Cheap flights transformed the way we travel, helping millions of people fly more often and opening up destinations that were once out of reach. But rising fuel costs, changing passenger habits and growing pressure on the low-cost airline model are forcing budget carriers to adapt. Rahul Tandon and Will Bain explore what's driving the turbulence and what it could mean for fares, competition and the future of air travel.
Producer: Rebecca Smyllie
You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk
(Picture: easyJet aircraft at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, April 21, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Lisi Niesner)