Summer travel habits shift in UAE as Skyscanner reports rise in flexible trip planning
Data shows strong interest in discovering new destinations beyond familiar social media travel recommendations and trends
DUBAI – Summer travel continues to dominate the priorities of UAE residents in 2026, but the way trips are being planned is undergoing a noticeable transformation.
Travellers are increasingly favouring flexibility, convenience and simplified decision-making as they navigate a more complex global travel environment.
According to research by Skyscanner, a leading global travel app, holiday planning is no longer a straightforward process of selecting destinations and booking flights, but a layered exercise involving coordination, comparison and timing. The findings highlight a growing reliance on digital tools that reduce friction and help travellers make informed decisions closer to departure dates.
Booking shift
The research shows that 30% of UAE travellers have already secured their summer holidays, while a significantly larger share, 47%, are still actively in the planning phase. Only 6% say they are not intending to travel this summer, reinforcing the continued strong demand for seasonal trips across the country. This distribution reflects a shift towards later booking cycles, where decisions are increasingly made closer to travel dates rather than months in advance.
This change is influenced by a variety of practical considerations, including fluctuating schedules, evolving work commitments and the need to coordinate with family or group members. Travellers are also balancing price comparisons, route options and availability, creating a more dynamic planning environment than in previous years.
Planning pressure
Beyond booking behaviour, the complexity of organising travel has become a defining feature of the modern holiday experience. Skyscanner’s findings indicate that travellers are now managing multiple layers of decision-making, including aligning group preferences, coordinating time off and weighing convenience against cost.
Nearly 59% of respondents said organising a group holiday is more stressful than moving house, highlighting the intensity of coordination required for shared travel experiences. In addition, 33% pointed to budget alignment as one of the most difficult aspects of group travel planning. These pressures are shaping expectations for more efficient planning tools that can centralise information and reduce time spent comparing options across multiple platforms.
Flexibility is also a key driver of behaviour, with 33% of UAE travellers describing themselves as adaptable in their travel plans. Meanwhile, 27% say their trips remain influenced by school holidays or fixed commitments, indicating that while flexibility is growing, structured constraints continue to play a significant role in decision-making.
Layover preferences
In response to these evolving behaviours, Skyscanner has expanded its suite of planning features aimed at simplifying the travel journey. The platform now allows users to compare flights, hotels and car hire options within a single interface, reducing the need to switch between multiple services.
A notable addition is the Layover Filter, designed to help travellers evaluate routes based on transit preferences and stopover convenience. Since its introduction in March 2026, usage of the feature has increased steadily, with global adoption rising by 80% between March and June 2026. This indicates a growing interest among travellers in fine-tuning itineraries beyond just price and destination.
Regionally, shifting patterns have also emerged in layover preferences. Abu Dhabi has overtaken Dubai as the most frequently selected layover airport since April, with peak usage recorded in mid-May ahead of Eid Al Adha. While some markets are showing a stronger preference for direct flights this summer, countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Portugal and Mexico continue to demonstrate sustained engagement with multi-stop itineraries, reflecting varied travel preferences across regions.
Travel mindset
Alongside logistical considerations, traveller preferences are increasingly shaped by experience-driven choices. A significant 86% of UAE travellers say they are interested in visiting destinations that feel new or different from those commonly seen on social media feeds or within their immediate social circles. This signals a shift towards more exploratory and personalised travel planning, where discovery plays a central role in decision-making.
To support this behaviour, Skyscanner’s Everywhere Search feature enables users to browse destinations based on flexibility rather than fixed location choices, encouraging exploration of alternative routes and lesser-known locations. This aligns with a broader trend where travellers are prioritising unique experiences over conventional holiday choices.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “Travellers today are approaching summer travel with a very different mindset. We’re seeing people spend more time comparing options, looking for greater flexibility and prioritising journeys that feel smoother and easier to navigate overall. The role of travel platforms is no longer just about helping people book flights — it’s about helping travellers plan with more clarity and confidence throughout the entire experience. Whether that’s comparing routes, managing layovers, finding the right stay or coordinating group trips, travellers increasingly want tools that simplify the process and help them make more informed decisions.”
Travellers are advised to remain updated with UAE government travel guidance before departure, particularly as international travel requirements and conditions continue to evolve across destinations.