With the airlines all crying wolf, flying this summer is becoming a great bargain – 

We have all heard the crying going on by the airlines…tarrifs, wars, Ukraine, recession, stock market and the list goes on and on. Here is the great news. Airfares domestically and internationally having been dropping like a rock and are a lot cheaper than they were one year ago

Executive Travel’s new “Domestic Airfare Index” shows the great prices for domestic airfares this summer –Executive Travel’s tagline is “Simplifying Travel” and we have compared round-trip domestic coach class airfares to five key U.S. cities from Omaha, NE. We compared RT prices for the months of June, July, August and September to the cities of New York, Chicago, Dallas, LAX, and Orlando and found that the average domestic coach class airfare to these cities during the high summer season was a fantastic $248 roundtrip. Here is the breakdown by month: June $236; July $234; August $241; and September $281. These are amazing prices during the busiest season for the airlines. It should be a great summer to get up and go!

Executive Travel’s “European Coach Class Airfare Index” shows the best bargains for coach class airfares this summer –Piggybacking on the domestic airfare index above we expanded the index to include the 5 key European cities of Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Athens. We used the centralized U.S. departure city of Omaha, Nebraska and found that the average European coach class ticket to these cities during the summer months was an amazing $867 round trip.. Here is the breakdown by month: June $1031; July $985; August $675; and September $776. These prices are 40% to 50% below what I recall they were a year ago. Also please keep in mind the lowest prices often require two or three connecting flights to find the lowest prices.

European Business Class Airfare Index screams with prices almost half the cost from last summer – I can’t believe my eyes. When I look back at the prices for business class airfares from the U.S. to Europe last summer I recall some prices that were over $10,000 roundtrip. Today, comparing business class prices to the 5 key European cities of Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Athens during the months of June, July, August and September, and we see an average round trip price of $3,554. Here is the RT business class breakdown by month: June $3,425; July $3,350; August $3,614 and September $3,835. These prices make me want to “Get out of Dodge” fast.

Americans appear to “Retreat from the Heat” in Europe during the hot summer months of July and August –One great BIG conclussion you can make from reviewing airfares to Europe this summer is that Americans are heeding the calls to not travel to many countries in southern Europe during the hot months of July and August. You will note from the monthly comparisons above that airfares for coach and business class are low in August and increase in September. Those of us who sweltered through the heat wave of southern Europe in 2024 appear to have learned our lesson and decided to retreat from the heat in 2025

The only negative we see traveling to Europe this summer is that hotel costs have risen with the U.S. dollar’s decline – In the last 90 days the U.S. dollar has taken a blood bath and has weakened by over 10%. In January 2025 the Euro to USD exchange rate stood at $1.027. Today the exchange rate is now $1.14. This means that it costs 10.9% more when renting a hotel in Europe than at the start of the year. So that 200 Euro per night hotel room will now cost you $227.80 USD, an increase of $22.42 per night when compared to 90 days ago.

Most people who have traveled to Italy remark that the food cost is a bargain compared to the U.S.A. –Most people who travel to Italy comment how inexpensive grocery and restaurant and even fast food prices are. A quick check finds groceries in Italy are approximately 20.6% to 45.5% cheaper than in the U.S., depending on the specific items.​Here are some examples of fresh food and produce::
Bread (1 loaf): €1.80 in Italy vs. $3.49 in the U.S. (approx. 41% cheaper in Italy)
Apples (1 kg): €1.87 in Italy vs. $5.14 in the U.S. (approx. 58% cheaper in Italy)
Tomatoes (1 kg): €2.54 in Italy vs. $4.76 in the U.S. (approx. 47% cheaper in Italy)
Potatoes (1 kg): €1.47 in Italy vs. $2.95 in the U.S. (approx. 50% cheaper in Italy)
Onions (1 kg): €1.38 in Italy vs. $3.03 in the U.S. (approx. 54% cheaper in Italy)​

Dining out is also wonderful under the Tuscan sun:
Inexpensive restaurant meal: €14.20 in Italy vs. $18.59 in the U.S. (approx. 24% cheaper in Italy)
Fast food combo meal: €8.85 in Italy vs. $10.47 in the U.S. (approx. 15% cheaper in Italy)​

Please take a peek at www.VillaDestinoItaly.com to see how your family could enjoy the most amazing family vacation of your lifetime.

Portugal for Everyone – June 14-25 – Come Along!
Portugal is on many people’s bucket lists, and we are thrilled to invite you on an extraordinary tour, a unique journey! This is your chance to explore over 500 miles of golden beaches, charming villages, soulful Fado music, and a rich history shaped by the Celts, Romans, Moors, and more. From Porto to Lisbon, you will travel in a small group (with a maximum of 25 like-minded travelers) and enjoy exclusive stays in selected 4- and 5-star castle hotels. Highlights include visits to a Barrosã breeding farm, cork plantation, wineries, salt flats, and Port wine cellars. Whether you love history, agriculture, or gourmet food and wine, this tour is guaranteed to be for you! CLICK HERE for the detailed tour brochure – we only have eight spots left! Call or email our friendly group department today to secure your spot(s) today at 888.549.1186 / GroupDepartment@executivetravel.com

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Need information on any of the above?
Call our friendly travel advisors…
Lincoln – 402-358-8888 Toll-free 800-737-0582