Domestic flight fuel surcharge increases, here are some smart tips for scoring cheap tickets

Sichuan Online Reporter Lan Zhen

Recently, several airlines including Air China, China Southern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and others have released announcements one after another, adjusting the passenger fuel surcharge collection standards for domestic routes effective from April 5.

Airline notice screenshot

The specific adjustments are as follows: For passenger tickets sold on or after April 5, 2026 (inclusive), the passenger fuel surcharge for domestic routes will be charged at RMB 60 per passenger for segments of 800 kilometers (inclusive) and below; and at RMB 120 per passenger for segments above 800 kilometers.

Some special passengers are eligible for half-price standards: children who, according to regulations, enjoy 50% of the adult regular ticket fare (including children traveling without an adult companion), revolutionary disabled servicemen, and people’s police officers who have been disabled in the line of duty. For segments of 800 kilometers (inclusive) and below, a surcharge of 30 yuan will be charged; for segments above 800 kilometers, a surcharge of 60 yuan will be charged. For infants who enjoy 10% of the adult regular ticket fare, the fuel surcharge will be waived.

It should be noted that the starting date for the fuel surcharge is based on the original ticket issue date. For domestic passenger tickets sold before April 5, if they are changed to on or after April 5 (inclusive), the already collected fuel surcharge will not be refunded or supplemented.

According to industry practice, fuel surcharges for domestic routes follow industry-wide uniform pricing rules. This means all domestic airlines apply the same standards, so passengers do not need to worry about surcharge differences due to choosing different airlines.

Previously, airlines such as Spring Airlines and Joyous Airlines have raised fuel surcharges for international routes. Among them, the fuel surcharge for the Chengdu–Phuket route was increased from 0 yuan to 90 yuan, and the fuel surcharge for the Chengdu–Phnom Penh route was increased from 0 yuan to 180 yuan.

Industry insiders point out that fuel typically accounts for 20%—30% of airlines’ operating costs. To respond to current fluctuations in international oil prices, increasing the fuel surcharge is a commonly used way for airlines to quickly cover marginal costs.

How to buy discounted tickets? Here are a few tips you can参考:

1、Platform and airline promotional products usually include the fuel surcharge in the total price. In the initial period when the price increase takes effect, some product updates may be slightly delayed; this may create an opportunity to “snap up a bargain.”

2、Airlines or platforms will offer annual or quarterly ticket packs, which generally offer better value for money. Passengers with travel needs can purchase in advance and redeem early to cope with peak travel periods during holidays.

3、You can choose tickets with transfers or through tickets. Fuel surcharge and base fare policies differ among different hub airports. In some cases, the total price of separately purchased tickets for each segment is lower than the direct-flight fare, which can also effectively save costs.