Cheapflights.com Reveals This Year's Biggest Airfare Bargains

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Apr 28, 2016) -  It's a perfect storm for summer travelers, and it has nothing to do with the weather. A combination of a strong dollar, lower fuel prices and more competition from discount airlines has conspired to create the lowest airfares we've seen in the past five years.

Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, took a look at airfares for the top 50 most-searched destinations from January to April of this year and then compared average prices to the same destination for each of the past five years. 2016 was hands-down the winner. So the team dug a little deeper, compiling 10 Places to Go While Airfares Are Low, showcasing the 10 destinations (five domestic, five international) where airfares had shown the biggest drops in the last year -- all of them down more than 25 percent.

With hot spots from Atlanta to Sydney, this year's line-up of destinations with airfares on the decline should inspire a great vacation season. Here are the five destinations with the biggest drops, by percentage, heading into summer:

• Chicago - Fly into Chicago-O'Hare International and save this summer -- airfares are down 41 percent compared with last year. But that's hardly the only reason to head to the Windy City. Chicago boasts multiple free festivals this summer, including the Chicago Blues Festival in June and the Chicago Jazz Festival held Labor Day weekend, among many other must-see events. Pop culture enthusiasts should also be sure to grab some grub at the summer-long "Saved by the Bell" pop-up diner in Wicker Park, "Saved by the Max."
  
  
• Florida - Florida has always been a popular summer travel destination for all ages and interests. From family-friendly Disney World to the vibrant nightlife of Miami, there is no shortage of summer adventures to be had in the Sunshine State. And those looking for a Florida vacay this summer are in luck. Four airports in the state have seen big average airfare drops this year: Southwest Florida International (serving Fort Myers and the Florida Gulf) is down 35 percent, Orlando International is down 32 percent, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International is down 32 percent and Miami International is down 25 percent, making all four great options for summer 2016. Head to Disney, enjoy the Southern Florida sunshine, party in Miami, relax in Fort Lauderdale or, perhaps, all of the above.
  
  
• London, England - Thanks to some healthy competition for international travelers between Gatwick and Heathrow, average airfares to London are down (29 percent into Gatwick and 33 percent into Heathrow) and deals are there for the taking. So why not hop across the pond this summer? June brings the Trooping of the Colour, a parade in honor of the Queen's birthday, as well as a two-day floating cinema tour. If you're in Londontown later in the summer, head to the Notting Hill Carnival -- Europe's biggest street festival.
  
  
• Sydney, Australia  -  Australia is a dream destination for many Americans, and now is a great time to head Down Under while prices are down. Fly into Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney to save on airfare (with average flight prices down 33 percent). While it may be winter in Australia, that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to keep you busy. After all, Aussie winters are typically mild, making it a great time to get outdoors. July is actually the best month of the year for a whale watching excursion in Sydney, with sightings almost guaranteed - providing a refund or second trip should you not see a whale. It's also the perfect time to hike the Blue Mountains, which become even more scenic during Sydney's winter months.
  
  
• Costa Rica - Who doesn't dream of a Costa Rica vacay? Make the dream a reality while average flight prices to Juan Santamaria International are down this year (31 percent). With rain forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and rivers to explore, natural beauty abounds. Add to that, rich culture and tasty affordable dining options, and you will want to start packing immediately.

With airfares so low, here are some more deeply discounted destinations to consider when planning your trips this year: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (down by 31 percent); New York (down by 31 percent); Atlanta, Georgia (down by 28 percent); Los Angeles, California (down by 27 percent) and Bangkok, Thailand (down by 26 percent). To see Cheapflights.com's entire list of 10 Places to Go While Airfares Are Low, visit www.cheapflights.com/news/top-places-low-airfares.

About Cheapflights.com, part of the Momondo Group
Founded in 1996, Cheapflights is a leading global flight comparison and deals publishing platform. It is now a market leader in the UK, U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand generating over $3 billion in global downstream revenue for its partners as it expands into numerous other territories. More than 120 million users visit its websites and apps each year, receiving more than two billion search results a month from across 900,000 routes. The 10 million strong opt-in subscribers to the Cheapflights newsletter receive the best deals from over 120 travel businesses -- for whom it has driven more than $65 million in revenue this year. Together, the Cheapflights platforms generate enough bookings for its partners to fill a Boeing 747 every five minutes.

In 2011, Cheapflights became part of the privately owned online travel search and inspiration network, Momondo Group.

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