Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) was the most expensive airport in the US for domestic flights last year. The average domestic roundtrip at Dulles was almost $500, putting it ahead of San Francisco and Charlotte in the national Top 3.
Dulles ranks as most expensive domestic US airport
The Washington DC airport has long had a reputation as a pricey airport due to its extensive international links and proximity to the US capital city. According to US Department of Transportation (DOT) data, IAD was the most expensive US airport for domestic airfares in 2022 with an average roundtrip coming in at $494.78.
This is ahead of San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – which came in second at $456.86 – followed by Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) at $444.42, with Portland International Airport (PDX) and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) tying for fourth at $425.35.
At the other end, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) came in as the cheapest airport at $264.24, followed by Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International ($271.78), Orlando International ($273.35), Oakland International ($288.23), and Chicago Midway International ($303.05).
The biggest improvement in cost was seen at San Diego International Airport (SAN), which jumped from 38th last year to 22nd, while Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) also improved from 26th to 15th in the affordability rankings. Two airports tied for first place in terms of the biggest decline in affordability – Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – which both lost nine spots in the rankings.