In May, Atlanta and Savannah offer frequent, cheap direct flights, with roundtrip tickets of around $80 available through Frontier and Spirit. May is a “shoulder season” for many international spots, meaning lower fares before the summer rush. Cancún and Guatemala City are highly affordable from NYC , with roundtrip tickets frequently under $300. Because of the rising fares due to the Iran conflict, lock in your booking as soon as possible and book a flexible fare so you can rebook in case prices drop.
Top Affordable Domestic Destinations
Florida
Domestic flights in May are particularly inexpensive for East Coast and Southern hubs, with several nonstop options starting under $200 roundtrip. Orlando and Miami are consistently the cheapest, with roundtrip fares often starting around $100–$110. Low-cost fares for Orlando and Miami are led by Frontier (starting at ~$26) and Spirit (starting at ~$49). JetBlue and Delta also offer competitive nonstop flights starting around $70–$75.
Georgia
Atlanta and Savannah offer frequent, cheap direct flights. Roundtrip tickets starting at around $80 are primarily available through Frontier and Spirit.
California
Los Angeles has competitive pricing in May with nonstop flights starting as low as $173 roundtrip with Spirit Airlines.
Midwest
Cleveland and Chicago are top budget picks, with Cleveland identified as one of the cheapest specific upcoming dates in early May. Frontier and Spirit offer the lowest base fares.
NYC to Cleveland (CLE)
Frontier is the budget leader for this route, with nonstop round-trip fares starting at around $52.
| Airline | Duration | Stops | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | 1h 48m | Nonstop | $52 |
| United | 1h 42m | Nonstop | $146 |
| JetBlue | 2h 05m | Nonstop | $160 |
| Delta | 1h 54m | Nonstop | $165 |
NYC to Chicago (ORD/MDW)
Spirit and Frontier typically provide the cheapest nonstop options to Chicago (O’Hare).
| Airline | Duration | Stops | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | 2h 42m | Nonstop | $91 |
| Frontier | 2h 30m | Nonstop | $105 |
| Southwest | 2h 25m | Nonstop | $174 |
| United | 2h 39m | Nonstop | $174 |
- A quick tip on budget airlines: Because Frontier and Spirit charge extra for carry-on bags and seat selection, sometimes Southwest or United ends up being a better value since they include more in the base fare.
Top Affordable International Destinations
May is a “shoulder season” for many international spots, meaning lower fares before the summer rush.
Mexico & Central America
Cancún and Guatemala City are highly affordable from NYC, with roundtrip tickets frequently under $300.
NYC to Cancun (CUN)
While budget carriers offer the lowest “sticker” price with stops, several airlines offer competitive nonstop rates.
| Airline | Duration | Stops | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | ~10h | 1 Stop | $294 |
| United | ~4h | Nonstop | $333 |
| JetBlue | ~4h | Nonstop | $333 |
| American | ~4h | Nonstop | $333 |
- Pro Tip: Frontier and Spirit sometimes drop as low as $261 for connecting flights, but if you want to get there quickly, the $333 nonstop price on major carriers is a solid deal.
NYC to Guatemala City (GUA)
Nonstop flights to Guatemala City are surprisingly competitive with connecting flights for this route.
| Airline | Duration | Stops | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United | ~5h | Nonstop | $298 |
| American | ~18h | 1 Stop | $306 |
| JetBlue | ~5h | Nonstop | $319 |
| Spirit | ~6h | 1 Stop | $335 |
- Pro Tip: For Guatemala, United and JetBlue often provide the best value because their nonstop fares are frequently lower than or equal to the budget prices.
Europe
Dublin is often the cheapest European entry point from NYC in May. For travel from New York City (JFK, EWR) in May 2026, budget-friendly carriers like French bee and Norse Atlantic lead for Paris, while United, Aer Lingus, and TAP Air Portugal often offer the best rates for Dublin, Milan , and Madrid .
Airline Breakdown
- Dublin (DUB): United often provides the lowest connecting fares starting around $564. For nonstop service, Aer Lingus and Delta are highly competitive.
- Paris (CGD/ORY): French bee is the price leader with nonstop flights to Orly (ORY) starting at $528. Norse Atlantic also offers low-cost direct flights to CDG.
- Milan (MXP): TAP Air Portugal frequently has the cheapest connecting flights via Lisbon starting at $537. Neos Air and United offer the best value for nonstop routes.
- Madrid (MAD): Air Europa offers low-cost nonstop fares from $545. TAP Air Portugal is a strong alternative for connecting flights, often starting near $418 for specific early May dates.
Cheapest Flights by Airports
Selecting your departure airport significantly changes which airlines offer the best deals.
John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
It is best for international travel, West Coast routes, and JetBlue loyalists.
Key Airlines
- JetBlue: Dominates domestic and Caribbean routes (San Juan, Orlando, LAX).
- Delta & American: High frequency for major hubs (Miami, London, Paris).
- Frontier: Provides the absolute lowest prices for Atlanta and Orlando, though often with fewer daily time slots than JetBlue.
LaGuardia (LGA)
This airport is best for ultra-low-cost domestic flights and business travel to the East Coast/Midwest.
Key Airlines
- Spirit & Frontier: These two offer the highest concentration of “bare fare” deals to Florida (Miami, Tampa, Orlando) and Chicago.
- Delta & American: Maintain a massive presence here for shorter “shuttle” routes to Boston, D.C., and Charlotte.
- Southwest: A strong secondary option for the Midwest (Chicago, St. Louis).
Newark Liberty (EWR)
It is best for United Airlines flyers and those coming from New Jersey or Manhattan’s West Side.
Key Airlines
- United: The primary hub carrier; they offer the most nonstop destinations but rarely have the “rock bottom” fares unless matched with a budget carrier.
- Spirit: Uses Newark as a major base for low-cost flights to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Florida.
- Frontier: Frequently lists the cheapest fares for leisure travel to “Sunshine State” destinations like Orlando and Miami.
Booking Strategies
Timing
May is a transition month; prices rise significantly toward the end of the month as peak summer travel begins.
Mid-week Savings
Departing on Tuesdays or Wednesdays typically yields the lowest rates for transatlantic flights.
Airport Check
For Paris, flights to Orly (ORY) via French bee are often cheaper than those to Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Check all three New York hubs (JFK, LGA and EWR) as airlines often centralize their cheapest routes at specific airports (e.g., Spirit at LGA and EWR, JetBlue at JFK).
Budget Carrier Fees
Be aware that prices for Frontier and Spirit typically do not include carry-on bags or seat selection, which can significantly increase the total cost compared to JetBlue or United.
Act Fast: Smart Ways to Find Cheap Flights in May Before Prices Rise
Where are the cheapest places to fly in May?
Atlanta and Savannah offer frequent, cheap direct flights, while Orlando and Miami are consistently the cheapest, with roundtrip fares often starting around $100–$110. Cleveland and Chicago are also top budget picks, with Cleveland identified as one of the cheapest destinations. Internationally, Cancún and Guatemala City are highly affordable from NYC, with roundtrip tickets frequently under $300. Dublin is often the cheapest European entry point from NYC in May.
What airlines are best for what destinations?
Frontier is the budget leader for NYC to Cleveland, with usual nonstop round-trip fares starting at around $52. Spirit has a usual price of $173 for nonstop to LA, and Spirit and Frontier typically provide the cheapest nonstop options to Chicago. For Guatemala, United and JetBlue often provide the best value because their nonstop fares are frequently lower than or equal to budget fares. United, Aer Lingus, and TAP Air Portugal often offer the best rates for Dublin, Milan, and Madrid.
How can I get the cheapest available fare?
Prices rise significantly toward the end of May as peak summer travel begins. Departing on Tuesdays or Wednesdays usually yields the lowest rates for transatlantic flights. Check all three New York hubs (JFK, LGA, and EWR) since airlines often centralize their cheapest routes at specific airports. Be aware that budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit typically do not include carry-on bags or seat selection in base fares.
Will fares continue to rise due to the Iran conflict?
Airline fares for May are expected to remain elevated or even continue rising in the short term because of a fuel supply lag in the aviation industry. It can take months for lower crude prices to translate into cheaper jet fuel and ticket prices. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty may keep oil prices above previous levels, which can sustain higher fares and service fees.
I want to travel in May. How can I minimize my travel costs from the elevated fares and service fees?
Lock in a ticket now to avoid further surcharges and potential fare increases by summer. Book Main Cabin or higher for flexibility, allowing you to cancel and rebook if prices drop. Use rewards or miles to offset higher cash prices. Fly midweek, as Tuesdays and Wednesdays can be significantly cheaper than weekends. Use tools like Google Flights to compare alternate airports, and consider international carriers like Lufthansa or Air France-KLM for competitive pricing. If checking a bag, pay during booking and use airline credit cards to reduce fees.
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