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travel

Largest U.S. airlines court premium passengers as economy gap widens

Illustration accompanying article: Largest U.S. airlines court premium passengers as economy gap widens
  • Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the largest U.S. airlines have focused their business strategies on premium passengers willing to pay for comfort, convenience and exclusivity.
  • Premium travelers can use priority security lanes, enter invite-only lounges with craft cocktails and chef-prepared meals, and board early to spacious forward seats.
  • Budget-conscious travelers face standard security lines, crowded gates, and boarding with the final groups, often hoping for overhead bin space for a carry-on before folding into a cramped middle seat.
  • The contrasting experiences reflect a deliberate industry shift toward selling first-class, business-class and premium-economy seats.
 2026-07-07 · 3 MIN READ

Record 61.4 million drivers hit the road for July Fourth as gas prices ease

Unemployment Rate: falling from 5.70 to 4.20 (2015-01-01 to 2026-06-01).
  • AAA forecast a record 61.4 million drivers taking trips over 50 miles for the July Fourth week, up from 61.3 million in 2025, with 85% of expected holiday travelers driving to their destinations.
  • The national average gas price stood at $3.84 a gallon on July 3, down from a post-Iran-war peak above $4.50 but still 86 cents above pre-war levels, according to AAA.
  • A Bank of America Institute survey found 77% of respondents planned summer travel this year, up from 74% in 2025, though roughly 10% of respondents reported cutting trips due to high gas prices.
  • The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in June, which economists said underpinned continued travel demand despite persistent price sensitivity among lower-income households.
 2026-07-03 · 4 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Iranians weary of war decompress on a Turkish dance floor