9th April 2026
In recent years, rising jet fuel prices have begun to significantly reshape the cost of travel and holidays. Fuel is one of the largest expenses for airlines, and as prices increase, airlines pass these costs on to passengers.
While higher ticket prices are the most obvious result, a less visible but equally important impact is the sharp rise in extra charges particularly baggage fees, which can dramatically increase the total cost of a family holiday.
Rising Airfares and Overall Holiday Costs
Airlines operate on tight profit margins, and when fuel costs surge, ticket prices tend to follow. This is especially noticeable on popular holiday routes from the UK to destinations such as Spain, Greece, and the Canary Islands. Families booking holidays may now find themselves paying significantly more than in previous years, sometimes by hundreds of pounds.
However, the headline ticket price often tells only part of the story. Increasingly, airlines are keeping base fares competitive while shifting more of the cost into optional extras—most notably baggage.
The Growing Importance of Baggage Fees
For many travellers, particularly families, baggage is not optional. Yet most budget airlines now include only a small under-seat bag for free, with everything else charged separately.
Typical costs in 2026 are:
Cabin (overhead) bag:
Around £20-£60 per person, per flight
Checked baggage (10kg):
Roughly £9.49 to £44.99 each way depending on when you book
Checked baggage (20kg):
Around £18.99 to £59.99 per bag, per flight
Adding bags late or at the airport:
Often significantly higher, sometimes £40–£60+ per bag
Excess weight charges:
Around £11–£12 per kg if you go over the limit
Even cabin bags once considered standard—now cost on average:
Around £20–£30 per flight, despite much lower advertised prices
Why This Hits Families Hardest
These costs quickly multiply. For example:
A family of four travelling on a typical return holiday might pay:
2 checked bags (20kg): £40 each way × 2 = £160
4 cabin bags: £25 each way × 4 = £200
Total baggage cost: £360 extra
And that's before:
Seat selection
Transfers
Food or extras
This is why many families feel that a "cheap flight" becomes expensive by the time everything is added.
Fuel Costs Are Driving These Changes
Airlines are increasingly relying on baggage fees because rising fuel costs are squeezing profits. Recent industry changes show airlines actively increasing luggage charges as fuel prices surge, with some carriers raising fees by noticeable amounts in a short period.
In fact, extra fees like baggage now make up a huge portion of airline revenue, meaning they are unlikely to disappear even if fuel prices stabilise.
Reduced Flights and Changing Travel Behaviour
Alongside higher prices, airlines are:
Cutting less profitable routes
Reducing flight frequency
Charging more on busy routes
As a result, travellers are adapting by:
Choosing shorter, cheaper trips
Travelling with less luggage
Booking earlier to avoid price increases
The Bigger Picture
The combined effect of rising fuel costs and baggage fees is changing how people experience travel:
Flights are no longer as “low-cost” as they appear
The true cost of a holiday is increasingly hidden in extras
Families, in particular, are paying much more than expected
In some cases, once baggage is added, a budget airline can cost as much as or more than traditional airlines that include luggage in the ticket price.
Rising jet fuel costs are having a far-reaching impact on travel, but the most surprising effect for many holidaymakers is the growing cost of baggage. What was once included is now charged separately, and these fees can add hundreds of pounds to a family holiday.
As a result, travellers must look beyond the headline ticket price and consider the full cost of flying. In today’s travel market, baggage is no longer a minor detail—it is one of the key factors determining the true cost of a holiday.