Date: February 13, 2026
By: WSJ Staff
Summary:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' January 2026 Consumer Price Index report revealed that airline ticket prices surged 6.5% in a single month — the largest jump in nearly four years — adding to passenger cost pressures even as overall inflation continued to moderate. Year-over-year, airfares were up 2.2%, reversing a 3.4% decline seen in December. The sharp rise in fares comes amid strong travel demand, constrained aircraft supply due to manufacturer production challenges, and higher operational costs for airlines. The broader CPI rose a modest 2.4% year-over-year — an eight-month low — aided by falling gasoline prices and slowing housing costs. However, core inflation (excluding food and energy) rose 0.3% month-over-month, keeping pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady, with a March rate cut now considered unlikely.
One-Sentence Summary: Airfares jumped 6.5% in January 2026 — the biggest monthly surge since 2022 — even as overall U.S. inflation cooled to its lowest level in eight months.
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