Global flight prices are expected to “remain stable” during 2026 as airlines will only have “limited opportunities” to push up fares, according to research from American Express Global Business Travel.
The TMC’s annual Air Monitor report finds that corporates can expect airfares to “look much like they do in 2025”, with year-on-year price rises likely to be mostly in the low single-digit range.
For flights within Europe, Amex GBT is predicting business class fares to rise by 4.8 per cent in 2026 compared with this year, with economy seats seeing a lower increase of 3.4 per cent.
On the key transatlantic routes between Europe and North America, business class fares are set to rise by only 0.2 per cent year-on-year, with an anticipated fall of 1.5 per cent for economy prices and a 1.8 per cent increase in premium economy fares.
Business fares for flights between Europe and South America are predicted to rise by 3.6 per cent next year, with economy prices dropping by 2.1 per cent.
Flights from Europe to the Middle East will see increases in fares of 3 per cent for business class and 2.5 per cent in economy. Although premium economy prices are forecast to fall by 2.5 per cent.
Those heading from Europe to Asia can expect a 4.8 per cent rise in business class fares and a more modest increase of 0.3 per cent for those travelling in economy.
Amex GBT also highlights how airlines are no longer using “broad fare-based” increases to drive revenue and are instead offering a wider range of premium services to travellers and using continuous pricing to boost their top lines.
“Anticipated price stability creates both opportunities and new considerations. Airlines are expanding their offerings through new products and pricing models, giving businesses more choice but adding opaqueness to travel programme management,” said Dan Beauchamp, VP of consulting at Amex GBT.
“To maximise value, businesses will need to stay agile and look beyond fares to proactively manage their suppliers and understand how best to unlock value.”