Published on
January 1, 2026
Air travel planning in 2026 is being shaped by volatility, competition, and evolving traveller behaviour across the United States, Mexico, Canada, Ireland, and the Caribbean. In a post-pandemic aviation environment, airfare pricing has been influenced by fluctuating demand, seasonal surges, fuel costs, and shifting airline strategies. Despite these pressures, meaningful opportunities for affordable travel continue to be identified through data-led analysis. According to insights derived from Skyscanner flight data, the cheapest places to fly from all 50 US states in 2026 have been mapped by examining round-trip economy fares from the largest airport in each state for travel in March 2026.
This analysis has demonstrated that low fares are not randomly distributed. Instead, they are concentrated along routes shaped by airline competition, geographic proximity, and strong leisure travel demand. Domestic flights between major hubs have continued to post remarkably low prices, while international value has been repeatedly found in destinations across Mexico, Canada, Ireland, Central America, and parts of Europe. By focusing on data rather than assumptions, travellers are being offered a practical roadmap for stretching travel budgets without compromising destination quality.
How the Analysis Was Conducted
The findings were developed through an evaluation of airfare pricing from the largest commercial airport in each US state. Lowest available round-trip economy fares were isolated during Skyscanner’s analysis window for March 2026. Destinations were selected strictly based on cost, without consideration for convenience, flight duration, or nonstop availability. As a result, some itineraries were identified as nonstop, while others included short connections, particularly on international routes departing from smaller hubs. All prices remain subject to change due to inventory and demand fluctuations.
Key Patterns Shaping Affordable Airfare in 2026
Several macro-level trends have been revealed through this state-by-state comparison. International affordability has been dominated by Mexico and the Caribbean, particularly for travellers departing from southern and western US states. Northern states have consistently shown low-cost access to Canada and Ireland, reflecting strong bilateral air service agreements and competitive transatlantic capacity.
On the domestic side, ultra-short routes between major hubs have continued to benefit from aircraft utilisation efficiency and intense airline competition. Large hub airports have repeatedly outperformed smaller regional airports in international pricing, even when total travel distance has been greater.
Cheapest Domestic and International Routes by State
Across the United States, striking examples of affordability have been identified. From Los Angeles International Airport, domestic travel to Las Vegas has been observed at just $38, while international access to San Salvador has appeared at $110. At Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, flights to Los Angeles have been priced as low as $41, with international travel to Calgary available for $75.
In the southern United States, Miami International Airport has recorded domestic fares to New York for $42 and international routes to San Salvador for $112. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport has stood out with international fares to San Luis PotosÃ, Mexico, priced at $84, nearly matching the cost of some domestic routes.
Northern and Midwestern states have also demonstrated value. Chicago O’Hare International Airport has offered domestic flights to Minneapolis for $48 and international routes to Toronto for $90. From Boston Logan International Airport, international access to Dublin has been available for $171, reinforcing Ireland’s role as a consistently affordable European gateway.
Smaller and less centrally located states have not been excluded from these trends. Alaska, departing from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, has shown international value to Vancouver at $234. Hawaii, from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, has recorded domestic fares to Miami at $39 and international routes to Guatemala City at $217.
International Destinations Driving Value
The international destinations appearing most frequently in the data have not been secondary or obscure markets. Instead, they have been cities with strong tourism infrastructure, high-frequency service, and competitive airline presence. Cancún, Dublin, Vancouver, Guatemala City, and multiple Mexican cities such as Mérida, Querétaro, and Guadalajara have surfaced repeatedly.
These destinations have benefited from leisure-driven demand, seasonal capacity growth, and supportive bilateral agreements. Ireland’s prominence has been particularly notable, with Dublin emerging as the cheapest international option from several US states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Washington, and New Hampshire.
Domestic Routes and the Advantage of Short-Haul Travel
Domestic airfare trends have continued to favour short-haul routes under two hours. Flights such as Atlanta to Orlando, Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and Portland to Salt Lake City have been consistently priced under $50. This pricing environment has been supported by high-frequency scheduling, intense competition between legacy carriers and low-cost airlines, and efficient aircraft turnaround times.
Even during peak planning seasons, these routes have remained resiliently affordable, offering travellers reliable opportunities for budget-friendly domestic travel across the United States.
The Role of Flexibility in Securing Low Fares
While baseline affordability has been highlighted through this analysis, fare variability has remained significant. Actual prices have continued to fluctuate based on day of travel, departure time, and remaining seat inventory. Travellers willing to adjust departure dates, consider nearby airports, or accept brief connections have consistently outperformed those bound by rigid itineraries.
Flexibility has therefore been reinforced as a critical factor in modern travel planning, particularly in an era where predictability has been replaced by responsiveness.
Implications for Travel and Tourism Planning
For travel and tourism stakeholders, these findings have underscored the importance of competition, connectivity, and demand alignment. Routes where these elements converge have continued to suppress fares, benefiting consumers and stimulating cross-border travel between the United States, Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.
For individual travellers, the state-by-state breakdown has provided a clear, data-driven framework for identifying value-driven destinations in March 2026. Rather than relying on intuition or past pricing norms, informed decision-making has been enabled through transparent airfare trends.
Despite ongoing volatility in global airfare markets, affordable travel opportunities have remained embedded within the system. By anchoring travel decisions in data rather than assumptions, travellers have been shown that low-cost routes continue to exist across all 50 US states. The cheapest domestic and international destinations identified for 2026 have illustrated how competition, geography, and leisure demand continue to shape pricing outcomes.
As travel planning for 2026 accelerates, these insights have offered a practical and tourism-oriented roadmap for maximising value while exploring destinations across North America, Europe, and beyond.
