3 Ways Surging Fuel Costs Are Impacting Air Travel

Surging jet fuel prices are driving up airfares and fees while prompting airlines to cut flight schedules, directly impacting passenger costs and options [1]. Fuel represents up to 30% of an airline’s operational costs [1]. To offset these expenses, carriers are raising ticket prices; airfares are up nearly 15% year over year [1]. A United Airlines executive recently said the company may need to increase airfares by 15% to 20% to counter fuel spikes [1]. American Airlines is planning for an assumed jet fuel cost of $4 per gallon, a rise that would increase its operating expenses by $4 billion through 2026 [1]. Simultaneously, airlines are cutting costs by canceling less profitable flights and reducing their schedules, limiting supply and competitive pricing pressure [1]. Higher fuel prices are also leading to increased fees for checked bags and other add-ons [1]. Every major U.S. airline raised checked bag fees in early 2026 [1]. Internationally, carriers are imposing higher fuel surcharges. All Nippon Airways, for example, now charges a $386 fuel surcharge for flights from Japan to North America, up from $142 in March 2026 [1]. Japan Airlines has nearly doubled its surcharges on most routes, with Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, and others following suit [1]. Passengers can mitigate some costs by booking flights sooner and being flexible with dates and airports. Flying on a Friday instead of a Sunday can save up to 8% on airfare [1]. However, fuel surcharges are typically applied to both cash and award tickets, limiting options to avoid them [1].