US Airlines Start Quietly Charging More for Solo Travelers

Some of the biggest U.S. airlines are quietly charging solo travelers more than passengers who book as a pair, according to recent travel industry findings.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have added new fare rules that in some cases require passengers to book at least two tickets to access the cheapest fares. That means solo travelers could end up paying as much as 70 percent more for the same flight.

The Context

Travel site Thrifty Traveler found the pattern while analyzing hundreds of domestic one-way fares. On a short United hop from Chicago O’Hare to Peoria, Illinois, a single ticket cost $269. But the same ticket dropped to $181 per person when booking two travelers. In some cases, basic economy options only appeared when searching for multiple passengers.

“Whether it’s been just days, months, or even years, it’s something that few everyday travelers may realize is happening … or how much it might be costing them,” wrote Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler.

What To Know

This pricing tactic appears designed to target business travelers, who often book last-minute and travel alone. Airlines use different fare classes—sets of pricing rules—to sell the same seats at different prices. Now, some of those fare classes are limited to bookings with at least two passengers.

Gary Leff, a frequent flyer expert who writes for the airline industry blog View From the Wing, reported that American Airlines was first to adopt the model, which it internally called “P2” for “passenger 2.” Delta and United have now followed suit, according to Leff. In one example he highlighted, a solo ticket cost $422 for a one-way economy flight, while booking two tickets together dropped the per-person price to $210.

The rationale, according to airline analysts, is straightforward: solo travelers are more likely to be business travelers, who typically book flights with less concern about cost due to corporate budgets. Airlines are using fare rules to target those perceived as less price-sensitive.

“It’s just another way for airlines to continue segmenting their customers,” Thrifty Traveler’s Potter explained.

Fare-rule language supports this explanation. On United’s ticketing system, certain discounted fares include the stipulation: “Must be accompanied on all sectors in same compartment by at least 1 adult 15 or older.” No such requirement exists on higher-priced solo tickets.

This tactic contrasts sharply with longstanding fare structures, where group bookings could inadvertently trigger higher fares if the lowest available seat was limited to one. Instead, airlines are now carving out cheaper fare classes exclusively for multi-passenger bookings, reversing traditional booking dynamics.

What People Are Saying

Kyle Potter, executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, wrote on the website: “It’s not a widespread phenomenon—currently, we’re only seeing it on a handful of one-way domestic flights. And it’s unclear whether this began just recently or weeks, even months, ago. Maybe airlines are testing this new pricing tactic on a smaller scale before expanding it.”

Gary Leff, an air travel expert who writes for View from the Wing, said: “This isn’t on all routes or all flights. Instead, they’ve quietly introduced new fare rules that require at least a second passenger to be eligible for the cheapest fares.”

What Happens Next

No one from American, Delta, or United responded to Thrifty Traveler’s requests for comment on the pricing strategy. Newsweek also reached out for comment to those three airlines.