Delta Air Plans AI Pricing Across 20% Domestic Flights

Delta Air Lines is expanding its use of AI-driven dynamic ticket pricing, planning to implement AI-based revenue management technology on 20 percent of its domestic flights by the end of 2025, up from the current 3 percent. While experts praise the efficiency of AI in pricing, Democratic senators have expressed concerns that AI could lead to individualized fare increases based on consumer data, which Delta denies, emphasizing compliance with laws and rejecting discriminatory pricing practices. Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines experienced significant operational disruptions on July 31 due to severe weather and a communications outage that halted all departures temporarily, causing widespread delays and cancellations. In addition to these disruptions, Southwest is undergoing a major policy overhaul by shifting from an open-seating model to assigned seating starting January 27, 2026, introducing seat selection fees and changing its Customer of Size policy regarding additional seating and refunds. Southwest's CEO highlighted that these changes aim to improve customer choice, boarding efficiency, and reduce boarding conflicts, with some perks retained for loyalty members. These developments reflect a broader trend in the airline industry toward leveraging technology and revising customer service policies to enhance operational efficiency and revenue management.