A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 airliner arrives from Dublin at JFK International Airport in New York as the Manhattan skyline looms in the background on February 7, 2024.
Charly Triballeau | afp | fake images
Delta Airlines said Monday it will bring its premium economy service to transcontinental flights in September, its latest attempt to boost sales of more expensive tickets to customers willing to splurge for more space and perks.
Premium economy is a relatively new class of service that major airlines offer on longer, mostly international flights. It is located between first class or business class and the rest of the economy class and can cost twice the ticket price of standard economy class.
Delta and its rivals like United They are engaged in an arms race to equip planes with more premium seats, upgrade lounges and sell more rewards cards to capitalize on higher traveler spending while overall airfares decline. JetBlue Airways This year it said its turnaround plan will emphasize profitable routes offered by its Mint business class cabin. Even Southwest AirlinesUnder pressure to increase revenue, it is considering a more expensive seat on its plane, breaking with its decades-old business model.
Delta's main cabin ticket revenue rose 4% in the first quarter to $5.4 billion from a year ago, while premium product revenue rose 10% to $4.4 billion.
The additional service will begin Sept. 10 on four of the 11 peak-day flights between Los Angeles and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on boeing 767. Delta said it plans to expand service later this year.
Delta customers who purchase standard economy tickets will be able to pay for upgrades to premium economy on transcontinental flights.
Delta said Elite Medallion members of its loyalty program will be eligible for complimentary upgrades to so-called Delta Premium Select, but will also be able to request upgrades to its premium Delta One product on those flights.
Some of Delta's planes flying on some routes previously had premium economy seats, but the airline didn't offer accompanying amenities such as amenities kits, noise-canceling headphones, a full meal and a blanket. The seats were sold as extra legroom tickets, which are below premium economy class.
Some american airlinesShorter domestic flights operate a similar model, with lie-flat seats but not the Flagship service offered on international flights.
