US airlines expand premium seating amid changing travel preferences

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US airlines expand premium seating amid changing travel preferences

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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Dec 25, 2024

United States airlines are seeing a notable shift towards premium seating options as travel demand continues to evolve post-pandemic. Major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines have expanded their premium offerings significantly in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

According to Visual Approach Analytics, there has been a 14% increase in premium seats on domestic routes since 2019, outpacing the 4% growth in economy seats. American Airlines now leads in premium seat availability, surpassing Delta Air Lines. United Airlines has increased its premium seating by 24.8% since 2019, while Alaska Airlines and Spirit Airlines have each added more than 20%.

Alaska Airlines announced plans to add 1.3 million premium seats annually to its Boeing 737 fleet starting September this year and retrofitted its regional fleet with additional premium seats. The airline also aims for a 29% premium mix on Alaska and Hawaiian aircraft by 2027.

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Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian highlighted the company's investments in airport locations, technology, and other areas as foundational to being a premium airline. He noted that millennials' increasing wealth is driving demand for luxury travel experiences.

American Airlines faced shareholder scrutiny over its management approach but affirmed its commitment to expanding its premium seat offerings by more than 20% by 2026.

Low-cost carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines are also responding to changing customer expectations by enhancing their cabins with more premium features. Frontier plans to introduce first-class seating by late 2025.

Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines, emphasized the importance of listening to passenger demands for more upscale options.