[rootusrootus]

The problem is that what will actually happen is this new option will become default, and the old cattle class will now be an upgrade, and it won't cost what it does now, it will be 2x as much. There must be some MBA that figured out that someone who will pay a little extra for comfort will probably pay 2-3x as much if you push.

[mikybee93]

That isn't what has happened historically, in this market or in others. I don't know why so many people seem to expect this to happen now.

If Delta decides to implement these seats and then charge 2x as much for the current seats, United will choose not to and nobody will fly Delta unless they absolutely have to.

Competition keeps this sort of thing from happening.

[rootusrootus]

Except that's exactly what's been happening over the years. It might be so abrupt in this case that it would fail just because the marketing would be too easy. But airlines have been incrementally decreasing seat pitch for a long time and then charging a significant amount for what used to be normal.

[mikybee93]

No it hasn't. Airline prices have trended downwards over time.

[cimmanom]

Prices for “economy” and “business class” have been trending downwards, yes. But what you now get in “business class” is what you used to get in “economy” 20-30 years ago and “business class” now is not less expensive than “economy” was 20-30 years ago.

[ghaff]

>But what you now get in “business class” is what you used to get in “economy” 20-30 years ago

That's nonsense. Especially in long haul flights, business class is in fact more comfortable and has more amenities than it did 20-30 years ago with lie-flat seating, on demand entertainment, etc. Traditional domestic business class is about the same as it ever was while economy has mostly seen a decrease in seat pitch. (Economy Plus--which differs by airline--is more like what regular economy used to be.)

[cimmanom]

When I flew economy 25-35 years ago, seat pitch was at least 50% greater than it is now, and the actual seats of the seats were both deeper and better cushioned. You could recline to 45 degrees or deeper. Seats were 50% wider.

It was physically far more comfortable to fly, in a way that’s now a available only in business class. All those characteristics would now be considered business class amenities, and aside from a little more legroom (not even approaching what used to be standard in economy unless you’re on an exit row) are unavailable in premium economy on any flight I’ve taken recently.

You got warmer blankets and larger pillows. They would hand out amenities like headphones and playing cards for free. And you could put about twice as much into the overhead.

Ok, on demand entertainment is new in business class, but that’s about technology rather than cost savings, and it’s available in economy everywhere these days too. And for me at least, not much of an upgrade. I’d far rather watch the specific things I’ve brought on my own electronics, read a book, or do work.

[Someone1234]

This already happened in aircraft seating. "Premium Economy" is what Economy used to be, they took away space (seat pitch/width) and then sold it back to you as a premium service at a premium price.