The Amex GBT Air Monitor forecasts annual price changes for routes around the world across business class, premium economy and economy.
The 2026 forecast suggests prices will not be entirely flat, with different regions expected to be affected differently.
For air travel within North America, fares are expected to drop marginally across all three classes, between 0.2 and 0.5 per cent.
Business class fares between North America and Europe are predicted to experience a similarly tiny rise – going up by 0.2 per cent, while premium economy fares between the two continents are anticipated to rise by more – 1.8 per cent – as economy fares drop by 1.5 per cent.
The largest predicted price rise is for business class fares between South America and the Middle East, with an expected increase of 9.9 per cent, while business class travel within the Middle East is forecast to rise by 9 per cent.
Looking locally, airfares between Australia and the Middle East are expected to rise by 6.1 per cent for business class, 5.1 per cent for premium economy and 3.1 per cent for economy.
More expensive airfares are expected across the board between Australia and Asia, up by 3.4 per cent in business class, 4.5 per cent in premium economy and 3.1 per cent in economy.
Fare rises for flights between Australia and both Europe and North America are expected to be smaller, with a couple of fare types expected to reduce in price.
Business class fares between Australia and Europe are forecast to decline by 2.7 per cent, premium economy fares are predicted to be flat and economy fares are expected to rise by 4.2 per cent.
Meanwhile for travel between Australia and North America, economy airfares are anticipated to drop by 0.9 per cent but rise in premium economy and business class by 1.5 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively.
