• While median fares remain flat, overall fares are up significantly this summer. BLS CPI data shows overall US airfare costs up 26.7% YoY as of May 2026, driven largely by surging jet fuel costs tied to the Iran conflict. International median fares have flattened against last year at around $1,299 roundtrip, masking sharp variation by route. International premium cabin fares (business/first) are up only ~7% YoY, making them a relative value compared to steep economy increases.
• Transatlantic demand softness has created pockets of value, with US to Europe bookings down 11.2% YoY for the summer, a drop that has worsened since early in the year. Airlines have excess inventory on certain routes, so flexible travelers may find better deals than headline averages suggest, particularly in August, which tends to run ~20% cheaper than June and July.
• Eastern Europe remains the best-value region as Prague, Budapest, Sofia, and Krakow continue to see competitive fares relative to Western Europe. Sarajevo is among the destinations with the steepest per-ticket cost drops over the past year.

• REAL ID is required for domestic flights as of May 7, 2025. Non-compliant travelers can pay a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee valid for 10 consecutive days from the selected travel start date.
• Department of Transportation (DOT) refund rules finalized in 2024 entitle passengers to cash refunds for significant cancellations and delays, but enforcement is uneven. The current administration has signaled a lighter-touch approach, and budget carriers in particular have faced ongoing compliance issues.

YoY change in advance bookings for July 2026 vs. July 2025

Source: Cirium OTA/GDS

YoY change in search interest from US airports 2026 vs. 2025 (KAYAK)

Source: KAYAK 2026 Travel Trends Forecast

• AAA projects 21.7M Americans will take ocean cruises in 2026, a 4.5% increase over 2025, marking four consecutive record years. 90% of US-based cruise passengers rate their experience very good or excellent. Top regions: Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe.
• 23% of US travelers have traveled abroad specifically for medical treatments or procedures, while 68% express interest in wellness-focused international travel, including anti-aging therapies, full-body diagnostics, and biomarker testing. For American travelers, medical tourism is now an emerging mainstream category (Mastercard Travel Trendline).
• Bleisure travel (combining business and leisure in a single trip) is becoming increasingly popular as 81% of business travelers have extended a work trip for personal purposes. Top add-ons are wellness activities and time with family at the destination.
• 76% of parents of Gen Alpha say that their Gen Alpha children (born 2010–2024) are significantly impacting travel choices. 85% give their child effective veto power over "boring" destinations.
• US bookings to Canada are up 26% YoY with Americans increasingly choosing Canada as a summer destination, a trend amplified by World Cup matches in Vancouver and Toronto. In March 2026, the number of US residents entering Canada jumped 28% from the same month the previous year.
• Americans traveling to Europe should be aware of the current sentiment environment. YouGov's tracker shows favorable attitudes toward the US dropped between 6 and 28 percentage points across seven major European countries, though Americans who have traveled report that the political sentiment does not translate into hostile treatment of individual travelers. US to Europe bookings are down 11.2% YoY.

• Canadian travel to the US has declined dramatically since early 2025, driven by political tensions, tariff disputes, and the US president's repeated references to Canada as a potential 51st state. Canadian road crossings to the US are down 35% compared to March 2024, and Canadian air travel to the US was down 14% YoY in March 2026 alone. The drop has been sustained across 14+ consecutive months. A Nanos Research survey found that 43% of Canadians say they are less likely to visit the US in 2026 than the previous year. Younger Canadians (Gen Z) show the most openness to US travel, while older Canadians remain firmly disengaged. YoY overall declines in travel to the US narrowed from a peak of approximately 25% in late 2025 to 7.6% in March 2026; April 2026 showed a modest 1.4% increase the first month of growth in over a year.
• Statistics Canada data shows overseas trips by air already exceeding arrivals from the US by car, a structural shift in how Canadians are distributing their travel spending. Europe demand has roughly doubled, and Asia is emerging as the best-value long-haul option with airfares down significantly.

Global Affairs Canada advises Canadians to avoid all travel to Russia and that you assume full personal responsibility if you proceed. Consular assistance from the Canadian Embassy in Moscow is limited and the Embassy cannot facilitate departures from the country.

• Canadian citizens need a visa to enter Russia and the Russian unified e-visa is available for Canadians for tourist stays of up to 16 days. It can be processed online for approximately USD $52. For longer stays, a traditional visa requiring an invitation letter is necessary. Since 2023, Russian border authorities take biometric data (fingerprints) on entry and exit. Since July 2025, they also have the legal right to examine electronic devices at the border. In practice, checks are reported to be selective, but the authority is broad.
• Dual nationals face elevated risk because Russia does not recognize dual nationality. A Canadian citizen who also holds Russian citizenship is treated solely as a Russian citizen in Russia and Canadian consular protection is effectively unavailable. Dual nationals have been prevented from leaving and in some cases drafted into the military. If you hold dual Canadian-Russian citizenship, seek specialized legal advice before considering any travel to Russia.