Flight prices are soaring in 2026. Thanks to the ongoing Iran war and the resulting fuel crisis, airfares are expected to be 5-10% higher than previously forecasted – and some routes have seen tickets triple in price overnight.

With jet fuel prices doubling from $85-90 per barrel to $150-200 per barrel in just three weeks, airlines are passing these costs directly to travelers through higher fares and fuel surcharges.

If you can't control rising flight costs, at least control your connectivity costs.

Here's how to save money on international travel data while navigating this new expensive travel landscape – and why our code THEDUFRESNES helps you save up to 32% on unlimited data eSIMs.

Get Holafly: https://holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q

The Iran War Flight Price Crisis: What's Happening

Jet Fuel Prices Have Doubled

Since the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, 2026, jet fuel prices have skyrocketed:

Before the war: $85-90 per barrel
Current prices: $150-200 per barrel
Increase: More than 100% in three weeks

"The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks," United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby wrote in a March 20 note. "If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel."

Airlines Are Raising Fares Now

Major carriers worldwide have already announced price increases:

Qantas Airways (Australia): Raised international fares
Scandinavia's SAS: Increased ticket prices citing fuel costs
Air New Zealand: Added $6-53 per ticket depending on route
Cathay Pacific: Nearly doubled fuel surcharges starting March 18
Hong Kong Airlines: Raised fuel surcharges up to 35.2%

Expert prediction: "We expect air fares will be 5-10% higher than we previously expected over 2026 and 2027," according to Tourism Economics director Helen McDermott.

Real Examples: How Much More You're Paying

Flight prices have jumped dramatically on certain routes:

Newark to Quebec City (Air Canada):

• March 4: $500
• March 11: $1,499 (nearly tripled)

Los Angeles to Lima (LATAM Airlines):

• One week before: $499
• Current: $2,125 (more than quadrupled)

Business class tickets (some routes):

• Jumped from $3,000 to $27,000 in a single week

Even with recent oil price drops after Trump suggested the war could end "very soon," prices remain significantly elevated compared to pre-war levels.

Why Prices May Stay High for Months

The Strait of Hormuz closure: This vital shipping route normally handles 20% of global oil supplies. With it effectively blocked, supply disruptions continue.

Airspace closures: 50,000+ flights have been canceled since February 28. Airlines are flying longer routes to avoid the Middle East, using more fuel.

Increased demand on alternative routes: Passengers avoiding Middle East connections are flooding Europe-Asia routes that bypass the region, driving up prices on those flights.

Uncertainty: Airlines can't predict when fuel prices will stabilize, so they're pricing in risk.

"Airfares could remain elevated for months even if the war de-escalates," according to aviation experts.

What This Means for Travelers in 2026

Your Flight Budget Just Got 5-10% Smaller

If you budgeted $1,000 for flights:

• 5% increase: Now costs $1,050 (you lose $50)
• 10% increase: Now costs $1,100 (you lose $100)

If you're booking a family of four:

• 5% increase: Extra $200
• 10% increase: Extra $400

That's money coming out of your travel budget – money you could have spent on experiences, accommodations, food, or connectivity.

Every Dollar Saved Matters More Now

When flights are more expensive, smart travelers look for savings everywhere else:

✅ Budget accommodations instead of luxury hotels
✅ Street food instead of restaurants
✅ Public transport instead of taxis
✅ Unlimited data eSIM instead of expensive data caps

This last one is where most travelers waste money without realizing it.

How Travelers Waste Money on Connectivity (Without Knowing It)

The "Cheaper" eSIM Trap

Many travelers think they're saving money by buying data cap eSIMs:

Airalo: 10GB for $30
Saily: 10GB for $30
Other competitors: Similar pricing

Sounds cheap, right? Until you run out of data.

What Actually Happens

Week 1-2: Everything's fine

• Google Maps: 500MB/day
• WhatsApp calls: 300MB/day
• Social media: 500MB-1GB/day
• Email, browsing: 200-500MB/day
• Total: 3-5GB per week

Week 3: You run out of data

• Need to buy another $30 eSIM
• And another if you run out again

Monthly cost: $60-90 buying multiple data cap eSIMs

Plus the stress:

• Constantly monitoring usage
• Rationing data
• Hunting for WiFi
• Being unreachable when you run out

The Hidden Cost: Being Unreachable

Here's what most travelers don't understand:

When you're abroad with an eSIM, you're not using your home phone number for calls.

You're using:

• WhatsApp calls (requires data)
• WhatsApp messages (requires data)
• Internet-based communication (requires data)

If you run out of data:

• ❌ You can't receive WhatsApp calls
• ❌ You're completely unreachable
• ❌ You don't know someone tried to contact you
• ❌ Emergency calls won't go through

This happened to us during our apartment fire in Da Nang (more on that story below).

The Smarter Alternative: Holafly Unlimited Data

Actually Cheaper (When You Do the Math)

Holafly monthly plan with THEDUFRESNES code:

• Regular: $65/month
• With our code: ~$58.50/month
• Truly unlimited data (we use 50-150GB/month)

Compare to data cap eSIMs:

• Week 1-2: 10GB for $30
• Week 3-4: Another 10GB for $30
• Total: $60/month

Holafly is actually cheaper ($58.50 vs $60) AND you get:

• ✅ Unlimited data (vs 20GB total)
• ✅ Never run out
• ✅ Always reachable
• ✅ No usage monitoring
• ✅ No stress

Save Even More with Annual Plans

Holafly annual plan with THEDUFRESNES:

• Regular: $699/year
• With our code (32% off): $475/year
• That's $39.58/month for unlimited data

Perfect for:

• Digital nomads
• Full-time travelers
• Frequent flyers (3+ international trips per year)
• Expats living abroad

Annual plan savings:

• vs buying monthly Holafly: Save $227/year
• vs buying data cap eSIMs: Save $245-605/year

In a year where flights cost 10% more, saving $227-605 on connectivity matters.

Real-World Example: How Unlimited Data Saved Us During Our Fire

Last week, our Da Nang apartment caught fire while we were out. Here's why unlimited data on Holafly was essential:

What Happened

1. Property manager called Shayna on WhatsApp about the fire
2. Call went through immediately (unlimited data active)
3. Shayna called me on WhatsApp to inform me
4. I booked Grab instantly (no WiFi hunting)
5. Got home in 8 minutes
6. Evacuated our 3 chihuahuas
7. Used data to book emergency Airbnb in Hue
8. Relocated same day

Total data used that day: Probably 5-8GB (emergency calls, navigation, booking accommodation, coordinating)

If We'd Had a Data Cap eSIM

Scenario: Mid-month, already used most of our 10GB cap

What would have happened:

• Property manager's WhatsApp call wouldn't go through (out of data)
• We'd be completely unreachable
• Would've found out about fire hours later when we found WiFi
• Our chihuahuas trapped longer
• More smoke damage
• More stress

This is why unlimited data isn't luxury – it's essential.

Worth way more than $58.50/month for that peace of mind.

Holafly eSIM Options: Choose What Fits Your Travel

Country-Specific eSIMs

Perfect for: Single-destination trips

Popular destinations:

• Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea
• Spain, France, Italy, UK
• Mexico, Brazil, Colombia
• And 200+ more countries

Pricing with THEDUFRESNES:

• 7-day plans: From ~$25 (with discount)
• 15-day plans: From ~$44 (with discount)
• 30-day plans: From ~$54 (with discount)

Who this is for:

• Vacation to one country
• Short work trip
• Weekend getaway

Regional eSIMs

Perfect for: Multi-country trips within a region

Regions available:

• Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, and more
• Europe: All EU countries, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and more
• Americas: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and more
• Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar (when safe), and more

Pricing with THEDUFRESNES:

• Monthly: ~$58.50/month (with 10% off)
• Perfect for multi-country trips

Who this is for:

• Southeast Asia backpackers
• European multi-city tours
• South America travelers
• Business travelers covering multiple countries

Example use case:

• Thailand → Vietnam → Cambodia → Malaysia
• One eSIM, works in all countries automatically
• No swapping, no buying new eSIMs at each border

Global eSIMs

Perfect for: Worldwide travelers, digital nomads

Coverage: 200+ countries worldwide

Pricing with THEDUFRESNES:

• Monthly: ~$58.50/month
• Annual: $475/year (32% off) = $39.58/month

Who this is for:

• Digital nomads moving between continents
• Full-time travelers
• Round-the-world trips
• Frequent flyers

Example use case:

• January: Thailand
• February: Vietnam
• March: Japan
• April: Spain
• May: France
• One eSIM, works everywhere

This is what we use. We move between countries every few months. Holafly just works everywhere.

Why Holafly Makes Sense When Flights Cost More

1. Control What You Can Control

You can't control:

• ❌ Iran war
• ❌ Oil prices
• ❌ Airline fuel costs
• ❌ Flight ticket prices

You CAN control:

• ✅ Your connectivity costs
• ✅ Choosing unlimited data vs wasteful data caps
• ✅ Using discount code THEDUFRESNES for up to 32% off
• ✅ Planning ahead to save money

2. Offset Flight Cost Increases with Connectivity Savings

If your flights cost 10% more in 2026:

Example round-trip to Asia:

• 2025 price: $800
• 2026 price: $880 (10% increase)
• You're paying $80 more

Offset it by saving on connectivity:

Buying data cap eSIMs (old way):

• $60-90/month buying multiple 10GB eSIMs

Holafly unlimited (smart way):

• $58.50/month with THEDUFRESNES code
• Save $1.50-31.50/month
• Save $18-378/year depending on usage

Or go annual:

• $475/year with THEDUFRESNES
• vs $720/year buying data cap eSIMs
• Save $245/year

That $245 saved completely offsets your $80 higher flight cost – plus you have $165 left over.

3. Travel Smarter in an Expensive Year

2026 is already expensive:

• Flights up 5-10%
• Hotels raising prices
• Inflation affecting costs worldwide

Smart travelers adapt:

• ✅ Book flights early (before prices rise more)
• ✅ Use budget airlines when possible
• ✅ Travel during shoulder season
• ✅ Save money on connectivity with Holafly + THEDUFRESNES
• ✅ Cook some meals instead of eating out every meal
• ✅ Use public transport

Every dollar saved = more budget for experiences.

How to Get Holafly with Maximum Savings

Step 1: Visit Holafly

👉 Get Holafly: https://holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q

Step 2: Choose Your Coverage

Options:

• Country-specific (Vietnam, Japan, Spain, etc.)
• Regional (Asia, Europe, Americas)
• Global (200+ countries)

Step 3: Select Your Duration

• 7 days
• 15 days
• 30 days
• Monthly (best for 1-3 month trips)
• Annual (best value for frequent travelers)

Step 4: Enter Discount Code

Code: THEDUFRESNES

Savings:

• Standard plans: Up to 10%
• Monthly plans: Up to 10%
• Annual plans: Up to 32% (best deal!)

Step 5: Install eSIM Before Travel

1. Receive confirmation email
2. Scan QR code
3. Install in 2 minutes
4. Activates when you land

That's it. You're connected.

Holafly Annual Plan: Best Value for 2026

With flights costing more, the annual plan makes even more sense:

Cost Breakdown

Regular price: $699/year
With THEDUFRESNES (32% off): $475/year
Monthly equivalent: $39.58/month

What You Get

• ✅ Unlimited data in 200+ countries
• ✅ One eSIM for entire year
• ✅ No country switching hassles
• ✅ Always reachable via WhatsApp
• ✅ Work remotely from anywhere
• ✅ Never worry about running out

Who Should Get Annual

You should get annual if:

• Taking 3+ international trips in 2026
• Living/working abroad for 6+ months
• Digital nomad lifestyle
• Frequent business travel
• Expat relocating

Break-even calculation:

If you would buy 8+ monthly Holafly plans: Annual saves you money
If you would buy 6+ standard 15-day plans: Annual saves you money

Most travelers taking 3+ international trips save money going annual.

Annual Plan ROI Example

Scenario: You take 4 international trips in 2026

Option 1: Buy 15-day eSIM each trip

• 4 trips × 15-day plan (~$44 with discount) = $176/year
• But what if trips are longer? What if you need data between trips?

Option 2: Buy monthly plans

• 4 months × $58.50 = $234/year
• Still not covered for entire year

Option 3: Annual plan

• $475/year
• Covered 365 days
• Data in any country, any time

If you take more than 8 trips: Annual is clearly cheapest

If you travel full-time or live abroad: Annual is the only option that makes sense

Why We Use Holafly (3+ Years of Real Experience)

We're not just affiliates promoting Holafly. We rely on it every single day.

Our Background

• Living internationally: 8+ years
• YouTube: 22,000 subscribers, 800+ videos
• Holafly users since: May 2022
• Countries tested: 10+ countries
• Current location: Hue, Vietnam (after evacuating Da Nang fire)

Why We Chose Holafly

2022: Tired of buying multiple data cap eSIMs
May 2022: Switched to Holafly unlimited
2022-2026: Used in Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, and 7+ more countries
Never looked back

What We Use It For

• Working remotely (YouTube content creation)
• Uploading 3-5GB videos regularly
• Google Maps navigation in new cities
• Video calling family back home
• WhatsApp communication with locals
• Emergency situations (like our fire)
• Social media sharing
• Email and cloud storage

Monthly data usage: 50-150GB
With data caps: Would cost $150-450/month
With Holafly: $58.50/month or $39.58/month (annual)

Actual savings: $91.50-391.50/month

The Bottom Line: Save Where You Can in 2026

What You Can't Change

• ❌ War in Iran
• ❌ Fuel prices
• ❌ Flight costs (up 5-10%)
• ❌ Global economic uncertainty

What You Can Change

• ✅ Your connectivity provider
• ✅ Switching from wasteful data caps to unlimited
• ✅ Using discount code THEDUFRESNES for up to 32% off
• ✅ Choosing annual plan for maximum savings
• ✅ Being smart about travel spending

The Math

Flight to Asia in 2026:

• Extra $80 due to fuel crisis

Holafly annual plan with THEDUFRESNES:

• Save $224 vs regular price
• Save $227 vs buying monthly plans
• Save $245-605 vs buying data cap eSIMs

Net result: You're actually saving $145-525 despite higher flight costs

That's enough savings for:

• Another short trip
• Week of accommodation
• Dozens of meals
• Experiences and activities

Get Holafly with THEDUFRESNES Code

Ready to save money on travel connectivity while flight prices soar?

👉 Get Holafly: https://holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q

Code: THEDUFRESNES

Savings:

• Standard, monthly plans: Up to 10% off
• Annual plans: Up to 32% off (best value!)

Choose your plan:

• Country-specific for single destinations
• Regional for multi-country trips
• Global/Annual for frequent travelers

Install before you fly. Stay connected when you land.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are flight prices really up 5-10%?

Yes. According to Tourism Economics and multiple airline CEOs, airfares are expected to be 5-10% higher in 2026 and 2027 due to doubled jet fuel costs from the Iran war.

Will flight prices go back down?

It depends on how long the war lasts and when fuel prices stabilize. Experts say prices could remain elevated for months even if the conflict de-escalates.

How does Holafly help offset higher travel costs?

By saving you money on connectivity. Instead of wasting $60-90/month on data cap eSIMs, pay $58.50/month (or $39.58/month annual) for unlimited data. The savings add up.

Is unlimited data really necessary?

For peace of mind and emergencies, yes. Our apartment fire proved we needed to be reachable 24/7. With data caps, you're unreachable when you run out.

What's the best Holafly plan for 2026?

Annual plan with THEDUFRESNES if you're traveling frequently or living abroad. At $475/year ($39.58/month), it's the best value and offsets rising flight costs.

Does Holafly work in countries affected by the war?

Holafly works in 200+ countries. Some Middle East routes may be disrupted due to the war, but Asia, Europe, Americas are all fully operational.

Can I use THEDUFRESNES code multiple times?

Yes! Use it every time you buy a Holafly eSIM.

How much can I really save with the annual plan?

Up to $224 vs regular price, $227 vs buying monthly plans, $245-605 vs buying data cap eSIMs repeatedly. That completely offsets a 10% flight price increase.

About Us & Why You Can Trust Our Recommendation

We're The Dufresnes – Chris, Shayna, Jayden, Lakai, and our three chihuahuas.

Our journey:

• Living internationally since 2017 (8+ years)
• Costa Rica (7 years) → Bangkok (1 year) → Da Nang → Hue, Vietnam
• YouTube: 22,000 subscribers, 800+ videos
• Full-time travelers and content creators

Our Holafly experience:

• Using since May 2022
• Tested in 10+ countries
• Rely on it daily for work and life
• Survived apartment fire emergency thanks to unlimited data

THEDUFRESNES is our exclusive affiliate code. When you use it, we earn a small commission supporting our family and allowing us to create free travel content.

We only recommend products we actually use and depend on. Holafly is one of those products.

In a year where travel costs are rising due to circumstances beyond our control, smart travelers find savings where they can. Connectivity is one of those areas.

Get Holafly: https://holafly.sjv.io/6yWy0q
Code: THEDUFRESNES (up to 32% off)

Flight prices up. Save money on connectivity. 🌍✈️📱