Finance
Air France-KLM to raise long-haul ticket prices as jet fuel costs spike
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 12, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 12, 2026
Quick Summary
Air France‑KLM announced a €50 (≈ $58) round‑trip fare increase for long‑haul economy tickets, joining other global carriers grappling with jet fuel costs spiking to $150–200/barrel due to the U.S.–Iran war.
Air France-KLM Raises Long-Haul Ticket Prices Due to Rising Jet Fuel Costs
Air France-KLM Announces Ticket Price Increases
Background on Rising Jet Fuel Costs
LONDON/AMSTERDAM, March 12 (Reuters) - Air France-KLM said on Thursday it will have to increase the price of long-haul tickets due to rising jet fuel costs.
Industry-Wide Impact
It joins a number of other carriers, including SAS and Qantas, who have warned about a hike in prices due to the recent spike in the price of jet fuel after oil prices were driven higher by the U.S.-Iran war.
Details of the Fare Increase
A spokesperson for the airline group said economy cabin fares would increase by 50 euros ($57.63) per round trip.
Exchange Rate Information
($1 = 0.8677 euros)
(Reporting by Toby Sterling and Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Jan Harvey)
Key Takeaways
- •Jet fuel prices have more than doubled—from roughly $85–90 to $150–200 per barrel—following the U.S.–Iran conflict, significantly raising airline operating expenses.
- •Air France‑KLM’s fare hike mirrors moves by Qantas, SAS, Air New Zealand and others, which are raising fares or fuel surcharges to offset rising fuel costs.
- •Fuel typically represents 20–30% of operating expenses for airlines; the current surge could raise global fuel outlays beyond $100 billion, prompting widespread fare increases and financial uncertainty.
Frequently Asked Questions about Air France-KLM to raise long-haul ticket prices as jet fuel costs spike
1Why is Air France-KLM increasing ticket prices?
Air France-KLM is raising ticket prices for long-haul flights due to a spike in jet fuel costs caused by higher oil prices.
2How much will Air France-KLM's long-haul tickets increase?
Economy cabin fares for long-haul flights will increase by 50 euros ($57.63) per round trip.
3What has caused the recent rise in jet fuel prices?
The recent spike in jet fuel prices was driven by higher oil prices following the U.S.-Iran war.
4Are other airlines also increasing fares?
Yes, other carriers such as SAS and Qantas have also warned about a hike in ticket prices due to rising jet fuel costs.
