Delta Air Lines recently announced that they will be launching their premium economy service on transcontinental flights starting in September. This move is seen as an effort to attract customers who are willing to pay more for additional space and perks during their flights. Premium economy is a relatively new class of service that falls between first/business class and economy, offering passengers a more luxurious experience for a higher ticket price.
Major airlines such as Delta and United are in an ongoing competition to increase sales of premium seating and services to cater to high-spending travelers. This includes upgrading lounges, adding more premium seats to their planes, and promoting rewards cards. JetBlue Airways has also embraced the trend by focusing on profitable routes that feature their Mint business-class cabin. Even Southwest Airlines, known for its budget-friendly model, is exploring the possibility of introducing a more expensive seating option to boost revenue.
In the first quarter, Delta saw a 4% increase in ticket revenue from the main cabin, reaching $5.4 billion. In comparison, revenue from premium products surged by 10% to $4.4 billion during the same period. This indicates a growing demand for premium services among passengers, prompting Delta to expand its offerings on transcontinental routes.
Starting on September 10th, Delta will introduce premium economy on four out of 11 peak-day flights between Los Angeles and New York’s JFK Airport on Boeing 767s. Passengers who purchase standard economy tickets will have the option to upgrade to premium economy for these flights. Elite members of Delta’s loyalty program will also have the opportunity for complimentary upgrades to Delta Premium Select or Delta One on these routes.
Previously, some of Delta’s planes offered premium economy seating but did not provide the accompanying services such as amenities kits, noise-canceling headphones, meals, and blankets. These seats were marketed as extra legroom tickets rather than premium economy. American Airlines follows a similar model on shorter domestic flights, featuring lie-flat seats without the full Flagship service available on international routes.
Delta’s decision to introduce premium economy to transcontinental flights reflects a larger industry trend towards offering more luxurious options for travelers willing to pay a premium. As airlines continue to compete for high-spending customers, we can expect to see more upgrades and enhancements to premium services in the future.