Flying is about to get more expensive and less flexible. Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary has warned that fares must rise because of high fuel costs, while easyJet has cut another 700,000 seats from its UK winter schedule, its second reduction this year.
Ryanair: fares could rise 20 percent
Speaking at a conference this week, O’Leary said jet fuel remains around 50 percent more expensive than before the Iran war began. Although prices are easing, they are expected to stay elevated for 12 to 18 months, possibly into 2028. He warned that ticket prices could be up to 20 percent higher next summer as a result.
Ryanair bases 57 aircraft at Stansted, its largest global hub, with more than 150 routes. Essex-based travellers and Stansted’s enormous UK passenger base are the ones most directly exposed to the fare warning.
easyJet: 1.4 million winter seats cut
easyJet has now cut a total of 1.4 million seats from its UK winter schedule between October 2026 and March 2027. An easyJet spokesperson said the changes are a tiny proportion of the flying programme, made in advance, and mostly affect multi-daily frequency flights so customers can easily switch to another service.
The cuts mean fewer flight options and less choice of times on some routes this winter. When seat supply falls and fuel costs stay high, prices on the remaining seats tend to rise.
What UK travellers should do
- Book winter trips early. With fewer seats in the market, the cheapest fares are likely to sell out sooner than usual.
- Be flexible on dates and airports. Midweek departures and less popular times are where the savings will be.
- Watch summer 2027 prices now. O’Leary’s warning about next summer means fares for peak season could climb fast once they go on sale.
- Check your airline’s schedule changes. If your flight was cut, you are entitled to a refund or a rebooking onto another service.
