The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics states that the average price of domestic airfare rose 4.4 percent to $332 in the first quarter of 2008 (January to March) in comparison to the first quarter of 2007, the Associated Press reports.
It was the largest year-to-year increase since the second quarter of 2006, but remained 4.6 percent below the record set in the first quarter of 2001. The analysis was based on a 10 percent sample of itineraries that excluded requent-flyer or "zero fares," as well as flights to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and a few high-priced destinations.
Logan International Airport in Boston had the largest year-to-year average fare increase by percentage in the first quarter, while Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey had the biggest average fare decrease by percentage.