Cruise operators and airlines report robust bookings for summer 2026 despite higher fuel prices and overall travel expenses up 9 percent year over year.
Gas prices have reached a four-year high near $4.50 per gallon in the United States as the peak summer travel period begins. Cruise lines such as Viking have seen strong results, with first-quarter revenue rising 17.5 percent from a year earlier and 2026 sailings already 92 percent booked. Airlines including low-cost carriers continue to add capacity while keeping fares competitive even as hotel rates and other costs climb. A total of 77 percent of Americans plan summer trips this year, supporting industry resilience according to the available data.
