Finding cheap flights can be a matter of both where you’re going and who takes you there.
Going released its 2026 Top Airports and Airlines for Flight Deals on Aug. 17. The analysis was based on a review of more than 45,000 routes at U.S. airports from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Top Airports for Domestic Flight Deals
“A single cheap fare doesn’t tell the whole story,” Willis Orlando, flight expert at Going, said in a news release. “With most travel headlines featuring affordability right now, we built these rankings around what actually matters to travelers: not just the price of the ticket, but how deep the discount is and how often a good deal comes around. An airport that has one amazing fare a year isn’t as valuable to travelers as one that delivers solid deals every week.”
According to Going, Denver International Airport (DEN) was the top airport for domestic flight deals. That was followed by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in second place, while Orlando International Airport (MCO) came in third.
Airport rankings were based on a weighted score that took average deal savings on full-service airlines, average price and deal volume into account.
“Denver, New Orleans and Orlando got there in different ways, but the throughline is the same in that more competition means lower fares,” Orlando said in the release. “In Denver, United and Southwest are locked in a fare war with Frontier. In New Orleans, Southwest and Breeze are doing the same, on top of rising leisure demand. And in Orlando, all those planes flying in for theme parks have to fly back out, so locals benefit from that extra capacity too.”
Top Airports for International Flight Deals
For bargains on international flights, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) took the top spot, with New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) landing in second place. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) came in third.
The three airports are “the country’s primary East Coast gateways to international travel,” Orlando noted.
On the flip side, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) saw the fewest deals for domestic flights. For international flights, Kahului Airport and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport also ranked in the bottom three, along with Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK).
Top Airlines for Flight Deals
Based on Going deal frequency, American Airlines came in first for domestic flights, followed by Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. United Airlines rounded out the top four, with Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines in fifth place (Alaska acquired Hawaiian in 2024).
JetBlue came in sixth. Going did not analyze budget airlines such as Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways, including only full-service carriers.
“While American takes the cake for the most deals, it’s really the Big 3 plus Southwest all landing in the same ballpark,” Orlando said. “That’s steep competition and fare wars at work, and those are exactly what drive the best deals for travelers.”
When it comes to international flights, United, American and Delta snagged the top three spots. Those were followed by Air Canada, British Airways and JetBlue.
The full list is available here.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
Reporting by Nathan Diller, USA TODAY / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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