I’ve spent hours listening to airline executives talk over the last few weeks, and one of the words I heard most often? “Premium.” It’s where airlines have seen huge demand from customers.
Apparently, more and more of us are willing to splurge for extra comfort these days; I nod my head, thinking of the cash-and-miles business-class upgrade I gladly paid for on a recent work trip from Chicago to London — the allure of a good night’s sleep was too good to pass up.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines see this premium trend as part of the recipe for their recent success over competitors, thanks in large part to their Polaris and Delta One cabins — the latter of which now comes with access to the swanky, exclusive new lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Other airlines want in, and they’re changing their business models to make it happen.
Just last week, Spirit Airlines announced it’s repackaging its Big Front Seat as part of a “business” ticket. On some other bookings, it’s blocking middle seats … something Frontier Airlines started doing a few months ago.
Southwest Airlines is adding a once-unthinkable extra-legroom section. Alaska Airlines is adding extra-spacious seats. A top JetBlue executive recently raved to me about the Mint cabin’s prominence in that airline’s hopes for a turnaround.
It looks like the coming years will bring plenty of new choices for your award redemptions. For that reason, it’s a great time to get your points-earning strategy in tiptop shape.
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