In response to the ongoing fuel crisis triggered by conflicts in the Middle East, two additional airlines have raised their ticket prices.
The disruption to air travel, stemming from route cancellations and a substantial increase in jet fuel costs since the outbreak of US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, has been exacerbated by Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz. This blockade, a critical passage for about 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply, has led to a global scarcity.
Due to mounting jet fuel expenses, airlines like Air France and KLM, both subsidiaries of the Air France–KLM group, have found it necessary to hike their ticket rates. Last month, they introduced an additional surcharge of €50 (£43.47) for economy class round trips to counter the escalating fuel costs.
With the latest price adjustment, passengers booking long-haul round trips with Air France or KLM may face an extra €50 surcharge, bringing the total fuel surcharge to €100 (£86.98) on top of the regular fare. Additionally, flights to destinations like the United States, Canada, and Mexico could see an increase of €70 (£60.89), while economy class round trips might incur an additional €10 (£8.70).
Not limited to Air France and KLM, other airlines are also adjusting their prices amidst the ongoing fuel crisis. Virgin Atlantic recently raised the cost of some flights by adding a £50 fuel surcharge to economy tickets, with premium economy and business class fares rising by £180 and £360, respectively.
Corneel Koster, the Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, cautioned that flight prices might continue to climb in the upcoming months and potentially throughout the rest of the year. He emphasized the unprecedented levels of jet fuel costs, stating that airlines cannot sustain such high expenses.
Koster warned of the possibility of further surcharge increases if fuel prices rise significantly. He advised travelers to book sooner to avoid higher costs due to potential surcharge hikes.
While there is currently no shortage of fuel, Koster acknowledged the uncertainty of future supplies. He mentioned the airline’s contracts with multiple suppliers, ensuring a diverse source of jet fuel, providing visibility for the next one to two months but less certainty beyond that, which is considered normal in the industry.
In light of soaring fuel costs, airlines such as JetBlue have decided to raise luggage fees to counterbalance expenses. Bag fees for off-peak economy fares are expected to increase by $4 (£2.95), reaching $39 (£28.79), while peak economy fares could see a rise to $49 (£36.17).
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