A UK travel expert has outlined how employees can nearly triple their time off work in 2026, simply by booking annual leave strategically around bank holidays and weekends.

Shelley Tasker, Head of Operations at Alternative Airlines, says careful planning can transform the standard 25–28 days of annual leave into as many as 57 days away from work, all without requesting extra holiday entitlement. “Most workers in the UK don't realise how much extra time off they can create just by aligning their leave with public holidays,” Tasker explained.

“Planning early means you're more likely to get the dates you want and enjoy proper breaks throughout the year.” According to Tasker, the May bank holidays in 2026, falling on Monday 4th and Monday 25th May, offer the biggest opportunity for an extended break.

“By taking annual leave from 5th–8th and 11th–15th May, employees could enjoy 16 consecutive days off while using only nine days of holiday,” she said.

Other periods offer similar advantages.

  • Easter: Taking four days off after Easter Monday (6th April) creates a nine-day break from 5th - 13th April.
  • Christmas and New Year: Using just three leave days between 29th - 31st December allows for up to 11 days away from work, from 24th December to 4th January 2027, depending on individual company policies.

Tasker emphasised that early planning is key: “January is when most people start requesting annual leave. Having your dates ready before colleagues do increases your chances of getting the time off you want.”

Beyond scheduling, Tasker suggested that budget-conscious workers look to travel during shoulder seasons, the quieter weeks before and after peak periods, when airfares and accommodation rates are typically lower.

“Travelling outside school holidays or main summer weeks can make a big difference to cost, while still offering great weather and fewer crowds,” she said.

According to UK government guidance, most full-time employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid holiday each year, including bank holidays, though entitlement can vary by employer. Understanding those rights and how notice periods work is the first step to making annual leave go further.

Tasker concluded: “With a bit of planning now, you can make 2026 a year of more rest, more travel and more balance, all without needing any extra leave.” Shelley Tasker is Head of Operations at Alternative Airlines, a UK-based flight booking platform.

Her guidance focuses on helping travellers plan time off and manage travel budgets effectively.