A Boeing 767 passenger aircraft of Delta Air Lines arrives from Dublin at JFK International Airport in Recent York because the Manhattan skyline looms within the background on Feb. 7, 2024.
Charly Triballeau | Afp | Getty Images
Delta Air Lines said Monday that it is going to bring its premium economy service to transcontinental flights in September, its latest try to boost sales of higher-priced tickets to customers willing to splurge for more room and perks.
Premium economy is a comparatively latest class of service that major airlines offer on longer, mostly international flights. It sits between first or business class and the remaining of economy and may command a ticket price often twice as much as standard coach.
Delta and its rivals like United are locked in an arms race to outfit planes with more premium seating, upgrade lounges and sell more rewards cards to capitalize on higher-spending travelers, while airfare overall slips. JetBlue Airways this yr said its turnaround plan will emphasize profitable routes that provide its Mint business-class cabin. Even Southwest Airlines, under pressure to extend revenue, is considering a dearer seat on its planes, breaking from its decades-old business model.
Ticket revenue from Delta’s predominant cabin rose 4% in the primary quarter to $5.4 billion from a yr ago, while premium-product revenue got here in 10% higher at $4.4 billion.
The added service will start Sept. 10 on 4 of 11 peak-day flights between Los Angeles and Recent York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Boeing 767s. Delta said it plans to expand service later this yr.
Delta customers who purchase standard economy tickets will have the option to pay for upgrades to premium economy on the transcontinental flights.
Delta said Medallion elite members of its loyalty program, can be eligible for complimentary upgrades to so-called Delta Premium Select, but they can even have the option to list for upgrades to its top-tier Delta One product on those flights.
A few of Delta’s planes flying some routes previously had premium economy seats on them, however the carrier wasn’t offering the service that comes together with it, like amenities kits, noise-canceling headphones, a full meal and a blanket. The seats were sold as extra legroom tickets, that are a rung below premium economy.
Some American Airlines‘ shorter domestic flights operate an identical model, featuring lie-flat seats but not the Flagship service offered on international flights.
