London, October 1 — A phenomenon known as “mistake fares” has been attracting the attention of travelers, particularly with the rising cost of jet fuel driven by the war in the Middle East and disruptions to global oil supplies. These unusually low airline ticket prices result from pricing errors such as human mistakes, currency conversion issues, or technology glitches in automated systems. Notably, mistake fares can be discounted by as much as 60 to 90% off regular prices and often disappear within minutes once airlines detect the error.
For all the noise surrounding these fares, the salient point is that they offer significant savings for travelers, especially during a time when cost pressures on airlines are increasing ahead of the summer travel season.
Mistake Fares in 2025
A record number of mistake fares occurred in 2025, with 16 such instances uncovered by Going.com, a flight deal site. Examples include a $171 one-way flight from New York City to Singapore, which is regularly priced at $1,000, representing an 83% discount, and a $244 one-way flight to Hong Kong, which is regularly $1,000, a 76% discount. Another example is a $98 roundtrip from Providence to Puerto Rico, which is regularly priced at $500, an 80% discount.
Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at Going.com, predicted in 2026 that fewer mistake fares would occur compared to 2025, saying, ‘Although I would be thrilled to be wrong, in 2026, I think we’ll see fewer.’ This prediction comes as airlines face increasing cost pressures due to rising jet fuel prices, which could lead to higher airfares.
Airlines’ Obligations
While airlines are not required to honor mistake fares under a 2015 Department of Labor measure, they must reimburse travelers for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in reliance on the ticket, such as nonrefundable hotel bookings. Going.com estimates that between 10% and 20% of mistake fares are ultimately canceled by airlines. It would seem that travelers can increase their chances of booking a mistake fare by signing up for alerts from deal sites like Going.com, Google Flights, Secret Flying, Airfarewatchdog, and Jet Setter Alerts.
Booking directly with the airline for faster confirmation and a 24-hour grace period is also recommended. Additionally, avoiding nonrefundable travel arrangements for at least a couple of weeks after booking can help mitigate potential losses if the fare is canceled.
Looking Ahead
As the summer travel season approaches, travelers will be watching for any opportunity to save on airfares. With the unpredictability of mistake fares, it is essential for travelers to be vigilant and act quickly when such fares become available. For now, travelers can only wait and see if Scott Keyes’ prediction comes true, or if 2026 will see another record number of mistake fares. One thing is certain: with the rising cost of jet fuel and increasing cost pressures on airlines, mistake fares will continue to be an attractive option for travelers looking to save on their flights.
