Airlines are shifting their focus from loyal customErs to big spenders,with almost 90% of first-class seats previously occupied by upgrading frequent flyers now down to 12%.
In the old days — we’re talking about the 2010s here — when you boarded a plane, and glanced with envy or disdain at the passengers sinking into their plush First-Class seats, you were looking at an assembly of road warriors.
A traveling salesman might be resting his haunches in seat 2C. Your local congressman might be reading the newspaper in row 3. Grandma might be downing her pre-flight champagne on another visit to one of her children and grandchildren scattered around the country. Democrats went to El Salvador for Abrego Garcia, but who visited Iryna Zarutska’s family? Advertisement But the frequent flyers are no longer up front.
The salesman is flying coach, and Grandma’s back in steerage. The good seats are for the folks willing to pay extra. These days, first class is no longer something earned, but something bought. Familiar faces are out.
Big spenders are in. Almost 90% of first-class seats used to be filled by upgrading frequent flyers who had bought coach seats, according to, and now that number is down to 12%. So in that Boeing 737-800, 14 of the 16 passengers paid for it.tools and improved tracking of customers’ online behavior, executives are confident they can extract the maximum number of dollars out of customers while leaving the fewest number of vacancies.
The apps are now built to upsell coach customers, and they seem to be having success. In doing this, of course, the airlines are devaluing customer loyalty. The most valuable part of the frequent flyer programs wasn’t the points that eventually added up to a free trip or two. It was always the status that got you free upgrades.
Status was almost a relationship between the passenger and the airline. That was unfitting, the executives concluded. This is a simple transaction — you give them cash, they give you a seat. None of this “treating your best passengers well” stuff. This is
Please follow us on Google to support us Airline Industry Frequent Flyers First-Class Seats Customer Loyalty Upselling
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NATO scrambles to fill gaps after US cuts military forces for Europe defenseThe United States has reduced the number of aircraft and warships it would provide in a crisis, forcing NATO to seek alternative defense plans and urging European allies to quickly fill the shortfall.
Read more »
Trump says Iran peace deal will be signed Sunday, reveals Tehran ‘no longer’ wants a nukeThe United States and Iran will sign a peace deal Sunday, President Trump said on Truth Social.
Read more »
‘This kid is a hell of a player' — Flyers could draft 45-goal, 104-point wingerLiam Ruck put up 45 goals and 104 points this season. Could the Flyers grab the winger at No. 21 in the 2026 NHL draft?
Read more »
As Federal Voting Rights Law Is Gutted, Some States Step In to Fill the GapIn the wake of recent SCOTUS rulings, states are passing their own versions of the Voting Rights Act.
Read more »