Michigan, USA – US aviation flight planning and data provider iFlightPlanner has reported a fourth consecutive monthly increase in aviation fuel prices across the United States, with 100LL Avgas and Jet A reaching new six-month highs in October 2026. The continued increases add cost pressure for flight training organisations operating piston-engine aircraft, with potential implications for aircraft operating expenses and student pilot training costs.

The national average price of full-service 100LL Avgas reached US$7.85 per US gallon in October, an increase of US$0.10 or 1.3% compared with September. Self-service 100LL averaged US$6.82 per gallon, rising US$0.15 or 2.3% month-on-month.
Self-service 100LL remained approximately 13% cheaper than full-service fuel, representing an average difference of US$1.03 per gallon. At these national average prices, a 40-gallon fuel purchase would cost approximately US$41 less through self-service facilities, where available.
The October figures extend a period of aviation fuel price increases that began in July, following a decline in June. Since May 2026, national average full-service 100LL prices have increased by US$0.36 per gallon, equivalent to 4.8%. Compared with February 2026, the increase reaches 22.1%.
Jet A prices have experienced a larger increase over the same period:
- Full-service Jet A: US$8.66 per gallon nationally in October, up US$0.30 or 3.6% from September.
- Lower 48 states: US$8.60 per gallon, an increase of US$0.29 or 3.5%.
- Since May 2026: Full-service Jet A prices have risen by 7.3%.
- Since February 2026: Full-service Jet A prices have increased by 35.1%.
Alternative aviation fuels also recorded price increases in October:
- UL94 self-service: US$7.87 per gallon, up US$0.19 or 2.5%.
- Automotive gasoline (Mogas): US$5.79 per gallon, up US$0.17 or 3.1%.
The higher Avgas prices are relevant to flight schools operating piston-engine training aircraft, particularly organisations conducting high volumes of ab initio training. Fuel cost increases can affect the cost of flight hours, training package pricing and operating margins.
iFlightPlanner's October 2026 report is based on retail aviation fuel prices collected from 3,367 fixed-base operators (FBOs) and fuel service providers across the United States. The figures represent reported retail prices at the time of confirmation rather than the actual fuel purchase costs of individual flight schools. Local prices, contractual fuel arrangements and the availability of alternative fuel grades may affect costs at individual training locations.

About iFlightPlanner
iFlightPlanner is a US aviation technology company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, established in 2009. It provides web and mobile-based flight planning services, aviation weather information, airport data, flight logging and fuel price information for general aviation pilots and operators. The company supplies aviation fuel pricing information to aviation platforms and organisations, including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and regularly publishes analyses of US aviation fuel price trends.

Source: iFlightPlanner

US Flight Schools Face Higher Fuel Costs as Avgas Prices Reach Six-Month High

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