Holidaymakers face changes this summer, with many Brits hesitant to book due to uncertainty.

New rules allow airlines to merge or cancel flights due to potential fuel shortages. Airlines can merge flights to save fuel.

This is a response to the Iran-US war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Airlines won't be penalized for merging routes.

A lawsuit over sun loungers shows a change in traveler expectations. Travelers want certainty and value for money.

The Mirror looks at changes in Brits' approach to holidays, from hesitancy to visit the US to a surge in staycations.

A German holidaymaker sued his tour operator over sun loungers. He paid €7,186 for a package holiday but couldn't find a sun lounger.

David Eggert said the hotel had 400 loungers, all with towels on them. The people who reserved them weren't using them.

Sunbed hogs can ruin a day by the pool.

A court ruled in favor of the holidaymaker, saying the tour operator had a duty to ensure a reasonable number of sun loungers.

Hotels are cracking down on the practice of claiming sunbeds with towels. One holiday camp operator introduced an alarm system.

Many people are booking holidays ahead of summer.

Travel expert Declan Somers says the sun lounger lawsuit reflects a major change in traveler expectations. People expect the operational reality to match the experience marketed online.

Somers says travel companies that focus on reducing uncertainty will win big in 2026.

Fellow travel expert Alexandra Dubakova echoes these sentiments. The court ruling changed the way people view sun loungers.

Dubakova says tour operators can no longer sell a vibe or sunny dream. They need to sell specific and functional inventory.

Dubakova explains that the new rules proposed to limit flight cancellations might be necessary for airlines to save fuel.

The decision to allow airlines to merge flights is a double-edged sword. It saves costs but means inconsistency for travelers.

Airlines might be allowed to merge flights to save fuel.

Travelers may book a 10:00 AM flight and get merged into a 2:00 PM one. This will prevent last-minute chaos.

Europe had about 37 days' supply of fuel before the conflict. Now it's likely dropped to 30 days.

As airlines merge flights, families may find themselves rebooked onto replacement aircraft where they are scattered across the cabin.

There is no UK law that requires children to be seated with their parents on a plane. Airlines can separate children from their parents.

The CAA says young children should be seated in the same seat row as the adult.

If airlines start consolidating flights, a family of four may be rebooked onto the same replacement flight but not necessarily seated together.

Tourists from the UK are avoiding booking holidays to the US due to political tensions.

Somers explains that the hesitation is less about one specific issue and more about accumulated friction.

Dubakova adds that tourists are avoiding the US due to the political atmosphere. They feel unsafe.

Brits are choosing to book holidays within the UK because they want to feel secure in their investment.

Dubakova agrees that it's a way of maintaining certainty and control. People are conducting a risk assessment before planning their holiday.