However, a recent study by Upgraded Points shows that some airlines offer an even worse value for the price, depending on who you’re flying.

 

Delta, Alaska, and United Have Highest Upcharge to Domestic First

To determine which airline had the most expensive upcharge from domestic economy to domestic first, the Upgraded Points team analyzed Google Flights data on one-way flights across the four major airlines: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. In going through the data, the group discovered that the average price difference to move up from economy to first in the U.S. is $262.97 one way, or more than $525 round trip.

 

Among the four major airlines with domestic two-cabin aircraft configurations, Delta charged the most to move up to first class. With an average first-class price of $419.62 on a one-way flight, flyers will pay just under $300 more to drink from a glass and have a meal.

 

Coming in second was Alaska Airlines, with an average first-class price of $478.99 one way. The average Is around $3 under Delta’s upcharge to move up. United came in third, with an average of $250.23 price difference one-way between economy and first, while American airlines was the cheapest at an upcharge of $235.

 

The amount you will pay to move up also depends on where you’re flying from and to. Across all four surveyed carriers, Los Angeles held the distinction of the most expensive airport to upgrade through. The most expensive upgrade is between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), with an upcharge of $647.71. Other routes involving LAX include outbound to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG), and outbound to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).

 

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Source: frugal travel guy