Due to such a price surge, I hope those of you planning a near future trip to Thailand won't have postpone or cancel your plans.
"What goes up must come down, except prices."
- Will Rogers
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Airfares between Europe and Thailand have surged by up to 100% as of early March 2026. This sharp spike is primarily due to regional conflict and the closure of key Middle Eastern airspaces, which has forced many airlines to reroute or suspend flights.
Current Pricing & Demand
* 100% Price Increase: Economy tickets on major routes like Bangkok–London have doubled, with some one-way fares now exceeding 70,000 baht (~$2,265).
* Direct Flight Pressure: Travelers are avoiding Middle Eastern transit hubs, causing a massive shift in demand toward direct flights.
* Limited Availability: Major carriers like Thai Airways report that many Europe-bound flights are fully booked through mid-March 2026.
* Alternative Hubs: Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific are seeing surged demand as passengers seek routes outside the affected airspace.
Factors Driving the Surge
* Airspace Closures: The closure of Middle Eastern hubs due to conflict has cut capacity from Gulf carriers that previously handled over 10,000 passengers per day from Thailand.
* Operational Costs: Rerouting to avoid conflict zones has led to longer flight paths, increased fuel consumption, and higher crew costs.
* Wait for Relief: While the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is monitoring the situation, they have noted they lack the authority to cap international ticket prices.
Traveler Advice
* Monitor Status: Check flight statuses closely if you are connecting through the Middle East; several countries have imposed temporary restrictions.
* Flexible Dates: Prices may ease slightly after peak travel periods; for example, some fares are expected to drop from 71,000 baht to roughly 27,000 baht later in March.
* Passenger Rights: If your flight is delayed over 5 hours, you may be entitled to meals, accommodation, or compensation.
https://www.google.com/search?q=have+ai ... -EP1prBsQs
Major airfare surge due to USA-Iran war
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Gaybutton
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Re: Major airfare surge due to USA-Iran war
Fortunately, I dislike flying via the middle east and already have direct flights booked.
I went that way, just the once, during covid.
Of course, the flight I do have booked flies over Afghanistan and Pakistan. It goes slightly to the north of Iran and to the south of Ukraine.
I went that way, just the once, during covid.
Of course, the flight I do have booked flies over Afghanistan and Pakistan. It goes slightly to the north of Iran and to the south of Ukraine.
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TomUK
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Re: Major airfare surge due to USA-Iran war
Last week I wanted to book my flight with Emirates from Gatwick to Bangkok for May. However, since nobody can guarantee me that the war will be over by then, I decided not to go ahead. I don't really want to risk being stuck in Dubai. Instead, I have booked a direct flight to Bangkok with Thai Airways from Heathrow. That will be my first flight with Thai Airways after more than 10 years. Although I am not looking forward to the trip to Heathrow, at least I will arrive a few hours earlier in Bangkok, and I will have one more night in Thailand before returning. When push comes to shove, I'd rather be stuck in Bangkok. At least then I can still escape to Isaan.
Regarding the ticket price increases: I have booked my return ticket in the evening on Wednesday (UK time). The ticket price was the same as I had been quoted a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the 100% price increase only applies to flights in the next couple of weeks.
Regarding the ticket price increases: I have booked my return ticket in the evening on Wednesday (UK time). The ticket price was the same as I had been quoted a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the 100% price increase only applies to flights in the next couple of weeks.
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Gaybutton
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Re: Major airfare surge due to USA-Iran war
"What goes up must come down . . . . . except prices"
- Will Rogers
______________________________________
Thai Airways to raise ticket prices by 10-15%
Carrier seeing ‘overwhelming’ demand as well as surging fuel prices
by Bloomberg News
March 11, 2026
Thai Airways International will raise ticket prices by 10% to 15% to offset surging fuel costs as the carrier grapples with “overwhelming” demand from customers shifting travel plans from the Middle East to Europe, said chief financial officer Cherdchom Thetsathirasak.
Most of the flag carrier’s flights to Europe this month reached about 90% of seat capacity, Ms Cherdchom said in an investor video conference on Wednesday. THAI has room to raise the fuel surcharge further if oil prices continue to climb, she said.
“Passengers planning to travel should secure their tickets as soon as possible before fares rise further,” she said. “Over the next two weeks, tickets will be extremely limited across both European routes and other destinations.”
Airlines globally are under mounting pressure from higher jet fuel prices, one of the industry’s largest operating costs, as crude oil remains volatile amid the Middle East conflict, which is threatening supply.
Carriers have responded by raising fares and fuel surcharges, testing travelers’ willingness to absorb higher ticket prices even as international travel demand remains resilient.
It’s too early to give an outlook for second-quarter passenger demand because of the volatile situation in the Middle East, she said.
THAI posted a full-year net profit of 30.9 billion baht in 2025, reversing a net loss of 26.9 billion a year earlier. Revenue rose 1.3% to 190 billion baht, indicating a more gradual recovery from court-supervised debt restructuring initiated during the pandemic.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... es-by-1015
- Will Rogers
______________________________________
Thai Airways to raise ticket prices by 10-15%
Carrier seeing ‘overwhelming’ demand as well as surging fuel prices
by Bloomberg News
March 11, 2026
Thai Airways International will raise ticket prices by 10% to 15% to offset surging fuel costs as the carrier grapples with “overwhelming” demand from customers shifting travel plans from the Middle East to Europe, said chief financial officer Cherdchom Thetsathirasak.
Most of the flag carrier’s flights to Europe this month reached about 90% of seat capacity, Ms Cherdchom said in an investor video conference on Wednesday. THAI has room to raise the fuel surcharge further if oil prices continue to climb, she said.
“Passengers planning to travel should secure their tickets as soon as possible before fares rise further,” she said. “Over the next two weeks, tickets will be extremely limited across both European routes and other destinations.”
Airlines globally are under mounting pressure from higher jet fuel prices, one of the industry’s largest operating costs, as crude oil remains volatile amid the Middle East conflict, which is threatening supply.
Carriers have responded by raising fares and fuel surcharges, testing travelers’ willingness to absorb higher ticket prices even as international travel demand remains resilient.
It’s too early to give an outlook for second-quarter passenger demand because of the volatile situation in the Middle East, she said.
THAI posted a full-year net profit of 30.9 billion baht in 2025, reversing a net loss of 26.9 billion a year earlier. Revenue rose 1.3% to 190 billion baht, indicating a more gradual recovery from court-supervised debt restructuring initiated during the pandemic.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/ge ... es-by-1015
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Gaybutton
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Re: Major airfare surge due to USA-Iran war
Now Air New Zealand is also raising prices. I have a feeling these won't be the only airlines raising prices.
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Air New Zealand raises fares as fuel prices surge, Thailand tourism braces for impact
By Pattaya Mail
March 11, 2026
Air New Zealand has announced fare increases across all routes, citing a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The airline said jet fuel prices have jumped dramatically in recent days from around US$85–90 per barrel to as high as US$150–200 per barrel, forcing the carrier to adjust ticket prices and suspend its earnings forecast for 2026 due to uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
Under the new pricing structure, Air New Zealand has increased one-way economy fares on domestic routes by NZ$10, while short-haul international flights will rise by NZ$20 and long-haul routes by NZ$90.
The airline warned that if fuel prices remain elevated, further fare increases could follow. It also indicated that route networks and flight schedules may be adjusted if necessary to cope with rising operating costs.
The global aviation industry has been grappling with soaring fuel costs and airspace restrictions caused by the conflict, particularly affecting routes between Asia and Europe where airlines have been forced to reroute flights due to airspace closures.
Air New Zealand is among the first major carriers to announce large-scale fare adjustments since the conflict escalated.
Other regional airlines are also seeking government assistance. For example, Vietnam Airlines has reportedly asked the government to temporarily waive environmental taxes on aviation fuel after operating costs surged by 60–70 percent.
The surge in oil prices and restricted airspace has pushed airfares on some routes to record levels, forcing many travelers worldwide to reconsider their travel plans.
In Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has warned that if the conflict continues for more than eight weeks, the country could lose nearly 596,000 international visitors, with tourism revenue potentially dropping by about 40.9 billion baht. The impact would likely be felt most strongly in markets from Europe and the Middle East, where long-haul flight prices are rising due to higher fuel surcharges and rerouted flight paths.
Tourism destinations that rely heavily on international arrivals, such as Pattaya, could feel the ripple effects in the coming months. Higher airfares and longer travel routes may discourage some long-haul travelers, particularly from Europe and the Middle East, potentially slowing visitor growth during upcoming holiday periods. Local tourism operators say rising travel costs could influence how long visitors stay and how much they spend while in the city.
However, financial markets showed signs of stabilizing after Donald Trump suggested the conflict could end sooner than expected. Following his comments, global crude oil prices eased from a recent peak of US$119 per barrel to around US$90 per barrel on Tuesday, providing some relief to airline investors.
Despite the slight drop in oil prices, the global tourism industry continues to face uncertainty as airlines cope with higher operating costs and changing flight routes to avoid conflict zones.
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/air-ne ... act-538841
________________________________________________________________________
Air New Zealand raises fares as fuel prices surge, Thailand tourism braces for impact
By Pattaya Mail
March 11, 2026
Air New Zealand has announced fare increases across all routes, citing a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The airline said jet fuel prices have jumped dramatically in recent days from around US$85–90 per barrel to as high as US$150–200 per barrel, forcing the carrier to adjust ticket prices and suspend its earnings forecast for 2026 due to uncertainty surrounding the conflict.
Under the new pricing structure, Air New Zealand has increased one-way economy fares on domestic routes by NZ$10, while short-haul international flights will rise by NZ$20 and long-haul routes by NZ$90.
The airline warned that if fuel prices remain elevated, further fare increases could follow. It also indicated that route networks and flight schedules may be adjusted if necessary to cope with rising operating costs.
The global aviation industry has been grappling with soaring fuel costs and airspace restrictions caused by the conflict, particularly affecting routes between Asia and Europe where airlines have been forced to reroute flights due to airspace closures.
Air New Zealand is among the first major carriers to announce large-scale fare adjustments since the conflict escalated.
Other regional airlines are also seeking government assistance. For example, Vietnam Airlines has reportedly asked the government to temporarily waive environmental taxes on aviation fuel after operating costs surged by 60–70 percent.
The surge in oil prices and restricted airspace has pushed airfares on some routes to record levels, forcing many travelers worldwide to reconsider their travel plans.
In Thailand, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has warned that if the conflict continues for more than eight weeks, the country could lose nearly 596,000 international visitors, with tourism revenue potentially dropping by about 40.9 billion baht. The impact would likely be felt most strongly in markets from Europe and the Middle East, where long-haul flight prices are rising due to higher fuel surcharges and rerouted flight paths.
Tourism destinations that rely heavily on international arrivals, such as Pattaya, could feel the ripple effects in the coming months. Higher airfares and longer travel routes may discourage some long-haul travelers, particularly from Europe and the Middle East, potentially slowing visitor growth during upcoming holiday periods. Local tourism operators say rising travel costs could influence how long visitors stay and how much they spend while in the city.
However, financial markets showed signs of stabilizing after Donald Trump suggested the conflict could end sooner than expected. Following his comments, global crude oil prices eased from a recent peak of US$119 per barrel to around US$90 per barrel on Tuesday, providing some relief to airline investors.
Despite the slight drop in oil prices, the global tourism industry continues to face uncertainty as airlines cope with higher operating costs and changing flight routes to avoid conflict zones.
https://www.pattayamail.com/news/air-ne ... act-538841