Skift Take
Upgrades to American's domestic premium economy (Main Cabin Extra) foreshadow a better experience for elite travelers — but also the potential beginnings of an entirely new class of service.
Improvements to American's domestic premium economy — branded as Main Cabin Extra — are officially coming down the line based on news leaked in an internal company memo.
The memo, which was leaked by the blog The Forward Cabin and picked up widely, reports domestic passengers in American's Main Cabin Extra cabin will soon be given a free premium (i.e. alcoholic) beverage of choice as well as dedicated overhead bin space.
Most passengers currently traveling in American's economy or premium economy sections are required to pay for alcohol.
American's move is the latest among the U.S. carriers to better fortify and segment domestic premium economy cabins from the rest of the aircraft. In flights with Delta's Comfort+ cabins, for example, travelers also get amenity kits, blankets and headphones.
In adding the new perks, airlines hope to better entice travelers to book the premium cabins and — more importantly — pay for the privilege to do so. It won't be cheap, eithe