Buy Summer Plane Tickets Now 3/10/26

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: Buy Summer Plane Tickets Now
Podcast: Your Money Minute by CNBC
Air Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Jessica Ettinger
Run Time: 60 seconds

This fast-paced episode dives into why now is the time to buy your summer plane tickets. With jet fuel prices surging due to a spike in oil costs, airfares are on the rise. CNBC's experts weigh in on how these shifts affect travelers and share actionable tips to beat price hikes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Surging Jet Fuel and Ticket Prices

• Host Jessica Ettinger opens with an urgent tip: airfare is poised to increase due to rising oil and jet fuel costs.
• Quote [00:03]:

  “The spike in oil prices has meant a big spike in jet fuel prices and people are looking to get ahead of airfare price increases.” – Jessica Ettinger

2. Industry Perspective: Jet Fuel Costs

• Phil LeBeau (CNBC Business Reporter) highlights the financial impact on airlines:
  • Jet fuel prices have doubled in the last year, directly pressuring airline profit margins.
• Quote [00:16]:

  “Jet fuel prices have doubled in the last year... that's going to have an impact on the bottom line for the airlines.” – Phil LeBeau

3. Increased Travel Demand and Price Spikes

• Aviation insights from Leslie Josephs (CNBC Aviation Reporter):
  • Airlines are seeing heightened demand during peak travel periods—meaning summer and holiday flights will be more expensive.
• Quote [00:33]:

  “What we've heard from airlines is that they're seeing higher demand in the peak period, say the vacations, holidays, and that's when you're going to see big increases.” – Leslie Josephs

4. Changing Airfare Rules & How to Find Deals

• The old rule of booking on Tuesdays or Wednesdays for the lowest fares is less reliable now, as airlines reduce flights on those days to avoid flying empty planes.
• However, midweek flights still offer better chances at deals, if available.
• Quotes [00:41] & [00:47]:
  • “You may remember the old rule that flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is the cheapest. Even that's not a sure thing much anymore.” – Jessica Ettinger
  • “If you're looking for deals, fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. But airlines have been kind of careful to lower their capacity then... But you are more likely to find deals then.” – Leslie Josephs

5. Closing Guidance

• Ettinger recommends staying informed about aviation and travel costs:
  • Quote [01:04]:

    “Keep up on aviation and travel and what you're paying at cnbc.com.” – Jessica Ettinger

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• [00:03] Jessica Ettinger: “The spike in oil prices has meant a big spike in jet fuel prices and people are looking to get ahead of airfare price increases.”
• [00:16] Phil LeBeau: “Jet fuel prices have doubled in the last year... that's going to have an impact on the bottom line for the airlines.”
• [00:33] Leslie Josephs: “They're seeing higher demand in the peak period, say the vacations, holidays, and that's when you're going to see big increases.”
• [00:41] Jessica Ettinger: “You may remember the old rule that flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is the cheapest. Even that's not a sure thing much anymore.”
• [00:47] Leslie Josephs: “If you're looking for deals, fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday... But you are more likely to find deals then.”
• [01:04] Jessica Ettinger: “Keep up on aviation and travel and what you're paying at cnbc.com.”

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Summary Takeaways

• Book summer airfare as soon as possible to avoid higher prices as peak season approaches.
• Jet fuel price surges are trickling down to travelers in the form of rising ticket costs.
• While Tuesdays and Wednesdays may still occasionally offer deals, airlines are reducing capacity midweek, so deals are less predictable.
• Stay informed by checking CNBC for the latest advice and information on travel and airfare trends.

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Transcript

[Jessica Ettinger]

With a CNBC you Money minute. I'm Jessica Ettinger. You might want to buy your summer travel plane tickets now. The spike in oil prices has meant a big spike in jet fuel prices and people are looking to get ahead of airfare price increases.

[Phil LeBeau]

Jet fuel prices have doubled in the last year. Year to date, jet fuel, the price of a gallon has doubled. And any way you slice it, that's going to have an impact on the bottom line for the airlines.

[Jessica Ettinger]

That's CNBC's Phil LeBeau. Here's CNBC's aviation reporter Leslie Josephs.

[Leslie Josephs]

What we've heard from airlines is that they're seeing higher demand in the peak period, say the vacations, holidays, and that's when you're going to see big increases.

[Jessica Ettinger]

And you may remember the old rule that flying on Tuesdays or Wednesdays is the cheapest. Even that's not a sure thing

[Leslie Josephs]

much anymore. If you're looking for deals, fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday. But airlines have been kind of careful to lower their capacity then because there's just less demand and they don't want to fly empty planes or half empty planes. But you are more likely to find deals then.

[Jessica Ettinger]

Keep up on aviation and travel and what you're paying at cnbc. Com. I'm Jessica Ettinger, cnbc.

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