What Flyers Are Willing to Pay for Flight Upgrades

What We're Showing

This infographic shows the maximum average amount travelers are willing to pay for various airline upgrades and add-ons, based on a survey of 7,000 consumers conducted by McKinsey in March 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Baggage upgrades top the list. On average, consumers are willing to pay a maximum of $112 to upgrade from just a personal item to one checked bag.
• Seat selection (random vs. extra legroom) and ticket flexibility (non-refundable to fully refundable) are also prioritized, with average willingness to pay at $57 and $54, respectively.
• Flyers are willing to pay $27 for snacks and drinks, outpacing Wi-Fi ($18) and priority boarding ($15).