In an environment of slowing growth in the air travel market, carriers are looking to improve their fortunes by shrinking cabin loads.
Airlines are re-focusing on flying fewer passengers but increasing profits by making average passengers pay more for their fare.
The global trend towards deregulation and a 10-year boom in the US economy has prompted airlines to expand their long-haul networks over the past several years at an unprecedented rate.
Airlines are now faced with heavy competition in key global routes in the face of which profitability has collapsed.
Last week, US Airways joined a string of global airlines, including United Airlines, expected to drop into the red this year.
Meanwhile, Germany's Lufthansa said it planned to cut back on its long-haul route expansion plans in light of the weak global economy.
