Travellers considering booking flights departing from the UK are being advised to secure their tickets before Wednesday to sidestep an impending price hike. Air passenger duty (APD) is set to rise on April 1, pushing up the cost of flights. As the duty is incorporated into the price of every airline ticket, carriers warn the change is expected to drive up fares on certain routes.

The amount of air passenger duty charged per person is determined by several factors, Mirror reports, including the class of travel and the distance of the destination country's capital city from the UK. The charge increases considerably for anyone seated outside basic economy and for flights to countries whose capital lies more than 2,000 miles from London.

Travel expert Simon Calder explains that the levy "is unique to the UK and a topic of much controversy". He adds: "Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed an above-inflation increase from April 1, 2026 and one in line with the retail prices index a year after that. By the summer of 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando will pay over £1,000 in tax for leaving the UK in anything better than basic economy."

• UK domestic flights


• Band A: Countries where capital city is 2,000 miles or less from London - this covers all of Europe


• Band B: Capital city is 2,001-5,500 miles from London - includes most long-haul destinations


• Band C: Capital city is over 5,500 miles from London - includes Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and Australia.

From April 1, 2026, they will all rise to the following:

• UK domestic: £8 (economy) or £16 (anything but economy)




• Band A: £15 or £32




• Band B: £102 or £244




• Band C: £106 or £253

Before April 1, 2026 the rates are as follows:

• UK domestic: £7 or £14




• Band A: £13 or £28




• Band B: £90 or £216




• Band C: £94 or £224

So you can see, the increases are not huge but could add significant costs to the price of a holiday for a family of four to somewhere that is more than 2,000 miles away.

APD does not apply to children under 16 travelling in basic economy but is payable for all children over two travelling in premium classes.

A family of four with children between two and 15 will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £16 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better.




• Europe: £30 or £128




• Most long-haul destinations: £204 or £976




• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £212 or £1,012

But a family of four with children aged 16 and over will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £32 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better




• Europe: £60 or £128




• Most long-haul destinations: £408 or £976




• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £424 or £1,012

As you can see, the annual increases remain relatively minor for shorter journeys, though costs escalate considerably when taking older children on extended flights. However, if you're determined to maximise savings, securing your flights before Wednesday will enable you to avoid the APD increase.