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<ul class="summary-list"><li>US airlines have ditched first class for improved business cabins to optimize space and revenue.</li><li>Some global carriers are adopting a different strategy as demand for more onboard luxury spikes.</li></ul>Delta Air Lines and United Airlines years ago eliminated international first class on their planes, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-ditching-first-class-seats-passengers-arent-buying-it-2022-10">American Airlines is following suit</a>.They deemed business class more lucrative for long-haul flights. It can fit more seats and is more marketable to more people than a costly first-class ticket.But many global carriers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are taking the opposite approach, chasing dollar signs with new first-class cabins amid a post-pandemic industry shift that's seen <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-airline-first-class-suites-in-world-2023-8">increasing demand for luxury at the front of the plane</a>.This includes multimillion-dollar revamp plans in a bid to lure more customers, keep up with the competition, and boost revenue and reputations. While these carriers still have business class, true first class remains a money-maker despite taking up the least amount of cabin real estate.Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/15/qatar-airways-to-launch-first-class-as-airline-courts-airbus-and-boeing-for-new-planes.html?utm_source=syndication">CNBC</a> in March that the airline's first class is here to stay. This was a U-turn from his predecessor, who said in 2023 that first class wasn't necessary with that carrier's famous <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qatar-airways-business-class-qsuite-next-gen-photos-2024-7">Q-Suite business class.</a>Five-star Singapore Airlines also plans to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/singapore-airlines-new-first-class-business-upgrades-privacy-door-trend-2024-11">launch a new first class</a> as part of an over $800 million cabin overhaul project. Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, and Lufthansa are also in the mix, among others.<div type="image" title="Swiss' new first-class." height="744" width="992" msid="115064431" hostid="261" sizebytes="49628"></div>A study from Mighty Travels Premium, published in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/10/who-really-flies-first-class-data-shows-67-are-corporate-travelers-not-wealthy-individuals/#Who-Really-Flies-First-ClassData-Shows-67-are-Corporate-Travelers-Not-Wealthy-Individuals-International-Routes-Report-Higher-Individual-First-Class-Bookings-Than-Domestic">October,</a> showed that the first-class resurgence is largely corporate travelers from monied Fortune 500 companies.The study, which analyzed airline revenue data, saw a jump in international bookings from affluent leisure individuals willing to pay a premium for the posh perks.First-class transatlantic fares averaged about $2,900 one-way between January and August, not including taxes and fees, according to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium. But that can be a lot higher on more luxury-focused airlines.Tiffany Funk, an analyst from the travel website <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.point.me/">Point.me</a>, told Business Insider that a drive behind Singapore's new first-class is partly from ultra-wealthy people who want to fly in style but can't reach certain <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-on-a-50-million-bombardier-global-5000-private-jet-2022-5">destinations with a private jet.</a>"Singapore adding first-class speaks to its demographics," she said. "One of the Google co-founders who goes back and forth between the US and Singapore is someone who would book it, those are the people willing to pay $15,000-$20,000 for that really nice luxury experience."<h2 id="abe0097f-b9fa-429e-b49f-0356ea72b21f">Some airlines are adding first-class to boost their prestige</h2>Funk said airlines like British Airways, Singapore, Emirates, and Air France don't always fill first-class but have them for the "prestige."<div type="image" title="flight attendant sitting in air france first class." height="3124" width="4754" msid="115064429" hostid="261" sizebytes="719060"></div>Airlines, especially those with state investment, are willing to take the trade-off for the sake of boosting their reputation or providing the needed luxuries for their local elites."Air France is committed to having this super premium first-class product because it's Air France," Funk said. "It doesn't necessarily make economic sense, and it doesn't need to with only four seats to fill on the plane."She pointed to other examples like Emirates, which can get more customers across all cabins simply because it is associated with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emirates-airlines-first-class-flight-review-lie-flat-bed-shower-2023-4">having showers in first class</a> — even if people aren't in a seat with access to that shower.Then there is British Airways, which Funk said carries the prime minister and the royal family and needs to partly maintain first-class for that clout."You're not going to have William and Kate fly business class alongside 85 other people," she said.<div type="image" title="Qantas first-class cabin for Project Sunrise" height="4242" width="6000" msid="115064430" hostid="261" sizebytes="2398362"></div><h2 id="e19242e8-14ab-4c62-bb67-afee61170409">9 airlines are planning a new first-class cabin</h2>With at least nine new international first-class cabins coming to market over the next couple of years, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-first-class-suite-review-photos-2023-7">deep-pocketed customers</a> have a lot to look forward to — especially as some of these luxury seats will touch the US.Here are nine global airlines introducing a new first-class cabin:<ul><li>Air India: A new first-class will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-new-luxury-cabins-air-india-retrofit-onto-boeing-777-2023-8">be retrofitted onto existing Boeing 777-300ERs</a> starting in 2025 as part of Air India's $400 million rebrand.</li><li>Air France: The airline's new "La Premiere" first-class is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://businesstravelerusa.com/news/air-france-new-la-premiere/">expected</a> to be unveiled by the end of 2024, though details remain limited.</li><li>British Airways: The UK flag carrier is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://thepointsguy.com/news/british-airways-improvements-new-first-class-lounges/">debuting</a> a new first class on its Airbus A380s and future Boeing 777Xs. No official timeline has been announced.</li><li>Cathay Pacific: The Hong Kong-based airline is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/cathay-pacific-unveils-aria-suite-a-new-way-to-experience-air-travel-1033863345">introducing</a> a new first class on its future 777X planes, but the delivery of those planes and its new cabin is still uncertain.</li><li>Swiss International Air Lines: From 2025, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/swiss-first-class-seats-too-heavy-for-a330-planes-2024-9#:~:text=Installation%20of%20the%20new%20cabins,plate%2C%22%20a%20spokesperson%20said.">carrier will offer a new pod-like first class</a> on existing A330s, Boeing 777s, and future A350s.</li><li>Lufthansa: Germany's flag carrier is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lufthansa-replacing-dated-business-class-new-allegris-cabin-first-class-2024-4">launching its new A350 Allegris first-class</a> on Saturday. The suite is similar to Swiss.</li><li>Qantas: From 2026, Australia's national airline will debut a new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qantas-first-business-class-worlds-longest-flights-project-sunrise-pictures-2023-2">first class on A350s as part of "Project Sunrise,"</a> which will operate the world's new longest flights between Australia, New York, and London.</li><li>Qatar: The Doha-based airline has released few details about its new first class, but the cabin will be on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/qatar-new-qsuite-adding-first-class-to-boeing-777x-2024-3">future 777X planes</a>.</li><li>Singapore: Singapore is the latest airline to reveal a new first class, which will debut on seven <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worlds-longest-flight-singapore-airlines-business-review-2023-1">ultra-long-haul A350-900ULRs</a> in the first quarter of 2027.</li></ul>

International airlines are all-in on fancy first-class seats, even as US carriers focus only on business for long-haul flights

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest are struggling to turn a profit.</li><li>Low-cost veteran David Neeleman told BI that Spirit and Frontier should merge to survive.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-end-of-budget-airlines-southwest-jetblue-frontier-spirit-2024-7">Budget airlines are starting to look very different</a> from their traditional no-frills roots. High costs, razor-thin margins, and an evolving travel market have forced them to switch gears.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-fly-on-jetblue-founder-david-neelemans-breeze-airways-2021-5">Low-cost airline veteran David Neeleman</a> — founder of five budget carriers since 1984, including JetBlue — told Business Insider that some of these struggling airlines have failed to adapt to a changing industry, especially in the uneven post-pandemic recovery. <div type="image" title="Breeze Airways Inaugural Flight David Neeleman" height="1666" width="2500" msid="114786736" hostid="261" sizebytes="253512"></div>He suggested Spirit and Frontier, which haven't turned profits since 2019, should merge their businesses like Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines did earlier this year. That is, if they can get it past federal regulators. In January 2024, a judge blocked<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-spirit-merger-deal-blocked-by-federal-judge-2024-1"> JetBlue's $3.8 billion deal to buy Spirit</a>."I think there is a place for [ultra low-cost carriers] in the market, but Spirit and Frontier had overlapped routes, so they were competing with everyone else and each other," Neeleman said in an interview. "I think if they stop competing with each other, they could carve out a niche, though it won't grow at the same rate as before."<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/frontier-spirit-airlines-revive-merger-talks-a7ee5912">The Wall Street Journal</a> reported in October that Frontier was considering another offer to buy Spirit in a deal that's been on-and-off for years. Frontier CEO Barry Biffle declined to comment on the story during the company's earnings call on Tuesday.Neeleman also said that Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier could benefit from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-new-premium-seats-economy-class-less-space-2024-9">adopting new money-making strategies</a>, like bundling fares, offering more premium seats, and flying fewer traffic-heavy routes. That's something <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-call-for-changes-new-leadership-ceo-elliott-management-2024-6">Southwest plans to begin in 2025</a> as part of a turnaround plan spurred by an activist investor."They're already starting to do some of this," he said. "Instead of just nickel and diming, airlines like Spirit and Frontier are doing more bundling, which is in line with what we at Breeze do, and we've found success."The still-in-service airlines Neeleman founded, like JetBlue Airways, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Canada's WestJet, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-on-david-neelemans-breeze-airways-nothing-like-jetblue-2021-7">Breeze Airways</a>, largely follow this idea. Neeleman is no longer a part of JetBlue or WestJet but is chief of Breeze and is Azul's board chair.JetBlue Airways, for example, now <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-mint-business-class-apartment-studio-jfk-edinburgh-scotland-2024-5">offers lie-flat business class</a> and free WiFi. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-on-breezes-swanky-new-a220-aircraft-first-class-review-2022-6">Breeze has domestic first-class and reclining coach seats</a>.Historically, these strategies have been absent from the likes of Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest, which have stuck to all-economy aircraft with little choice. Mainline carriers, hoping to keep up with their growth, flooded the market with heavily discounted basic economy fares in hopes of poaching customers willing to pay more for an assigned seat or more room. "Basic economy outran the supply, but there are people that will pay up for an upgraded experience, and that's what ULCCs are trying to modify," Neeleman said. United CEO Scott Kirby also commented on the upsell trend in June, saying <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-ceo-low-cost-carriers-frontier-spirit-flawed-business-model-2024-6">low-cost airlines are "going out of business"</a> because flyers favor experience over ticket price.<h2 id="42de20ce-2cb1-4ce1-b8ee-491ba0df8099">Southwest should lean into change</h2>Southwest has the opposite problem, Neeleman said. The airline has a good cabin product, but instead of charging for individual add-ons, he said, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-changes-turnaround-plan-assigned-seats-routes-bags-2024-9">it included everything.</a>"Someone flying with just a backpack going to see their girlfriend doesn't need two checked bags but had to take the full checked bag fare — Southwest didn't give them a choice," he said. "I think people just want choice."<div type="image" title="Southwest Airlines." height="768" width="1024" msid="114786729" hostid="261" sizebytes="52040"></div>Neeleman sold his first carrier, Morris Air, to Southwest in 1993, in what he says was a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-history-2021-8">"different era" in which the airline</a> differentiated itself with an unconventional culture and product.Now, Southwest is on the right path as it responds to pressure from the activist firm to adapt to modern times, he said. Starting in 2026, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-is-getting-rid-of-open-seating-on-all-flights-2024-7">Southwest plans to assign seats</a>, something it said 80% of its customers prefer.Analysts say the move could bring in more business travelers who don't want to fight for a seat.<h2 id="a653a653-ef1c-4e65-a079-232ebac03a11">Low-cost airlines should continue to ditch barebones planes</h2>Southwest shouldn't be the only one to move away from historical norms.Neeleman said Frontier and Spirit must continue adjusting their business models to earn revenue and offset high operating costs.In July, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-ticket-changes-bundled-fares-bags-snacks-premium-seats-2024-7">Spirit announced new bundling options</a> and said it would eliminate some fees to target more premium customers. More recently, it announced plans in October to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-unveils-cost-cutting-measures-amid-bankruptcy-reports-2024-10">sell about $500 million worth of Airbus jets</a> to cut costs and bring in cash. Shares rose about 12% after the announcement but are still down roughly 84% year-to-date.<div type="image" title="Spirit's biggest plane is the A321neo." height="2883" width="4324" msid="114786738" hostid="261" sizebytes="305220"></div>"The problem Spirit has is they kept getting bigger airplanes, thinking if they just add more seats, there will be unlimited demand," Neeleman said. "That forced them to overlap with other carriers on already high-traveled routes. They have almost 90% overlap."He said what makes Breeze more successful is that it is the sole operator on about 85% of its routes, which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-breezes-a220-in-economy-would-easily-book-again-review-2022-6">focus on niche, underserved markets</a> — meaning no competition. Breeze also flies smaller aircraft, with its biggest jet hosting about 100 fewer seats than Spirit's largest, Neeleman said, making them easier to fill and profitable on routes competitors would struggle with. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/frontier-airlines-a321neo-review-hard-seats-2023-10">Frontier</a>, for its part, has unveiled similar bundling and premium seating options, including a "business class" that blocks the middle seat. It is also restructuring its route <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-airlines-announces-22-new-routes-launching-in-december/">map</a> to simplify its network and improve fleet utilization.Those updates can't kick in fast enough for Frontier, which <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://ir.flyfrontier.com/news-releases/news-release-details/frontier-airlines-reports-third-quarter-2024-financial-results">revealed</a> lower-than-expected earnings on Tuesday, sending its stock price down about 15%.

JetBlue founder and low-cost airline veteran explains how struggling airlines need to adapt to survive right now

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Skiplagged will still offer hidden-city fares despite a $9.4 million ruling for American Airlines.</li><li>American was awarded damages for copyright infringement and "ill-gotten" revenue. </li></ul>Skiplagged.com said it will still <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-tried-skiplagging-nightmare-save-money-on-flight-tickets-2023-6">offer customers a way to book a popular travel hack</a> despite a court partly siding with an airline in a lawsuit against the company. On October 15, a judge awarded American Airlines $9.4 million in damages from an August 2023 lawsuit filed against Skiplagged — a website airlines hate because it makes it <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-skiplagging-and-why-airlines-hate-the-booking-practice-2023-5">easier for customers to book "hidden-city" fares</a>, also known as "throwaway ticketing," to save money. The practice is not illegal but directly contradicts airlines' terms of service.Specifically, the company was ordered to pay American $4.7 million for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-sues-skiplagged-deception-fares-copyright-infringement-2023-8">copyright infringement for</a> using American's logo on its website and another $4.7 million for repayment of "ill-gotten" revenue.While the payment is a hit to Skiplagged, which has 20 employees, the website can still conduct business as usual, minus American's logo, CEO Aktarer Zaman told Business Insider."Skiplagged will continue to provide consumers with information on all available routes and fares, including the least expensive airfares available," he said. "American lost on three of its four claims, and Skiplagged remains free to continue its business of showing consumers all flights to help them save money."American told BI it was happy with the copyright verdict, calling it "an important next step in protecting American's intellectual property and valuable brand." However, it could still appeal the court's decision. It's the first US airline to score a victory in court against the website, though others have tried. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-fight-skiplagging-court-lawsuits-thrown-out-settled-2023-7">United Airlines' lawsuit against Skiplagged</a> in 2014 was dismissed, while the one from Southwest Airlines in 2021 was settled out of court.<h2 id="f642ebef-5f87-4fc3-8d14-f4ddd36a3231">Skiplagged's business will remain largely unaffected</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/skiplagging-save-money-plane-tickets-flying-violates-geometry-triangle-inequality-2023-7">Skiplagged makes money by finding one-way, hidden-city itineraries</a> and charging a service fee so customers don't have to manually search for and book the route on an airline's website.<div type="image" title="The Skiplagged itinerary." height="702" width="1330" msid="114479607" hostid="261" sizebytes="39754"></div>Nonstop itineraries are usually priced higher than a one-stop. So, customers use the money-saving "travel hack" by booking a flight beyond their intended destination and getting off in the layover city.Travelers simply don't show up for the secondary legs of a journey, but risk their return flight being canceled and potentially being barred outright from the airline.Skiplagged's website even warns of the possible<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/skiplagging-cheap-travel-hack-tiktokers-warning-2023-7"> consequences of getting caught and </a>flyers to not associate a frequent flyer number with their ticket and to only bring a backpack. Larger carry-ons may be gate-checked, and checked luggage goes to the final destination.

Skiplagged, the money-saving website that airlines hate, says it's not going anywhere after losing a $9.4 million lawsuit from American

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Spirit Airlines is considering filing for bankruptcy protection, The Wall Street Journal reported.</li><li>Its struggles are indicative of the wider issues faced by budget airlines as labor and fuel costs rise.</li></ul>In another sign of the problems faced by budget airlines, The Wall Street Journal reported that <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-chapter-11-bankruptcy-billion-debt-restructuring-2024-10">Spirit Airlines is considering filing for bankruptcy protection</a>.Falling profits for the cheapest carriers could result in higher ticket prices and fees for passengers as airlines try to cope with increased fuel and labor costs.The introduction of premium-seating options and axing routes is spelling <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-end-of-budget-airlines-southwest-jetblue-frontier-spirit-2024-7">the end of budget airlines as we've known them</a>.Declining revenues saw <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-big-front-seat-premium-review-2022-6">Spirit</a> post a net loss of $192 million in the second quarter. Its struggles intensified after a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-spirit-merger-deal-blocked-by-federal-judge-2024-1">planned merger with JetBlue</a> was called off in March.The airline's stock was down about 25% on Friday, leaving it worth less than $200 million.When asked for comment on the Journal's report, Spirit referred to CEO Ted Christie's words on an August earnings call. He said the airline was engaged in "productive" conversations with its bondholders' advisors.Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy would let Spirit restructure its assets. The ultra-low-cost carrier has already tried several methods to try to stop the bleeding, like introducing premium-seating options and cutting routes.According to data from Cirium, Spirit reduced the number of seats scheduled to be flown by 18% between August and September. This month, its schedule is a tenth smaller than last October.Neil Glynn, of research and analysis firm AIR Control Tower, said in a report Friday that these developments highlight the challenges facing the leanest airline business models following a surge in costs across the industry.Glynn also highlighted that increasing labor costs have "not been absorbable by the quality of its network."Fewer routes could see passengers face higher ticket prices on other airlines due to reduced competition.<h2 id="cb505919-1827-4fd3-9f9e-659847419e1f">Higher prices, fewer routes, and no hot meals</h2><div type="image" title="Southwest planes at an airport" height="3235" width="4313" msid="113946783" hostid="261" sizebytes="512866"></div><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-ultra-low-cost-airlines-spirit-frontier-not-worth-it-2024-6">Budget airlines</a> could raise their prices, especially since they lack the business- and first-class cabins that are highly profitable for mainline carriers.Airlines like Spirit rely on filling as many seats as possible and keeping their planes flying as much as possible to compensate for cheap tickets.Ancillary revenue, from add-ons like baggage fees or inflight drinks, is also a mainstay. However, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-says-flyers-spending-less-extras-like-food-baggage-2024-7">Spirit warned in July</a> that it was making less than expected from this revenue stream.Many other budget carriers have been shaking up their operations as they contend with reduced profits, which has raised questions about the nature of their business models.In February Frontier Airlines announced a new "BizFare" package with perks including priority boarding, a free carry-on, and premium seat assignments. Its pre-tax income fell 63% in the second quarter of 2024 compared with the same period last year.Most notably, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-changes-turnaround-plan-assigned-seats-routes-bags-2024-9">Southwest Airlines</a> announced in July that it would ditch its open-seating policy and let customers pay for extra legroom, as it faces pressure from the activist investor Elliott Management. It reported a profit of $367 million in the second quarter, but that was still a 46% fall from the same period last year.Starting this quarter, low-cost carrier <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jetblue-axes-hot-meals-for-economy-flyers-cuts-costs-2024-10">JetBlue has axed hot meals</a> for economy passengers on its transatlantic flights. A spokesperson told BI this was "part of our effort to ensure we can continue to provide a great experience at JetBlue's competitive fares." Its second-quarter profits were down 82% from the same period in 2023.<a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-ceo-low-cost-carriers-frontier-spirit-flawed-business-model-2024-6">United CEO Scott Kirby told</a> "The Air Show" podcast in June that he believes low-cost carriers are "going out of business" because their business model is flawed and "customers hate it."

Problems keep piling up for budget airlines like Spirit Airlines — so get set to pay more

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Low-cost airlines like Spirit, Southwest, Frontier, and JetBlue are struggling to make money.</li><li>An excess of cheap economy seats coupled with higher costs have hurt their profitability.</li></ul>All of America's major <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-ultra-low-cost-airlines-spirit-frontier-not-worth-it-2024-6">low-cost airlines</a> have reported their second-quarter 2024 earnings, and the numbers don't look good.The budget carriers, like Spirit and Southwest Airlines, have struggled to generate profits despite strong demand for summer air travel."Summer demand remains robust and load factors have been strong; however, significant industry capacity increases together with ancillary pricing changes in the competitive environment have made it difficult to increase yields, resulting in disappointing revenue results for the second quarter of 2024," Spirit's CEO, Ted Christie, said in the company's earnings release. From April through June, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-review-2022-fees-outlets-wifi-entertainment-drinks-snacks-2022-12">Spirit Airlines</a> lost $193 million. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/frontier-airlines-pilot-arrested-on-board-aircraft-in-houston-2024-8">Frontier</a> made $31 million, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/upgrade-to-jetblue-mint-business-class-cabin-worth-it-2024-6">JetBlue</a> made $25 million during the same quarter. However, the two airlines saw their profits crater by 55% and 82%, respectively, versus the same period last year.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-airlines-history-2021-8">Southwest</a> had the best second quarter of the group, reporting a profit of $367 million, but even that is a 46% decline compared to Q2 2023.These airlines are doing everything they can to right the ship, including ticketing changes, capacity and route cuts, new premium options, and more. They could lead to higher ticket prices and new fees for things passengers previously expected for free. <div type="image" title="JetBlue Airbus A321neo aircraft flying, landing and taxiing at Polderbaan runway in Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport AMS EHAM in the Netherlands." height="3333" width="5000" msid="112476732" hostid="261" sizebytes="1662766"></div><h2 id="71dfb4e5-6777-4a25-8d77-554d3fbb275c">Spirit is completely revamping how it sells tickets </h2>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spirit-airlines-ticket-changes-bundled-fares-bags-snacks-premium-seats-2024-7">Florida-based carrier </a>recently announced plans to bundle together previously à-la-carte items like free snacks and checked bags into categories that would make the budget airline look more like its competitors.Among the new premium perks announced are priority check-in and boarding for premium passengers, Spirit credit card holders, and Gold-level frequent fliers.Spirit's new ticket bundles go on sale August 16 for flights starting August 27.<div type="image" title="A Spirit Airlines plane." height="3919" width="5814" msid="112476731" hostid="261" sizebytes="311176"></div><h2 id="fccf3359-0dfa-4288-8403-0d72a1ceecf0">Southwest is scrapping its famous seating policy</h2>In July, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southwest-is-getting-rid-of-open-seating-on-all-flights-2024-7">Southwest announced plans </a>to ditch its open cabin seating policy and sell premium seating assignments.The lack of preassigned seats is a hallmark of the Southwest Airlines experience, angering many loyalists online. (The airline says its research shows flyers prefer assigned seats.) Unlike other carriers, Southwest has not assigned seats for the entirety of its 53-year history. Instead, each passenger is provided a boarding group number. Once on board the aircraft, they are allowed to sit in any open seat.Southwest's new seating policy, which is expected to go into effect in early 2025, will help generate additional revenue.Raymond James airline analysts estimate that assigned seating could generate up to $2 billion in near-term revenue for Southwest.<h2 id="c974a925-f1d7-437c-a091-85895453e7c7">Frontier is focusing its flying on specific days.</h2>Frontier Airlines plans to cut the number of flights it operates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, citing a lack of demand. Instead, the airline will focus on high-demand travel days like Mondays and Fridays."While consumer travel demand has remained resilient on peak days of the week, post-pandemic travel patterns have compelled us to concentrate our flying on peak days," Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle said in a press release.<div type="image" title="A Frontier Airlines plane on the tarmac at an airport." height="2000" width="3000" msid="112476733" hostid="261" sizebytes="118456"></div><h2 id="0120a0ba-802f-4d2e-ab40-09b54359debc">Jetblue is saving cash by delaying delivery of new planes</h2>Jetblue announced in July that it would delay the delivery of more than 40 Airbus A321neo jets that were expected to join the airline's fleet over the next few years."We are setting ourselves on a path to restore our balance sheet health, and in support of securing our financial future, we are announcing an incremental aircraft deferral of approximately $3 billion of planned capital expenditures," CFO Ursula Hurley said in a press release.Instead, delivery of the aircraft has been pushed into the next decade, with no planes expected to arrive until 2030 or later.<h2 id="e8b9ceb9-17b4-4fe3-bac7-726256be0dcb">Low-cost carriers flooded the market with too many cheap tickets </h2>Airlines across the industry have had to deal with escalating costs and thinning margins over the past year.However, unlike mainline carriers, low-cost airlines do not have the benefit of high-margin business and first-class cabins to lean on for extra cash.As a result, they've resorted to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-united-delta-scrambling-fix-crisis-too-many-cheap-flights-2024-7">flooding the market with cheap seats </a>to generate revenue and fill planes.It's a strategy that rival airlines, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-united-delta-scrambling-fix-crisis-too-many-cheap-flights-2024-7">United</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-air-lines-ceo-questions-financial-strategy-low-cost-carriers-2024-7">Delta</a>, have called unsustainable.

Budget airlines like Spirit and Southwest are getting more desperate. You're going to hate it.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Skyborne is a pilot training academy with bases in the UK, Florida, and India.</li><li>The training costs $136,000 for a demanding 70-week course.</li></ul>Skyborne is a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-just-became-commercial-pilot-training-regional-airline-2021-10">pilot training</a> academy based at Gloucestershire Airport in southwest England. It has nine intakes of 20 cadets this year for its Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) course that costs £105,500 ($136,000).The company was founded in 2018 and finished building its UK base in April 2019. In less than a year the pandemic would strike, wreaking havoc on the global aviation industry.Carla Booth, Skyborne's commercial director, tells Business Insider: "We were the ones going, 'we need to expand because we know this is going to bounce back, and we know it will bounce back pretty quickly because <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-air-lines-furlough-pilots-layoff-coronavirus-2020-8">airlines have laid off so many pilots.</a>'"It acquired another site in Vero Beach, Florida, where UK cadets spend six months of their course. It also trains US pilots and has a partnership with Delta Air Lines.Booth says airlines are "very much knocking on our door" as they look to recruit new pilots.After an oversupply prior to the pandemic, the management consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates that North America is short of about 17,000 pilots due to factors such as early retirement, while the global figure could hit nearly 80,000 by 2032.Skyborne received a further boost after being selected as the UK base for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-airbus-a380-premium-economy-review-upgrade-cost-2024-10">British Airways</a>' Speedbird Pilot Academy program, which covers the training costs for up to 200 cadets. Booth said the course gets about 40,000 applications.<div type="image" title="Skyborne pilot cadets and British Airways CEO Sean Doyle stand in front of an Airbus A320neo at the 2024 Farnborough Airshow." height="4000" width="6000" msid="114912721" hostid="261" sizebytes="337814"></div><h2 id="7ad53955-4710-4d98-a2d8-7ae1b02219a5">Life at Skyborne</h2>When a new course starts at Skyborne, cadets move into the academy's accommodation in nearby Cheltenham. Before classes begin, the previous intake will take the new recruits to the pub.When BI toured the academy, there was a palpable camaraderie in the hallways and crew lounges, where noticeboards advertised running clubs and other extracurricular activities.One of the two lounges overlooks Skyborne's hangar, where its in-house maintenance crew worked on one of the eight light aircraft parked inside.Vicky Harriss, head of operational delivery, says cadets also spend time with the engineers and air traffic controllers."It's really important to us to ensure that we help the trainees build those relationships and break down any barriers that may be there very early on in their training," she adds.After graduating from high school, 21-year-old Skyborne trainee Libby Roebuck spent the first post-pandemic summer working as cabin crew for TUI Airways, part of the European package holiday group.<div type="image" title="Skyborne cadet Libby Roebuck stands in front of a Diamond DA42 plane at the pilot training academy in Gloucestershire Airport." height="4498" width="6742" msid="114912718" hostid="261" sizebytes="337678"></div>Flying in helicopters with her dad throughout her childhood engendered a love of aviation, but school counselors often suggested cabin crew or the military as a career path."I think that just kind of pushed it for me more to just go, 'I am doing this' — the motivation to just do it," Roebuck told BI.There's also the challenge of entering what she called "a very male-dominated industry." Just 12% of trainees on Skyborne's ATPL course are women, and female pilots account for just 5% of the global total pilots, per the International Civil Aviation Organization.Roebuck said she's attended many open days and careers events with only one or two women, prompting her to keep pushing for change. "Especially since I've got back from Florida, I've seen far more females in the building, which has been really nice."<h2 id="ba00f0a0-3bea-4f65-8f28-144b76cebace">Ground school, flight school, and simulators</h2>Skyborne's pilot course starts with six months of classes, which Harriss described as "really intense" and has just two seven-day breaks.Roebuck said she would get up at 7 a.m. and be in classes or studying until 11 p.m. as well as putting in another 12 hours on weekends. "What you put in is what you get out of this course."There's also customer-service training that includes roleplaying different scenarios. "Airlines are really starting to realize how important that is now, far more than maybe before," Harriss said.Cadets then spend the next six months in Florida doing single-engine flight training with Piper PA-28 planes before returning to often-cloudy England for multi-engine flight training.This starts in simulators for the twin-engine Diamond DA42 before trainees take to the skies and learning how to cope with only one engine running.<div type="image" title="One of Skyborne's Diamond DA42 planes in front of its hangar at Gloucestershire Airport" height="3024" width="4032" msid="114912714" hostid="261" sizebytes="1174680"></div>It also includes a course with aerobatic aircraft called Upset Prevention Recovery Training to learn techniques to recover a plane from "unusual attitudes" such as stall events or a spiral dive.The final few weeks involve learning how to work in a multi-pilot crew, and getting to grips with large jets in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-simulator-what-its-like-to-be-pilot-2024-10">Boeing 737 Max simulator</a> — preparing for the reality of being an airline pilot.After landing a job, airlines assign a specific aircraft type for which there's typically another eight weeks of training.Booth tells BI the best part of her job is seeing trainees progress over the 18 months. "They've developed and changed so much during that time. To support them in getting in that first job is just so rewarding."Skyborne's UK social media pages celebrate trainees accepting offers from airlines including British Airways, easyJet, TUI, and Jet2.Roebuck said she's on a BA pathway waiting for an interview date, and hopes to become a first officer on the Airbus A320.

Meet the trainees paying $136,000 to become the next generation of airline pilots

Budget airline <keyword id="11252024" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="go-first" source="Orion">Go First</keyword> has cancelled all its flights till May 28, citing operational reasons. Earlier, the airlines had cancelled flights till May 26. In a note posted on Twitter on Friday, the airline said, "We regret to inform that due to operational reasons, <keyword id="11937496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="go-first-flights" source="Orion">Go First flights</keyword> scheduled till May 28, 2023, have been cancelled. We apologise for the convenience caused by the flight cancellations." The airline also said a full refund will be issued to the original mode of payment shortly. The airline also said the company has filed an application for immediate resolution and revival of operations. It mentioned that it would be able to resume bookings shortly. On Tuesday, budget carrier Go First replied to the show cause notice issued by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) where the airline mentioned that it has no definite timeline to resume operations. Civil aviation ministry officials said that airlines expressed an intent to resume operations at the earliest. "There is no definitive timeline as of now for the resumption of operations by Go First. They have expressed an intent to resume operations at the earliest thought," a senior aviation ministry official said. Earlier the regulator DGCA asked the company (Go First) to respond to the show cause notice within 15 days. The regulator had asked Go First to explain the reasons for its inability to run operations and stopped new bookings and halted the sale of tickets. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Monday upheld the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) order which had admitted Go First Airlines' voluntary plea for insolvency. "It disposed of the lessors' petition and asked them to file an appeal before the NCLT."

Go First cancels all flights till May 28, citing operational reasons

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Wizz Air announced its first A321XLR route will be about seven hours between London and Saudi Arabia.</li><li>"You kind of suffer the pain, if you wish, for the economic benefits," said Wizz's CEO.</li></ul>As it introduces longer flights, ultra-low-cost carrier <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ryanair-easyjet-wizz-europes-budget-airlines-compared-2024-5">Wizz Air</a> isn't planning any upgrades to its no-frills offering — hoping passengers will "suffer the pain" for cheaper tickets.Wizz announced Tuesday that its first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a321xlr-will-be-a-game-changer-2023-7">Airbus A321XLR</a> route will be between London Gatwick and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, starting next March.The upcoming narrowbody jet has gained hype by opening up new possibilities for airlines with its increased range of 5,400 miles.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wizz-air-unlimited-flights-550-dollars-strings-attached-2024-8">Wizz</a> expects this to mean flights up to eight hours long — a two-hour increase from current capabilities with the A321neo.Wizz's London to Jeddah route would take around seven hours with prices starting at £134.99 ($177) — about one-third the price of British Airways.It's even cheaper going the opposite direction, starting at £89 ($116), because the UK's air passenger duty tax wouldn't apply.József Váradi, the Wizz CEO, told reporters at a London press conference that the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a321-xlr-plane-launch-new-routes-cabins-iberia-american-2024-9">A321XLR</a> will have the same seats as the A321neo.That means no reclining or in-flight entertainment — typical features on budget airlines to reduce maintenance costs. Both jets will also have the same capacity of 239 seats."15, 20 years ago, I thought three hours would test passenger tolerance, and then we pushed it to six hours, and we are still fine," Váradi said."I just think that economics are so crucial to people."<div type="image" title="The cabin of a Wizz Air Airbus A320neo as viewed from the aisle looking forward" height="2016" width="4032" msid="113232834" hostid="261" sizebytes="412010"></div>He said most passengers "sacrifice some level of comfort" on widebody aircraft too, given that there are no lie-flat beds in economy class."You kind of suffer the pain, if you wish, for the economic benefits that you are deriving from the transaction," Váradi added.By contrast, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-spirit-southwest-jetblue-struggle-profit-scrambling-changes-tickets-seats-2024-8">budget carriers in the US have been introducing premium options</a> amid reduced profits. Spirit Airlines announced blocked-out middle seats similar to business class on European short-haul flights, while Southwest is ditching its open-seating policy.Wizz Air also announced flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi starting next June, and Váradi said the airline is working on routes to India, too.Due to competition from the likes of British Airways, Váradi ruled out transatlantic flights — something that Frontier Airlines had considered before canceling its plans for the XLR.

The first ultra-low-cost airline using the Airbus A321XLR hopes passengers will choose to 'suffer the pain' of no-frills 7-hour flights

The <keyword id="6396354" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="national-company-law-appellate-tribunal" source="Orion">National Company Law Appellate Tribunal</keyword> (<keyword id="6396355" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nclat" source="Orion">NCLAT</keyword>) on Monday will hear the appeal filed by three <keyword id="11252024" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="go-first" source="Orion">Go first</keyword> lessors -- SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd, SFV Aircraft Holdings and GY Aviation Lease Court Ltd -- challenging the order passed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) of interim moratorium and insolvency resolution proceedings. NCLAT on Friday deferred the matter pertaining to Go First lessors' petition seeking a stay on a bankruptcy court order allowing voluntary insolvency of the low-cost airline to Monday. On May 10, the NCLT admitted Go First's plea for voluntary insolvency and admitted for the initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) proceedings. NCLT has granted Go First protection under a moratorium from recovery by lessors and lenders. NCLT, in its order, said, "We admit the plea of Go Airlines for insolvency proceedings. It said that we appoint Abhilash Lal as IRP (insolvency resolution professional)." "The suspended board of directors will cooperate with the IRP. Suspended directors are also ordered to deposit Rs 5 crore to make the immediate expenses," the order stated. The budget airline had also cancelled all the flights' operations till May 19 due to operational reasons, "Go First flights until 19th May 2023 are cancelled. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and request customers." US-based jet manufacturers Pratt and Whitney (P-W) has defended itself against the budget airline's claim that P-W is responsible for the financial condition and bankruptcy. "Go First's allegations that Pratt and Whitney is responsible for its financial condition are without merit. Pratt and Whitney will vigorously defend itself against Go's claims, and is pursuing its own legal recourse," Pratt and Whitney spokesperson told ANI. The airline, owned by the troubled Wadia Group, had earlier blamed P-W for the faulty engines that led to its ongoing financial crisis and it was later forced to file an involuntary bankruptcy petition. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/8-things-that-google-bard-can-do-but-chatgpt-cannot/articleshow/100187360.cms">8 things that Google Bard can do, but ChatGPT cannot</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/how-to-silence-fake-calls-from-unknown-numbers-on-whatsapp/articleshow/100186824.cms">How to silence calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-is-cracking-down-on-international-scam-calls-after-indias-it-ministry-takes-notice/articleshow/100177253.cms">WhatsApp is cracking down on international scam calls after India’s IT ministry takes notice</a>

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal to hear Go First lessors' plea today

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lily Allen is happy to leave her kids in economy while she flies first class.</li><li>Speaking on a new episode of her podcast "Miss Me?" the singer joked that she doesn't even want to sit with her kids. </li></ul>British singer Lily Allen has weighed into the great debate over whether children should be allowed to sit in first class on flights.Speaking to her co-host and friend Miquita Oliver in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hsxn0m">the latest episode</a> of her podcast "Miss Me?" Allen said she's happy to send her kids to economy class while she takes a seat in first class.The singer, who has two daughters, Ethel, 13, and Marnie, 11, lives in New York with her husband, actor <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/david-harbour-stranger-things-ready-to-move-on-2023-8">David Harbour</a>."We are flying to London today to come and see you for your birthday," Allen told Oliver. "I'm going in first class, she's going in economy."'Wow, Merry Christmas to Ethel,' Miquita joked back, before asking, "You know what that is?"'Selfish?' replied Lily."The circle of life," said Miquita.<div type="image" title="Lily Allen, David Harbour, and children at Stranger Things season 4 premiere" height="5067" width="3617" msid="109624578" hostid="261" sizebytes="876112"></div>The two went on to discuss the viral TikTok trend of people defiantly saying they won't give up their first-class seats to children on planes.The correct etiquette when it comes to requesting or refusing a seat swap on flights so that families can sit together has become one of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktoker-refuses-first-class-plane-seat-sparks-debate-2022-10">social media's most controversial debates</a>.Some say that travelers should have more compassion for families, but others believe you get what you pay for if you don't reserve a seat, and say <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flight-attendants-opinions-debate-tiktok-swap-plane-seats-2023-4">it's not right to pressure other passengers</a>.But while Allen doesn't see the point in seating her own tween in first class, she's not on the side of those who won't give up their seat to a child."I find it fascinating that it has now become something that gives you clout on social media where you say "a mum came up to me on a plane and asked me to move, and I told them to fuck off.""Is this what we've become?" she added."Why can't everyone be a bit nicer to each other? … Says me putting myself in first class and my child alone in the back of the plane. I don't want to sit with my kid."In the episode, Allen shared some of her other parenting habits, saying she had recently got 10 of her children's parents to sign a pledge to take away their children's smartphones before eighth grade."It's their brains that I'm worried about long term. They've got enough to cope with having me as a mom. I'd rather take smartphones out of it and them hopefully survive."She has previously spoken out about choosing to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/career-coaches-weigh-in-lily-allen-says-children-ruined-career-2024-3">prioritize her children</a> over her career."Some people choose their career over their children. That's their prerogative, but my parents were quite absent when I was a kid, and I feel like that left some nasty scars that I'm not willing to repeat on mine," Allen said in an episode of the Radio Times Podcast.

Singer Lily Allen weighed in on an age-old airline debate, saying she flies first class, but her kids go coach

<ul><li>India’s largest airline InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) has much to gain if its peer Go First fails to land safely.</li><li>Cooler crude, more passengers taking to the skies, and the grounding of Go First have set the airline’s growth on a higher altitude.</li><li>IndiGo also expects a 15% growth in its revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK), a key metric for airlines, in FY24.</li></ul>India’s largest airline InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) has a lot to cheer if its peer Go First fails to land safely – with domestic and international market share up for grabs. If the troubles of the budget airline which has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/go-first-suspends-sale-of-tickets-till-may-15-dgca-asks-airline-to-process-refunds-for-passengers/articleshow/99982706.cms">filed</a> for insolvency compound, competition will ease in the low-cost segment giving IndiGo more control over air fares. IndiGo’s shares have surged by over 7% since May 2 when Go First announced that it had filed a voluntary insolvency petition with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Despite the recent surge, IndiGo is flying light – literally and figuratively – with its valuations being attractive, according to brokerages. On the back of robust fleet utilization rates and the Indian aviation sector being on an upswing, IndiGo expects its revenue per available seat kilometre (RASK), a key metric for airlines, to grow at 15% in FY24. Now, new tailwinds like the grounding of Go First and the softening of crude oil prices are expected to give it a further boost. “The bias is positive towards airline stocks, predominantly IndiGo, for the next 9-12 months,” said a report by Motilal Oswal, adding that the airline is well positioned to improve its realisations and margins too. An average of brokerage estimates suggests that there is an upside of 17% over the next 12 months, with a target price of ₹2,536 per share, as compared to the current market price of ₹2,164. <div type="image" title="InterGlobe Aviation share price 01_01_23 to 05_05_23." msid="100009463" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;IndiGo share price in 2023&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Dominance will play to its advantage" comment="subhead" text="Dominance will play to its advantage">Dominance will play to its advantage</cmsannotation> There is daylight between the market share of IndiGo and its rivals – the company has a market share of 55% domestically. Air India and Vistara, owned by the Tata group come in next, with a share of 8.9% and 8.7% respectively. IndiGo’s dominance will play to its advantage, according to analysts, not only helping it boost its margins, but also increase its market share. “Go First accounted for 8% of domestic traffic and 5% of international traffic (among Indian carriers). If this capacity goes out of the system, industry-level load factor and pricing environment can improve substantially,” said a report by IIFL Securities. Analysts at Credit Suisse explain that bringing an airline back from the brink of a collapse is difficult, as evidenced by Jet Airways’ troubles. “Go First filing for bankruptcy can benefit IndiGo in many ways,” the brokerage said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="IndiGo’s flight gets bigger wings" comment="subhead" text="IndiGo’s flight gets bigger wings">IndiGo’s flight gets bigger wings</cmsannotation> While <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/engines-omicron-more-the-timeline-of-troubles-at-go-first/slidelist/99987425.cms">Go First</a> was India’s third largest airline, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the company hard when Pratt &amp; Whitney engines started failing, leading to the airline grounding half of its fleet. The company <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/go-first-suspends-sale-of-tickets-till-may-15-dgca-asks-airline-to-process-refunds-for-passengers/articleshow/99982706.cms">voluntarily filed</a> for insolvency seeking interim relief from NCLT to stop lessors from possessing its fleet. IndiGo too was a customer of Pratt &amp; Whitney once. But, when its engine troubles surfaced in 2016, it signed on a competitor – another US-based engine manufacturer CFM, and escaped this fate. With a diverse and young fleet, the airline now boasts over 1,800 daily departures with more than 300 aircraft. Further, to cater to the growing demand, IndiGo is also looking to expand its fleet by 500 more aircraft, from Boeing and Airbus. This was right after its rival Air India run by the Tata group <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/of-total-840-aircraft-order-470-is-for-planes-while-the-rest-370-are-options-says-air-india-executive/articleshow/97978085.cms">placed</a> a mega order of 470 aircraft. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Flying high" comment="subhead" text="Flying high">Flying high</cmsannotation> Overall, brokerages are bullish about IndiGo’s prospects, stating that the softening crude oil prices will further help the airline improve its margins. A surge in domestic passenger traffic also bodes well for the Indian aviation sector, with April witnessing 15% higher traffic of 4.3 lakh passengers per day, than the FY23 average of 3.73 lakh. All in all, IndiGo’s numero uno position in India, cooler crude, more passengers taking to the skies, and the fall of Go First all set the airline’s growth on a higher altitude. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/hdfc-bank-hdfc-market-capitalisation-falls-after-msci-tweak/articleshow/100006092.cms">HDFC Bank, HDFC market capitalisation falls nearly ₹88,000 crore after MSCI tweak</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-enterprises-q4-net-profit-more-than-doubles-yoy-to-722-crore/articleshow/99990510.cms">Adani Enterprises Q4 net profit more than doubles YoY to ₹722 crore as airports and roads businesses pick up pace</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/hero-motocorp-q4-net-profit-beats-estimates-rises-37-yoy-to-859-crore/articleshow/99989966.cms">Hero MotoCorp Q4 net profit beats estimates, rises 37% YoY to ₹859 crore</a>

The skies are clearer for IndiGo stock to surge further as Go First’s troubles mount

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Airlines are bringing the barebones basic economy experience to business class.</li><li>"Business Light" fares are cheaper but can lack perks like lounge access or early seat selection.</li></ul>The unbundled, pay-as-you-go experience of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-basic-economy-review-carryon-middle-seat-new-york-denver-2024-7">basic economy</a> is coming to business class.In recent years, international airlines such as Air France, KLM, Emirates, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/finnair-airlounge-business-class-seat-pod-review-photos-2023-3">Finnair</a>, and Qatar Airways have launched discounted "Business Light" tickets. These fares can vary but generally do not include traditional business-class amenities like lounge access or advanced seat selection.Now, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-crowdstrike-outage-cost-170-million-customer-crew-expenses-2024-10">Delta Air Lines</a>, a close partner of Air France and KLM, may be the first to bring it to the US.Delta executives have hinted as much on recent earnings <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2024/07/11/delta-air-lines-dal-q2-2024-earnings-call-transcri/">calls</a>. In response to a question about "unbundling" the front cabin in July, Delta President Glen Hauenstein said the airline didn't have anything to share yet but that its investor day in November "should be very exciting."On Thursday's call, executives continued to drum up excitement for premium product announcements in November. A Delta spokesperson declined to give any additional details.During the third quarter, Delta's premium offerings, which include <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-one-new-lounge-new-york-jfk-amenities-skyclub-2024-6">Delta One business class</a>, domestic first class, and premium economy, generated $5.3 billion in revenue compared to $6.3 billion for the economy cabin despite occupying a mere fraction of tickets sold.Demand for international business class and other high-margin <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-delta-premium-economy-2016-11">premium cabins</a> at the front of the plane have struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels. Still, Delta executives said its premium demand is now outperforming the main cabin.The carrier expects that momentum to continue through the end of the year and beyond, noting that its corporate sales increased by 7% in the third quarter. A recent survey found that 85% of companies expect to increase spending in 2025.For airlines, the business light strategy can help further stoke demand to fill the front of the plane and generate additional revenue. For customers, it may be a relatively cheaper way to access the luxe seats and offer them more choice."Delta can unbundle business class and then resell those previously inclusive privileges for a fee," industry analyst Henry Harteveldt told Business Insider on Thursday. "I'll give Delta credit for looking for new ways to find value for their customers."<h2 id="15fce060-edb1-4b4d-82c4-4cffda495e16">'Business light' is popular overseas</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flying-qatar-airways-qsuites-new-york-doha-in-business-class-2022-8">Qatar Airways's unbundled "business class</a> bite" fare requires additional payment for lounge access. Those traveling on a Finnair Business Light ticket will also have to pay extra for checked luggage.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/emirates-airbus-a380-business-first-class-bar-shower-photos-2023-11">Emirates's "business</a> special" fare does not include add-on amenities like chauffeur pickup, lounge access, open advanced seat selection, and upgrades to first class. Passengers must buy the pricier "Business Saver" fare for those amenities.<div type="image" title="Emirates Business Class fares screenshot." height="591" width="1106" msid="114154469" hostid="261" sizebytes="29744"></div>Given the profitability of premium cabins like business class, airlines are keen to squeeze every profit from both the seat and its ancillary amenities.However, the ultimate effect on consumers remains unclear. Like basic economy, an unbundled fare means consumers who want guaranteed seats or other add-ons would likely pay extra to get it."It's like insurance, in a way," Harteveldt said. "If you want the certainty that you have a specific seat, then you will pay for it, presuming the price is right."In practice, Harteveldt estimates fares for the new unbundled ticket would be similar to current business-class prices — with the price of a full-fledged business seat steadily increasing.On the other hand, Harteveldt said the new strategy could be good for corporate customers because they can ensure business travelers get good rest and food on the aircraft, even if they can't access the lounge or board first.

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