United Finds Way to Make Up for Weak Transatlantic Economy Sales
Photo Credit: United Airlines is placing a big bet on premium seats for transatlantic routes. Premium revenues have been offsetting weaker performance in coach. United Airlines
Skift Take
Now is the time to score deals for economy class travel between the United States and Europe. Come April, people will want to fly transatlantic again and prices will go up.
United Airlines is struggling to fill transatlantic economy class seats at reasonable fares, but is making up the difference by capitalizing on a robust market for premium seats, an executive said Wednesday at an investor event in Miami Beach, Florida.
The admission is not a surprise. Many airlines have increased transatlantic capacity in the past three years. Discount airline Norwegian Air has grown most — it’s the biggest foreign airline flying to the New York area and flies to 17 U.S. airports — but legacy carriers also have expanded, in part as a competitive response.
In spring and summer, airlines fill economy class seats at decent fares with U.S and European vacationers. In winter, that’s tougher. Even with fare sales, airlines have trouble persuading Americans to visit Paris or Barcelona in January.
"The economy class transatlantic has
