Airfare may look stable, but the total cost tells a different story. Taxes and fees can quietly add up, shaping what travelers actually pay and whether a trip happens at all.

A traveler’s delay turned into four days, eight boarding passes, and a system that never quite stabilized.

Spring break travel is expected to bring millions of passengers through U.S. airports. Here is what travelers should know about busy terminals, possible delays, and how to prepare for the season ahead.