Flying alone? You could be paying more per ticket than group flyers: Report

A new report shows that Delta, American, and United charged solo travelers significantly more than groups on identical flights. — Image credit: Virojt Changyencham via Getty Images

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Summary

Solo traveler penalty

A Thrifty Traveler report found that major U.S. airlines charged more for single-passenger bookings compared to group bookings on identical flights.

Algorithms drive fares

Airline algorithms adjust fares in real time based on demand and booking patterns — often penalizing solo travelers without clear explanation.

Profit over passengers

From fare classes to shrinking legroom, airlines have spent decades maximizing profit per seat — and solo travelers are the latest group affected.

Full story

Solo travelers may be paying a premium compared to passengers booking in pairs or groups. A new report reveals that the largest U.S. airlines are charging higher fares for solo travelers.

Travel site Thrifty Traveler analyzed hundreds of fares from Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines. In their findings, solo bookings often resulted in noticeably higher prices per ticket for the exact same flights compared to a single ticket that’s booked with others.

Price comparisons show steep differences

In one example, a solo passenger flying United from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Peoria, Illinois, in June paid $269 for an economy ticket. But when another traveler was added, the cost dropped to around $181 per person for the same flight.

Thrifty Traveler also examined an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Fort Myers, Florida. In that case, the fare dropped from $422 for a single ticket to $231 per person when two seats were booked.

Some travelers say they don’t mind

While the pricing discrepancy left many solo travelers frustrated, some found a silver lining.

One user on X commented, “Am I the only business traveler that preferred this? I’m a UA flyer and the extra PQP helps!” The user referred to United Airlines’ MileagePlus program, where higher fares can translate to more reward points.

Airline algorithms may be to blame

Dynamic pricing systems could be behind the fare differences. Airlines use algorithms to automatically adjust prices based on demand, booking habits and even passenger data.

Thrifty Travelers also mentions airlines try to cater to their customers. However, subtle changes like these are often at the expense of fairness.

Business class was first introduced in the 1970s as a middle ground for travelers between luxury and economy. It was designed for corporate travelers who didn’t need first class, but wanted more comfort than coach.

Economy class also used to be more generous. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 allowed airlines to set their own fares and routes. In exchange, passengers have had to sacrifice things like seat size.

Over the past 30 years, economy seats have become less comfortable. According to USA Today, legroom has decreased by 2 to 5 inches, and seat width has shrunk by 2 inches.

Over time, the airline industry has become more optimized for revenue than comfort. Now, that same logic is showing up in fare disparities, with solo travelers being penalized.

Delta quietly removes affected fares

Thrifty Traveler reports that none of the airlines responded to requests for comment. However, by Friday, May 30, Delta had quietly removed the fares that penalized solo travelers.

Zachary Hill (Video Editor) and Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Air travel, Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, flying, Travel, traveling, United Airlines

[KENNEDY FELTON]

In this case, one isn’t just the loneliest number—it’s also apparently the most expensive when it comes to flight tickets.

The team at travel site Thrifty Traveler spotted something interesting. After searching hundreds of flight fares, they found that all three of the nation’s largest airlines—Delta, American, and United—were charging solo travelers more than groups for the exact same trips.

Take this example: a solo passenger flying United from Chicago O’Hare to Peoria, Illinois, in June pays $269 for an economy ticket. But add another passenger—or even a few—and the fare drops to around $181 per person for the same flight.

American Airlines showed a similar trend. A flight from Charlotte to Fort Myers, Florida, in the fall rang up at $422 for one person—but only $231 each when booked for two.

The reason for this discrepancy is still unclear. And while some solo flyers are frustrated, others are actually okay with it.

One user on X said, “Am I the only business traveler that preferred this? I’m a UA flyer and the extra PQP helps!”—referring to United’s Mileage Plus program.

Dynamic pricing algorithms could be to blame, with software that automatically adjusts fares based on demand, availability, or booking patterns.

So far, no airline has issued a public statement or responded to Thrifty Traveler’s request for comment. But by Friday, Thrifty Traveler confirmed Delta quietly removed fares that appeared to penalize solo travelers.

Why this story matters

Solo airline travelers are often charged higher fares than those booking in groups, highlighting concerns about fairness and transparency in airline pricing algorithms.

Industry practices over time

Historical shifts in airline industry policies, such as deregulation and seat size reductions, illustrate a trend toward prioritizing revenue over passenger comfort and fairness.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 10 media outlets

Behind the numbers

According to CNN and multiple travel sites, solo travelers on certain domestic flights with major U.S. airlines, such as American, Delta, and United, may pay up to 70% more than travelers who book as a group. Specific examples show price differences ranging from $40 to over $100 per ticket, depending on the route and airline.

Community reaction

Specific travel communities and consumer advocates have criticized this pricing model. According to reporting in The Independent and CNN, frequent solo travelers — such as business people and avid theme park goers — express frustration, feeling the practice is unfair or even deceptive, especially when these price differences are not clearly disclosed during the booking process.

Context corner

The practice of charging single travelers more dates back decades in hospitality and group travel, usually called a "single supplement." However, in air travel, bulk discounts are less common and typically not as transparent. Airlines’ shift toward "dynamic pricing" and use of AI is incentivizing individualized pricing tactics like the one highlighted here.