‘It’s an Opportunity for Us’: Behind Closed Doors, Airlines Gleefully Cash-in on Iran War

April 9, 2026

‘It’s an Opportunity for Us’: Behind Closed Doors, Airlines Gleefully Cash-in on Iran War

The Iran war is forcing working families to pay over $4 per gallon for gas at the pump, while airline executives jack up prices on everything from fares to bags, telling investors “the revenue environment is really strong.”

As President Donald Trump’s Iran War strains working families’ wallets, Groundwork Collaborative today released new analysis exposing airline executives for using the conflict to increase their profits — and bragging about it.

Prices have skyrocketed since Trump launched the war: the price of jet fuel has nearly doubled, and Americans have already paid over $8.4 billion more at the pump. Companies have begun raising prices in response, with Amazon, USPS, and FedEx putting fuel surcharges on shipments. Airlines are doing the same, charging higher ticket prices and raising baggage fees. Yet, across numerous investor calls, airline executives gleefully discuss the prospect of passing higher prices directly to consumers, ensuring that working families ultimately bear the full brunt of the conflict.

Groundwork’s Executive Director Lindsay Owens reacted to airlines’ plans to hike prices, saying,

“The war in Iran has airline executives practically tripping over themselves. They’re following the COVID-era corporate playbook: giddily discussing how they can pad their pockets by using a crisis to gouge consumers already past their breaking point. Don’t take it from me; just listen to what they’re saying.”

Executives See the Iran War as Another Opportunity to Price Gouge Consumers

The Industry is in Lockstep on Passing the Pain onto Consumers

While Consumers Pinch Pennies, Executives are Clear They’ll Come out on Top

Airlines are Jacking Up Baggage Fees as Families Already Feel the Pain