Delta began removing the fares that hit solo travelers with significantly higher prices on Friday afternoon, according to a person with knowledge of that action, retreating after a national blowback against the nation’s three largest airlines and their latest pricing tactics.
A quick search of Delta’s fares nationwide from our flight deal analysts confirms it: Where Delta was charging single passengers higher fares on select domestic one-way fares as recently as this morning, that’s no longer the case. Everywhere across the country, Delta is once again charging solo and business travelers the same price per ticket as larger groups.
Delta’s fare rules that previously required at least two adults on a reservation in order to be eligible for the lower price – the mechanism by which the airline was pushing solo travelers into a pricier fare bucket – have disappeared, according to a search of publicly available rules on ITA Matrix.
Just earlier today, this one-way flight from New York City (JFK) to Las Vegas (LAS) was significantly more expensive. After a change of heart this afternoon, Delta is once again charging $119 per passenger whether you book for one traveler, two, or more.
As of publication, both American and United were still charging higher fares for single passengers on many domestic one-way routes. Airlines update their fares several times each weekday, so both carriers could potentially follow suit later Friday.
Whether this is just a temporary pause from Delta due to bad press or a total retreat is anyone’s guess. Delta has repeatedly declined to comment on the record about these pricing moves – and did so again on Friday afternoon after this latest move.
We broke the news earlier this week that airlines were quietly charging solo and business travelers higher fares than groups of two or more, causing an uproar on social media from solo travelers sickened by airlines’ latest way of shaking down customers for more money. In some cases, the price differences were egregious, like a $223 United fare from Chicago-O’Hare (ORD) to Asheville (AVL) for one passenger … that dropped to less than half that cost per ticket when booking for two or more travelers.
It’s unclear exactly when airlines began doing this. But whether it’s been days, weeks, months, or even a year, it’s irrelevant: Few everyday travelers may have realized what is happening … or how much it might be costing them.
It was a significant change in how airlines set airfare prices with absolutely no explanation, transparency, or accountability. And while it may have been designed to get more money out of business travelers who can afford to pay more, everyone from solo travelers to friends planning a group trip together (but booking airfare separately) would have paid the price.
At least for now, Delta seems to be rethinking whether that was wise. Time will tell whether other carriers reconsider, too.
This is a breaking news story, check back for updates.
