Airlines Are Making Business Class Worse, Not Cheaper—Why Their “Basic” Strategy May Backfire

Airlines Are Making Business Class Worse, Not Cheaper—Why Their “Basic” Strategy May Backfire

Delta, United, JetBlue and a growing list of international airlines say stripped-down premium fares offer more choice. They are not creating a new class of bargain fares. Airlines do need to discount empty flat beds without giving the same price to travelers willing to pay more, but lounge access is the wrong restriction and “basic business” may chase away more revenue than it creates.