Amex GBT sees steady 2026 airfares across North America

Airlines focus on premiumization and revenue strategies as regional price gaps widen

American Express Global Business Travel expects 2026 airfares to remain broadly similar to 2025, with stable prices in North America and sharper increases across select Middle East and European routes. The company’s Air Monitor report attributes this to resilient business travel demand and more sophisticated airline pricing strategies.

Key takeaways

• Stable North America fares: Regional U.S. and Canada routes are forecast to stay largely flat in both business and economy.
• Premiumization over price hikes: Airlines are keeping base fares steady while expanding premium products and continuous pricing models.
• Middle East becomes a pricing hotspot: Business class fares on key Middle East routes are set for some of the highest year-over-year increases globally.
• Europe trends upward: European business class fares are expected to rise, especially on intra-Europe and Europe–Asia routes.
• Asia shows a mixed outlook: Business class fares within Asia rise, while economy fares decline slightly.
• Geopolitical caveat: Forecasts could shift if trade tensions from early 2025 re-emerge.

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