GSA Holds Federal Per Diems Flat for FY2026 – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has frozen federal per diem rates for fiscal year 2026, a move that impacts not only government employees but also contractors and travel suppliers. The standard lodging rate stays at $110 per night and the meals and incidentals allowance holds at $68 per day, effective October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026. It’s the first time in five years there’s been no increase. GSA said the decision reflects fiscal responsibility and reduced inflation pressures. For travel managers and suppliers, the unchanged rates mean tighter margins when competing for federal travel business. With 296 non-standard areas retaining higher per diems, travelers in secondary markets will continue to see constrained reimbursement. Bottom line: corporate travel buyers supporting government accounts should plan for flat reimbursement levels in 2026, with limited flexibility outside designated higher-cost areas.
Domestic airfares have dropped an amazing $84 RT in the last 6 months – Executive Travel’s Airfare Index has now recorded four straight months of falling airfares. Our September 10, update confirmed what we first noticed in April —prices are dropping, and not just a little. With fall and winter (outside the holiday rush) on the horizon, seasonal price dips are taking hold. It seems many savvy travelers skipped the hot, high-priced months of July and August, opting instead for cooler, quieter October and November getaways—my personal favorite time to “hit the road.” If you’re planning a trip this fall, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find in the fare search results.
Executive Travel’s Domestic Airfare Index Shows Lowest Airfares of the year for the next 4 months – The good news just keeps coming—domestic airfares are sliding even further for fall travel! Our monthly Domestic Airfare Index, which tracks roundtrip coach fares from Omaha to New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Orlando, shows that as of September 10, 2025, prices have fallen $84 per ticket since April 22, 2025. Average fares for November through February travel are now an incredible $165 roundtrip. If you’re eyeing a fall or winter getaway, now is the time to book and lock in these exceptional deals.
International Coach Airfares Plunge to Multi-Year Lows – Our European Coach Class Airfare Index—tracking roundtrip fares from Omaha to Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, and Athens—has reached its lowest point in years. As of September 10, 2025, the average fare to these five cities is just $565, a dramatic $302 drop since April. Here’s the snapshot of upcoming fares:
- November: $564
- December: $564
- January: $571
- February: $563
For travelers eyeing a European getaway this fall or winter, these prices are nothing short of a gift. While the lowest fares often require two or more connections, those willing to zigzag a bit can unlock some of the most affordable transatlantic travel we’ve seen in years. Bottom line: Now is the moment to pack your bags and experience Europe—without breaking the bank.
Business Class Airfares to Europe Drop Below $3000 in January for the First Time I Can Remember – Business class fares are falling like a rock to Europe. Last year, tickets were nearly two to three times higher. According to Executive Travel’s European Business Class Airfare Index, as of September 10, 2025, the average roundtrip fare to Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam, and Athens is just $3,120 a drop of over $300 from last month. Here’s the current month-by-month snapshot:November $3,282, December $3,054, January $2,981 and February $3,120. If you’ve ever dreamed of stretching out in lie-flat comfort while crossing the Atlantic, now’s your moment. Pack those bags—Europe is calling, and business class has never been a better value!
How Can You Find the Lowest Airfares in the Executive Travel Airfare Index? – Our monthly Airfare Index is based on data from Google Flight Search, using Omaha, Nebraska as the departure city and searching for the lowest fares for a one-week trip in each corresponding month. We don’t enter specific travel days—just the month—so finding these rock-bottom prices requires flexibility in your departure and return dates. For international travel, the cheapest fares often involve two or even three connections, while nonstop or one-stop itineraries can cost up to several thousand dollars more. Domestically, the lowest fares typically come from low-cost carriers like Southwest, Allegiant, and Frontier, while full-service airlines charge more but offer added amenities. Keep in mind that many of the lowest fares are “basic economy” tickets, which may exclude seat assignments, flight changes, refunds, and even overhead carry-ons.