https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/american-airlines-says-airfares-could-stay-elevated-even-if-fuel-prices-dropContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/american-airlines-says-airfares-could-stay-elevated-even-if-fuel-prices-drophttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/american-airlines-says-airfares-could-stay-elevated-even-if-fuel-prices-drop#u160099Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:20:12 +0000Airfares across the United States are expected to remain elevated even if jet fuel prices drop, according to warnings from American Airlines. Industry carriers are favoring higher ticket prices over fuller planes to protect profit margins against historic fuel cost pressures and operational expenses. Average U.S. airfares climbed from $405 in late 2025 to $436 by mid-2026, driven by ongoing economic challenges and pandemic-related recovery efforts. Major airlines maintain that ticket costs will not return to pre-war levels immediately, opting instead to manage capacity and sustain elevated far