Delta and American Airlines are making big changes (but not for everyone)

Be excited.

Yes, the last few years for air travel have not been smooth, but we are emerging in another dimension.

Now, there will be fun. There will be real customer service. There may even be free food.

Yes, of course I’m getting carried away, but some of the biggest airlines are creating some of the biggest excitement. For some people with larger budgets.

It’s new. It’s shiny. How much do you earn?

Enter American Airlines. It creates something of a song and dance – and, for all I know, a buffet – in addition to announce shiny, fancy new cabins in business class and premium economy class.

That’s on newer Boeing 787s and Airbus A321XLRs.

Those who pay more will discover suites with more space and the virtues of controlled community privacy, a Sliding. If you’re not completely free from the filth of the rest of the world, how can you relax?

Those who pay a little less, but still higher than economy class, will find new reclining seats. No, they don’t have sliding doors, but they do have privacy wings. Because even a little separation between your ear and the aisle — or the person sitting next to you — is a significant bonus.

Delta Air Lines seems to be thinking the same way. It’s doing Glorious things for Premium Economy customers.

For example new tableware and a new menu to go with it. Sample: The indispensable meatballs with polenta, pomodorini and broccolini sauce.

I see no privacy wings, but do you need them when you have a bigger seat and a better meal?

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Delta also gives clues to its strategy with improving the more expensive experience. The airline’s vice president of brand experience, Mauricio Parise, muses: “Delta Premium Select sits at the intersection of luxury and practicality – offering customers the opportunity to enjoy a single seat. More room and premium experience at a lower price point than a Delta Cabin.”

It has a lot of meanings. You want to get out of the economy and you often change your travel lifestyle, so why not treat yourself with kindness?

Hullo, Chief Financial Officer. You’re my best friend, you know

It was American Airlines’ chief commercial officer, Vasu Raja, who best explained how air travel is changing.

Speaking at the Skift Global Forum in September, he speak: “People don’t have to maintain a work life for five days, a personal life for two days, and spend two weeks a year on vacations.”

Instead, Raja explains that more and more people are combining business trips with trying to get through business trips. (The latter is sometimes called entertainment.)

Many have called this dismal. I find the first syllable feels too similar bleakbut that’s just me.

However, this is where your CFO can play an important role. No, you don’t want to take a bleak trip with them, but they can greatly affect your comfort level.

Like Bloomberg recent reportBusiness class seats are costing more these days, as many companies are tightening their travel budgets.

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A management consultant told Bloomberg that he couldn’t afford to fly his team’s business class to a company meeting and was forced to fly economy class. Even though he has suggested alternate days off for his team, he still thinks 20% of them will decide that they don’t want to be part of such a bad team and will withdraw. .

Well, because the economy isn’t for fancy business people, is it? Or is it? These days, some tech companies employ a lot of employees as the economy.

How’s the air in the back?

However, take a moment to think about economy class passengers. Those on a budget may not extend to the private wings.

Any good news for them? Well, maybe a little. Federal Aviation Administration really asking youpublicity flyer, giving your views on airplane seats and what their minimum size should be.

On average, the airline seats are 1.5 inches narrower than before. The space between the back of your front seat and your back is also about 4 inches less.

As you grow – physically, i.e. – seats shrink, especially economically. This certainly contributed to the increased friction on the plane.

The FAA’s rationale for asking the last question seems to be based entirely on how quickly an aircraft can be evacuated in an emergency, when people are so tightly pressed together.

Organizations like FlyersRights tried for years to get the rules enacted. FlyersRights emphasize (PDF) that the health of passengers is also important. Problems like deep vein thrombosis and simple, intense pain really matter.

Many people believe that airlines can still try to steal an inch here and an inch there.

Meanwhile, if you have the money to spend, your comfort level near the front of the plane can increase.

That’s the way of the current world, isn’t it?