Travel planning: Should I book my 2026 flights now or later?

Why are airfares set to increase so drastically?

The main driver is fuel. Due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East region, the price of jet fuel has risen sharply in the past few weeks. While some airlines are protected against fuel price fluctuations through fuel-hedging agreements, these are still temporary protections and even these airlines will have to adjust airfares as the war continues.

After all, fuel typically accounts for a significant portion of airline operating costs, so when it spikes quickly, airlines have no choice but to eventually pass on these costs to passengers. However, when you book a flight, that airfare is fixed; an airline cannot add a surcharge for fuel if you've already booked your flight ticket.

This is why many travel experts are saying that if you have 2026 travel plans, now's the time to book flights and holidays before prices start to reflect the current cost of fuel. In Europe, fuel prices have already roughly doubled since the start of the latest escalation in the Middle East, while in Asia they are almost 80 percent higher. In addition, some airlines are having to fly long detours due to airspace restrictions, especially between Europe and Asia, which means having to use more fuel and therefore higher airfares for passengers.

Increasing demand for flights to Europe

So we know that fuel prices will increase, but we also now know that expensive airfares don't only apply to flights operating in and out of the Middle East.

Due to airspace restrictions, flight cancellations and operational difficulties in the Middle East and Gulf hubs, UK holidaymakers are focusing on destinations in Europe for their summer holiday plans. Thomas Cook has reported a 42 percent increase in bookings to Portugal, as one example, as well as more bookings to destinations like Italy and Spain. Other passengers are focusing on long-haul destinations far away from the conflict zone, such as the Caribbean and other island nations, including Mauritius.

With increased interest and potentially new flights being added to meet demand, flight prices may start to surge the closer we get to summer, especially for the peak travel period of the UK school summer holiday in July and August. While the situation is ongoing and subject to all kinds of change, it's better to secure your flights as soon as possible to avoid the daunting combination of increased demand AND rising fuel prices.

Book now, even for special occasions

While we'd like to be optimistic and hope that all will be resolved by the end of summer, the conflict will likely create higher fuel prices for some time. If you're planning a family visit for Christmas or a get-together for New Year's Eve, you'll need to look into buying those flights now too.

While many short- and long-haul airlines may have fuel-hedging agreements in place right now, these will only benefit passengers flying in the short-term. As these agreements are only temporary, airlines will be passing on higher airfares to passengers when these agreements lapse during the latter half of the year.

This means that you need to book those Christmas and NYE flights now to lock in the best prices. Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy, is advising that holidaymakers secure flights early while prices are still relatively manageable. While it may sound like we're being pushy and trying to get you to buy as many flights as possible, the truth is that 2026 flights are as cheap as they're ever going to be right now, and we don't want you to miss out on any of your travel plans.

Before booking a 2026 flight

We understand that travellers may be nervous to book flights due to the ongoing and escalating situation in the Middle East. However, there are many things you can do to protect yourself and your fellow holidaymakers before and during your trip.

Here are our recommendations for keeping yourself and your bookings safe in 2026:

• If you're unsure of safety in the holiday destination of your choice, you should check the UK's official travel advisory for that country.

• Read the cancellation/date change policy for the airline you're booking with.

• Check your travel insurance, especially for things like war exclusions.

• It's wise to book flights and holidays with a credit card, which offers additional protection through Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act at no extra cost to you.

• If you're buying a package holiday, check that it's ATOL protected, and always read the terms and conditions.

• Avoid any flight routes that connect via the Middle East or Gulf hubs.