The ultimate luxury for many Americans this year is simply avoiding the uncertainty of global travel
An increasing number of Americans are considering staying at home and traveling shorter distances for their spring and summer vacations this year amid rising airfare as airlines fear a possible jet fuel shortage.
The war in Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, tightening oil supply to the rest of the world. The shortages have forced carriers to reduce the number of flights and hike up air ticket fares.
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Prices of transatlantic tickets have jumped by roughly $200 in just one month.
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Aviation data already shows an 11% drop in bookings from US hubs to major European cities.
The volatile geopolitical and economic strains have also heightened safety concerns for many Americans, who, in turn, are trading international itineraries for local leisure.
However, even domestic trips are affected by the gas prices, which surpassed $4 per gallon this week for the first time in two years, making cross-country drives more costly.
Latest data from the Conference Board reveals the share of consumers planning international vacations and road trips has plummeted to just under 17%, the lowest levels seen since late 2022.
Notably, international travel has been cooling since last year. A 2025 YouGov poll found that 43% of Americans who frequently go abroad traveled less last year, citing factors including economic uncertainty and rising travel costs.
The share of Europeans visiting the US has also dropped.
Overall, the ultimate luxury for many this year is simply avoiding the uncertainty of global travel.