By next year, they [premium seats] will account for 30% of seats on Delta’s flights, up 2 percentage points from 2019. The mix is set to increase further when Boeing MAX 737-10 planes, which are scheduled for delivery starting in 2025 and will have around 35% premium seats, are part of the fleet.
This growth is coming at the expense of low-fare basic economy seats, which now make up less than 5% of Delta’s seats. That opens up avenues for the carrier to grow revenue through non-ticket sources like loyalty credit card fees, checked bags and extra legroom.
Delta bets on premium travel as ‘shock absorber’ for economic downturn | Reuters
Delta is making these changes as a way of adapting to the post-Covid pandemic travel restrictions market. Prior to Covid, business travelers, who generally book at the last minute and pay full fare, were about 50% of air travelers. Post Covid, the % of business travelers has dropped significantly.
To make up that lost – high profit revenue – airlines are forcing consumers into higher tiers of seats. For example, it is impossible to buy a change-able or refundable air fare unless you pay for a higher class ticket which can run 50% to 100% more than economy. It is rather insane that U.S. business now prohibit cancellation and refunds, even months in advance for many services. This is anti-consumer behavior.
Further, the “higher class” that costs 50% more is pretty much the same as economy – with the only noticeable added value being a change-able or refundable fare. Last year, I had hepatitis just weeks before a long planned trip, and then an emergency tooth extraction 2 days before departure. I didn’t get a medical okay to travel until 2 days before the trip. Fortunately, I was able to go on the trip although my energy levels were reduced (for 2 to 3 months after hepatitis, which is common). We did have a change-able fare so we could have canceled and changed to a future flight if necessary. After that experience we now always pay the extra fees to have a change-able or cancel-able fare or hotel accommodation.