New York Magazine has just published a long article on airline economics, centered on its most profitable element, Delta Air Lines: “We Love Delta. We Hate Delta — It’s been a hellish time to travel, but one airline is winning by catering to the elite. Good luck to everyone in coach.” by Ben Ryder Howe.

Here’s a quote from near the end:

“The industry is moving toward elite clientele,” says Stephen Milstrey, a veteran airline network planning and scheduling executive who has routed planes for Virgin America and Frontier. “Eventually the big airlines will minimize the main cabin and let Frontier and Allegiant handle those people.”

Or, as is happening in Japan, according to the article, they can just stay home. With the demise of Spirit, my guess is that this opens up competitive space for someone who can figure out how to exploit it. Not necessarily another airline.

If you have Apple News, you can find the article at: https://apple.news/ARKzMW_FGRIigjAkpBzD7bg

You can read “Logical end to the K-shaped economy” here: https://slightlyeastofnew.com/2026/01/21/logical-end-of-the-k-shaped-economy/