With the demand for luxury travel surpassing that of other international markets, Gulf Airlines is spending billions of dollars on luxurious cabins. According to a recent research by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), the Middle East had the largest percentage of premium travelers worldwide, with 14.7% of all passengers choosing to travel in business or first-class cabins in 2024.
According to Iata’s 2024 World Air Transport Statistics report, the area had an 11% year-over-year rise in international premium travel last year. According to experts, long-haul carriers like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways are driving the expansion by redefining luxury in the air and directing intercontinental passenger flow through their hubs.
Due to sanctions brought on by the conflict in Ukraine, western airlines are refraining from operating across Russian airspace, although a number of Middle Eastern airlines have persisted in doing so. “For some airlines, the Russian overflight issue has resulted in them dropping services, and that has provided an additional source of … premium traffic for other airlines, as passengers route through the Middle East between Europe and Asia and vice versa,” stated John Grant, senior analyst at travel data firm O AG.
According to him, premium travel is also being driven by rising disposable income in some countries, a desire for a “less congested” travel experience, and a rise in leisure passengers near the front of the aircraft.
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