Direct effects for the average family would mostly be tightening up the budget. The first poster has it wrong. Gas has officially doubled in price in one year. Considering the US dollar has actually lost value from last summer, it really converts to more than double. The increase in price of gas is lowering buyers confidence.

The average family is starting to realize that fuel prices are high and they are only going to get higher. This means it changes their everday thinking. You need to find out how to consume less fuel. Cutting back on driving in general. Kids might have to consider taking public transportation to more places or riding their bikes. Or you might increase your fuel budget to compensate for an increase in prices, which d result in less extracurricular expenses. Such as going to the movies, vacations, buying toys, recreation, attending events, etc.

Families also receive an increase in all purchasing because of fuel. Meaning the cost of shipping is factored into the final price of the product. Manufacturers are paying more in Fuel and Fuel Surcharges and overall Transportation costs, they must raise their prices in order to stay in business. Pratt and Whitney, General Electric and Rolls Royce to continue to develop cheaper and more efficient engines as newer aircraft such as the massive Airbus A380 emerge.

Also, it depends on the type of aircraft. Itll cost a certain amount in fuel to move them.

Lets say now, we have a smaller but less efficient older jet, like a Boeing 727. It can move, say, 150 people. Also, itll depend in future years if new fuels are created. Politics will play a big part too. 21,000 for a complete fueling of a 757. Edited to add: It looks like things are getting out of hand here.

People are quoting ridiculous fuel price numbers. Although I already included a reference for my calculations, I will add more proof that my numbers are closer to the actual answer. Gas prices have gone up, sure, but commercial airliners are not paying the prices that several other posters have referenced from AirNav. With the shut down of ATA and Aloha, Hawaiian has strengthened its position in the pacific, so its unlikely that they will suffer the same fate.

As for Aloha making a comeback, no. The cargo division is, however, still in operation. It and the ground services division are going to be sold off and the company dissolved as a whole. Delta and Northwest are sparring over a merger, that will probably take place. If it doesnt, then both of those airlines are in trouble. US Airways was recently acquired by the Phoenix based America West, which then discarded its name in favor of US Airways since it has a much longer history. Theyve been restructuring, so they look solid.

United has been on shaky ground for quite some time.

If they dont remove some of the older aircraft from the fleet, and trim some of the expenses they have, they might be in trouble, too. There are two that I think are having some issues. Spirit, who flys mostly older aircraft, and Frontier. That normally means that an airline is in cash flow trouble when they do that.

The truth of the matter is that airlines are seriously affected by not only fuel prices, but the economy.