Jet fuel costs have nearly doubled in some markets. Airlines are rerouting flights around closed airspace. Carriers like Qantas, SAS, and Air New Zealand have already introduced fuel surcharges.  On paper, 2026 looks like a rough year to be a frequent flyer.

But here’s what the headlines are missing: fear is keeping a lot of travelers on the sidelines, and that’s actually creating some real opportunities for people who are paying attention.

If you’re a business traveler trying to keep costs under control this year, now is a genuinely good time to act.

Two Things Are Happening at Once

Airlines are spending more money to operate right now. Fuel prices have jumped from around $85-90 per barrel to as high as $150-200 in some markets, routes are longer because of airspace restrictions, and operational uncertainty is up across the board. Some of that cost is already showing up in surcharges and early price hikes on summer routes.

At the same time, bookings are softer than usual. Transatlantic reservations for peak summer (June and July) are currently running 7-14% below last year’s levels, even as airlines have added seats on many routes. That gap between available supply and actual demand is what’s keeping fares competitive right now on a surprising number of routes.

The short version: airlines need to fill planes, travelers are hesitating, and that’s creating a brief window where prices are more reasonable than you’d expect given everything else going on.

What the Numbers Actually Look Like in March 2026

• Spring international fares are running as much as 22% lower to certain destinations compared to last year
• August is shaping up as the cheapest summer month overall, especially on Saturdays
• Domestic spring travel is cheaper than 2025 on several routes
• June and July fares are the most at risk of climbing quickly if fuel costs stay high

This won’t last forever. Current pricing reflects traveler hesitation more than it reflects actual market conditions. Once confidence picks back up, fares will follow.

Hot Sales!

Airlines from the Middle East are currently offering some great deals with significant discounts. If you’re willing to take a bit of a risk, you can snag some really good deals. See our current Etihad and Gulf Air sale! Example Deal! 

What Business Travelers Should Actually Do

Book Summer Now, Not Later

The standard advice to wait and see tends to backfire in volatile markets. Analysts across the industry are recommending that travelers lock in summer 2026 flights sooner rather than later, particularly for June and July. Once the uncertainty starts to clear, demand will bounce back and prices will go with it.

If your June or July schedule is already set, book now. If you have any flexibility on timing, August is worth considering. It’s shaping up as the most cost-effective summer month, and mid-month Saturday departures in particular look strong for value right now.

For international travel in general, the usual advice is to book 2-8 months ahead. Given the current environment, lean toward the earlier end of that range.

Get More Out of Date Flexibility

Not every business trip has a moveable date, but when you do have some room to work with, it’s worth using it. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are consistently among the cheapest days to fly. For international routes, booking on a Friday has shown fare differences of up to 14% compared to booking on a Sunday.

Secondary airports are also worth checking, especially on busy hub-to-hub corridors where surcharges tend to concentrate. Google Flights’ date grid and price comparison tools can make this kind of search much faster than doing it manually.

Skip Basic Economy on Uncertain Routes

In a normal year, restrictive fares make sense for business travelers with predictable schedules. This isn’t a normal year. If your route crosses through regions with elevated disruption risk, paying a bit more for a changeable or refundable fare is worth it. The same goes for travel insurance. Disruptions are more likely right now, not less, and the cost of flexibility is lower than the cost of a missed connection or a last-minute rebook at full price.

Check Your Miles and Points

When cash demand drops, airlines tend to release more award seats to fill cabins. If you’ve been accumulating points or miles, this is a good time to look at what’s available. Check early (around 10-11 months out when inventory first opens) and again closer to your travel dates when unsold premium seats often become available. Business and first class award space in particular tends to open up when cash bookings in those cabins soften.

Use More Than One Alert Tool

Price tracking works best when you’re not relying on a single source. Set alerts across Going.com, Thrifty Traveler, Kayak, and whichever airline apps are relevant to your routes. Strong deals are already showing up in early 2026, including some business class redemptions that are worth jumping on quickly.

The Bigger Picture

It feels counterintuitive to book travel when things seem unstable. But that hesitation is exactly what’s creating the pricing opportunity in the first place. The travelers who come out ahead in 2026 will be the ones who recognized that softer demand and available seats are a temporary condition, not a new normal.

This isn’t about ignoring the chaos or making reckless decisions. It’s about doing your research now, comparing options across dates and airports, and committing when the value is clearly there. Waiting for things to feel calm usually just means paying more once they do.

Quick Checklist Before You Book

• Lock in June and July flights now if your schedule is confirmed
• Look at August as a lower-cost alternative to peak summer dates
• Check Tuesday and Wednesday departures when your schedule allows
• Search for international deals on Fridays
• Choose changeable fares on routes with higher disruption risk
• Review award availability now and again 4-6 weeks before departure
• Run price alerts on different platforms (e.g. flightjoe.com)

The window here is real, but it’s time-limited. If summer travel is on your agenda, the best time to start looking is now.

Sources: The Points Guy, Forbes, Going.com, Cirium, Reuters (March 2026)