Travel Disruptions in 2026 and How to Mitigate Them
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 16 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Causes of Travel Disruptions: Early 2026 has seen significant flight cancellations affecting tens of thousands of travelers due to the Iran war, cartel violence in Mexico, and U.S. military operations in Venezuela, highlighting the direct impact of global events on the airline industry.
- Risks of Layover Flights: While choosing layover flights can save travelers about 22% on ticket prices, travel advisors recommend prioritizing nonstop flights to avoid the risk of missing subsequent connections due to delays, thereby reducing overall travel risk.
- Necessity of Refundable Tickets: Amid heightened uncertainty, travel advisors suggest purchasing refundable tickets, which, despite being more expensive, offer greater flexibility, especially when flights are canceled or itineraries change, making full refunds crucial in such scenarios.
- Importance of Travel Insurance: Experts emphasize that buying travel insurance is an effective way to protect travelers financially, particularly “cancel for any reason” policies, which, although costly, provide greater flexibility and security in the face of the current unstable international situation.
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Analyst Views on DAL
Wall Street analysts forecast DAL stock price to rise
18 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 64.830
Low
77.00
Averages
83.50
High
90.00
Current: 64.830
Low
77.00
Averages
83.50
High
90.00
About DAL
Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world. The Company has hubs and markets in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Its segments include Airline and Refinery. Its airline segment is managed as a single business unit that provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world and includes its loyalty program, as well as other ancillary businesses. Its refinery segment operates for the benefit of the airline segment by providing jet fuel to the airline segment from its own production and through jet fuel obtained through agreements with third parties. The refinery's production consists of jet fuel as well as non-jet fuel products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Severe Staffing Shortages: At Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport, absentee rates exceed 40%, while Hobby Airport reports 55%, significantly reducing TSA's screening efficiency and negatively affecting the travel experience for passengers.
- Airlines Unite in Demand: CEOs from major airlines including American Airlines and Delta have jointly written to Congress demanding an immediate end to the shutdown, stating that the situation of TSA workers not receiving paychecks is “unacceptable” and warning of increased costs from flight delays and passenger rebookings.
- Escalating Economic Impact: With fuel prices rising due to the US-Iran conflict, airlines face additional financial pressures, with Delta estimating a $400 million loss in March alone, compounding operational challenges within the industry.
See More
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- Fuel Price Surge Impacts Fares: Fuel prices at major U.S. airports have reached $3.98 per gallon, up nearly 60% since February 28, forcing airlines to raise ticket prices to cover rising costs, with airfare expected to increase by 20% this year.
- Strong Demand Persists: Despite rising fares, airlines like Delta and American Airlines report that demand remains robust, particularly for high-end leisure travel, indicating consumers' willingness to continue flying, which may encourage airlines to maintain flight schedules in the future.
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See More
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- Industry Profit Estimates: There has been a general reduction in profit estimates across the airline industry, yet Delta's stock remains relatively stable.
- Unusual Market Behavior: The current performance of Delta's stock is noted as unusual for the airline industry, which is typically more volatile.
See More
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- Escalating Political Tensions: Significant disagreements exist between Democrats and Republicans over ICE funding, with Democrats insisting on reforms while Republicans plan to restore ICE funding through budget reconciliation, potentially exacerbating tensions between the two parties.
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