Flight Bookings from the UK: Beat the Price Increase

If you're planning a trip from the UK, it's a good idea to book your flights before Wednesday to avoid higher prices. The cost of flying is going up because of an increase in air passenger duty, which starts on April 1. This duty is added to the price of every plane ticket, so airlines are warning that fares will go up on some routes.

The amount of air passenger duty you pay depends on a few things, like the type of ticket you buy and how far away your destination is from the UK. If you're not flying in basic economy, or if you're going to a country that's more than 2,000 miles away, you'll pay more. This charge can really add up, especially for people who aren't flying in the cheapest class.

According to travel expert Simon Calder, air passenger duty is a unique and controversial tax in the UK. He explains that the government has decided to increase this tax, first above the rate of inflation, and then in line with the cost of living. This means that by the summer of 2027, a family of four flying to Orlando in a better class of ticket will have to pay over £1,000 in tax alone.

As of April 1, 2026, the rates for air passenger duty will be as follows:

For flights within the UK, the duty will be £8 for economy tickets and £16 for all other classes.

For Band A destinations, the duty will be £15 for economy and £32 for other classes.

For Band B destinations, the duty will be £102 for economy and £244 for other classes.

For Band C destinations, the duty will be £106 for economy and £253 for other classes.

Before April 1, 2026, the rates were slightly lower, so the increase might not seem like a lot, but it can still make a big difference in the cost of a holiday, especially for a family of four going to a destination that's far away.

It's worth noting that children under 16 don't have to pay air passenger duty if they're flying in basic economy, but they do have to pay if they're flying in a better class of ticket.

For a family of four with children between 2 and 15, the air passenger duty from April 1, 2026, will be as follows:

For flights within the UK, the duty will be £16 for basic economy and £64 for better classes.

For flights to Europe, the duty will be £30 for basic economy and £128 for better classes.

For most long-haul flights, the duty will be £204 for basic economy and £976 for better classes.

For ultra-long-haul flights, the duty will be £212 for basic economy and £1,012 for better classes.

But for a family of four with children over 16, the air passenger duty from April 1, 2026, will be different:

For flights within the UK, the duty will be £32 for basic economy and £64 for better classes.

For flights to Europe, the duty will be £60 for basic economy and £128 for better classes.

For most long-haul flights, the duty will be £408 for basic economy and £976 for better classes.

For ultra-long-haul flights, the duty will be £424 for basic economy and £1,012 for better classes.

As you can see, the increases in air passenger duty are not huge for shorter flights, but they can add up a lot for longer flights, especially with older children.

However, if you want to save as much money as possible, it's a good idea to book your flights before Wednesday to avoid the increase in air passenger duty.

This way, you can make sure you get the best price for your tickets and have more money to spend on your holiday.

It's always a good idea to plan ahead and book your flights early to get the best deals.

With the increase in air passenger duty, it's even more important to be mindful of your budget and plan carefully.

By booking your flights before the price increase, you can have a more enjoyable and stress-free holiday.

So don't wait – book your flights today and save yourself some money.

Remember, the key to saving money on flights is to be flexible and plan ahead.

With a little bit of planning, you can have a great holiday without breaking the bank.

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