Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour has led to a 25% increase in demand for United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL flights. The surge is attributed to fans traveling to her concerts.
What Happened: Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer, revealed at the Skift Global Forum 2024 on Wednesday that the airline closely monitors Swift’s tour dates and locations to adjust flight availability accordingly, the Observe reported on Thursday.
“Quite frankly, we watch where Taylor goes because our demand booms,” Nocella stated.
The impact is significant for both domestic and international flights, with United previously offering discounts on flights coinciding with Swift’s U.S. concerts. The Eras Tour is projected to generate $4.6 billion in North America and £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in the U.K. economy.
Other airlines, like Southwest, have also noticed the trend, adding additional flights during Swift’s tour dates. United plans to enhance the travel experience further by introducing free Wi-Fi through a partnership with SpaceX‘s Starlink, starting in late 2025, according to the report.
Why It Matters: Taylor Swift’s influence extends beyond music, impacting various sectors including politics. Her endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for president drove over 330,000 visitors to vote.gov, highlighting her political sway. This endorsement also led to a viral backlash, with a mother selling her daughter’s concert tickets in protest.
Swift’s concerts have also been the target of security threats. The CIA thwarted an ISIS attack at her Vienna concert, preventing potential mass casualties. This underscores the high stakes and extensive planning involved in ensuring the safety of her events.
Moreover, Swift’s cultural impact is evident in other areas. London’s Victoria and Albert Museum hosted a free art exhibition inspired by her Eras Tour, featuring her iconic outfits and personal memorabilia. This exhibition attracted significant attention, further cementing her status as a cultural icon.
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Image via Wikimedia Commons
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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