion County producers completed their last cutting of hay. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with some supplementation taking place. Cattle market prices increased. South Plains Wet conditions persisted across a large area following last week’s heavy rains, which saturated the ground. Cotton farmers waited for fields to dry so they could pick up modules and finish stripping cotton. Many farmers were also waiting for a hard freeze to finish off late milo. Early planted wheat that had emerged before the rain looked good. Producers planned to continue planting wheat once fields dried enough to allow entry. Cattle remained in good condition. Panhandle Recent rainfall totals ranged from 2-4 inches of slow, soaking showers, providing a significant boost to winter small grains and other commodities planted as cover crops. While wheat had struggled to establish a good stand, it responded with rapid growth and development following the rain. However, progress in harvesting the remaining cotton acres was slow due to wet ground conditions, with additional drying needed for the machine stripping of seed cotton. The pace of field tillage operations also slowed due to saturated soils. The additional rainfall was highly beneficial, significantly improving topsoil and subsoil moisture levels. This reduced the immediate need and costs for supplemental irrigation across many acres. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued. Soil moisture conditions were adequate. Pasture, rangeland and overall crop conditions were reported as fair to good. North Several counties received much-needed rain, which was welcomed but insufficient to alleviate ongoing drought conditions. Temperatures were reported as average to above average, with cold nights and warm days. Winter wheat, Bermuda grass, winter annual ryegrass and oats showed good signs of growth and greening. Livestock conditions were reported as good to excellent, with supplemental hay being provided in areas where forage production remained limited due to the ongoing drought. The counties reported pasture and rangeland conditions primarily falling into the fair, good and poor categories. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were mostly adequate. Feral hog activity was reported as widespread, although most nuisance flies had subsided. Far West The district experienced cooler weather and additional rain showers. The thunderstorms that passed through Sunday night were much needed, but more consistent showers were needed. Temperatures averaged highs of 85 degrees and lows of 50 degrees, with reported precipitation of 1.05 inches. High wind gusts and lightning were also reported. The cotton harvest was nearing completion, but both yields and grades were disappointing for growers. Color and micronaire issues dropped grades and led to very low loan values. Wheat acres were expected to increase significantly, and if sufficient rain falls, a good portion may make it to harvest due to high input costs and low cotton prices. A few acres of late grain sorghum were being harvested, and pecans had started to be harvested. Hay was being baled, and the pumpkin-growing season ended. Pastures were bare of winter weeds, and livestock were in fair condition. Producers were advised to continue supplementing feed for livestock and wildlife. West Central The district received up to 2 inches of rain, which was much needed but not enough to alleviate the ongoing drought conditions. The rain was beneficial for early planted wheat, which showed good emergence, and for filling stock tanks. However, more rain is still needed to significantly improve soil moisture and ease dry conditions. The first frost may occur this week, but the overall weather has been mild, with cooler nights and warm days. Wet field conditions delayed wheat planting and the final cotton harvesting in some areas. Pasture conditions improved, with winter grasses growing well, especially in brushy areas, though moisture was still needed to maintain pasture health. Livestock were in good condition, with fall cattle work and shipping ongoing. The cattle market has strengthened, with prices rising for stocker steers and heifers, while feeder steers and packer cows remained steady. The pecan harvest continued with good nut quality. Southwest Trace amounts of moisture were observed in parts of the district; however, drought conditions persisted. Drops in nighttime and morning temperatures encouraged cool-season grasses and forbs to germinate or break dormancy, though growth remained limited due to scarce moisture. Some oats and wheat were planted following the previous week’s rains. Winter wheat continued to emerge, with 100% now planted. As the growing season ended, the recent moisture helped reinforce perennial root systems for the cool season. Supplemented livestock and wildlife remained in fair condition, though cows with calves began to show signs of stress. Hunting season progressed well, and livestock markets remained steady to higher. Pasture forages were typical for the time of year. South Temperatures dropped as low as 52 degrees in the early mornings in some areas, with daily highs ranging from 59-95 degrees. Temperatures remained above normal most of the week, with some overcast days. Scattered showers helped some solid and rangeland conditions, but dry and windy conditions in other areas halted some grain planting and raised concerns about roadside and wildfire risks. Peanut harvest, sesame and fall vegetable harvests were all underway in parts of the district. Strawberry producers replanted some areas where plant mortality had occurred. In other parts of the district, producers planted leafy greens, winter wheat, cabbage, onion and other cool-season vegetables. These crops progressed well but needed moisture to continue maturing. A few forage producers were still making hay, likely the last cuttings of the year. Row crop producers worked their fields, building up rows in preparation for the upcoming growing season and chemically controlling weeds. Hidalgo County reported low pecan production due to drought and a lack of water in irrigation canals. Some producers waited for rain to cultivate and plant their oats, hoping for a change in weather. Citrus harvest continued. Rain was still needed across a significant portion of the district, with multiple counties reporting declining topsoil and subsoil moisture levels that would worsen without rainfall. Rangeland and pasture conditions were fair, and grazing availability in stocked pastures decreased. Vegetative cover and forage quality declined, limiting food availability for wildlife. Beef cattle producers began supplementing their herds more heavily due to reduced grass yields and marketed spring calves. In cattle markets, packer cows and bulls sold steadily compared to the previous week, while calves and yearlings sold for $2-$6 per hundredweight higher, with higher volumes. The fall breeding season was underway. Some ranchers reduced their herds and sold calves at lighter weights than desired due to drought conditions. Some producers were hauling water as stock tank levels dropped. Ranchers began supplemental feeding livestock. Deer and quail hunting was expected to improve with cooler temperatures.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save OCEAN CITY — The cost of a short stay in the city could go up under an ordinance introduced by City Council creating a 3% fee on stays in hotels, motels or other lodgings booked online. A public hearing must take place before a final vote, planned for 10 a.m. Dec. 5 on the third floor of City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave. The original ordinance was written only for accommodations booked online through third-party services like Vrbo or Airbnb, what the ordinance describes as the “transient space marketplace.” There are currently no local taxes on those rentals, which have become a significant part of the summer rental market. Council President Pete Madden suggested moving the ordinance forward as proposed, and revisiting the potential addition of hotel and motel rooms at a later date. As city attorney Dottie McCrosson described it, there had been discussion of including hotel and motel rooms, but those visitors already pay a 5% state occupancy tax and a 6.625% sales tax, adding 11.625% to the total bill. Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason Friday’s New Jersey high school football playoff scores Not too late! Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week Galloway Township gymnastics center co-owner charged with sexually assaulting minor Offshore wind company to buy vacant 1.5-acre Atlantic City lot for $1 million Atlantic City International Airport's 1 carrier, Spirit Airlines, files for bankruptcy Which players did the Cape-Atlantic League coaches pick as the best of the best in fall sports? Prosecutor still determined to find whoever is responsible for West Atlantic City killings Galloway man gets 3 years in Ocean City fatal crash Upper Township employees disagree on morale These Atlantic City area restaurants are serving Thanksgiving dinner 2 Galloway men arrested after spraying workers with rocks in Nature Preserve $23 million apartment complex promises to bring new vitality to quaint Swedesboro UPDATED NHL referee taken away on stretcher at Flyers game Julian Turney's TD sends St. Augustine past Delbarton in state Non-Public A playoffs As the new ordinance was discussed at the morning meeting, Council member Dave Winslow questioned why it did not include hotels or motels. Those existing taxes do not go to the city, and a move to increase revenue would see a bigger local return if they were included. Council members Keith Hartzell and Sean Barnes took up the call, and Barnes made a motion to amend the ordinance before introduction, which was approved in a 4-3 vote. Council member Terry Crowley recommended against the move, at least without more research. The city hopes to have the new tax in place before Jan. 1. “I would encourage you to really research that,” Crowley said. “There’s a downside there as well. I don’t think we’re considering everything.” A red sticker on a Glenn Cove bulkhead indicates work has come to a halt on boat slips in Ocean City’s smallest lagoon, at least for now. He said the city could approve the ordinance as written and then bring the local room tax up later. “This version is kind of the cleanest way to kickstart the process, to look to bring in additional revenue to the town. It’s been done in many other towns,” Crowley said. “By doing it this way, we're really not incurring any administrative costs. We’re not going to have to hire the anyone else.” At one time, it was difficult and cumbersome to tax third-party rental systems. Now, Vrbo, Airbnb and others are set up to include local fees and taxes, and McCrosson said the state has recently empowered towns to add the additional taxes. Mayor Jay Gillian said the idea has been talked about for some time and was previously raised by former Council member Bob Barr, who is now on the Cape May County Board of Commissioners. McCrosson said she did not intend to single out Airbnb and Vrbo, but those are the two largest online rental marketplaces by a significant margin. As originally proposed, the ordinance would not have applied to rentals through Realtors or directly from the owner, or for hotel stays booked through the hotel’s own website or through the front desk. Some hotel owners have requested some sort of local fee. “There was a perception among hotel (and) motel owners in town that there was not a level playing field,” McCrosson told council. “That Ocean City should somehow tax them or put license fees on them. At that time it was not an easy thing to do.” With the current state law in place and systems created for the third-party rental systems, it is now relatively simple to impose and collect an additional tax on the rentals. Barnes presented the issue as a matter of fairness. Ocean City officials announced Thursday that a 3rd Ward meeting to be led by City Council member Jody Levchuk will be moved from council chambers in City Hall to the larger Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library, 1735 Simpson Ave. Plans for the former Gillian's Wonderland are expected to be part of the discussion. “I don’t want to see anybody pay more taxes than their competitor, but I want to make sure that they’re all paying the same,” he said. He also questioned where the additional fees paid by hotel visitors end up. “It leaves Ocean City,” McCrosson said. “It’s various fees, but it leaves Ocean City.” McCrosson told council the ordinance was their decision, and that a majority of members could amend the ordinance prior to introduction or introduce a new ordinance at a later meeting. “The concern of the administration is, if you’re going to do it, lets get it in place by January,” she said. Barnes, Hartzell, Winslow and Council member Tony Polcini voted to amend the ordinance prior to introduction to include hotel and motel rooms, with votes against from Crowley, Madden and Council member Jody Levchuk. The same 4-3 majority voted to introduce the ordinance, the first step toward a potential final adoption in December. Other communities have imposed local taxes on hotel and motel rooms. In Cape May, the charge is 3%, while in Atlantic City, a $2 surcharge per day in casino rooms, in addition to the 9% Atlantic City luxury tax familiar to any Monopoly player, joins sales and occupancy taxes and other fees. In Ocean City, many hotels also charge additional fees beyond the room rate, such as resort fees covering the use of the pool or other offerings. Ocean City also charges a license fee for rental properties. At the Thursday meeting, McCrosson emphasized the distinction that it was a fee rather than a tax. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Ireland blamed Northern Ireland Office for ‘damaging leaks’, records show
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The confidential briefing note is part of the tranche of documents made public in the annual release of State papers from the Irish National Archives. An Irish Department of Foreign Affairs official focusing on justice and security created the list in October 2002. The document starts by referencing a 1999 interview given by George Mitchell, the chairman of the Good Friday Agreement negotiations, in which he claimed the British and Irish governments, as well as Northern Ireland’s political parties, had leaked information to manipulate public opinion. However, he further accused the NIO of attempting to sabotage the process by leaking information on British Government policy to the media. Mr Mitchell, a former US senator, is said to have expressed alarm and anger over the frequency of leaks from the NIO – saying they were uniquely “designed to undermine the policy of the British Government of which they were a part”. The Irish civil servant notes Mr Mitchell himself was subjected to an attempted “smear” when he first arrived in Northern Ireland, as newspaper articles falsely claimed his chief of staff Martha Pope had had a liaison with Sinn Fein representative Gerry Kelly with ulterior motives. The Irish civil servant goes on to list several “leaks”, starting with the publication of a proposed deal in a newspaper while “intense negotiations” for the Downing Street Declaration were under way. Next, the Department lists two “high-profile and damaging leaks issued from the NIO”. A so-called “gameplan” document was leaked in February 1998, showing papers had been prepared weeks before the Drumcree march on July 6, 1997. In the preceding years, there had been standoffs and clashes as nationalists opposed the procession of an Orange parade down Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The gameplan document showed then secretary of state for Northern Ireland Mo Mowlam, who was publicly expressing a desire for a negotiated solution to the 1997 parade, advocated “finding the lowest common denominator for getting some Orange feet on the Garvaghy Road”. In 1997, a large number of security forces were deployed to the area to allow the march to proceed. The incident sparked heightened tension and a wave of rioting. The document further describes the release of a document submitted by the NIO’s director of communications to the secretary of state as a “second major leak”. It claims a publicity strategy was released to the DUP in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement and showed how the UK Government would support a yes vote in a referendum following any talks agreement. In addition, it is claimed unionists used leaked sections of the Patten report on policing to invalidate its findings ahead of its publication in 1999. The report recommended the replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the changing of symbols, and a 50-50 recruitment policy for Catholics and Protestants. At the time, UUP leader David Trimble said the recommendations would lead to a corruption of policing in Northern Ireland. Chris Patten, chairman of the independent commission on policing, said some of the assertions were a “total fabrication” and designed to “muddy the waters” to create a difficult political atmosphere. Elsewhere, the author notes it was leaked to the media there was serious disagreement between the governments of the UK and Ireland on the composition of that commission – with not a single name submitted by the Irish side being accepted by the other. The author notes this incident, still under the heading “NIO leaks”, was believed by British officials to have emanated from the Irish side. The report turns to leaks of other origin, claiming “disgruntled Special Branch officers in Northern Ireland” were blamed by the British Government for a series of releases about the IRA which were designed to damage Sinn Fein in the 2001 general election in Northern Ireland. One senior Whitehall source was quoted in the Guardian as complaining that Special Branch was “leaking like a sieve” after details of an IRA intelligence database containing the names of leading Tories – described at the time as a “hit list” – was passed to the BBC in April 2002. The briefing note adds: “This was followed days later by a leak to The Sunday Telegraph which alleged that senior IRA commanders bought Russian special forces rifles in Moscow last year. “The newspaper said it was passed details by military intelligence in London.” The briefing note adds that other Special Branch leaks were associated with the Castlereagh break-in. The final incident in the document notes the Police Ombudsman’s Report on the Omagh bombing was also leaked to the press in December 2001. Then Northern Ireland secretary John Reid said at the time: “Leaks are never helpful and usually malicious – I will not be commenting on this report until I have seen the final version.” The reason for creating the list of leaks, which the Irish National Archives holds in a folder alongside briefing notes for ministers ahead of meetings with officials from the UK Government and NIO, is not outlined in the document itself. – This document is based on material in 2024/130/6.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save DALLAS — Delta and United became the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning back a significant share of travelers on a tight budget. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines , which recently filed for bankruptcy protection. Some travel-industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate that travelers on a budget will be left with fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on much better financial footing than Spirit, but they too are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic . Most industry experts think Frontier Airlines and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks , and that there is still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Hammonton police sergeant accused of failing drug test, stealing drugs from evidence room Atlantic City police say power restored after daylong outages Ocean City residents speak against Bible study on school time What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? Atlantic County Sheriff's Office warns of new scam 19 arrested following street operations in Atlantic City $680,000 Atlantic City charter bus purchase mostly covered by state, Small says Holy Spirit overcomes rain, mud, Atlantic City to win Thanksgiving rivalry, clinch WJFL division Chicken Bone Beach foundation to purchase Atlantic City's Dante Hall with NJEDA grant 'Doing the hard work' paying off in Atlantic City's Chelsea neighborhood Vineland gun store accused of selling AR-15 ammunition without asking for identification Sister Jean's Kitchen in Atlantic City to host its first Thanksgiving meal since 2018 3rd Ward meeting tonight on 'Icona in Wonderland' Ocean City hotel plan Even more weed businesses on the way to Atlantic City Mays Landing man busted for meth Spirit Airlines lost more than $2.2 billion since the start of 2020. Frontier has not reported a full-year profit since 2019, though that slump might end this year. Allegiant Air’s parent company is still profitable, but less so than before the pandemic. Those kind of numbers led United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby to declare recently that low-cost carriers were using “a fundamentally flawed business model” and customers hate flying on them. Kirby’s touchdown dance might turn out to be premature, but many analysts are wary about the near-term prospects for budget airlines, which charge cheaper fares but more fees than the big airlines. A traveler speaks with a Spirit Airlines agent May 24 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day in Atlanta. Low-cost airlines grew in the last two decades by undercutting big carriers on ticket prices, thanks in large part to lower costs, including hiring younger workers who were paid less than their counterparts at Delta Air Lines, United and American Airlines . Wages soared across the industry in the past two years, however, narrowing that cost advantage. The big airlines rolled out and refined their no-frills, “basic economy” tickets to compete directly with Spirit, Frontier and other budget carriers for the most price-sensitive travelers. The budget airlines became less efficient at using planes and people. As their growth slowed, they wound up with more of both than they needed. In 2019, Spirit planes were in the air an average of 12.3 hours every day. By this summer, the planes spent an average of two more hours each day sitting on the ground, where they don't make money. Spirit's costs per mile jumped 32% between 2019 and 2023. Another issue is that airlines added too many flights. Budget airlines and Southwest Airlines were among the worst offenders, but full-service airlines piled on. To make up for a drop in business travel, the big carriers added more flights on domestic leisure routes. The result: Too many seats on flights into popular tourist destinations such as Florida and Las Vegas, which drove down prices, especially for economy-class tickets. Rows of seats are shown Sept. 26 on a retrofitted Southwest Airlines jet at Love Field in Dallas. Low-cost airlines are responding by following the old adage that if you can't beat them, join them. That means going premium, following the rapidly growing household wealth among upper-income people. The top one-fifth of U.S. households by income added $35 trillion in wealth since 2019 and holds nearly nine times the wealth of the middle fifth, according to the Federal Reserve . Frontier Airlines organized its fares into four bundles in May, with buyers of higher-priced tickets getting extras such as priority boarding, more legroom and checked bags. The airline dropped ticket-change or cancellation fees except for the cheapest bundle. Spirit followed in August with similar changes, blocking middle seats and charging passengers more for the comfort of aisle and window seats. Spirit Airlines CEO Ted Christie received a $3.8 million retention bonus a week before the Florida-based carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Christie will retain the bonus if he remains with the company for another year. The airline's stock has dropped over 90% this year. It has faced challenges including a blocked $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue and failed talks with Frontier. The pandemic disrupted Spirit's operations and travel patterns, reducing its daily aircraft utilization and increasing costs. Demand has shifted to full-service airlines as higher-income travelers vacation more, while inflation impacts lower-income consumers. JetBlue Airways , which began flying more than 20 years ago as a low-cost carrier but with amenities, is digging out from years of steady losses. Under new CEO Joanna Geraghty, the first woman to lead a major U.S. airline, JetBlue is cutting unprofitable routes, bolstering core markets that include the Northeast and Florida, and delaying deliveries of $3 billion worth of new planes. Starting next year, Southwest Airlines will toss out a half-century tradition of “open seating” — passengers picking their own seat after boarding the plane. Executives say extensive surveying showed 80% of customers preferred an assigned seat, and that's especially true with coveted business travelers. More crowded planes also might be pushing passengers to spend more to escape a middle seat in the back of the plane. A Frontier Airlines jet takes off July 5, 2022, from Denver International Airport in Denver. In other parts of the world, budget carriers are doing just fine. They bounced back from the pandemic just like their more highbrow competitors. Some industry experts say low-cost carriers in Asia and Europe have always attracted a more diverse mix of passengers, while in the U.S., affluent and middle-class travelers look down their noses at low-cost carriers. Jamie Baker, an analyst for JPMorgan, says he has many college friends who work in London and fly Irish airline Ryanair all the time, but he hardly knows anyone who has ever been on a Spirit or Frontier plane. A small plane tows a banner April 13, 2016, over Flint Bishop International Airport as part of ceremonies marking Allegiant Air joining the airport. Delta CEO Ed Bastian is less dismissive of the “lower-end carriers” in the U.S. than United's Kirby. "I don’t see that segment ever disappearing,” Bastian said after Spirit’s bankruptcy filing. “I think there’s a market for it.” At the same time, he said the upscale moves by ultra-low-cost carriers are having no effect on his airline. Delta targets upscale travelers but also introduced basic-economy fares a decade ago, when discounters emerged as a growing threat to poach some of Delta's customers. “Just calling yourself a premium carrier and actually being a premium carrier are two totally different things,” Bastian said “It's not the size of the seat or how much room you have; it's the overall experience.” As frequent flyers know, air travel isn't cheap. With the summer months in full swing, demand for air travel is expected to reach record numbers in 2024 as airlines continue to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily for those who are looking for ways to save on travel , one way to cut costs on your next vacation may be in finding the right places to fly in and out of. FinanceBuzz looked at average domestic airfares from the 45 busiest airports in the U.S. to learn which airports are best for travelers on a budget, as well as which ones to avoid if you are trying to travel affordably. Overall, the national average airfare cost decreased by 3.1% from 2022 to 2023 when adjusted for inflation (which translates to a 0.9% increase in non-adjusted dollars). The last time inflation-adjusted airfare costs dropped year-over-year was during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it fell 18% between 2019 and 2020. Largely, this is good news for consumers who can spend less on airfare and have more room in their budget for hotels , restaurants, and other travel fees. In addition to earning rewards on airfare, most travel credit cards offer rewards for spending in these areas, which can offset overall vacation costs. Based on Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the above chart shows inflation-adjusted average airline fares over the past 25 years. For this report, we compared domestic airfares from the 45 busiest airports in the U.S. using data published by the U.S. Department of Transportation . Orlando International Airport (MCO) had the lowest airfare cost in the country at $265.58 on average. Home to iconic theme parks like Universal Studios, Sea World, and most notably, Walt Disney World, Orlando is one of America's top tourist destinations. This is welcome news for those bracing for expensive park tickets and food prices at the House of Mouse. Beyond saving with a Disney credit card on park-related purchases, visitors can also maximize savings by using a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve which offers an annual travel credit, or even using a 0% APR credit card if you don't want to pay for your entire vacation at once. Another Florida-based airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), has the second-lowest average airfare cost in the country — tickets here are only about $5 more expensive than Orlando's. Just a few dollars behind FLL is Las Vegas's Harry Reid International (LAS), where fares cost $272.15 on average. LAS is also the last airport on our list where average airfare costs are less than $300. Oakland International Airport (OAK) has the fourth-lowest average airfare costs in the country at $303.79. And the fifth-least expensive airport, Chicago Midway International (MDW), comes in at $308.27. For the third year in a row, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have the two highest average fares in the country. Flights from Dulles cost $488.40 on average in 2023, while flights from San Francisco cost $444.59. Some silver lining for travelers who need to travel through Dulles: IAD is home to some of the best airport lounges in the country, including the recently-opened Capital One Lounge, available to Capital One Venture X or Venture Rewards credit card holders. With free food, drinks, and recharging stations, lounges can be one easy way to offset otherwise-expensive airport costs. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has the third-highest average airfare in the country, with an average cost of $438.34. Last on our top-five list of the most expensive airports are Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW). Average airfare from Charlotte cost $436.80 last year, while flights from Detroit had an average price tag of $427.05. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) was the biggest affordability winner over the last year, dropping prices by more than $18 on average. SEA jumped from 36th most-affordable place last year to 28th place this year — an increase of eight spots. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Portland International Airport (PDX) experienced similar jumps, rising by seven spots each. RDU went from 24th place in 2022 to 17th in 2023, while PDX went from 42nd to 35th. Two different airports fell by eight spots in our affordability rankings, tied for the biggest drop of the year. The average fare at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) rose by $18.66 year-over-year, which led SMF to go from 18th in last year's affordability rankings to 26th this year. Prices rose even more at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), going up by $19.64 on average from one year to the next. Consequently, STL fell from 21st to 29th place in terms of affordability. As you plan your travel, you'll find costs can vary widely at a single airport. With a little research and smart planning, you can find a deal at any airport. Here are a few tips to save on airfare: One way to save on airfare is to use airline credit card points , or travel cards, to book your travel. For newer travelers, some welcome bonuses on beginner travel credit cards can be enough to earn you a free flight (or two). As we all know, flights aren't the only expensive part of traveling. Save money on baggage fees by understanding your airlines and prepping for the hidden costs of air travel. We looked at 2023 airfare data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2024 to compare domestic airfares by origin city. This report calculated average fares based on domestic itinerary fares. "Itinerary fares" consist of round-trip fares, unless only a one-way ticket was purchased. In that case, the one-way fare was used. Fares are based on total ticket value, including the price charged by the airline plus any additional taxes and fees levied at the time of purchase. Fares include only the price paid at booking and do not include fees for optional services like baggage fees. Averages also do not include frequent-flyer or "zero fares" or a few abnormally high reported fares. This stor y was produced by FinanceBuzz and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
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