Delta Air Lines ups the ante, re-introducing free meals in Economy
February 19, 2017 Leave a comment
What is interesting is how the business model keeps shifting as the competition heats up, and how things sometimes come a full circle to what they used to be. Meals used to be part and parcel of the total package, so too checked baggage, seat selection at time of booking, and seats with more leg room. The budget model of product unbundling and add-on charges soon became a way for airlines to be seen as offering lower fares and at the same time a source of ancillary revenue. It is to be noted that some airlines are still offering the freebies, notably Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific which, for example, are still allowing two pieces of checked baggage.
The crux of the game is really one of staying ahead of the competitors – and while BA becomes a late follower in charging for meals (but fortunately in a different market), Delta is shaking up the game with re-introducing an old practice which may soon be followed by rivals for the same routes, among them American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Virgin America.