British Airways' New York-London and other high-income airlines

In case the suites and the lobster at the front of the plane would not yield, a new ranking indicates how well paid travelers dominate the skies.

The routes that earn the most money are those frequented by business travelers, where airlines scramble to add high-end seats at four-price and sometimes five-digit prices.

British Airways' non-stop flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and London's Heathrow Airport generated revenues of nearly $ 1.2 billion over the course of a year. the 12-month period ended March 2019, far more than any other route in the world, according to data released this week by the aeronautical statistics firm OAG.

Other high-revenue routes include the Qantas link in less than 90 minutes between Melbourne and Sydney, which earned $ 861 million from Australia's largest carrier during this period, and the United Airlines service between San Francisco and Newark. This flight generated $ 689 million. Then the American Airlines line between Los Angeles and JFK brought in nearly $ 662 million.

In a sector where profit margins are thin and do not leave much to the numbers, airlines are injecting resources on such profitable roads, adding new seats, because they know they are attracting companies and other major players. spenders.

"The airlines that have [those routes] will defend them at all costs, "said OAG Executive Vice President John Grant. They will fight for these passengers and not to cancel them.

Airlines are also trying to make passengers pay for premium seats, rather than giving them free upgrades, and they are doing a lot better.

Last month, Delta Air Lines announced the sale of more than 60% of its seats in first class, against 13% in 2011, which is bad news for those waiting for a free upgrade. The airline also draws less than half of its bus cabin business, compared to about two-thirds six years ago, he said at the end of the year. ;last year.

JetBlue Airways plans to start serving London from New York and Boston in 2021, using its Mint class to woo travelers away from rivals rooted on lucrative roads with cheaper first-class seats.

US airlines have also drawn on international competitors to add a new class between standard and business class, called economy, which allows travelers to board earlier, a larger seat, a larger entertainment screen and high-end rates. food, among other benefits.

Earlier this month, American Airlines announced it has completed the installation of premium economy seats on its fleet of large aircraft. Prices vary, but a premium economy seat can yield almost three times more than a normal economy ticket. For example, a round trip between New York and London in early September on American cost $ 704, against $ 1,908 for a Premium ticket.