How to navigate summer air travel when everything costs more

About this episode

Zach Wichter discusses the complexities and costs of summer air travel amid rising jet fuel prices and airline disruptions.

The summer travel season is upon us — and this year is more complicated and more expensive than most. The war in Iran has driven up jet-fuel prices globally, and Spirit Airlines, one of the biggest budget carriers in the country, has just shut down. On top of that, a possible super El Niño could cause widespread disruptions. Zach Wichter, a consumer-travel reporter at USA Today , joins Apple News In Conversation guest host Sam Sanders to explain what it all means for travelers this summer — and his tips for how to fly smarter.

People in this episode

Host: Sam Sanders

Guest: Zach Wichter

Topics covered

• summer travel
• air travel
• budget airlines
• jet fuel prices
• El Niño
• travel tips

Keywords

• summer travel
• air travel
• jet fuel prices
• Spirit Airlines
• El Niño
• travel tips

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USA Today, Spirit Airlines

Places: Iran

More episodes of Apple News In Conversation

• TV’s most beloved assistant coach says the World Cup is about to change America. Here’s how. · June 11, 2026 · 27 min
• How the Texas floods forever changed one family · June 4, 2026 · 24 min
• Why America has more billionaires than ever (From the archives) · May 21, 2026 · 30 min
• How one Supreme Court decision could shift political power for decades · May 14, 2026 · 25 min
• Rebroadcast: They work full-time jobs. Why are they homeless? · May 7, 2026 · 40 min
• The real reason American men are struggling · April 30, 2026 · 28 min