The Cheapest, and Most Expensive, Airline in Every State

Finding the most affordable domestic flight in the United States can be hard. There are a seemingly endless number of constantly changing variables, from timing, to airline, to where you’re departing and arriving. Tips about the best time to buy domestic flights are easy to find, as is information about the cheapest airports (on average) to fly out of. A new data analysis from CashNetUSA took things a step further by comparing each major airline’s price per mile by state.

According to the study, average domestic flight prices dropped 8 percent in the year leading up to September 2024, signaling the end of the so-called “revenge travel effect.” Staffing shortages, adjusted flight schedules, and more worked alongside high travel demand to raise the average prices of domestic flights. That seems to be leveling out.

Infographic: CashNetUSA

Infographic: CashNetUSA

Unsurprisingly, budget airlines fill the list of the most affordable airlines across the country — assuming you avoid the add-on fees, of course. The amount that an airline services a region and where airline hubs are located are also important factors.

CashNetUSA came to its conclusions using a list of the officially designated hub airports in America according to the Federal Aviation Administration. (Delaware is left off as it doesn’t have a hub airport.) Flight route combinations from each airport to all other airports was used to calculate the distance for the per-mile cost. Then, they went to Tripadvisor for a sample of one-way flights for one adult in economy up to November 2024. Along with the listing, the company also created an interactive tool for travelers to search the data themselves.

It’s not perfect, of course. Some airports have a longer list of longer-haul or more expensive flights by nature, while others have a large number of short connecting flights. Add to that the pricing volatility and pull-back that airlines have put in place since the start of the Trump Administration. Still, this analysis is one more tool to help you find the best deal on your next trip.