Pricey year-over-year airfares by RSW carriers put Fort Myers airport in Top-5 in the US

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·2 min read

According to a study by SmartAsset, it's costing travelers a little more to fly in and out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) compared to some other airports in the U.S. when you compare this year to a year ago.

To see domestic fare price increases at major airports, SmartAsset ranked airports by the percent increase in the average domestic airfare between Q1 2022 and Q1 2023.

The Fort Myers-based RSW flight prices averaged about the same in Q1 2023 as flights out of Miami: $369. This was after nearly a 26% increase from $293 in 2022. The SmartAsset study put RSW in the top five highest airfare increases in the nation.

A Southwest Airlines plane taxis on the runway at RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport).
A Southwest Airlines plane taxis on the runway at RSW (Southwest Florida International Airport).

Speaking of Miami, Miami International the average domestic flight out of MIA went from $281 in early 2022 to $368 in 2023 – an $87 increase or 31.05 percent change.

How the airfare data was generated for the SmartAsset's study

To uncover average airfare increases nationwide, SmartAsset analyzed Bureau of Transportation data for 72 of America’s largest airports.

SmartAsset is a financial technology company.

SmartAsset offered these money-saving tips for air traveler:

Financial tips for travelers

  • Set a budget so you can squeeze a little bit more out for trips.  Sticking to a budget throughout the year can help you afford higher airfares.

  • Be open to alternative flight dates and times to save money. Being flexible with your travel dates, and even airports, can help save money. Don’t forget to budget for differences in lodging or car rentals, however.

  • Want to travel in retirement? Create a financial plan that fits your lifestyle. While retirees may have the free time to travel, not all of them have the savings to support it. If you want to have the financial freedom to travel in retirement, it may be worthwhile to speak with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help assess your current savings strategy and build a plan for the future.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Airfares at RSW in Fort Myers comparable to Miami in first quarter