Passengers should act now before flights get more expensive
The cost of air passenger duty goes up on Wednesday
Passengers thinking of booking flights from the UK should book before Wednesday if they want to avoid an imminent cost increase. Air passenger duty (APD) is going up on April 1, making flights more expensive. As the duty forms part of the cost of each airline ticket, carriers say the adjustment is likely to result in higher fares on some routes, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
The amount of air passenger duty per person depends on several things, including ticket class and how far the country’s capital city is from the UK. The amount goes up significantly if you sit in anything but basic economy and if you fly to a country whose capital is more than 2,000 miles away from London.
Travel expert Simon Calder explains 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
So you can see, the increases are not huge but could add significant costs to the price of a holiday for a family of four to somewhere that is more than 2,000 miles away.
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?
A family of four with children between two and 15 will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:
- 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
But 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.