Most travelers prioritize finding cheap fares, whether cheap airplane tickets or cheap vacation packages when arranging to travel. Many however dread the lines they have to endure once they arrive at the airport.
Some airlines are starting to offer VIP treatment to passengers in economy seats if they are willing to pay extra. American Airlines offers a Five Star Service program. Though it was once restricted for celebrities and VIP.s flying between New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. American started offering the service to passengers at Kennedy Airport in 2007, and expanded in to 11 airports last year. This program is being promoted as a way to get passengers through the airport treated like a star.
American VIP treatment includes being greeted at the curb by an American representative who checks passengers in and handles their luggage, then whisks them through security, bypassing long lines. VIP passengers are then guided to the airlines lounge where they can enjoy comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks. The assistant proceeds to work on seeing if better seats are available towards the front of the plane.
Other airlines are starting to offer VIP services to coach passengers willing to pay for it. Even More Speed by JetBlue was introduced in June and offers passengers who, depending on the flight, pay $10 to $75 extra for a seat with additional legroom, and an expedited security line at 15 airports, including Kennedy, Newark, and San Francisco.
In the last two years United started selling a variety of perks including door to door luggage delivery ($79 to $99, depending on the flight), expedited security and pre-boarding (starting at $9). Uniteds Premier Travel package, starts at $47 for short flights and includes Economy Plus seating with extra legroom, expedited security and priory boarding, and bonus miles.
Most airlines have started selling passengers day passes to their airline lounges for around $50, frequently less when the passes are purchased online in advance.
Airlines say that they are offering options to coach travelers previously limited to VIPs to help offset the aggravations of flying, particularly those experienced at airports.
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