Airfare amid Iran war: Buy now or wait out the conflict? Experts weigh the risks

airfare keeps climbing as the iran war drags on, and travel experts say buying now is safer than waiting. katy nastro from going put it bluntly: "if it fits in your budget now, don't put it off." the average domestic round-trip hit $361 as of april 20, up 8% from $335 on feb. 23 (before the war started) and 19% from $304 a year ago. international fares jumped more — $1,097 on april 20, a 42% increase from $774 on feb. 23 and 14% higher year-over-year, per kayak data. jet fuel is the culprit. the price per gallon has surged 82% since the war began, to $4.56 from $2.50 on feb. 27, according to argus media. iran and the u.s. have blockaded the strait of hormuz, which carries about 20% of the world's oil supply. airlines are passing costs on via higher ticket prices, baggage fees, fuel surcharges, and reduced schedules. hopper's lead economist hayley berg estimates fuel costs have already pushed summer airfare up about 10% relative to expectations. fares to europe are up about 9%. even if the war ends soon, experts say it'll take months for things to normalize.