New York (AFP) - As demand for luxury travel increases, airlines are expanding the provision of premium services, including more comfortable seats, menus prepared by Michelin-starred chefs and exclusive airport waiting lounges, in an effort to boost their profits.

Published on: 08/11/2026 - 13:49

This trend is expected to lead to a shrinking share of economy class seats on many flights, as airlines are betting that up to 70 percent of travelers are willing to pay additional amounts for improved services, even without moving to first or business class.

Despite the significant increase in aviation fuel costs due to the war in Iran, airlines see expanding more expensive services as a profitable investment in the long term.

A business class seat may take up as much space as four basic economy seats, but its price may be five or six times higher, says Volodymyr Bilotka, a professor at Purdue University who specializes in aviation economics.

"Airlines traditionally invest large sums in luxury services, because their profit margins are much higher," Bilotka explained to Agence France-Presse.

American Airlines announced that revenues from its luxury services rose by 18.5 percent on an annual basis during the last quarter, that is, four percentage points more than the growth rate of economy class revenues. Company officials considered that this performance represented a positive point in the air travel market, which faces challenges resulting from high aviation fuel prices.

The company explained that "luxury services generate about half of the revenue from tickets, although they currently represent only about 30 percent of seats."

In addition to the traditional distinction between economy class and business class, passengers can now pay up to an additional $200 to get more legroom, or sit at the front of the plane and get off first.

United Airlines announced in July that it would offer a new option under the “Economy Plus” category, allowing travelers to avoid having a passenger in the middle seat, which is not usually popular, starting at the end of 2026.

Growth in demand for luxury services

Since 2020, the number of luxury seats on flights in the United States has increased by 33 percent, more than double the growth rate of economy class seats, according to the “Skift” website specializing in travel news.

United Airlines reported to Agence France-Presse that it more than doubled its capacity of luxury seats between 2015 and 2026, adding that it plans to offer additional options, including seats that provide more arm space.

Delta Airlines has invested in developing the luxury Delta One service, which includes offering distinctive types of wines and high-quality foods, such as Wagyu beef burgers, as well as larger entertainment screens.

To prepare the menus, the company hired Chef Simon Holston, who works in a Michelin-starred British restaurant, and Andrea Robinson, an award-winning wine expert.

The company intends to provide this service on its new Airbus A350 aircraft, which will include about 150 luxury seats and 161 economy class seats.

Ekrem Dimbeloglu, managing director of service strategy and travel experience on Delta aircraft, says that economy class seats constituted 90 percent of the total seats twenty years ago, noting that the share of luxury seats may soon reach 70 percent on some of the company’s flights.

In October, British Airways announced that the upper deck of its giant double-decker Airbus A380 aircraft would be devoted entirely to luxury seats.

The consulting company Cirium estimates that luxury seats now represent 19 percent of the total seats at the 42 airlines affiliated with the three major air alliances, namely SkyTeam, One World, and Star Alliance, in addition to airlines in the Middle East, compared to 17.1 percent in 2019.

Other new options include allowing you to choose meals before boarding the plane, and providing free wireless Internet service.

Likewise, airline companies announced the opening of new waiting lounges at airports or the renovation and development of existing lounges, including Southwest Airlines, which was previously known as a low-cost airline.

However, the increasing trend of airlines towards attracting passengers who are able to pay additional amounts for luxury services may open the way for low-cost airlines, although the rise in fuel prices has increased the challenges facing all companies.

© 2026 AFP

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