From left to right: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Chicago; Orlando, Fla.
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NEED TO KNOW
Dollar Flight Club, a Seattle-based flight alert company, released its 2026 Cheap Flight Forecast in December 2025
In the report, the company highlights the top 15 U.S. destinations that are expected to be the most affordable to fly to this year
The company awarded Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as its first-place winner based on affordability, traveler value and a number of other factors
For travel lovers who want the most bang for their buck in 2026, Dollar Flight Club’s recent report is worth factoring in when booking an trip.
The Seattle-based flight alert company compiled a list of affordable U.S. and international cities to fly to in its 2026 Cheap Flight Forecast published in December 2025.
According to the report, the company “analyzed tens of thousands of data points including last year’s airfare trends, historical pricing, and today’s live deals” to predict the least expensive places to travel to this year.
While the company analyzed the “typical low price and deal frequency” of each destination, they also considered other factors, including traveler value, to rank each place.
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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For U.S. destinations, first place goes to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The report suggests that the best time to visit is in late January or in September. Travelers can get there for an average price of approximately $95.
Coming in second is another popular Florida destination: Orlando. The average price is listed as $105, with the ideal time to visit being early May or mid-September.
Rounding out the top five are Chicago, with an average cost of $94, Pittsburgh at $108 and Dallas at $129. Dollar Flight Club notes the top five places in their report, both domestic and international, are the destinations where “we’re seeing the strongest, most repeatable value right now.”
The remaining 10 affordable places to fly to in the U.S. include: Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit; Knoxville, Tenn.; Pensacola, Fla.; Des Moines, Iowa; Miami; Orlando; Sanford, Fla.; Phoenix; Denver; and Cleveland.
As for the top five international destinations, the number one most affordable location is San Salvador, El Salvador, followed by Madrid, Spain; Vancouver, Canada; Lisbon, Portugal and Medellín, Colombia.
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For all destinations listed in the report, Dollar Flight Club says timing does matter to get the best value.
“Bottom line: When you time your trip and stay flexible with departure airports, you consistently unlock better fares both internationally and within the United States,” the company concludes the report.
Read the original article on People