Millennials are cashing in on travel perks during the coronavirus outbreak, especially when it comes to flights. Usually when flying from Boston to Miami on American Airlines, travelers would be boarding a Boeing 737 or Airbus A321 however, travelers now will be getting a major aircraft upgrade.

The 3 ½ hour flight will be trading its usual aircraft for a Boeing 777 which has 100 more seats and seatback entertainment.

American Airlines screenshot.
Photo courtesy of USA TODAY

Other routes that may get the aircraft upgrade are Chicago to Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

So, why are these aircrafts getting upgrades?

Since the coronavirus, many international flights have been cut by U.S. airlines. American, Delta, and United airlines have suspended flights to China and Hong Kong and has cancelled flights to Italy, South Korea and other destinations.

John Grant, senior aviation analyst with OAG tells USA TODAY, “Those airplanes are no longer flying (internationally) but are a cost burden to the airline if they do nothing with them. Trying to utilize them as effectively as possible makes sense.”

Usually there are less than 3% of domestic flights operated with the Boeing 777 or other larger aircrafts.

According to USA TODAY, United airlines will operate 2,672 domestic flights using the larger aircraft this April in comparison to 1,732 a year ago.

Flights between major U.S. hubs will more than likely start flying with the larger aircrafts.

Travelers will benefit from the larger aircrafts because they will essentially be receiving a free upgrade.

However, nothing lasts forever and you should take advantage of these upgrades now because it will most likely last until April.