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British Airways is understood to be looking at raising fares following a hit caused by a spike in jet fuel costs

British Airways (BA) has released a statement to passengers concerning possible price rises. The UK’s flag carrier airline shared the announcement across its social media platforms.

In a post titled ‘The British Airways Holidays Promise’, it emphasised that existing customers would not face an increase in their holiday costs if they had already made a booking, even if the airline’s operating expenses rose.

The price of aviation fuel has roughly doubled since the commencement of US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. It continues to remain elevated, despite a lull in hostilities and speculation about an end to the conflict.

It confirmed that the ‘cost of your holiday won’t change once you’ve booked your trip’. The full statement declared: “Book with confidence, whatever’s happening in the world.

“The price you book is the price you pay. Once you’ve booked your flight or holiday package, the price you’ve paid is locked in and won’t change, even if our costs increase later.

“You can secure your holiday with a low deposit now and spread the agreed cost over time. The cost of your holiday won’t change once you’ve secured your trip.

“When you book a package with British Airways Holidays, we offer you a dedicated helpline, 24/7, in case you need assistance during your trip. All packages booked in the UK with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, giving you peace of mind from the moment you book and while you’re away.

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“If your flight is cancelled, as part of a British Airways Holidays package or flight only booking, we’ll always offer you the option to rebook onto another flight or to accept a full refund under UK and EU Regulations. Your holiday is protected, so you can focus on looking forward to it.”

This follows confirmation that BA’s charges are set to increase as the airline attempts to recoup some of its financial losses. The Guardian reports the carrier has taken a €2bn (£1.7bn) hit to its finances due to soaring jet fuel costs.

The International Airlines Group (IAG) revealed its annual fuel bill is now projected to reach around €9bn, up sharply from the previously forecast €7.1bn. The group anticipates recovering roughly 60 per cent of the €2bn shortfall through ‘revenue and cost management actions’, with BA expected to shoulder the majority of the fare hikes.

Inside, you will find a double bed, bunk beds, and a kitchen equipped with a microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge

Two retired RAF helicopters have been transformed into stunning glamping pods – and they are already fully booked. The yellow Sea King aircrafts have found their forever homes being stationed at North Yorkshire Water Park, at Wykeham Lakes, near Scarborough., after long careers saving lives across the UK.

They now add to a believed four other Sea Kings which have been transformed into liveable accommodation in Britain. Their specialist interiors have been ripped out and replaced with a double bed, bunk beds, and a kitchen, equipped with a microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge.

Some parts of the cockpit – including the controls and switches – are still intact, but stunning images show how it has been reworked into a dining area.

Its sliding door acts as the main access point and when opened leads onto a gravel landing pad, with a picnic bench. The water park says the helicopters offer a “unique and “memorable” stay which were designed for couples, families to enjoy.

The helicopters were originally built for the RAF for Search and Rescue, according to North Yorkshire Water Park.

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Both the ZE369 and XZ589 offered decades of service at the forefront of life-saving missions across the UK, carrying out daring rescues in all weather conditions.

The pods were available to be booked from Friday, May 1 – the first four weeks are fully booked, according to Airbnb. Prices start at £130 a night.

James Whitehead, operations manager at North Yorkshire Water Park: “We are incredibly excited to welcome the new Sea King helicopter glamping pods to our stay on-site offering.

“Both helicopters have an extraordinary history, having spent decades carrying out life-saving search and rescue missions across the UK.

“It was important to us that the original character and charm is preserved as much as possible while making them a cosy place to relax after a day of fun.”

North Yorkshire Water Park is one of the UK’s largest spanning a huge 250 acres. The outdoor adventure destination features massive inflatable aqua parks, lakes for kayaking, paddleboarding, and open-water swimming.

The airline has previously called for Portugal to suspend the EU Entry-Exit System (EES)

Ryanair has provided an update regarding its stance on the contentious EU entry-exit system (EES). The budget carrier has been an outspoken opponent of the new digital system, which is progressively replacing traditional passport stamps for British travellers heading to the Schengen zone.

The airline particularly highlighted the EES implementation in Portugal, which has come under fire in recent weeks. The system has been repeatedly suspended during peak periods to allow passengers to catch their flights following reports of significant delays.

“Portuguese Government needs to suspend new Entry/Exit System (EES) until after the peak summer season,” a Ryanair statement posted on Instagram declared.

“Otherwise, passengers are forced to endure excessive border control queue times at Portuguese airports.”

Uncertainty arose following suggestions that Portugal and Italy were poised to mirror Greece’s approach, which announced it had effectively halted the EES process for British nationals until summer’s end. However, neither Portugal nor Italy verified these claims.

EES explained

EES received a soft launch last October, but was scheduled to become fully operational on April 10, 2026. It requires most visitors – including Britons – from beyond the EU to register biometric information each time they enter or exit the Schengen free travel area. The countries in the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus fall outside the Schengen zone, meaning EES does not apply when travelling to either of these destinations. No action is required prior to reaching the border, and EES registration is completely free of charge.

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Reports have emerged from Italy of passengers missing their flights, prompting the UK Government to warn: “EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border.”

Ryanair has previously hit out at the EES system. Branding it ‘half-baked’ earlier this month, the airline stated: “Despite knowing for over three years that EES would become fully operational from 10 April 2026, France, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Spain, and Germany have failed to ensure that adequate staffing, system readiness, or kiosks are in place.

“As a result, passengers are suffering long passport control queues and, in some cases, missing their flights.

“Ryanair calls on these EU Governments to suspend the rollout of the EU’s passport control Entry/Exit System (EES) until September to ensure that passengers are not needlessly forced to suffer long passport control queue delays at European airports during the peak summer season.”

The Department for Transport has announced it is consulting on major changes for holidays

Concerns have been raised about potential changes which will mean the end of a ‘14-day rule’ this summer with flights being changed or cancelled at the last minute. The Department for Transport has announced it is consulting on major changes to holidays amid uncertainties about jet fuel supplies as the Middle East crisis continues with no end in sight.

With intense pressure on jet fuel widely tipped to cause travel problems this summer, the government announced over the weekend that airlines will be allowed to group passengers from different flights onto fewer planes. This means that at the last minute, people could be switched to a different flight.

The DfT says it will help cut the likelihood of last-minute flight cancellations this summer in the event of significant disruption due to ongoing global uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict. It lets carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, Wizz Air UK, and TUI, consolidate flights on routes where there are multiple trips to the same destination on the same day.

However, consumer experts said that currently, passengers are protected by a 14-day rule, and it’s ‘not fair’ for people to be shifted at the last minute to suit airlines without compensation. Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel said: “Millions of Britons will have already booked their flights for this summer, often paying over the odds for flights at peak times.

“Existing rules already allow airlines to move customers to new flights so long as they give them more than 14 days’ notice and offer the choice between a new flight or a refund. It’s only for cancellations within 14 days that compensation is payable, rightly.

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“It’s not fair for the rules to now be bent in favour of airlines and potentially leave passengers holding the bill. Many passengers will understand that disruptions can occur and may be happy to travel a few hours or a day later, but for those on short trips or connecting flights it could mean the trip is no longer worthwhile.

“Before any changes are made, passengers need cast-iron assurances that their rights will not be weakened and that airlines cannot use reform as cover to shift the cost of disruption onto travellers.”

Conservatives say it could see passengers “herded on to a different plane, at a time of the airline’s choosing”. The DfT says, however, that the measure is designed to give passengers “greater confidence” by helping airlines to lock in their schedules earlier.

Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, adds: “There are no immediate supply issues, but we’re preparing now to give families long-term certainty and avoid unnecessary disruption at the departure gate this summer.

“This legislation will give airlines the tools to adjust flights in good time if they need to, which helps protect passengers and businesses.”

The Department for Transport said the measures would:

• help move passengers onto similar services much earlier, helping avoid stressful delays at the airport
• prevent running flights which have not sold a significant proportion of tickets
• reduce wasted fuel from flying near-empty planes

Current rules

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you have a legal right to a choice between being re-routed or a refund. If a flight is subject to a significant delay – at least 2 hours for short-haul, 3 hours for medium-haul and 4 hours for long-haul – passengers are entitled to care and assistance, including food, drink and overnight accommodation where necessary.

Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Passengers in the UK are well protected by some of the strongest rights in the world, offering reassurance if disruption does occur.

“Airlines have a duty to look after their passengers when they face disruption, and should offer a choice between a refund or alternative travel arrangements, including with another airline, if a flight is cancelled.

“Relaxing the rules around slots at airports will allow airlines more flexibility and so we expect them to give passengers as much notice as possible of cancellations during this period.”

If notified of changes to their flights by airlines, passengers are advised to speak to their airline, travel agent or tour operator in the first instance.

Christian Magnuson paid extra for his preferred seat on a Scandinavian Airlines flight, only to find it had been reassigned – moments later, he spotted who was sitting in it

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or preparing to board a plane for the first time in ages, most of us have our tried-and-tested routines for making the journey as pleasant as possible. This might include wearing a particular outfit, grabbing some food or a drink at the terminal, or pre-selecting your favourite seat on the flight. But when these arrangements fall through or take an unexpected turn, it can throw your entire day off.

This was precisely what happened to one passenger named Christian Magnuson, who, despite being a regular flyer who frequently posts snapshots of his journeys on social media, was left utterly bewildered when his seat was abruptly switched without any warning.

Chris went on to show evidence that he’d reserved seat 17C on his Scandinavian Airlines flight, explaining he had paid extra to secure a seat towards the rear of the aircraft on the route from Stockholm Arlanda airport to Kalmar, a city in southern Sweden.

However, when boarding time arrived, Christian discovered his seat had been unexpectedly switched to 5D. The confusion deepened as he stepped onto the aircraft, only to spot his original seat remaining vacant.

Nevertheless, he proceeded to make his way through the plane to his reassigned seat. It was at that moment something wholly unexpected happened.

“Then a convoy of cars pulled up and the King of Sweden boarded the airplane and sat in my seat,” he revealed in the caption of the post.

The footage captured King Carl XVI Gustav standing on the tarmac as Christian made his way down the aircraft steps after landing. A silver vehicle could be spotted in the distance, presumably waiting to collect the monarch from his journey.

Later that day, the royal family’s official Instagram account, ‘Kungahuset’, posted a photograph of the King alongside his eldest daughter, Crown Princess Victoria, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, clarifying the reason behind the King’s travels.

“Was it fair of them to kick me out of my seat with no compensation? I will say it was cool that he flew on a regular airplane but he took my seat!” Christian added in the caption of the post.

Viewers quickly flocked to the comments section to voice their opinions, with many praising the Swedish King for choosing to fly commercially. “Happened to me too and I’m just proud to have a monarchy not wasting our resources with a private jet,” one person said.

A second user wrote: “I think it’s awesome that the King flies commercial. Also, you have a cool story.”

Others also questioned why Christian should have received compensation, given he still secured a seat on the flight. “Well, the king is… the king,” one person argued. Someone else added: “Airline employee here, yes its fair since they need security personnel onboard. ARN – KLR is also a really short route.

“I would be happy and proud to give him my seat! It’s for his safety. He did not decide himself,” another user chipped in.

Scandinavian Airlines has been approached for comment.

THE Canary Islands are a hit with Brits offering everything from high octane activity breaks to spots with pretty beaches for relaxing – but which is best for your holiday?

Well, one TUI expert, Jack French, knows exactly which is best and gives his top tips for each location.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Jack has already booked hundreds of holidays to the Spanish hotspots and says: “People often talk about the Canary Islands as if they’re all identical, but in reality each island has a completely different feel.

“Choosing the right island, and the right hotel on that island, can be the difference between a good holiday and an incredible one.”

Tenerife – The best all-rounder

Tenerife is the largest island in the Canaries and Jack believes is the best all-rounder thanks to it having “so much variety.”

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He says: “You can combine beaches, scenery, local towns and family attractions all in one place.”

The island has golden-sand beaches like Playa de las Teresitas and Playa del Duque for those who want to relax on the shore or take a paddle in the waters.

For those who want more of a thrill, head to Siam Park which is ‘often described as one of the best waterparks in the world’.

Jack adds: “It’s got a bit of everything with those big adrenaline drop slides as well as kid-friendly water playgrounds.

“Even couples without children enjoy it. There are calmer areas like the lazy rivers, so it’s not just about thrills.”

Other must-visit spots are Teide National Park which has volcanic scenery and shows off a different side to the island.

When it comes to eating, Jack recommends heading away from busy promenades and towards villages like La Orotava to try out local restaurants.

He says to try fresh fish and papas arrugadas, which is a traditional boiled potato style Canarian dish.

When it comes to hotels the TUI BLUE Los Gigantes is a good spot for coupes because it’s peaceful, spacious with clifftop views which you can book from £607pp (per person based on two adults sharing a Double Room with Balcony or Terrace on a half-board basis).

Or, TUI offers seven-night breaks to TUI SUNEO Tamaimo Tropical in Tenerife from £464pp (per person based on two adults and two children sharing a studio on an all-inclusive basis).

Gran Canaria – Best for families

Jack says that the island of Gran Canaria “surprises a lot of people”, particularly those who come for the beach “but end up loving how diverse the island feels.”

When it comes to exploring the island, some must-visit spots include the sand dunes of Maspalomas which are one of Gran Canaria’s highlights.

Try to visit either early morning or sunset when you’ll get the best views across the dunes.

Make sure to head inland too where you’ll find mountain villages and winding roads which have beautiful views.

Jack’s recommendation is heading to Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice‘ also known as Puerto de Mogan.

The town has its nickname thanks to its canal, and pretty blue-and-yellow-trimmed white cottages.

TUI Musement offers a Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice’ – visit Puerto de Mogan by boat experience from £43 per adult.

When it comes to hotels, check into the TUI BLUE Playa Feliz which suits families with younger children thanks to its splash park and big entertainment stage.

TUI also offers seven-night breaks to 4T TUI BLUE Playa Feliz in Gran Canaria from £482 per person (including a free kids’ place).

Lanzarote – Best for scenery

For those who want a quiet and laid-back holiday, head to Lanzarote.

Jack advises it’s much “more about scenery and atmosphere than ticking off attractions.”

Along with its black-sand beaches, other must-sees include the Timanfaya National Park which has red hues thanks to its volcanic landscape.

When it comes to food, you can find hidden gems everywhere – especially at small seafront restaurants.

They serve up simple dishes and fresh local food so make sure to take a long lunches by the sea.

Jack’s top hotel pick is RIU Paraiso which is 30-meters from a Blue Flag beach.

It’s a great spot for those who want to take coastal walks and long lunches, for families, here’s an on-site kids’ club and children’s pool.

TUI offers seven-night breaks to 4T Riu Paraiso Lanzarote from £778pp (based on two adults and one child sharing a twin room).

Fuerteventura – Best for activities

When it comes to Fuerteventura, Jack says it “feels much more open and unspoilt than the other islands”.

Here, the beaches are the gem of the island, they’re miles long and usually aren’t too crowded.

So it’s no surprise that those heading on holiday here love long coastal walks at sunrise or sunset before the island wakes up.

If you’re heading to the island with all the family, Jack often recommends TUI MAGIC LIFE Fuerteventura.

There’s lots to do for teens and is ideal for active families and couples who love sports and being outdoors, with the likes of mountain biking, volleyball and trampolining all forming part of the activity list. 

TUI offers seven-night breaks to 4T TUI MAGIC LIFE Fuerteventura from £665pp (based on two adults and one child sharing a one bedroom family room with balcony or terrace on an all-inclusive basis).

Hear more about the Canary Islands from one man who has visited 100 countries but always goes back to them.

And Sun Travel’s favourite spots in Spain, it’s set to hit a record 100 million tourists this year.

Travel insurance specialist has issued advice, as cancellations and delays may happen

As airlines continue to navigate fuel supply challenges caused by the Middle East conflict, some flights may be disrupted, or fares may increase. Some energy bosses have claimed Europe only has six weeks’ worth of jet fuel left. Tom Vaughan, a travel insurance specialist at Confused.com, has offered advice for passengers with summer holidays coming up.

He also warned that cancellations and delays may happen, and stressed the importance of preparing in advance and knowing what to do if a trip is axed. “For Brits planning to travel this summer, it’s worth being aware that flight cancellations and delays could happen as airlines respond to operational pressures,” he said.

“Disruptions like this can leave travellers unsure about their rights and what steps to take next if they are affected. The good news is that UK passengers have rights if their flight is cancelled.

“Airlines should offer a refund or an alternative flight, even if your ticket was non-refundable.” If passengers do experience disruption, Tom has shared some steps to follow.

Firstly, he says travellers should contact their airline as soon as possible to confirm their options, including rebooking or a refund. He also recommends: “Keep receipts for any essential costs like food, accommodation or transport, as these may be reimbursed”.

Tom said passengers may still be entitled to assistance (such as meals or a hotel stay) while waiting for a new flight. “If you booked a package holiday, check if it’s ATOL protected and contact your travel provider for support”, he added.

The travel insurance specialist went on to say that people who pay by credit card “may have additional protection if things don’t go to plan”. Lastly, he urged people to review their travel insurance policy and speak to their insurer to understand what extra costs they could claim back.

He also says it is “always sensible” to take out travel insurance before going away. “Even if you are able to claim directly via the airline, an insurer can guide you on how to make a claim,” he explained.

Tom continued: “With the right policy in place, you may also be able to claim back for other parts of your holiday that were affected as a result. If you’ve recently experienced flight cancellations, our flight compensation guide will help to break down your options.”

Inflation climbed higher last month as the knock-on effects from the Iran war started to hit the cost of living for UK households. The Office for National Statistics reported an annual rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation of 3.3% for March, increasing from 3% last month.

It meant inflation picked up to its highest level since December, with higher fuel prices a significant driver. The ONS indicated that fuel prices were the main area where the impact of the Iran conflict had already been reflected in their data.

While jet fuel costs have risen, the ONS said that air fares are based on previously booked flights, meaning that the March data was not yet impacted by inflation linked to the conflict. This means airfare inflation is likely to continue rising this year as higher jet fuel costs are passed on to passengers.

KLM has made several adjustments to its flight schedule for the coming month. The airline says: “This concerns a limited number of flights within Europe that, due to rising kerosene costs, are currently no longer financially viable to operate. There is no kerosene shortage. KLM will operate 80 fewer return flights to and from Schiphol, which is less than 1% of its European flights during that period.

“Passengers affected by these changes will be rebooked onto the next available flight. As these are destinations KLM serves multiple times a day — such as London and Düsseldorf — travellers can usually be accommodated quickly. KLM expects a busy May holiday period and is making sure passengers can travel to their holiday destinations as planned.”

In a new statement, Lufthansa has said: “The Lufthansa Group has secured (“hedged”) approximately 80 per cent of its kerosene requirements for 2026 and approximately 40 per cent for 2027 based, among other things, on the price of crude oil – both at pre-crisis price levels. With this level of hedging, we are in a better position than most competitors.”

Meanwhile, easyJet has said it is not currently seeing any disruption to flights and doesn’t plan to make any changes to its flight schedule.