On February 7, 2024, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 passenger plane arrived at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from Dublin, with the Manhattan skyline looming in the background.
Charlie Triballo | AFP | Getty Images
Delta Airlines The airline said on Monday it would introduce its premium economy class service on transcontinental flights in September, its latest attempt to boost sales of higher-priced tickets to customers willing to pay for more space and perks.
Premium Economy is a relatively new class of service offered by major airlines on long-haul flights, primarily international flights. It is located between first or business class and other economy classes, and fares are usually twice as high as standard economy class.
Delta Air Lines and its competitors Unity Airlines are locked in an arms race to outfit planes with more premium seats, upgrade lounges and sell more rewards cards to lure higher-spending travelers while overall ticket prices are falling. JetBlue Airways This year, its turnaround plan will focus on profitable routes offering Mint business class. even Southwest AirlinesUnder pressure to boost revenue, the company is considering putting more expensive seats on planes in a bid to disrupt its decades-old business model.
In the first quarter, Delta’s main-cabin ticket revenue increased 4% year-on-year to US$5.4 billion, while premium product revenue increased 10% to US$4.4 billion.
The new service will begin on September 10 with four of the 11 peak-day flights between Los Angeles and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. boeing company 767. Delta Air Lines said it plans to expand service later this year.
Delta passengers who purchase standard economy tickets will be able to pay for an upgrade to premium economy on intercontinental flights.
Delta said elite Medallion members of its loyalty program will be eligible for free upgrades to the so-called Delta Premium Select, but they will also be able to list upgrades to its top-tier Delta One product on those flights.
Some of Delta’s planes flying some routes were previously equipped with Premium Economy seats, but the airline did not offer the accompanying services, such as amenity packages, noise-canceling headphones, full meals and blankets. These seats are sold as extra legroom tickets at a lower price than Premium Economy.
Some American airlinesShorter domestic flights follow a similar model, with lie-flat seats, but without the flagship service found on international flights.
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