US airlines are redesigning travel around their highest-paying passengers

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/airlines-premium-passengers-economy-flights-b1ac3b9c05ca942dec213679ab21a62b

US airlines are redesigning travel around their highest-paying passengers
By RIO YAMAT, AP Airlines and Travel Writer
Updated 12:39 PM CDT, July 9, 2026

They may arrive at the same destination, but two passengers on the same flight can have strikingly different travel experiences.

One traveler breezes through a priority security lane and heads straight to an invite-only lounge for craft cocktails and a chef-prepared meal before boarding early. A flight attendant offering a glass of champagne and a warm hand towel welcomes the passenger to a spacious seat at the front of the plane.

The other traveler stands in a line at every step — security screening, a café selling $16 sandwiches, a crowded gate — then boards with one of the final groups, hoping there’s still room for a carry-on in the overhead bin before folding into a cramped middle seat. After the cabin lights dim, sleep comes in fragments, and a travel pillow does little to ease a stiff neck.

The strategy embraced by Delta and rivals American Airlines and United Airlines marks a notable evolution for an industry that spent decades making air travel more accessible. Now, the nation’s largest carriers are reconfiguring aircraft to expand premium seating, designing new fleets with larger premium cabins and investing billions in amenities that extend the top-tier travel treatment beyond their jetliners.

“Marie Antoinette would feel very comfortable on any of the big three airlines these days,” said William J. McGee, senior fellow for aviation at the American Economic Liberties Project. “But instead of saying, ‘Let them eat cake’ in the back of the plane, she would say, ‘Let them eat Biscoffs.’”

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https://www.semafor.com/article/05/18/2023/the-us-spent-62-billion-saving-airlines-during-the-pandemic-we-wont-get-it-back

[Raftergirl]

1. We only fly first class now because otherwise flying is just too miserable. We'd rather not travel by air at all

if we couldn’t fly FC. I use miles, depending on how expensive tickets are. My last two domestic flights were not that expensive, so I just paid on my CC and got double the miles.

Planning a trip to Spain for fall 2027 and I already have over 200k in miles. By the time I book I’ll have quite a bit more.

I put everything possible on my CC (which I pay off in full every month.)

[Bluetus]

3. I am the same way

Last edited Thu Jul 9, 2026, 06:05 PM - Edit history (1)

I flew nearly 2 million miles as a business traveler. The first half million were really terrible. At some point, I obtained enough status to be able to arrange for business class or first class upgrades. But this was in the context of the airlines working day and night to make their product the most miserable experience possible. By the time I retired, the business class was about the level of comfort and service that used to come to all passengers.

I have probably flown only 10 times in the 20 years since retiring. And while I still have enough points to book first class seats (which are rarely available with points), that really doesn't make me any more likely to fly.

The simple truth is that for a long time, business travelers supported everything else. With the possible exception of Southwest, airlines that run cattle car operations are generally unsuccessful.

I believe what we are seeing here is the COVID effect. COVID greatly accelerated the rate of adoption of telemeetings for most business functions. There is still a lot of business travel, but internal meetings are often done virtually. The economics are overwhelming. Telemeetings are basically free, versus the cost of rental cars, hotels, airfare and the lost time. Although retired, I still have some days with 5 telemeetings for various boards I am on or other activities.

The airlines are never going to get that portion of business travel back. And here's the kicker. At one time, business travel might have seemed glamorous (it never was), and certainly, the person with an airline ticket in their pocket or purse is immediately regarded as an expert. In my career, my job was mainly to play the role of the wise out-of-town expert. If I were doing that today, I would be looking for every excuse to hold my meetings virtually, and that is the big issue for the airlines. They aren't going to win much support from business travelers as terrible as the experience is. So, they are looking for ways to keep that profitable revenue stream alive, simple as that.

[Raftergirl]

5. My father had to fly several times a week on business. It was exhausting. This was a long time ago, he'd be 99

if still alive. There were no such things as miles then. And once my mom retired and became a snow bird in FLA, he had to fly there every weekend.

[forthemiddle]

2. Honestly, I don't have much of a problem with this

As long as there are still seats available for the “base” money travelers let the other passengers pay more for a better experience.
The majority of flight paths are designed for the business travelers that are being covered by corporate expense accounts. Of course the airlines will cater to them.
As long as I can get from point A to point B, I can be uncomfortable for a few hours. Without the higher paying customers those flights probably wouldn’t be possible, or as convenient.

[EX500rider]

4. Gee, paying more gets more perks & is more profitable for the airline, who'd guessed?

(snarkiness directed at article author, not OP)

If I had the $ I would certainly rather be sitting here: (folds down into a bed)

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

6. And for the poor and downtrodden flyers, there's the cargo bay option.

[DSandra]

7. This is just one part of a whole trend of abandoning the bottom 90% of Americans

[GenThePerservering]

8. Huh - I fly all over the world in cattle class

I guess I'm supposed to hate it? It's no problem.

[Manatee]

9. If the demand

Is there, go for it. Give the customers what they want.