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“Your basic economy seat is disappearing — and United’s CEO just admitted he doesn’t care if you notice.

“Any industry has to pass along the price increases.”

That’s what Scott Kirby told Wall Street this week — right after raising fares AGAIN and cutting more basic economy seats.

According to flight search data, domestic fares on popular routes are up as much as 35%, while some international routes have climbed around 15%.

That’s not pocket change. That’s real money out of your summer travel budget.

And neither airline seems worried about losing you over it.

Kirby says demand remains strong.

Delta says travelers keep paying higher prices despite rising fuel costs. Translation: they don’t think you’ll stop flying, no matter what it costs.

Here’s the part that should make you mad.

Fuel costs go up? Fares go up.

Fuel costs come back down? Fares stay exactly where they are.

Kirby admitted it himself: “There was another fare increase this week as fuel started to go back up.

And there were no fare decreases when fuel went down.”

So where’s all that extra money going?

Both airlines are investing heavily in premium cabins, lounges, Wi-Fi, and new seating built for passengers willing to spend more. Meanwhile, basic economy keeps shrinking.

Premium revenue is up 16% at United and 17% at Delta — both outpacing basic economy growth. That’s not a coincidence. That’s the strategy.

And nearly 2 out of 3 Americans are skipping travel this summer because they simply can’t afford it, while wealthier flyers spend even more.

So while regular travelers get squeezed into fewer, smaller, pricier seats… the guy running the airline is on a call bragging about “strong demand” and “brand loyalty.”

Have you noticed basic economy getting harder to find lately?

#UnitedAirlines #DeltaAirLines #AirlineNews #AviationNews #TravelNews