As summer 2026 approaches, British travelers are navigating a turbulent landscape marked by soaring fuel prices, international conflict, and mounting anxiety over the cost and reliability of their holidays. Yet, in the midst of this uncertainty, Jet2, one of Britain’s largest holiday companies, has made a bold move: the airline has formally pledged not to introduce any surcharges on already booked flights or holidays, even as the industry grapples with the financial fallout from the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
On April 25, Jet2 announced it would remove the surcharge provision from all its bookings, assuring customers that the price they pay at the time of reservation is the price they’ll keep—no hidden fees or last-minute add-ons to cover skyrocketing jet fuel costs. This policy applies to all bookings, whether made online, through the mobile app, a contact center, or an independent travel agent. The only exception is tourist taxes, which remain payable directly to accommodation providers at the destination.
“Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2,” said Steve Heapy, the company’s chief executive, in a statement reported by The Independent. “As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them.”
This reassurance comes at a time when the travel industry is facing unprecedented challenges. The price of oil has surged to roughly 50 percent higher than the rates at which many travel firms hedged their fuel needs—often around $70 per barrel. Aviation fuel, in particular, now costs nearly twice as much as it did before the recent escalation in hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen sounded a stark warning this week, telling reporters, “Unfortunately, it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets.” He added, “Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there. [Currently] it is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.”
The uncertainty has prompted the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to issue direct guidance to passengers with bookings on major carriers, including Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet, and British Airways. The DfT sought to calm nerves, stating, “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.” The DfT further reminded travelers, “If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing.”
Jet2’s decision to forgo surcharges stands in contrast to moves by other major players in the industry. International Airlines Group (IAG), which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia, confirmed that while it is not experiencing jet fuel supply interruptions at present, it is “making some pricing adjustments to reflect higher fuel costs.” According to a spokesperson for IAG, “Despite our hedging strategy which gives some shorter term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact. Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs.”
The practice of fuel hedging—locking in fuel prices months in advance to shield against sudden spikes—has become a central talking point. Many travel firms hedged their fuel requirements at around $70 per barrel, but with current prices soaring, those who failed to hedge are feeling the squeeze. Steve Heapy emphasized that Jet2 had hedged much of its fuel needs, providing the company with a buffer against immediate price shocks.
Brittany Ferries, another major player in the travel sector, echoed Jet2’s approach. Christophe Mathieu, chief executive of Brittany Ferries, told The Independent’s daily travel podcast, “We've brought forward our fuel. And therefore we don't have any uncertainty going forward. So therefore we don't need to surcharge because we know what we're going to pay our fuel for the next months.” He acknowledged the gamble inherent in hedging, noting, “If the barrel had gone down to $40, we would still pay $70.”
Mathieu expressed surprise that so many companies in the transport sector have not hedged, observing, “What's really bizarre at the moment is some companies, some airlines especially, are actually cancelling flights. They'd rather not provide the service people bought from them because they presumably have done their math and they don't want to run a flight at a loss.”
Despite the background of anxiety, Brittany Ferries is keen to reassure its customers. Bookings for summer are lower than last year, with many would-be travelers hesitant due to fears of cancellations or surcharges. Yet Mathieu insisted, “There's no reason not to go on holiday, especially to destinations like France or Spain, which are nearby, beautiful destinations. With us, you don't have to worry about the price. You don't have to worry about being cancelled at the last minute. We're really committed to run at the price we charge today.”
The wider context, however, remains fraught. The ongoing Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have injected volatility into the global fuel market, leading to speculative surges in ticket prices and fears of a supply crunch. Former President Trump, weighing in on the situation, suggested that the Iran standoff could persist for weeks, stating he “wouldn’t rush” a deal.
For now, British holidaymakers are left to weigh their options in a rapidly shifting environment. The government’s message is clear: there’s no immediate need to cancel plans, and consumer protections remain in place. Jet2’s guarantee of no surcharges—backed by its fuel hedging strategy—offers a rare note of certainty. As Steve Heapy put it, “Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”
With airlines and ferry companies taking divergent approaches to the crisis, travelers are encouraged to scrutinize the fine print and stay informed. For those booking with Jet2 or Brittany Ferries, at least, the price they see is the price they’ll pay—no unpleasant surprises lurking on the horizon.