Representative ImageHeathrow airport saw a record 1.3 million passengers during its busiest August week last year, and 2025 is set to surpass this, with UK airports bracing for their ‘busiest-ever summer’. Flight prices are soaring and families, holidaymakers and business travellers are all competing for limited seats.
The overlap between late-summer leisure travel and the return of international business trips has made August one of the tightest windows for booking affordable flights. To find out where travellers are paying the steepest premiums, leading business travel management company Good Travel Management has analysed top city destinations around the world to determine where UK travellers are most likely to pay the steepest peak price penalty this August.
Topping the list as having the biggest peak price penalty is Oslo. Travellers from the UK can expect to pay 453% more for their flights during the height of summer, costing £105 on average compared to just £19 in lower demand periods.
Known for its diverse nature trails, skiing opportunities and fantastic views of the Northern Lights, it’s no surprise Norway was once one of the most expensive countries to visit in the world. However, unstable krone and more direct flight paths have made the country surprisingly more affordable to visit, with 6.2 million international travellers visiting last year.
Despite prices becoming more affordable, flying to Oslo in peak summer remains a costly exception, where limited seat availability, compressed travel windows and surging seasonal demand still drive fares to eye-watering highs.
Narrowly avoiding the top spot is Copenhagen, with a 452% surge in flight costs during the peak travel season. While flights to the Danish capital can be bought for as low as £23 during mid-September, travellers over August can expect to pay £127 on average.
Passenger demand through Copenhagen Airport jumped to 2.95 million last August, a 13 percent year-on-year rise despite a five percent reduction in the number of flights. This squeeze on available seats could be a big contributor to higher price fares during the busy August month.
This spike also overlaps with the return of business travel, as many European companies restart after summer holidays. With Copenhagen a key hub for industries like biotech and finance, meetings and events pick up quickly in late August, just as holidaymakers are flying home and fewer flights are available. All of this pushes up demand and drives prices even higher.
Stockholm completes the top three destinations where travellers are the most impacted by peak travel penalties, with a 326 percent increase in air fares. Travellers to Stockholm pay on average £115 for a one-way flight in August, compared to just £27 in mid-September.
Last August, Sweden’s largest airport, Arlanda Airport, served 2.2 million passengers, an increase of 6.6 percent year-on-year.
Montreal (212 percent) and Berlin (188 percent) complete the top five cities with the steepest peak price penalty.
Interestingly, both Montreal and Toronto (6th place with a 178 percent price surge) featured in the top 10, the only two cities outside of Europe. One explanation for Canada’s heightened travel figures could be linked to growing concern around the US’ stricter border control policies. In a recent survey, 20 percent of businesses have considered cancelling, moving or pulling attendance from US-based meetings and events.
But no matter the destination, UK travellers face a steep summer price surge. On average, flights in August cost more than twice as much as in September, at a 105 percent increase across all cities analysed.
Laura Busby, Chief Commercial Officer at Good Travel Management, commented on the findings: “Whether travelling for business or leisure, sometimes flying during the busy period is unavoidable. But even if you're tied to travelling in August, there are still ways to avoid the worst of the price hikes.
“Flying just a day or two later, avoiding weekend departures and booking early can help keep costs down, especially for families and business travellers trying to stretch budgets.
“For companies managing essential summer trips, visibility and planning are key. Partnering with a travel management expert can make all the difference when availability is tight and prices are at their peak.”
