- Mr Plane Guy
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Travel Trends 2026: Catching Flights, Feelings & Everything In Between
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger, AvGeek & Occasional Romantic
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It keeps the blog running (and occasionally funds my overpriced airport lattes).
When Skyscanner dropped its Travel Trends 2026 report, one particular theme caught my eye “Catching Flights and Feelings” you can read the full report here.
Apparently, 20% of UK travellers will meet new people on the road in 2026. Friends, flings, maybe even a fiancé. I laughed… until I realised, I am that statistic. I met my partner on holiday in Turkey fast-forward a few years, and here we are, still arguing over who gets the window seat.
So yes, love at first flight does exist.
But romance aside, Skyscanner’s 2026 report reveals something deeper: travel is becoming more personal than ever. The focus has shifted from “escape” to “expression” from booking trips to build memories, to crafting experiences that reflect who we really are.
This blog runs on caffeine and affiliate clicks, find your next flight below and keep me flying high!
Heading to the USA?
Virgin Atlantic has some of the best long-haul flights from the UK.
London (LGW) to New York (JFK) £250-£275
Plane Flight Deal: See more cheap flight offers with Jack’s Flight Club Here
Travel in 2026: Less Escape, More Expression
2026 will be the year travellers make their trips count purpose-led journeys built around passions, priorities, and that ever-present search for “worth it.”
For me, that means blending Avios-fuelled upgrades, meaningful destinations, and a few long-overdue spa days. With nearly 150,000 Avios and Virgin Red points waiting to be redeemed, this year is about flying smarter, resting better, and spending points with purpose.
Here’s what Skyscanner says is coming and how I’m actually planning to travel smarter, calmer, and more comfortably in 2026.
Destination Hotels: Where the Hotel Is the Trip
Forget the old “crash pad between flights.” In 2026, hotels are the destination. From rooftop pools to private plunge baths, travellers are choosing stays that are experiences in themselves, designed for photos, pampering, and pure indulgence.
I’ve seen it firsthand: check out my Arlo NoMad Review for New York skyline energy done right, my Eco Chic Resort Zanzibar Review for barefoot luxury and sunsets,
or my Los Felices Ibiza feature think poolside beats, pastel cocktails, and that iconic bohemian energy.
Hotels like these aren’t just where you sleep anymore they shape why you travel. Expect the rise of “destination hotels” that combine design, wellness, and local culture in one irresistible package.
Beauty on the Go: Airport Spas & Glowmad Travel
2026’s “Glowmad” trend takes beauty beyond the spa resort and straight into the terminal. Airport wellness lounges are booming, offering express facials, light therapy, and full-on pamper sessions between flights.
I’ve promised myself to embrace this more next year. I was meant to go to Therme Spa Bucharest in 2025, but moving house took over my life for five months (so much for “self-care”). Next on my radar? The world-class spa in Milan, and one in Austria that’s said to rival any five-star Alpine retreat.
Even airports are upping their wellness game. If you’re a Priority Pass member, you can now use your lounge visit entitlement for spa experiences like Xwell Spa at New York JFK.
Perfect for anyone (like me) who believes self-care starts at the airport, ideally before boarding with a flat white and questionable Wi-Fi. Forget jet lag, it’s all about jet glow.
🍸 Start Your Trip in a Lounge
Airports aren’t just transit points anymore, they’re part of the experience. That’s why lounges and airport spas are booming in 2026…
Why queue at Pret when you could sip prosecco in peace before your flight? Priority Pass gives access to 1800+ lounges worldwide as well as lots of airport spa experiences!
Catching Flights & Feelings
Solo travel meets soft romance from seat 24A to maybe something more. It’s travel that connects: friends, lovers, or just fellow delayed passengers sharing overpriced pretzels.
I have to say I'm guilty of this, I met my partner on a holiday in Turkey and 12 months later we were married!
These are exactly the kinds of trips I tend to browse on Lastminute.com when planning something spontaneous.
Bookbound Escapes: Reading Retreats
The new luxury? Switching off. From lakeside cabins to literary hotels, “reading retreats” are the latest status symbol. Think fewer reels, more real peace.
Altitude Shift: Mountains Over Metros
The mountains are trending, not just for skiing, but for solitude. Think alpine spas, digital detoxes, and hiking holidays with fewer hashtags.
Shelf Discovery: The Food Travel Revolution
2026 travellers will explore through supermarket aisles and street stalls, not just Michelin stars. The real flavour of a destination is now found between the pasta shelves and pastry counters. I may have popped to Trader Joe's in New York!
Trending Destinations for 2026
According to Skyscanner, travellers are craving new horizons and better value, but here’s my take on what’s set to take off:
Trending Destination | Why It’s Hot for 2026 |
Rabat, Morocco | BA Euroflyer launching new Gatwick routes; culture, coast & coffee for half the price of Spain. |
Seoul, South Korea | K-Pop, Korean cuisine, and Virgin Atlantic’s new direct flights from London, it’s Asia’s new It-city. |
Still booming post-World Cup; perfect for Avios collectors with Qatar Airways tie-ins. Here is my guide to a stopover in Doha. | |
Tirana, Albania | Budget beach escapes meet Balkan cool the “new Croatia.” |
Miami, USA | A revival thanks to BA’s new Miami Lounge and JetBlue’s growing network. |
Tokyo, Japan | Peak cultural tourism, extended stays, and long-haul luxury redemptions. |
Istanbul, Turkey | Romance, culture, and flights galore, but personally, I’m biased. Turkey is where I met my partner. |
Don't forget to add Hull to this list as Hull is Named as One of the World’s Top Travel Destinations for 2026 (Yes, Really!)
Also with lots more flights from the UK to Thailand, Plane News: Virgin Atlantic to Launch London to Phuket Route, This Is Thai-Riffic News! From Gatwick to the Golden Buddha, Norse Atlantic Airways Launches Direct Flights to Bangkok. Thailand is going to be flooded with bargain air fares!
Plane Guy’s Take: 2026 Is Personal
For me, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of pamper and points. More meaningful travel, more comfort in the journey itself, and more strategic use of those hard-earned miles.
Whether it’s splurging Avios on a BA first flight, finally booking that long-awaited spa day, or turning an airport layover into a self-care moment this year’s all about slowing down, savouring the experience, and remembering why we travel in the first place.
Next Plane Related Articles
Here is my list,
Sardinia,
Chefchaouen morocco,
Ibiza,
Thailand Phuket,
Korea,
New York, yes, I've just been, very greedy!
Rail travel to, Antwerp, catch a train to Germany, maybe to Nice. Ssshh don't tell anybody about The French Riviera Hidden Gem Town of Menton
Of course I will be searching for lots of reward plants using my Plane Points and Miles using Reward Flight Finder.
Travel in 2026 isn’t about ticking countries off a list anymore. It’s about how a trip makes you feel calmer, closer, better rested, or maybe even a little in love.
For me, that means fewer rushed trips, more intentional upgrades, and choosing experiences that feel worth it, whether that’s a great hotel, a quiet lounge, or a journey that starts well before boarding.
Which of these trends are you actually booking for 2026?
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Travel Trends 2026: Catching Flights, Feelings & Everything In Between.
Plane Extras
The PLANE Smart Way to Take Off
Here are my go-to travel extras that help keep this blog (and me) airborne.
🅿️ Airport Parking Compare prices and save up to 75% at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and more with Compare Parking Prices UK →
🍸 Lounge AccessWhy wait at the gate when you could sip a pre-flight prosecco?
Get 30% off a Priority Pass membership → and access 1800+ lounges worldwide.
🌍Travel Insurance Don’t fly without cover. Coverwise (by AXA) offers annual European cover from £10.20, including medical consultations and pre-existing conditions.
🎒 Plane Essentials My must-pack travel gear, from cabin-size backpacks to neck pillows that actually work. Shop my curated Amazon Storefront →
📱Stay Connected Avoid roaming shock. Arlo eSIMs → give you instant data in 180+ destinations, no SIM swap required.
💳 Boost Your Avios Earn faster and fly farther with my Amex Gold referral → or track reward seats via Reward Flight Finder →.