All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, and several international carriers will raise fuel surcharges for tickets issued starting May 1, 2026 [1].

These price hikes reflect the volatility of global energy markets and directly impact the cost of travel for passengers on domestic and international routes. The increases are a response to a sharp rise in global jet fuel prices, which has forced airlines to adjust surcharges to cover higher operating costs [4].

The price adjustments vary by carrier and route. Korean Air will increase its surcharge to 9,200 yen, which is approximately 1.7 times the previous amount [2]. Alaska Airlines will raise its fee to 34,700 yen, roughly double the previous rate [3]. Cathay Pacific will see the steepest increase, with surcharges reaching 32,000 yen, nearly three times the previous level [4].

The revised fees apply to tickets issued on or after May 1, 2026 [1]. For Japan Airlines and Japan Transocean Air, these revisions specifically apply to tickets for the April–May 2026 period [6]. Some estimates based on IATA data suggest that round-trip fuel surcharges for trans-Atlantic flights could reach approximately 150,000 yen [5].

Travelers are advised to consider the timing of their bookings to mitigate these costs. Travel journalist Akira Okawara said those wanting lower prices should reserve and issue tickets by April 30. He said that while this carries the risk of cancellation fees, it avoids the May hike. For those with undecided plans, Okawara said waiting may be preferable as prices could drop if global conditions stabilize [7].

The affected routes include domestic Japanese flights operated by ANA and JAL, as well as international corridors such as Japan-Korea, Japan-Alaska-Hawaii, and routes from Hong Kong to the U.S. and Europe [2].

“Fuel surcharges will increase ranging from about 1.7-times to nearly 3-times the current amount.”

The significant jump in surcharges indicates that airlines are unable to absorb the rising cost of jet fuel through standard ticket pricing. By implementing these surcharges, carriers are shifting the immediate financial burden of energy market volatility directly to the consumer, which may lead to a short-term decrease in travel demand for long-haul routes.