Airfare prices are expected to remain stable through 2026, according to the latest findings from the Air Monitor 2026 from American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT). The annual report forecasts global airfares and provides industry trends and strategies to help businesses optimize travel programs in today’s rapidly changing aviation landscape.
Looking ahead to 2026, said the report, travelers can expect airfares to look much as they do in 2025. Demand for business travel remains resilient, while a combination of broader industry dynamics and limited opportunities for airlines to push up fares should keep ticket prices stable.
Instead of broad fare-based increases, airlines are adopting increasingly sophisticated revenue management strategies, including investment in “premiumization” and the application of continuous pricing. These approaches are reshaping competition, keeping base fares stable while diversifying the range of products and services available to travelers.
Dan Beauchamp, vice president, consulting, Amex GBT, said, “Anticipated price stability creates both opportunities and new considerations.” Airlines, he said, are expanding their offerings through new products and pricing models, giving businesses more choice but adding opaqueness to travel program management. To maximize value, said Beauchamp, “businesses will need to stay agile and look beyond fares to proactively manage their suppliers and understand how best to unlock value.”
Factors influencing airfares for 2026 include:
- Uncertainty: Geopolitical and economic volatility continue to impact airline cost and travel patterns. Despite resilient demand, fares are expected to remain stable in 2026, as carriers are holding fares steady in an already high-cost environment.
- Airline economics: Supply chain disruption, labor settlements and the potential return of fuel price volatility are adding billions in costs, placing upward pressure on airlines.
- Paying the premium: Airlines are expanding premium offerings to elevate traveler experience and generate additional revenue streams, independent of overall fare levels.
