US Airfare Trends in 2025 Reveal Surprisingly Cheap Last-Minute Flights with Alaska, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian, and more Leading Budget Travel On Popular Key Routes

Written By: Sara Alhariri

Sara Alhariri

I was a dedicated journalist to The US Sun, the Sun UK, the Irish Sun, and the Scottish Sun and a producer for Fox News Media for some time, too.My value is in sharing this content with my network on LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.—it will get the eyes of media executives who handle travel reporting on it immediately. It will bring more visibility to the brand for sure. Like reporting and PR in one.

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March 31, 2025 21:56 GMT+5:30

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In a surprising shift from traditional booking wisdom, airfare trends in the US for 2025 reveal that last-minute flights are not only more affordable than expected but are increasingly led by budget-friendly carriers. Airlines like Alaska, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian, and more are offering lower fares just one week before departure, challenging the belief that procrastination always comes at a premium. These savings aren’t limited to obscure routes either—major domestic corridors like Las Vegas to Los Angeles, Honolulu to Maui, Atlanta to New York, and Denver to Phoenix are seeing competitive last-minute pricing, positioning these airlines at the forefront of affordable, spontaneous travel in 2025.

Booking a flight at the eleventh hour might seem like a guaranteed way to blow your travel budget—but in 2025, that isn’t always the case. While traditional advice tells travelers to book early to snag the best deal, recent data from over 21,000 flights across the United States suggests otherwise. Depending on the airline and route, waiting until the last week before departure could actually save you money.

Our comprehensive analysis tracked airfare trends across 10 of the busiest domestic flight routes. We monitored daily price fluctuations over a two-week period to determine the real cost of booking one week before departure. The results? Surprising, even to seasoned travelers. On average, last-minute flights were 8.3% cheaper than early bookings—busting the myth that procrastinators always pay more.

Which Airlines Offer the Cheapest Last-Minute One-Way Tickets?

When it comes to affordability, not all airlines are created equal. Some carriers are much more forgiving when it comes to late bookings, especially low-cost airlines that dominate the last-minute value category.

Most Affordable Airlines for Last-Minute One-Way Flights:

• Spirit Airlines: $151.53
• Frontier Airlines: $160.89
• Hawaiian Airlines: $190.19
• Southwest Airlines: $212.43
• Alaska Airlines: $229.73

Spirit and Frontier continue to shine in the budget category, offering consistently low fares even for travelers booking at the last minute. While Hawaiian Airlines may come as a surprise, the lower price is driven by short inter-island routes like Honolulu to Maui. Alaska and Southwest round out the list with fares that defy the typical late-booking markup.

The Priciest Airlines for Last-Minute One-Way Flights

On the flip side, full-service carriers often penalize late planners with significantly higher costs.

Most Expensive Airlines for Last-Minute One-Way Flights:

• JetBlue: $310.15
• American Airlines: $288.26
• United Airlines: $274.33
• Delta Air Lines: $236.36

JetBlue tops the list with nearly a third increase over earlier bookings, followed closely by the other major U.S. carriers. Their enhanced amenities and broader service networks often justify premium pricing, but for travelers watching their wallets, these airlines are best booked early.

Airlines Where Last-Minute Tickets Are Actually Cheaper

Digging deeper, our study uncovered some airlines that not only don’t penalize last-minute booking—but actually reward it.

Airlines Offering Cheaper Last-Minute One-Way Flights:

• Alaska Airlines: -22.6% cheaper
• Southwest Airlines: -8.2% cheaper
• Frontier Airlines: -3.6% cheaper
• Spirit Airlines: -3.1% cheaper
• American Airlines: -0.8% cheaper

Alaska Airlines stands out with fares that are more than 22% lower when booked a week before departure. This may reflect dynamic pricing strategies or regional competition. Southwest’s fare structure and lack of change fees contribute to its affordability, even at the last minute. Meanwhile, even legacy carrier American Airlines offered marginal savings for last-minute planners.

Airlines Where Last-Minute Tickets Cost More

While some airlines buck the trend, others stick to the classic model: the later you book, the more you pay.

Airlines Charging More for Last-Minute Flights:

• JetBlue: +29.9%
• Hawaiian Airlines: +19.3%
• United Airlines: +15.6%
• Delta Air Lines: +1.2%

JetBlue’s nearly 30% increase for late bookings suggests a heavy reliance on time-sensitive pricing. Hawaiian Airlines and United follow closely, likely due to high-demand routes and fewer low-cost competitors.

Cheapest Last-Minute Routes in the United States

Flight costs don’t just vary by airline—they fluctuate significantly based on where you’re flying. Some high-traffic routes offer affordable last-minute options due to sheer volume and competition.

Most Affordable Routes for Last-Minute One-Way Tickets:

• Honolulu (HNL) to Maui (OGG): $129.69
• Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX): $142.01
• Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO): $187.00
• Atlanta (ATL) to New York (LGA): $214.07
• New York (LGA) to Chicago (ORD): $221.31

Short, popular routes between major cities or island destinations keep fares down. Frequent service and the presence of multiple budget carriers contribute to these bargain prices.

Most Expensive Last-Minute Domestic Routes

Some domestic flights, particularly long-haul or business-heavy routes, come with a premium—especially when booked close to departure.

Most Expensive Routes for Last-Minute One-Way Tickets:

• Denver (DEN) to Las Vegas (LAS): $232.58
• Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO): $253.15
• Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX): $266.30
• Denver (DEN) to Chicago (ORD): $308.88
• New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX): $327.12

Denver stands out as a hub with consistently higher last-minute fares. Whether it’s due to seasonal travel or limited low-cost options, routes originating from Denver tended to be less forgiving for spontaneous travelers. Similarly, JFK to LAX continues to be one of the most expensive domestic routes, reflecting demand from business travelers and premium seat offerings.

Where Last-Minute Bookings Save You the Most

While some cities are expensive for procrastinators, others reward them with substantial savings.

Routes Where Last-Minute Flights Are Cheaper:

• Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX): -26.8%
• New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX): -18.3%
• Atlanta (ATL) to New York (LGA): -10.8%
• Denver (DEN) to Las Vegas (LAS): -10.5%
• Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO): -10.3%
• Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO): -6.9%
• New York (LGA) to Chicago (ORD): -1.1%

Some of the country’s busiest flight corridors—especially on the coasts—offered late-booking discounts of up to 26.8%. These routes benefit from high competition and multiple daily departures, leaving airlines with strong incentive to fill every seat.

Where Last-Minute Flights Cost More

Of course, there are still routes that support the traditional theory: book early, or pay more.

Routes Where Last-Minute Flights Are Pricier:

• Denver (DEN) to Chicago (ORD): +7.7%
• Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX): +2.1%

Both routes originate from Denver, reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of the costliest hubs for last-minute travel.

The Final Verdict for 2025 Travelers

The data shows that the idea of last-minute flights always being more expensive is outdated. While it’s true for some routes and airlines—especially full-service carriers—there are plenty of exceptions. Budget airlines and shorter routes often offer attractive last-minute prices, and in some cases, waiting to book can actually save money.

In 2025, US airfare trends reveal that last-minute flights are often cheaper than expected, with airlines like Alaska, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Hawaiian, and more leading budget-friendly travel across major domestic routes.

Key Tips for Booking Last-Minute Flights in 2025:

• Flexibility is your friend: Look at multiple airlines and nearby airports.
• Short-haul routes = more savings: Popular city pairings often come with late-booking deals.
• Don’t write off full-service carriers: Alaska and Southwest had competitive last-minute rates.
• Avoid Denver: For last-minute travelers, this hub consistently had the highest costs.
• Always compare: Use tools like Google Flights to monitor fluctuations in real time.

This study analyzed airfare data from Google Flights across 10 of the most trafficked U.S. domestic routes. We tracked daily price changes for two weeks, focusing specifically on the cost of booking one week prior to the departure date. More than 21,000 individual flights were reviewed in the process. The results were then compared to established average fare data from 2024 to measure price shifts over time.