Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
Airlines expand premium options to boost profits
US airlines are expanding premium travel options with upgraded seats, luxury meals and airport lounges.
They are responding to growing demand from passengers willing to pay for extra comfort and service.
Premium seats have grown faster than economy seats on US flights since 2020, according to travel news site Skift.
Airlines see these options as a way to earn more, especially as higher jet fuel costs put pressure on their businesses.
American Airlines said premium products bring in about half its ticket revenue while accounting for roughly 30% of its seats.
Some airlines are adding new paid choices, including United's planned Economy Plus option that leaves the middle seat empty on some flights from late 2026.
No major airline has yet removed economy seats entirely, but premium offerings are set to keep growing.
U.S. airlines are expanding premium travel options as they seek to increase profits.
The offerings include deluxe seats, luxury menus, airport lounges and paid upgrades within economy cabins.
Premium revenue at American Airlines rose 18.5% year over year in the most recent quarter.
Since 2020, premium seats on U.S. flights have increased by 33%, more than twice the growth of mainline seats.
Airlines view premium travel as a long-term opportunity because its profit margins are higher, despite rising jet fuel costs.
- Who
- U.S. airlines, including American, United, JetBlue and Delta.
- What
- Airlines are adding premium seats, services and amenities to attract customers and boost profits.
- When
- The trend is ongoing; announcements cited include United's in July and JetBlue's in September. The article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- On U.S. flights and at airline airport lounges.
- Why
- Airlines see higher profit margins in premium offerings and are responding to growing demand for premium travel.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
United Airlines more than doubled its premium-seat capacity, the airline told AFP.
The number of premium seats on U.S. flights rose 33%, according to Skift.
United announced a new Economy Plus option that lets customers avoid having a passenger in the middle seat on some flights, with service planned to begin at the end of 2026.
JetBlue announced BlueFirst, a new first-class service on domestic flights.
British Airways announced that the top level of its two-tier A380 would be entirely composed of premium seats.
- American Airlines premium revenue
- Up 18.5% year over year in the most recent quarter
- U.S. premium seats
- Up 33% since 2020
- United Economy Plus
- Planned to begin on some flights at the end of 2026
- JetBlue BlueFirst
- New first-class service on domestic flights, announced in September
- Delta A350 service
- About 150 premium seats and 161 economy seats
2 sources
What people are saying
Airlines have traditionally been investing quite a lot into the premium offerings because the profit margins are significantly higher.
Customers are increasingly looking for more premium experiences.
Twenty years ago, 90% of the seats were main cabin.
Premium products generate roughly half of the company's ticket revenue on approximately 30% of seats today.