easyJet, TUI and Jet2holidays are some of the UK’s biggest package holiday providers
05:07, 10 May 2026Updated 08:57, 10 May 2026
Jet2holidays, TUI and easyJet all make passengers aware in advance(Image: Ceri Breeze via Getty Images)
Travellers planning to book holidays with easyJet, Jet2, and TUI are being cautioned by the travel firms that they could face additional charges they may not have previously been aware of.
With summer now just around the corner, millions of Brits are eagerly looking forward to a well-deserved break in the sun. easyJet, TUI, and Jet2holidays rank among the UK’s biggest package holiday providers, with countless travellers turning to them to arrange all manner of trips overseas – and 2026 is set to be a busy one.
When browsing the respective websites, customers can explore a vast range of holidays and will be presented with a price for their chosen trip. Each of these operators helpfully outlines why these holidays may carry extra costs, and how much travellers might be expected to fork out.
It all comes down to tourism taxes. The amount you’ll pay depends on your destination, the length of your stay, and whether you’re travelling during peak season.
Alongside the quoted price for your holiday, whether booked through TUI, easyJet, or Jet2holidays, you’ll also find an estimated tourism tax figure for the full duration of your trip. This is typically payable directly at your accommodation upon arrival.
In any destination where a tourism tax applies, all holidaymakers will be required to pay a standard rate – regardless of which airline or travel operator they have chosen to book with.
The Department for Transport has announced it is consulting on major changes for holidays
07:40, 06 May 2026Updated 07:41, 06 May 2026
Rules are being changed for flights this summer which could see people shifted onto different aircraft on the same day at totally different times with no penalty to the airline(Image: PA)
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.
“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.
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.
Everyone knows Ryanair’s strict rules around the size and weight of your luggage, but there’s one bag type it won’t accept in the hold even if meets the other requirements for travel
Ryanair have banned one type of case from the hold(Image: Getty Images)
Packing for a flight on a budget airline can be anxiety-inducing, as the baggage requirements seem to change all the time. It’s important to check for the latest luggage rules before you fly, so you can ensure you aren’t forced to pay additional fees at the gate.
However, some holidaymakers might not realise that there is more to luggage regulations than just the size and weight of your case. One particular type of bag, beloved by those who like to take lots of gadgets overseas, can not be checked into the hold on most airlines including Ryanair.
Smart bags, which are bags that have a built-in battery and USB charging port, cannot be checked into the hold on Ryanair flights if the battery is left inside them. There’s also a 100Wh maximum for batteries being carried in the cabin, so passengers should check the capacity before they fly.
Ryanair passengers warned over type of bag you can never check in
If you have a smart bag that you’d rather put in the hold rather than the cabin, Ryanair’s website states they “may be checked in as hold luggage only if the lithium battery is removed before the bag is checked in at the bag-drop desk or at the gate.”
It clarifies: “The battery must not be placed in the hold under any circumstances. The removed battery must be carried with you in the cabin and placed in small baggage that is placed underneath the seat in front of you or on your person. Removed batteries must not be placed in the overhead lockers.”
Some bags do not give the option to remove the battery, and Ryanair explicitly notes: “If the battery is non-removable the bag is not permitted as checked baggage.”
Ryanair recently updated its luggage policy for passengers bringing a free under-seat bag onboard. These bags can now be 20% larger, and can measure up to 40x30x20cm, whereas the old allowance was previously 40x25x20cm. Technically, these small bags have no weight restrictions, although they must be light enough for a passenger to handle and carry onboard.
The budget airline also announced another upcoming change to its baggage policy. Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tuesday 10 Nov next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes.
“This will allow these 20 percent of our customers [checking baggage] more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.”
It also floated a more tongue-in-cheek idea on its Facebook page, joking: “we’ll be charging yappers on our 6AM flights very soon” and proposing that people who get chatty on its early morning flights should be charged a fee for annoying other passengers.
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“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.”
ACI Europe backed this up, saying: “If the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality.”
Mr Jorgensen added that even if the Strait of Hormuz opened tomorrow, the “price crisis will still last for quite some time”.
It could even be years, he warned, to get down to price levels seen before the crisis.
UK airlines are yet to be affected by the fuel crisis, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel, meaning paying a set fee.
But Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers, including BA, Virgin, easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair, are now calling on the government for support to protect flights and holidays.
This would include temporary use of fuel type Jet A (not currently allowed in the UK) as well as relaxing the strict airport slot rules that would see airlines lose them if they don’t operate flights.
Easing night flight bans and “relieving the burden of Air Passenger Duty” have also been put forward.
A huge number of airlines have already cancelled flights in response to fears of jet fuel running out.
This includes:
Lufthansa – 20,000 cancelled up to September
United – around 250 a month cancelled
Air New Zealand – around 1,000 cancelled
Scandinavian Airlines – around 1,000 cancelled
KLM – 160 cancelled
Cathay Pacific – two per cent of flights up to June 30
Which airlines have already increased the cost of flights?
Rather than axing routes – other airlines have added surcharges or baggage fees…
Air France and KLM have have increased their round-trip fares by €100 (£87) on most of their long-haul flights– with an additional charge of €10 (£8.69) for a round trip in economy.
Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would do the same earlier this week – passengers in economy will pay an extra £50, in premium economy passengers will pay an extra £180 and anyone in business class will see flights cost an extra £360.
JetBlue has increased baggage fees by $4 (£3) for off peak, economy travellers. This will now be $39 (£30) – the cost peak economy travellers will be $49 (£37).
The low-cost Spanish Airline Volotea is adding maximum surcharge of €14 (£12.20) per person to flight bookings.
For anyone worrying about their holiday, families are better to book package holidays rather than separate flight and hotels, as most packages offer ATOL protection (meaning you will get your money back if your trip is cancelled).
It is also worth checking your travel insurance, although most policies do not cover anything related to war.
Airlines are already cancelling flights and hiking pricesCredit: Alamy
As of today (Wednesday, 22 April), there has been a change in how pets travel abroad into the EU, and if the owner does not have the right documents, their dog could be refused entry
A new EU rule will impact how pets travel(Image: Getty Images/Stock Photo)
British pet owners have been warned about a new EU rule that impacts how they travel abroad with their dog or cat.
Under the new rules, the majority of pet passports will be invalid from today (Wednesday, 22 April), and Brits have been warned that they “should no longer use” them to travel into the UE. Instead, Brits travelling into the EU with a pet dog, including an assistance dog, cat or ferret, will need to get an animal health certificate (AHC).
In an update on the government website, it states: “If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, from 22 April you cannot use a pet passport (even if it was issued in the EU). If you use a pet passport, your pet may be refused entry into the EU.”
The animal health certificate must be issued by a vet within 10 days of the trip, and a new one is required for every journey to the EU. However, the AHC can be used for up to 6 months for onward travel within the EU and for re-entering Britain, provided the rabies vaccination is still valid.
The government confirmed that the new rule applies to the “non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from Great Britain.” However, there are no changes to the pet travel documents for their return journey into GB, and they can still use EU pet passports.
In a further update on the government website, it stated: “EU pet passports may now only be issued to people whose main home is in the EU and should not be used by people who have holiday homes in the EU or visit seasonally. EU pet passports issued to GB residents before 22 April 2026 may no longer be valid documents for entry to the EU.
“This means GB residents – even if they already have an EU pet passport – may need a different document to take their pet to the EU. To guarantee smooth travel, owners resident in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate for their dog, cat or ferret(s) if they’re travelling from Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) to an EU country.”
They also noted that additional documents are required if someone other than the owner is travelling with their pet. The person travelling with the animal must travel within five days of the owner and have the owner’s written permission.
The written consent should be carried with the pet’s travel document. Brits are now also only allowed to have a maximum of five pets in a private vehicle, although there are exceptions for competitions, events or training under specific conditions.
Despite the important change, it shouldn’t put any pet owner off from taking their beloved pet abroad. An APHA spokesperson said: “From 22 April, new EU rules change how GB residents travel to the EU with their pets, but holidays with your pets are still possible.
“Anyone planning to travel should check guidance on GOV.UK, and the entry rules for their destination.
“To avoid delays and ensure a smooth journey, pet owners residing in Great Britain should get an Animal Health Certificate if they’re travelling from Great Britain to an EU country.”
Travel insurance specialist has issued advice, as cancellations and delays may happen
Holiday-goers urged to take out travel insurance before going away(Image: Getty)
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.
An EU rule change is expected to affect most short haul flights from the UK
Ryanair, easyJet and other flight passengers have been warned(Image: ASphotowed via Getty Images)
Passengers flying with Ryanair and easyJet could soon enjoy more generous cabin baggage allowances – but travellers have been issued with a warning.
At present, those on basic fares with these carriers are limited to one small personal item, with any additional luggage incurring extra charges. Following amendments to EU regulations, Ryanair has had to increase the allowed dimensions of its personal bags. The new rules allow passengers to bring a small carry-on item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm.
This is a 20% increase from the previous 40 x 20 x 25cm restriction. easyJet’s personal bag dimensions already met these requirements.
And now further EU regulatory changes could allow travellers to bring both a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm and a personal bag without facing extra costs. In February, the European Parliament voted decisively to grant all passengers the right to carry a small case alongside the free under-seat bags currently permitted.
The Parliament’s proposal would entitle passengers to bring on board, at no additional cost, one personal item (such as a handbag, rucksack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage with maximum combined dimensions of 100cm (length, width and height) and weighing up to seven kilos.
The proposed changes, which require sign-off from the European Council to become legislation, would affect all passengers flying to or from an EU airport on an EU-based carrier. This directly impacts the vast majority of short-haul flights departing from the UK.
While this might appear to be welcome news, experts have cautioned that requiring free hand luggage on flights will reduce pricing flexibility, push up base fares, and ultimately leave many travellers forking out more for services they may not even need. Zoltán Kész, Government Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center, said: “Consumers benefit when airlines can compete on price, service, and flexibility.
“Mandating bundled carry-on luggage is not a pro-consumer reform; it is a market distortion that increases fares for everyone, including travellers who purposefully choose more affordable tickets. Political micromanagement of airline pricing does not improve transparency.
“If policymakers want consumers to make informed choices, the better approach is to require clearer disclosure of baggage fees and fare conditions, not to force a uniform product offering for every passenger.”
easyJet has branded the proposals to enforce free additional baggage a “lunatic idea” and similarly warned that fares are likely to rise. Earlier this year Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s chief executive, said giving all passengers the right to extra free carry-on baggage would be “crazy European legislation” and “terrible for the consumer”.
He added: “We would go back to the days of having to offload cabin bags and put them in the hold – it was one of the number one causes of delayed boarding in the old days.”
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has also taken aim at the policy. He said last year: “The idea that everyone is entitled to two free bags on board is unimplementable [as] they don’t fit in the aircraft. There’s not room on largely full aircraft for one small carry-on bag and one large trolley bag.
“About 50% of the passengers can bring a trolley bag and we do that using the priority boarding service. Any rules that would alter that would be infringing EU rules guaranteeing the freedom of airlines to set pricing and policies, and we don’t believe that will happen.
“I think it’s unlikely to play out but there’s clearly going to be some kind of negotiation between the parliament and the commission on passenger rights.”
