Delta says segmentation coming to high-end cabins

Delta air lines Studying new types of airplane tickets – this time in premium cabins in front of the aircraft.

Airlines spent years Slices Their coach cabins, from additional legroom seats to the fares of the basic economy of bare-bare, do not allow changes or include a seat assignment. Delta was a pioneer in America when it launched Basic economy Fare a decade ago with rivals United Airlines, American Airlines And other people after the suit.

But now airline officials are focusing their focus on their premium cabins, where there is a demand. holding up This year is better than the back of the aircraft.

Delta President Glenntestein said, “The premium is definitely the place where our margin continues to expand, and so we are focusing on providing better service to customers and providing more partitions.” Earning call With analysts on Thursday. “The partition we have done in the main cabin is the type of template we are going to bring to all our premium cabins over time because different people have different needs.”

Delta’s revenue from premium seats like business class increased by 6% to $ 10.6 billion in the first half of the year, while the revenue of the main cabin economy ticket fell 4% to $ 11.7 billion. The most profitable American airline, the carrier, has said for years that the share of sales from high -end seats and its attractive loyalty program is increasing.

The American carrier has dug up the international first class in favor of business class cabins, where there are more features in lie-flat seats than the seats of the previous decades.

Hauenstein refused to expand possible changes in premium seats. It is not clear whether delta will consider a cheaper before or business-class ticket, which cannot include allowances such as lounge access or seat assignments, or potentially large seat that may come up with ad-ons that do not have standard tickets.

But Haunchstein said that Delta is testing some possibilities on customers and survey of passengers.

He said, “We haven’t rolled it yet, not because we do not have technical capacity, but we want to ensure that customers understand what we are putting in the market and they get value in it,” he said.

Henry Hartvelt, president of the Travel Consultant and atmosphere Research Group, said he was not sure that Delta would consider a strip-down premium fare.

“Airplanes are expensive … and it is very easy when you give your passengers a reason to pay more for your product, then you pay more than paying less,” he said.

Other airlines are working Outfit their top level cabin To offer some seats that have an additional room and even place for a visitor, such as the planned update of United, its long -term pollar cabin and new seats of American on some of it on some of it. Boing 787 Dreamliner.

Delta’s partner, Virgin Atlantic, provides “Retreat suite” in front of his high -class cabin of his Airbus A330 that can be “converted”, so four people can enjoy an intimate dinner together in their private social location. “

Asked whether Delta will update some of its highest-end seats, CEO Ed Bustian CNBC said on Wednesday that “premium products have life cycles … and what we thought is no longer the art of art six or seven years ago.

“We are continue to upgrade and update it. So it is part of the cost of the business,” he said. “But our product will be very good.”