Airlines Raise Prices as Iran War Disrupts Fuel Supply

Budget travelers look for ways to save on flights as airfares climb

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:18pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration in the Art Deco style, featuring sweeping gradients and streamlined forms that evoke the grand scale and romance of air travel, without depicting any specific people, places, or text.As airlines grapple with soaring fuel costs, budget-conscious travelers must navigate a complex web of rising fares and fees to find affordable flights.Los Angeles Today

Airlines have been forced to raise fares, add fuel surcharges, and increase fees to check bags as jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the start of the Iran war. This has made it harder for budget-conscious travelers to find affordable flights, but experts say there are still ways to save money, such as being flexible with travel dates and booking one-way tickets instead of round-trips.

Why it matters

The Iran war has significantly disrupted global oil supply, leading to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices that is forcing airlines to pass those costs on to consumers through higher fares and fees. This is making air travel less accessible for budget-conscious travelers, who may have to adjust their plans or find creative ways to save money on flights.

The details

Airlines have raised average economy fares for round-trip international flights from $774 to $998, and domestic fares from $336 to $350, as of March 30. This is largely due to the surge in jet fuel prices, which have nearly doubled from $2.50 per gallon to $4.81 per gallon since the start of the Iran war. U.S. carriers have also increased fees to check bags and said they will trim flight schedules, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to manage the higher fuel costs.

  • Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the Iran war began, from $2.50 per gallon on Feb. 27 to $4.81 per gallon on March 30.
  • Airlines recently raised fees to check bags.
  • United CEO Scott Kirby said the airline would trim off-peak flight schedules, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, during the second and third quarters of 2026.

The players

Delta Air Lines

A major U.S. airline that has raised fees to check bags.

JetBlue Airways

A major U.S. airline that has raised fees to check bags.

Southwest Airlines

A major U.S. airline that has raised fees to check bags.

United Airlines

A major U.S. airline that has raised fees to check bags and said it will trim off-peak flight schedules.

Scott Kirby

The CEO of United Airlines.

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What they’re saying

“That will have a big impact on the price-sensitive traveler, since flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and other off-peak times is generally a dependable way to score cheaper tickets.”

— Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going

“The playbook hasn't gone fully out the window. Travelers still have some options.”

— Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going

What’s next

If the ceasefire announced on Tuesday holds, analysts say it's unlikely airfares and ancillary fees will normalize quickly, even as oil prices retreat. Higher fees may be particularly sticky, especially if travel demand doesn't fall.

The takeaway

The Iran war has significantly disrupted global oil supply, leading to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices that is forcing airlines to pass those costs on to consumers through higher fares and fees. While this makes air travel less accessible for budget-conscious travelers, experts say there are still ways to save money, such as being flexible with travel dates and booking one-way tickets instead of round-trips.