“The increase in ticket prices remains far too small to offset the rise in costs,” said Pascal de Izaguirre, reflecting the challenges faced by airlines in the current economic climate. In March 2026, Air France implemented a price hike of up to €50 on certain flight tickets to counteract the significant rise in fuel prices, which now account for 45% of airlines’ operating costs, a sharp increase from 25% in previous years.
As part of this adjustment, an additional €50 surcharge will be applied to long-haul round-trip tickets in both economy and premium economy classes starting in April 2026. This brings the total increase over the past two months to an average of €100 for long-haul flights. Short- and medium-haul tickets will see an average increase of €10.
Air France’s low-cost subsidiary, Transavia, is also following suit with similar price increases. However, passengers who have already purchased their tickets will not face any additional fees due to these changes.
In a separate initiative aimed at enhancing passenger experience, Nina Métayer, the World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2023, is introducing new desserts for Air France’s Business Class. “I designed these desserts to be true travel companions. I’ve created rich yet light pastries to take travellers on a sensory journey, whilst evoking the charm of faraway destinations,” Métayer stated.
The new dessert offerings include a raspberry and coconut creation and a lemon verbena dessert, both curated to complement the high standards of Air France’s Business Class menu, which is overseen by three-Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon.
Additionally, Air France allows Business Class passengers to pre-select their main course up to 24 hours before departure, a move aimed at reducing food waste and enhancing the overall dining experience.
As airlines navigate the complexities of rising operational costs, the adjustments in ticket pricing reflect broader trends in the aviation industry, particularly in light of the ongoing Middle East crisis that has driven up fuel and kerosene prices.
With these developments, Air France continues to adapt to the changing economic landscape while striving to maintain service quality and customer satisfaction.
