Virgin Atlantic's CEO warned that high jet fuel costs will remain elevated, citing the ongoing war in Iran as the primary driver of supply disruptions and price uncertainty. Airlines globally are already imposing fuel surcharges on tickets—Virgin Atlantic added £50 per economy seat starting March 2026—and the situation won't stabilize for at least six weeks according to the airline's outlook. The broader impact: if fuel costs stay elevated and the Iran conflict persists, airlines may cut flights or raise fares further, directly affecting consumer travel costs and airline profitability.