Anyone flying from UK should book flights before April 1

Flights are about to get more expensive for UK travellers booking holidays to popular destinations

Passengers considering booking flights from the UK should do so before Wednesday to dodge an upcoming price rise. Air passenger duty (APD) is set to increase on April 1, making air travel more costly. Since the duty is included in the price of each airline ticket, carriers indicate the change is likely to push up fares on certain routes, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

The air passenger duty per person varies based on several factors, including ticket class and the distance between the destination country’s capital and the UK. The charge rises substantially if you’re seated in anything above basic economy and if you’re travelling to a country whose capital is over 2,000 miles from London, reports the Mirror.

Travel expert Simon Calder notes that the levy “is unique to the UK and a topic of much controversy”. He adds: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed an above-inflation increase from April 1, 2026 and one in line with the retail prices index a year after that. By the summer of 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando will pay over £1,000 in tax for leaving the UK in anything better than basic economy.”

Four different categories of destination

• UK domestic flights
• Band A: Countries where capital city is 2,000 miles or less from London — this covers all of Europe
• Band B: Capital city is 2,001-5,500 miles from London — includes most long-haul destinations
• Band C: Capital city is over 5,500 miles from London — includes Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and Australia.

What are the rates?

From April 1, 2026, they will all rise to the following:

• UK domestic: £8 (economy) or £16 (anything but economy)
• Band A: £15 or £32
• Band B: £102 or £244
• Band C: £106 or £253

Before April 1, 2026 the rates are as follows:

• UK domestic: £7 or £14
• Band A: £13 or £28
• Band B: £90 or £216
• Band C: £94 or £224

As you can see, the increases are not substantial but could add significant costs to the price of a holiday for a family of four travelling more than 2,000 miles.

APD does not apply to children under 16 travelling in basic economy but is payable for all children over two travelling in premium classes.

How much APD will I pay?

From April 1, 2026, a family of four with children between two and 15 will pay the following APD:

• UK: £16 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better.
• Europe: £30 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £204 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £212 or £1,012

However, a family of four with children aged 16 and over will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £32 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better
• Europe: £60 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £408 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £424 or £1,012

As you can see, the year-on-year increases are not that significant for shorter flights, but can add up more if you are taking older children on longer flights. But if you feel that you want to save every pound possible, if you get your flights booked before Wednesday then you’ll save on APD.