easyJet and easyJet Holidays reveal the trends defining travel in 2026

Brits are seeking longer short haul flights, chasing the stars with astronomy tourism and using AI to ‘try before they fly’, according to a new report into how we will holiday in 2026.

The latest travel trend report from the largest UK airline easyJet and easyJet holidays surveyed 2000 British holidaymakers and has revealed what is shaping where British holidaymakers plan to go in 2026, with this year’s trends being driven by some of the biggest culture, sport and nature moments of the year, as well as generational differences.

Rather than choosing destinations by price and proximity alone, travellers are now planning trips around defining moments: watching a solar eclipse, following a historic pilgrimage route, travelling in the footsteps of a favourite TV show or novel, or flying to play or watch sport.

Longer short haul flights of five to six hours are becoming the new norm, unlocking destinations that blend adventure with value.  Tunisia and its lesser-known island of Djerba continue to grow in popularity with the airline seeing 12% increase in flying to the country in 2026 while the Georgian capital of Tblisi is gaining traction for city breaks thanks to new direct routes from the UK. This year the airline is also seeing a 21% increase in flying to longer-leisure destinations like Morocco, Turkey and Cyprus compared to last year.

The new trends identified by the British public and renowned travel writer Nigel Thompson, who co-authored the report, point to holidays now being shaped more by what people care about, not just where they go.

Thompson says, “We’re seeing travellers plan around passions and purpose – whether that’s spirituality, culture, sport or nature. It looks like 2026 is about meaning as much as mobility, but value remains a key factor.”

Whilst 2025 was the year of astrology, 2026 is the year of astronomy. ‘Dark sky tourism’ is emerging as one of the most distinctive trends of the year, driven by Gen Z, TikTok and a growing interest in astronomy and astrophotography. The total solar eclipse on August 12 will be visible from parts of Spain, including Valencia, Palma Mallorca and Ibiza.

A spiritual revival is emerging through younger generations. ‘Gen-P’ travellers are embracing pilgrimage routes across Europe such as Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes, blending spirituality, culture and connection.

Cultural moments are also putting destinations on the map. The return of The White Lotus to Europe is expected to drive a new wave of screen-led travel around the south of France, while ‘Canon Country tourism’ will see travellers visiting destinations made famous through classic literature and its modern retellings – from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona. Over a quarter of us (28%) would pick our destination based on TV, books or film.

Sporting endeavors are informing our travel habits too. The 2026 World Cup taking place all the way across the Atlantic, sports fans will be looking to soak up the atmosphere closer to home to save both time and money, travelling to enjoy the games in local fan zones across Europe. Meanwhile, the padel phenomenon is driving new trend in sports holidays in European destinations like Spain where its popularity has outstripped tennis. One in 10 of us are now giving padel or pickleball a go while on holiday.

Travel is also being defined by differences in generations and life stages. Parents with pre-school children are taking advantage of flexibility and travelling more before term-time restrictions begin, while ‘Home Alone’ parents – whose adult children stay behind to house or pet-sit – are rediscovering freedom to travel again.

Many of us will be taking the opportunity to ‘try before you fly’, planning trips via vlogs and VR experiences of destinations before booking. Technology is also removing language barriers, giving travelers the confidence to explore new destinations. Nearly a quarter of Brits (22%) now embracing translation technology abroad and over half (52%) are planning to visit a new destination in 2026.

Kenton Jarvis, easyJet CEO said: “We’re always looking at ways our customers plan book and holiday and can already see some shifts in customer behaviour, like longer short-haul routes growing in popularity and technology playing a greater role both in making unfamiliar destinations feel accessible and helping us operate efficiently to keep fares low and journeys seamless.

“It is great to see more people exploring new destinations, using new technology in innovative ways and seeking out alternative experiences and I am proud of the part easyJet continues to play in helping to shape how each generation travels, while always aiming to make travel easy and accessible for all.”

“In 2026, there’s a clear desire to make holidays count,” Garry Wilson, CEO at easyJet Holidays, added. “We’re seeing customers become far more intentional about how and when they travel, whether that’s getting away before everyday routines take over, switching off from screens, or planning trips around meaningful moments you simply can’t recreate at home.

“From community organised trips to experience-led breaks, people are prioritising connection, wellbeing and memories that last, not just time away. At easyJet Holidays, we’re focused on supporting customers with flexible options and a wide choice of destinations, helping them plan holidays that fit around what matters most to them.”

The 15 Trends That Will Define How We Travel in 2026:

1. Longer short haul – Bringing destinations that blend distance with convenience into easy reach
2. Try before you fly – Utilising immersive technology like VR, or short-form video platforms to experience the destination first through someone else’s eyes
3. Translation Exploration – Embracing adventure and veering off the beaten track with the confidence of strong language translators including AI instant translate
4. Pre-School’s Out – Parents with younger children cram holidays in before term time constraints take their toll
5. Dark sky tourism – European dark sky spots to enjoy their day in the sun as Gen Zers travel to pursue newfound interests in astronomy and astrophotography
6. Take your pickle… or padel – Booking holiday destinations based on new sporting activities on offer, including pickleball, padel or paddleboarding.
7. Wardrobe wanderlust – selling clothes on sites such as Ebay, Vinted or Depop to put towards travel budgets, decluttering at the same time
8. The White Lotus effect – set to return to Europe in 2026, travellers will look to replicate the luxury seen on the silver screen
9. Canon country tourism – Visiting historic towns and landscapes rediscovered through classic literature or their modern retelling, from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona.
10. Sun – without – screen – Exploring inventive or classic ways to reduce screentime whilst on holiday, but prioritising an analogue way of life
11. Community influence – Taking the online travel community off-line by joining on group travel trips organised by travel content creators, experts in their own rights
12. Wealth of experience – Prioritising experiences within travel, culture and personal enrichment over assets
13. Home alone – Taking more holidays as a parent of adult children with a live-in house or pet-sitter (your adult children)
14. Gen-P – Exploring historic religious pilgrimages as a reason to travel, from Santiago de Compostela to Lourdes
15. Putting the world in cup – Using major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup as a reason to travel to teams’ home countries, watching iconic matches surrounded by local fans