Fuel Surcharges Skyrocket as Oil Prices Rise

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Airlines’ fuel costs have spiraled into the stratosphere amidst rising oil prices, and according to Bloomberg, fuel surcharges have reached record levels as well. United and several domestic competitors recently unleashed a $420—yes, $420!—surcharge on consumers traveling overseas. $420 is a pretty good deal on off-season airfare to Europe!

According to Bloomberg, “surcharges are as much as 50 percent greater than those put in place when fuel prices reached a record three years ago.” But much like the last fuel spike in 2008, prices are currently rising unabated, with no sign of relief on the horizon.

But for travelers considering a European vacation this summer, the picture is increasingly bleak. We reported weeks ago that cheap fares are increasingly rare, and this trend of escalating fuel surcharges suggests that won’t change soon. And Europe isn’t the only region seeing massive surcharges. “Fuel surcharges between the U.S. and some countries in South America are as much as $580 round trip today, up from $390 in 2008,” says Bloomberg. “The fee on flights between the U.S. and Sydney is $500 now, compared with $220 in mid-2008.”

Readers, have you been searching for fares this summer? Are prices higher than you remember?