Valley travelers are heading into peak getaway season with a plot twist no one saw coming. Yes, airfare is climbing. But somehow, so are the deals.
According to fresh KAYAK data, average domestic flight prices have jumped from about $303 in mid-April to roughly $358 as summer inches closer. That upward trend tracks. Warmer weather hits, demand spikes, and suddenly everyone is trying to escape somewhere cooler, beachier, or just not 110 degrees.
But here’s where it gets interesting. While prices are rising overall, a surprising number of routes out of Phoenix are actually dropping right now. KAYAK’s Monthly Flight Deal Tracker, which analyzes millions of searches, highlights exactly where those pockets of savings are hiding.
For May, some of the strongest value plays feel almost too good to ignore. Salt Lake City is hovering around $95 roundtrip on average, up 25 percent but still one of the lowest fares on the board. Atlanta lands at $157, down 11 percent, with Houston close behind at $160, also down 11 percent. Dallas rounds things out at $167, dipping 9 percent. These are the kinds of prices that turn “maybe later” into “book it now.”
Closer to home, the usual quick escapes are still in rotation. San Diego and Los Angeles are both under $100 roundtrip on average, though slightly up, while San Francisco is one of the rare West Coast routes trending down. Translation: your last-minute coastal reset is still very much on the table.
Then there’s the international angle. Mexico continues to hold strong with steady or slightly lower pricing to spots like Mexico City and Cancún. But the standout is Montego Bay at $391 roundtrip on average, down 10 percent, making a Caribbean escape feel surprisingly within reach. A handful of other destinations across Central America and the Caribbean are also dipping, quietly opening the door to bigger trips without the usual sticker shock.
The takeaway is simple. Prices are rising, but not evenly. And that unevenness is exactly where savvy Phoenix travelers win. In other words, this is not the season to hesitate. It’s the season to refresh your search tab obsessively and move fast when something hits.
Insider Takeaways
- Average domestic airfare has climbed to around $358 as summer demand builds.
- Select Phoenix routes are dropping in price even as overall airfare rises.
- Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas are among the strongest deal cities right now.
- Salt Lake City remains one of the cheapest routes despite a recent price increase.
- Sub-$100 California flights are still possible for quick coastal getaways.
- International deals like Montego Bay are quietly making long-haul trips more accessible.
Explore more at kayak.com/news/monthly-flight-deals.
