With the jet fuel crisis driving the cost of flights up rapidly, some airlines and travel companies have confirmed they won’t be raising their prices.
Jet2 has become the latest airline to confirm it will not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases, for example jet fuel, assuring customers that the price they book is the price they will pay.
It will come as a great relief to travellers, as there has been continued speculation that some airlines may have to introduce such fees to help tackle the rising costs.
A surcharge would mean customers facing additional costs after making a booking.
But, Jet2 has now removed the surcharge provision across all flights and holidays, even though the company has never previously applied them.
As a result, Jet2 customers can lock in their flight or holiday price with total confidence.
The policy applies to all flights and holidays booked through any channel whether online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent.
However, it does not include tourist taxes, which holidaymakers are required to pay the hotel at the time of the trip, and are paid directly to the accommodation provider, rather than the airline.
In a major move for the air industry, Jet2 has announced it won’t introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 emphasised how the company wanted customers to enjoy a holiday without being concerned about prices changing once booking.
He said: ‘Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2.
‘As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.
‘Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.’
Jet2 isn’t alone in scrapping surcharges, easyJet previously told the Daily Mail they are ‘focussed on keeping fares low and have no plans to introduce surcharges’.
Another travel company that’s freezing prices is One Traveller, a solo escorted tour operator for the over-50s.
The company has announced that bookings made before 18th May will offer price guarantee regardless of any increase in fuel surcharges that may come into play in the coming weeks.
Additionally, the tour operator’s Deposit Guarantee Scheme that has been in place on selected tours is now available on ALL One Traveller holidays booked before 18th May 2026.
Other companies have made similar statements, including easyJet who has previously told the Daily Mail they are ‘focussed on keeping fares low and have no plans to introduce surcharges’
The Deposit Guarantee Scheme allows customers to reuse 50 per cent of their initial holiday deposit payment that may have otherwise been lost, when rebooking an alternative holiday in the event customers decide to cancel their original booking.
Ian Darkin, CEO of One Traveller, commented: ‘Our guests have shown remarkable confidence in continuing to travel, even in the face of global uncertainty. This has reinforced what we’ve long understood, that the over-50s market is both resilient and determined to make the most of their time.
‘While safety will always come first, we’re proud to have delivered a full programme of tours and to have supported our customers with flexible options when needed. The over-50s are now the UK’s most dependable travellers, spending more, travelling more often, and proving far less likely to cancel or defer trips.’
The price of jet fuel has more than doubled following the Iran war, and while many European airlines have hedged their fuel, and frozen their purchase price for months or years ahead, US airlines haven’t fared so well.
In fact, American Airlines has revealed the jet fuel crisis will have cost the airline $4 billion this year, wiping out forecast profits.
Meanwhile, On The Beach and BA Holidays guaranteed Which? earlier this month that they ‘definitely’ would not add surcharges to their customers.
Other travel companies including, Trailfinders, Destination2, Kuoni, Jet2holidays, Olympic Holidays and Beachcomber Tours all promised they would not introduce unexpected surcharges too.
Meanwhile, LoveHolidays told the consumer champion it ‘has not imposed surcharges before and we have no intention of doing so in the future’.
KLM and Air France recently announced they are increasing their fares for the second time
As for LastMinute.com, the booking site said it would not surcharge but couldn’t promise customers would not face additional costs from airlines.
Some airlines have warned they are having to reconsider their pricing if the situation continues, including IAG which owns British Airways.
The carrier told the Daily Mail: ‘We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy which gives some shorter term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.
‘Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs.’
The spokesperson added: ‘Our airlines will continue to monitor and respond to the situation and as long as these pressures continue, flexibility from government, including on slot alleviation, would ensure airlines can continue to operate as efficiently as possible and manage sustained cost challenges while keeping people and trade moving.’
Meanwhile, KLM and Air France recently announced they are increasing their fares for the second time.
Both are part of the same company and last month it was revealed they would be hiking ticket prices due to the rising cost of jet fuel.
Economy fares were increased by €50 (£43.47) for a round trip, according to The Sun.
This week, Air France-KLM announced they would be increasing fares again.
Many of the company’s long-haul round trips will see another another €50 – totalling to €100 (£87).
Meanwhile, a round economy route will be increased by €10 (£8.69) and routes to America, Mexico and Canada will see a €70 (£60.85) rise.
Last month, easyJet’s CEO Kenton Jarvis warned holidaymakers to book flights ‘as early as possible’ to avoid price jumps if the price of oil stays high.
Customers were also warned to expect higher ticket prices towards the end of summer, when existing fuel hedges come to an end.
A spokesperson for the airline recently told the Daily Mail it was ‘focussed on keeping fares low’ and it has ‘no plans to introduce surcharges’.
Just weeks ago, Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary warned that flights could be cancelled this summer due to the soaring cost of jet fuel.
He told ITV News: ‘We’re all facing an unknown scenario. And we are certainly looking at maybe having to cancel 5 per cent, 10 per cent of flights through May, June and July.’
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