Summer 2026 was expected to mark a strong return to big vacations for many Americans. Instead, rising fuel prices, uncertainty around long-haul routes and a more cautious economic outlook are reshaping the kinds of trips people feel comfortable taking. We spoke with travellers across the US to learn how their plans are evolving. This year’s travel season is proving unusually complex. Flight paths across parts of the Middle East have been disrupted, gas and jet fuel prices have climbed and