US airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are charging solo travelers more than groups, research reveals. In some cases, solo travelers are paying 70% more.
Travel sites Thrifty Traveler and View From The Wing exposed this pricing tactic on select domestic routes.
In an article, Thrifty Traveler’s Kyle Potter wrote: “While it’s not widespread – you won’t see it on each and every route – it’s real and undeniable.” Researchers tested the three airlines and saw the price drop as additional passengers were added.
The Independent was able to replicate this. Testing it on a flight from Charlotte to Fort Myers with American Airlines, booking two people can reduce the price by $149. The price went from $482 to $333 by booking two people instead of one.
Using Google Flights, The Independent, a one-way flight from Chicago O’Hare to Lexington in Kentucky, dropped by 50% from $215 to $107 after changing the number of passengers from solo to two.
Unfair Practice for Solo Travelers
Rhys Jones, Aviation Editor at headforpoints.com, calls this practice “unfair.” He said, “Unlike hotel rooms, where you can share to save money, you can’t share a plane seat and therefore the practice of charging solo travelers more can seem particularly unfair, especially as single people already often pay more versus those who are coupled up.”
He added, “Unfortunately, airlines will always try and sell tickets for the maximum price they can charge whilst also filling aircraft, and whilst someone who is traveling for business might not blink an eye, another traveling alone on holiday might not have the same means.”
Gilbert Ott of travel site godsavethepoints.com has a different take on the matter. He said that consumers should expect more “personalized pricing,” especially with AI. He said “People must wrap their heads around the concept that seats are commodities and just like all other goods, bulk discounts often apply. When we buy a six-pack of beer from the supermarket, we get a discount, for example.”
He also added, “We’ve seen countless airlines offer companion fares, with discounts buying for two. I get that it can be frustrating, and as a frequent solo and not-solo traveler, I win some and I lose some.” Ott also warned that “We’ll see more personalized pricing as airlines leverage AI.”
