Travel Experts Expect Disruptions In Summer Of 2026. Here's How To Protect Your Trip

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There is nothing worse than showing up to the airport to find that your trip has been disrupted before it has even begun. Passengers may want to prepare for disruptions like these in the coming months, as some experts are predicting a turbulent summer when it comes to air travel. Political instability continues to impact the oil shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, which could cause irregular operations for the airline industry due to shortages of jet fuel. International flights, particularly within Europe, are likely to be impacted. For this reason, travelers to Europe are being warned to prepare for flight route disruptions.

"It's going to be a summer of chaos, in my opinion," said McGill University aviation lecturer, John Gradek, to Toronto's CityNews. He goes on to warn that flights within Europe, especially short-haul trips under three hours long, could be disrupted. Other experts believe that jet fuel shortages could also increase prices. "There'll be higher fares, less capacity and less people traveling this summer than expected," said Dan Akins, an economist at Flightpath Economics, to CNN. In an article published on April 16, 2026 by BBC, an executive at the International Energy Agency stated that Europe has "maybe six weeks of jet fuel left," and that cancellations are likely to occur if the situation is not resolved soon.

Additionally, weather-related challenges such as thunderstorms occur more frequently in the summer months. Weather is actually the primary cause of flight disruptions in the National Airspace System, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "Pilots include weather considerations— such as temperature, pressure, precipitation, wind velocity and more — into every flight," said Brian Roggow, associate dean for the College of Aviation at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, to Embry‑Riddle News. "As we reach extremes in any one of these categories, operations may either be delayed or canceled." Nobody can predict these disruptions, but travel insurance can help passengers protect their trip when they do occur.

Sticking to airports with high on-time departure rates may not be enough to protect you from flight disruptions. For a safety net that you can rely on, experts recommend travel insurance. "If you're traveling more than 100 miles from home, you should consider purchasing a travel insurance plan," said Will Nihan, CEO of Travelex Insurance Services, via Forbes.

"In a nutshell, travel insurance is about protecting you from unpredictable, often expensive risks," explains consumer expert Jane Hawkes to South West News. "A sound policy typically covers medical emergencies abroad, trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen belongings, travel delays or missed departures, personal liability if you cause damage or injury. Without it, you're exposed." Many insurance plans will reimburse you for expenses related to flight delays lasting six hours or more — be sure to read your policy carefully so that you know exactly what is covered. Some policies also cover lost baggage, but experts like Rick Steves believe that baggage insurance is a waste of money. 

While disruptions can occur at any time, traveling on certain days of the week may allow for a smoother experience. For example, Booking.com recommends taking international flights between Tuesday and Thursday. Fewer people travel during this window, which could mean more options should you need to re-book a flight due to delays. As for the right time to book a summer vacation, holding off until later in the season might be a good strategy to avoid crowds and save a few bucks. "It's never too late to plan for a trip," Jennifer MacLeod, owner of Beaches and Dream Travel, to WXYZ Detroit. "I would definitely say August is a much better time to plan for at this point, because June is, everyone's kind of getting out of school and it's a very, very busy season."