HOUSTON — New travel trends are emerging as we put the pandemic in our rearview mirror. Budget airlines are warning that the days of revenge travel are over and some are slashing prices to keep seats full.
But not all airlines are seeing the same thing. According to the Wall Street Journal, airlines like United and Delta that cater to premium and international travelers, demand is not slowing. Delta reports that sales in their premium cabins are actually outpacing coach.
Part of the problem for budget airlines is that where we are traveling is changing. When it comes to domestic flights, the trends are returning to pre-pandemic patterns with travel slowing post-labor day.
But when it comes to international travel, demand is staying strong, According to the Wall Street Journal, that may be because cost-conscious consumers, the ones who use budget airlines, are the ones who have suffered the most from inflation.
But the bad news for budget airlines could be an opportunity to score a good deal. According to Hopper, the price of domestic travel fell 26% from June to September. Frontier Airlines said it has deeply discounted tickets to lure back travelers and Spirit has instituted steep price drops through the pre-Thanksgiving travel period.