As January sales entice shoppers and temperatures across the UK drop to freezing, many Brits are busily planning their summer getaways. Those gearing up for travel in 2026 should brace for notable transformations at airports, reflective of ongoing changes in global travel dynamics. A recent analysis by AirAdvisor, a company specializing in flight compensation, highlights seven major trends poised to redefine the travel experience for UK flyers in 2026, based on airline schedules, booking trends, and imminent regulatory updates.

In 2026, the most nerve-wracking part of your journey might not be at the airport but at home, as you navigate the new digital documentation required before departure. Both sides of the Channel are implementing electronic travel authorization systems. The UK is set to introduce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system on February 25, 2026. This new protocol will necessitate international travelers to secure digital entry clearance via an ETA or an eVisa. The ETA will permit visitors to stay in the UK for up to six months for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, or short-term studies.

Once linked to passports electronically, travelers will still need final approval from a Border Force officer upon arrival. British and Irish citizens are exempt from the ETA requirement, but travelers from 85 countries currently enjoying visa-free access, including the USA, Canada, EU nations, and Australia, will need to comply. Other regions, like the United States and Canada, have also rolled out similar pre-travel authorization systems. Meanwhile, Europe’s ETIAS is expected to debut in late 2026, requiring UK citizens to obtain permission to enter Schengen Area countries.

Industry forecasts point to record passenger numbers worldwide, combined with planes flying with a higher percentage of seats filled than ever before. At the same time, airlines are unable to add capacity as quickly as demand is returning due to aircraft delivery delays and ongoing pilot shortages across Europe and beyond. The result is simple. Most mainstream flights this year will leave close to full. This will have knock‑on effects throughout the travel experience. The cheap last‑minute deal with rows of empty seats will become much rarer this year. For most people, flying in 2026 will feel noticeably more crowded and less flexible than the travel experience over the last few years.

Instead of routing everyone through Heathrow, Dubai, or a major US hub, carriers are now experimenting with direct transatlantic routes from smaller European and UK airports. Some of these longer flights are being operated by single‑aisle aircraft that used to be seen only on short‑haul routes within Europe. For a UK passenger, this can be great news in several ways. It means finally getting a nonstop flight to North America from a regional airport, without a London connection. This means one flight instead of two, with much less chance of missing a tight connection or having luggage delayed in a hub. However, there is a trade‑off that passengers need to understand. Passengers will increasingly be forced to choose between a shorter, more direct flight that feels more cramped or a longer trip with a change that might be more comfortable on board but takes up more of their day.

Airlines are fine‑tuning cabin bag rules route by route and fare by fare, moving away from simple, transparent policies. Access to the overhead lockers is increasingly tied to which ticket bundle travellers buy, their loyalty status or whether they hold the right airline‑branded credit card. Some carriers are now starting to sell guaranteed overhead bin space as a named product, just like they sell extra legroom seats. For UK families planning a trip, this matters far more than any headline fare war advertised. A ticket that looks £15 lower in the search results can easily turn out to be £60-£100 more expensive once a small trolley case and an under‑seat bag for each person in the family has been added. Reading the fine print on baggage has become as important as reading the fine print on the ticket itself.

Airlines are under growing pressure from regulators, investors and the public to use more sustainable fuel, which is significantly more expensive than traditional jet fuel. They are also expected to participate in carbon pricing and offsetting schemes and to show more transparency on the climate impact of each flight they operate. The easiest way for airlines to address all of this is to start surfacing environmental choices and costs directly at the point of booking. This year, you will see optional green add‑ons when you book, clearer environmental surcharges or sustainable fuel contributions broken out separately and emissions information displayed directly next to each itinerary option.

Airlines and airports are rolling out AI tools that predict which flights are most likely to be delayed or missed, automatically decide the best way to re‑route passengers when things go wrong, and optimise which passenger gets which spare seat when there are not enough to go around. These systems run without human intervention and make real decisions about real people’s journeys. For an ordinary flyer, the visible part is straightforward. More rebooking will happen in the app before you even reach an agent when a flight is cancelled. This can be good news if you are informed and digitally confident, as the system is fast and scalable But it can feel brutal if you are the last person to see a notification or do not understand how to push back when the automatic solution does not work for your family situation or your specific needs. The advantage goes to those who know how the system works.

In 2026, three groups in particular are making demands that airlines and airports have to respond to. Disabled passengers and those who need mobility assistance expect better treatment of wheelchairs, more accessible cabins and reliable support rather than promises that fail at the first sign of pressure. Pet owners are increasingly demanding options that match what they can do on trains and in hotels, and some airlines are cautiously expanding those services. Families, remote workers and travellers trying to combine work with leisure need consistent Wi‑Fi, flexible tickets and space to combine laptop time with childcare, which challenges the traditional model of a flight as either a business trip or a holiday. Airlines are beginning to implement policies and commitments for these groups.

Assistance services still buckle first when airports are under pressure, especially during peak travel periods when most people are flying. Wheelchairs and mobility devices continue to be mishandled too often. Pet rules vary dramatically from one carrier to another, and flexible ticketing remains confusing to most travellers. For 2026, that means people who travel outside of the ideal passenger profile will increasingly need to plan more aggressively, documenting their needs and rights long before they fly.

In practical terms, UK travellers will benefit from doing admin earlier in the booking process rather than the night before flying. AirAdvisor recommends booking smarter routings rather than just the cheapest option available. Sometimes, paying slightly more for a non‑stop flight or choosing an airport with a better track record on disruption and assistance will pay dividends. Holidaymakers should set up their airline and airport apps properly, ensuring notifications are turned on, contact details are up to date, and preferences are saved. This matters because if AI‑driven rebooking happens, it is much more likely to work in your favour if the system has your correct information. Finally, know your rights and know where to complain if things go wrong. Understand that when disruption occurs, you have specific entitlements on refunds, care and assistance, and that these can be enforced through official channels if necessary.