You can still save your summer vacation… if you act FAST: Our financial experts’ definitive guide to Iran’s jet lag, airlines to sign up for and where they’re going.

The summer holidays are just around the corner, but anyone looking for plane tickets can get nervous.

The cost of flying has risen in the past month amid the growing oil crisis in the Middle East due to the Iran conflict.

The average price of a barrel of jet fuel has risen 104pc since February and European supplies are drying up, with Britain’s last shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East due to arrive tomorrow. There are fears that there could be shortages during the week.

Airline bosses have warned they could pass on increased fuel costs to families looking to flee this summer if the fighting continues.

Air fares are also rising due to travel restrictions at Doha and Dubai international airports.

But there are still a few holiday destinations that you can fly to for cheap and that haven’t been affected by rising costs – until now. Experts now tell the Money Mail that any potential travelers need to act quickly if they want to get their money’s worth before the airlines burn their fuel. Once their current reserves are used up, airlines will have to start buying jet fuel at a lower price.

‘Safe’ areas are set to rise

Many Middle Eastern countries will have no restrictions on normal travel this year, according to Foreign Office advice. But the famous places around this area have also decreased in popularity.

For example, searches and bookings for holidays to Cyprus and even Greece have fallen, as holidaymakers choose ‘safer’ destinations away from the conflict zone.

Instead, holidaymakers will flock to places like Portugal and Spain this summer. However, this will send flight prices to these areas higher.

Laura Lindsay, of the comparison website Skyscanner, explains that the price of tickets always depends on the demand of the flight path and the number of available seats.

If the demand for ‘safe’ seats increases and the number of tickets available decreases, then the airlines will raise the prices to get more money.

Alistair McLean, of travel agent Dorking Travel, says: ‘That will happen.

‘If everyone decides not to go to Turkey and instead wants to go to Spain, then the airlines will add a lot of money.’

Overall, flights from the UK to all European destinations remain the same as last year’s prices, according to the Kayak website. This is based on the total economy fares shown to customers between March 1 and March 22 for flights over a 120-day period, compared to the same dates in 2025.

But tickets to long-haul destinations like America have increased by 15 pc.

Naturally, rates change from month to month depending on the season.

But comparing this year’s rates to the same period last year gives a clear picture of how the conflict may affect prices.

Return ticket prices to Central American destinations such as Guatemala and Costa Rica on Kayak have increased by 15 pc to £790 from £687 last year. Return tickets to South America cost 9pc more, at £976 on average.

Flights to the Caribbean, a popular family destination, rose 4pc, rising to £809 return.

John Morphet, owner of the Royal Westmoreland luxury resort, has seen inquiries increase by 25 percent in the past few weeks for its Barbados villas. He expects this rate to continue.

Cheap direct flights

Key hubs for international travel in the Middle East – such as Dubai – operate reduced flights during the conflict. It means families have fewer airline options when flying long distances, which will drive up fares.

Tim Potter, who runs a travel agency in Bristol, says: ‘If you’re traveling to Asia or Africa, the main hubs are in the Middle East.

Instead we are booking people on direct flights or elsewhere at the moment.

But these flights – especially in places like Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand – sell out quickly. There are only a limited number of direct flights to the Maldives, for example.’

Flights to the Maldives – direct and indirect – have jumped 32pc year-on-year, to £1,218 for a return flight, Kayak says.

The price of flights to New Zealand rose 20pc to £1,651 compared to 2025, while those to Singapore rose 23pc to £824.

Fuel costs more ‘through the roof’

The Middle East is a major exporter of jet fuel but the Strait of Hormuz – a key route for around a fifth of the world’s oil supply – is effectively blocked as it is largely under Iranian control.

The supply of jet fuel has been squeezed since the ban, which has caused the price of a metric ton of jet fuel (standard measure) to rise to $1,710, more than double its price of $742 last year.

In the first week of the war, the average price of jet fuel rose by more than 58 pc. Unless this falls through in the coming months, airlines will eventually pass this charge on to their passengers.

Travel agents will still see fuel prices rise but warn that it is only a matter of time.

Low-cost airlines should not be affected immediately. They control the cost of fuel and therefore have not paid the highest fees to buy fuel. Ms Lindsay adds: ‘Fuel is a significant part of the cost of a flight. In the short term, most airlines will be cost prohibitive.’

Airlines reduce the risk of fuel price hikes by closing their minimum inventory early. So even though the price of gasoline is rising, the airlines are still working on the “hedged” fuel that they got the price of a year or two ago. It means that airfares could go up as these airlines use stranded fuel later this year and next year. They would then be forced to use more expensive fuel purchased when prices rose.

However, some airlines are still optimistic. The airline Ryanair has suspended fuel freezes in the hope that prices will fall in the coming months. This means that they are currently not buying fuel for the future.

Meanwhile, British Airways has said it has no plans to increase fares.

Overseas, mountain tours have started with fuel charges (other charges included in the ticket price).

For example, Cathay Pacific is increasing its fuel surcharge today from the $149 customers paid last month to $200.

American company United Airlines, Scott Kirby, said that its airfares could rise by 20 pc.

Book your 2027 trip now

Holidaymakers looking to book a July trip overseas may wonder if they are waiting for prices to drop before getting a ticket. But experts are warning them to lock in the purchase now before rates rise.

As the war continues, airlines may continue to increase fares in ‘safe’ areas as these areas become more common.

But families can still buy tickets before the price of petrol rises to meet the charges.

Mr McLean, of Dorking Travel, added: ‘Airlines are buying fuel this year for 2027, so prices will go through the roof.’

Travel agents are urging those looking to travel this year or next to book sooner rather than later. Mags Jordan, of Travel By Mags, says: ‘Secure your books now. Over time, rates may increase. Take the South African holiday I’ve been planning for the family next year. They did not read because of the conflict. Since then, costs have risen to 5 pc.’