My first two trips to Tokyo in 2018 and 2019 were each about $600 round trip. Returning in 2023 cost me $1400 a ticket, and now looking to go back next year we’re looking at likely $1500-$1800 a ticket!

We’re in the US, east coast RDU, and while I can find slightly cheaper flights that include 5 hour layovers in Canada… like… is this really the situation now? I know COVID ruined everything good in the world, but, man…

Anyway, as a not particularly savvy traveler when it comes to booking flights, I was wondering if there were any avenues I should be exploring for cheaper (ideally sub $1000) flights to Japan, or if this is just what it is now and for the foreseeable future.

Details: - Watching to leave around fall (September-November) - 2ish week trip - No preferred airline - Home airport is RDU - Trying to keep the trip to around 13 hours