If you judged 2025 travel by the headlines alone, you'd think the industry was navigating a patch of turbulence. Government shutdown! Surprise ancillary fee changes! Budget airline bankruptcy! Viral stories about seat pricing, AI pricing, Real IDs finally landing, and a few harrowing headlines that didn't exactly inspire wanderlust.
Despite these noisy headlines, travel in 2025 was actually a little boring on the surface. Airfare yo-yo'd but stayed historically cheap. And travelers, by the looks of TSA numbers, chilled out. For the first time in years, we saw several months where fewer people flew than the year before-a sign that the post-pandemic frenzy has finally cooled.
But zoom in a little, and the picture actually does get more interesting. Mistake fares hit record-breaking levels. Summer prices looked delightfully pre-pandemic, and available last-minute to boot. Airlines reshuffled where they invested their resources, giving hungry travelers cushier seats and a taste of the tomato-girl lifestyle. Travelers went back to the drawing board, rethinking what a "good trip" means.
That's the backdrop for 2026. A year not of more trips, but of one big one. A year where trends can tank your hotel budget but can also save you 40% on airfare. Where premium flyers enter a golden age, while deal hunters have to get a bit scrappier. Where points are melting like ice cubes, not aging like a fine wine.
Travel isn't in overdrive anymore. It's in refocus mode.
Welcome to Going's 2026 State of Travel & Flight Deals. Boring on the surface. Fascinating underneath. And full of opportunities for the travelers who know where to look.
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Pay rent with Bilt and earn miles to travel
Bilt is the loyalty program for your home and neighborhood that turns one of your largest monthly expenses-rent-into valuable points. Bilt members earn points by paying rent each month through Bilt. These points transfer to leading airline and hotel partners, such as United, Hyatt, and Marriott. They can also be redeemed toward things like future rent payments or a down payment on a home.
Your Bilt membership also unlocks exclusive benefits at local restaurants, fitness studios, Lyft rides, and pharmacies in your neighborhood when you pay with any debit or credit card linked to your Bilt account.
It's free to join, so become a Bilt member today to earn rewards on rent and discover the best benefits your neighborhood has to offer.
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How much will it actually cost you to fly in 2026? |
2025? Maybe a little boring. Travel frenzy? Faded. Fares? Still golden.
If you've paid attention to fare trends throughout 2025, you know it requires as much zoom lens to analyze as the rest of the year. The stark drop in the first half, plateau in June, and subsequent spike heading into the second half felt like anything but solid ground. But let's zoom back out a bit.
Fares may fluctuate modestly month to month, but airfare today is dramatically cheaper than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago. In fact, adjusted for inflation, June 2025 was the second-cheapest month for airfare on record. Yes, ever. And barring major shocks, 2026 is poised to be just as fruitful when it comes to flight deals.
To this, we'll address everyone's burning question: Yes, we are still in the Golden Age of Cheap Flights. And we have the complete breakdown for how much you can expect to spend on flights in 2026-whether you're paying for economy or premium seats in cash, free-flying on points and miles, or dropping a pretty penny on destinations you hate to love.
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18M users lose weight with scientific method
Whether you're enjoying December festivities or mapping out 2026 adventures, this month is the perfect time to build habits that set you up for your healthiest, happiest year yet. Over 21 million people use the Simple app to get in shape without calorie counting or strict rules. Its science-backed, habit-based guidance from expert nutritionists helps users lose weight and keep it off. Take the quick quiz to start personalized coaching before the January rush this season.
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In case you missed it: Where to go in 2026 |
Last week we shared our list of 15 destinations that we think you should visit in 2026. The best part? The entire list is centered around the places that will be cheaper and easier to get to next year thanks to new routes, expanded long-haul service, increased low-cost competition, airport upgrades, and visa changes that unlock better prices and smoother connections.
From Puglia and Malta, to Spain and Colombia's northern coasts, to Marrakesh and Taipei's bustling markets, to celebrations in Toronto, along Route 66, and beyond, our list is filled with spots that'll make your "one big trip" in 2026 one to remember-and one that won't break the bank.
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