We may have seen the end of luxury air travel, according to various sources.
The “economic downturn has clipped the wings of luxury air travel,” writes Reuters.
Even the high-yield first- and business-class seats — seats that are among the airlines’ biggest profit centers — are returning less return these days, according to the news site.
That’s because many first-class seats aren’t being filled by high-spending customers, but rather by fliers who’ve paid only for a coach class ticket but moved to the front of the cabin on an upgrade, according to travel marketing guru Peter Yesawich.
Some companies are still willing to pay for first class on long-haul routes.
"It’s said that real profit in any flight is front of plane. The rest covers the overhead," Yesawich said. "But there’s been a conscious effort by corporations and individuals to suppress that travel on the shorter routes.”
Private jet travel where buyers purchase pool time on a private jet has also taken off to help ground regularly scheduled first-class travelers.
“It’s flexible. You can tap into it, so it’s a nice alternative to owning a jet,” said Jami Counter of TripAdvisor.
The regularly scheduled commercial carriers are adding perks in the hopes of luring first-class travelers. Lie-flat seats and first-class "suites" are among some of the more-recent offerings.
TripAdvisor’s Counter points to Emirates, noting the Dubai-based carrier’s posh first-class section includes access to in-flight showers.
One class of first-class travelers remains loyal. That’s the super rich who can afford any stiff price.
By David Wilkening
