Iran-war shock pushes airfare sharply higher—demand holds, but profitability strains and carriers cut/trim outlook
Multiple signals point to an Iran-war-driven fare spike: U.S. airfare costs are up about 30% since early 2026, while industry observers cite roughly 20% higher airfares amid uneven demand. Yet revenue growth is beginning to mask margin pressure from rising fuel costs and disruption, with some carriers openly scaling back guidance or projecting softness.