Airport parking trends reveal shift in holiday habits among British travelers | News
New research from Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) has revealed a significant shift in British travel patterns this year, with holidaymakers swapping traditional weekend sailings for midweek getaways.
An analysis of APH.com bookings data from the first quarter of 2026 (January – March) compared to the same period in 2025* shows that while overall travel is increasing, weekday bookings between Monday and Thursday are growing almost twice as fast as weekend bookings.
The figures highlight a clear trend where British travelers are choosing to travel at less busy times and when flights, hotels and airport parking are more affordable. For example, a passenger flying British Airways from London Heathrow to Marseille will pay £405.45 for an Economy flight if flying Friday to Friday in May, but the same flight drops to £232.45 if traveling Tuesday to Tuesday the same week – a significant saving of £173 per passenger**.
With midweek flights generally less busy and offering better value, the research shows that UK travellers’ decision-making is currently driven by cost-efficiency and convenience when it comes to booking travel abroad.
Key findings from the APH study include:
Bookings on weekdays increased by 17% year-on-year.
Wednesday and Thursday have proven to be the fastest growing days for overnight parking at airports, closely followed by Tuesday.
February 2026 saw the strongest year-on-year growth for weekday performance, suggesting winter sun seekers and families are looking for midweek flexibility.
Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), said: “We’re seeing a change in holiday habits every year, with British travelers becoming smarter when it comes to planning their leisure time. By shifting their departures to the middle of the week, holidaymakers are finding better deals, quieter airports and enjoying a more relaxing start and end to the holiday. Our data shows that travelers are prioritizing value for money, but without compromising on the quality of their travel experience.”
For more information about Airport Parking and Hotels (APH), visit www.aph.com
