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World’s second best airline to raise passenger fuel surcharges by up to 41% on long-haul routes

Sandy Verma | July 24, 2026 10:24 PM CST

Cathay Pacific Airways said on Friday it would raise passenger and cargo fuel surcharges from Aug. 1, reversing a series of reductions since May, as jet fuel prices surge on renewed Middle East tensions.

The Hong Kong flag carrier said the adjustment marks the first increase to surcharges since April, though the charges remain below their peak in that month.

For passengers, the surcharge on long-haul routes between Hong Kong and destinations including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa will rise 41% from HK$965 (US$123.06) to HK$1,362 per sector.

On flights between Hong Kong and mainland China, the surcharge will increase to HK$198 from HK$165.

Surcharges on flights to South Asia will rise to HK$633 from HK$448, while other routes will increase to HK$339 from HK$241.

An Airbus A350 passenger aircraft of Cathay Pacific arrives from Hong Kong at JFK International Airport in New York on Feb. 7, 2024. Photo by AFP

The fuel surcharge for cargo shipments departing Hong Kong will increase to HK$10.10 per kg for long-haul destinations, HK$5.10 per kg for medium-haul, and HK$2.80 per kg for short-haul.

The airline cited data from the International Air Transport Association that showed the global average jet fuel price climbed to $149.4 per barrel for the week ending July 17, up sharply from $127.06 per barrel the previous week and $119.13 per barrel for the week ending July 3.

Cathay said it would continue to review and revise fuel surcharges every two weeks.

In the annual World’s Best Airlines rankings for 2026, Cathay Pacific was named the world’s second-best airline after Qatar Airways by AirlineRatings.