Flying from the UK is about to get more expensive

Sorry to be the bearer of (more) bad news, but flying from the UK is about to get even more expensive.

We’ve already told you how the US and Israel’s war on Iran is driving airfares up.

But on April 1 – April Fools’ Day – changes to air passenger duty (APD) will come into play for all flights departing from the UK. And that’s going to affect ticket prices.

In theory, APD is a tax on airlines and aircraft operators, but in practice, the costs are passed on to travellers as part of the overall price.

The increase will add up to £2 to the cost of a short-haul economy flight and £4 to that of a short-haul flight in premium or business class cabins.

The biggest increases will be for longer flights and private jets, so if you’re planning a long-haul trip, keep reading.

However, not everyone has to pay the tax. And the amount you pay will depend on the type of aircraft you’re travelling on, your cabin class and your final destination.

It’s also worth noting that if you miss your flight, you can claim back any APD paid.

You can do this by applying for a refund through the airline, and it’s well worth doing for long-haul flights and on premium cabin classes.

Here’s everything you need to know before April 1.

What is air passenger duty?

Air passenger duty, or APD, is paid by almost every passenger flying from most UK airports.

It is seen as a ‘perfect’ tax by politicians, because it is difficult to avoid and easy to collect. Airlines do the work and the Treasury gets a cheque.

Introduced in 1994 as a modest environmental levy, APD has morphed into one of the highest flight taxes in the world.

While it has been presented as a ‘green’ initiative that is necessary to reduce emissions, it has many critics.

Jamie Mulhall, chairman of the LGBT+ Conservatives, says it ‘penalises families and stifles regional airports’.

APD applies to both domestic and international destinations, and the rates are determined by several factors, including your final destination and the class of cabin you travel in. The lowest rates are for economy passengers.

Rates also differ depending on how far you are flying.

The tax is divided into four bands – one domestic, three international – and is based on the distance between London and the capital of the plane’s destination. Even if the flight is going to a regional airport.

The domestic band applies to flights to destinations within England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from another part of the UK.

For international flights, Band A is for distances between 0 and 2,000 miles. This includes all EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as well as short to mid-haul destinations including Albania and Turkey.

Band B is for distances between 2,001 and 5,500 miles, which covers mid and long-haul destinations such as Egypt and the Maldives.

Band C, meanwhile, is for distances over 5,500 miles, which includes destinations Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

By the summer of 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando will paying over £1,000 in tax for leaving the UK in anything better than basic economy.

How much is the tax right now?

Until March 31, 2026, the rates for APD are:

• Domestic: reduced rate £7, standard rate £14, higher rate £84
• Band A: reduced rate £13, standard rate £28, higher rate £84
• Band B: reduced rate £90, standard rate £216, higher rate £647
• Band C: reduced rate £94, standard rate £224, higher rate £673

What will it rise to?

On April 1, 2026, the new rates will be as follows:

• Domestic: reduced rate £8, standard rate £16, higher rate £142
• Band A: reduced rate £15, standard rate £32, higher rate £142
• Band B: reduced rate £102, standard rate £244, higher rate £1,097
• Band C: reduced rate £106, standard rate £253, higher rate £1,141

Who is exempt from paying APD?

The tax is applicable to almost all air passengers flying out of the UK, but there are some (very specific) exceptions.

For example, children under two travelling on their parent’s lap are exempt from APD. However, if a seat has been bought for them, they are only exempt if they’re travelling in economy.

Similarly, children under 16 are exempt if they’re travelling in economy, but the adult rate applies if they’re flying in a premium class cabin or in a private jet.

Elsewhere, pleasure flights – such as scenic sightseeing ones – are also exempt from APD, but only if they start and end in the same place and the flight takes less than 60 minutes.

APD does not apply to those travelling for humanitarian reasons or on a NATO mission.

How can I avoid APD?

There are six ways to dodge APD.

The first is simple: don’t fly.

The second is to be under 16 and travel in basic economy (or under two in business class).

Third, fly into the UK and out within 24 hours, with both flights included on the same ticket.

Fourth, be a pilot or a member of cabin crew on duty.

Fifth, be repatriated after being refused admission to the UK.

And finally sixth, fly on a route from a UK airport that is not subject to APD.

APD-exempt airports are in the Scottish Highlands and Islands region, which includes:

• Orkney
• Shetland
• Oban
• Campbeltown
• Inverness
• The Western Isles

The ‘Dublin Dodge’

If you’re flying to the US, a little-known way to reduce APD is to try the ‘Dublin Dodge’: fly to the Irish capital on a no-frills flight and jump on a tax-free flight to your final destination (on Aer Lingus, Delta, United or American Airlines).

There’s an added benefit. You complete US preclearance at Dublin Airport, which has had an American border for more than 30 years.

In practice, that means that when you arrive on US soil, you do so as a domestic passenger.

Intrigued? You can read more about that, here.