Thinking about a solo Disney vacation to clear your head, chase your own schedule, or simply indulge in the magic at your own pace? You’re not alone — solo travel to Disney parks has been gaining popularity, especially among adults who want to experience the parks without compromise. But a new report reveals that flying alone could actually end up costing you more than traveling with a companion.
Airlines Charging More for Solo Travelers
A recent study by Thrifty Traveler has uncovered an unsettling trend in domestic airfare: U.S.-based airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines have, in some cases, been quietly adding what amounts to a “single supplement” fee to the price of tickets for solo flyers.
According to Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, some fares for individual travelers were significantly higher than for those booking in pairs. In one striking example, a one-way flight on United Airlines from Chicago to Asheville cost $223 for one traveler—but only $207 total when two passengers booked together. That’s a $116difference just for flying solo.
Potter told CNN, “It’s usually the reverse,” expressing confusion over the pricing model. Traditionally, solo travelers have not been penalized for traveling alone — but that seems to be changing, at least on certain routes.
How This Impacts Solo Trips to Disney
For those planning a solo trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, this airline pricing issue could be more than a mild inconvenience — it might directly affect your travel budget. With ticket prices, hotel rates, and food costs already high, airfare increases for single passengers might be the tipping point for some potential solo travelers.
Most of the discrepancies discovered involved one-way domestic flights, so budget-conscious Disney fans hoping to grab a last-minute one-way deal might need to rethink their strategy — or be ready to pay more.
If you’re flying into Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is the main hub for Disney World visitors, it’s worth double-checking your fare by testing prices for one versus two passengers. You may find that adding a second ticket — even a refundable one — could bring the total price down, depending on the airline and route.
Is It a Mistake or the Start of a Trend?
The “solo flyer tax” is not yet widespread, and since the report went public, some airlines appear to be walking back these increased solo rates. Still, the fact that such pricing differences occurred at all suggests this could be part of an emerging strategy — or a fluke in how dynamic airline pricing is currently being calculated.
In some cases, the price bump appears to be built into the airline’s fare rules — buried in the fine print where most travelers wouldn’t think to look. There’s also the looming possibility of public backlash or government regulation, which could pressure airlines to eliminate these disparities altogether.
Tips for Solo Disney Flyers
If you’re planning to fly solo for your next Disney getaway, here are a few tips to keep your airfare in check:
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Price out two passengers, even if you’re flying alone. It may sound strange, but you could discover a lower total fare.
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Book round-trip if you can. Most of the pricing disparities were found on one-way flights.
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Use Google Flights or other fare comparison tools to monitor trends and catch anomalies in real-time.
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Don’t skip the fine print. Look at the fare class and restrictions to see if your solo ticket includes any unusual surcharges.
Whether you’re heading to Magic Kingdom for the 6th time this year or taking your first-ever solo trip to EPCOT for Food & Wine, it’s important to know how changing travel trends could affect your budget.
Flying solo may be the ultimate freedom — but thanks to some questionable airline pricing strategies, it might also come with an unexpected price tag.
