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Air France-KLM to Raise Long-Haul Ticket Prices as Jet Fuel Costs Spike
Air France-KLM will raise economy long-haul fares by about €50 due to jet fuel prices doubling since early January amid Middle East geopolitical tensions.
- On March 11, 2026, the group confirmed that Air France‑KLM is raising long‑haul fares, with economy return fares typically increasing by $58.
- Tied to rising Middle East tensions, the Iran war has driven a sudden jump in kerosene prices, with aviation fuel hitting nearly $168 per barrel on Wednesday, the group said.
- Other carriers have responded by hiking surcharges, as Cathay Pacific doubles fuel surcharges from March 18 and Hong Kong Airlines increased fees on Thursday.
- Because fuel is a major cost, airlines' operating costs rise sharply while Transavia, the group's low‑cost carrier, has not raised fares yet and is monitoring the situation closely.
- Market indicators show pressure, with Brent crude briefly topping $100 despite an International Energy Agency stock release, and refining and associated costs pushed kerosene higher than crude.
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17 Articles
On the long-haul flights of the main French company, the rates are increased by 50 euros in economy class and 200 euros in business. A choice that the carriers justify by the amazing speed of the increase in kerosene and the limits of their insurances on the price of fuel.
Air France and KLM are already announcing an increase in fares on their long-haul flights. What about Belgium? ...
"The current geopolitical context (...) has led to a sharp and sudden rise in fuel prices, in particular kerosene", the Franco-Dutch air group justifies.
The company joins several others, including SAS and Qantas, that have warned of rising prices following the recent surge in aviation fuel amid the war in the Middle East.
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