Feature: Premium Economy
➔So it may well be there is a market for an intermediate product, especially for long-haul
travel.” A nod is as good as a wink, as they say. But no matter what extras the airlines offer or
plan to offer, price will remain the determining factor for SMEs, many of which see premium economy as something of a lifeline in the stormy seas of cut backs and budgetary restraints. While many factors dictate the price of airline tickets, premium economy tends to be 85 per cent more expensive than standard economy if booked well in advance. Book closer to the date of departure and the differential drops to 35 per cent and can be as low as ten per cent. Finding the best deals should be a matter of research for the corporate travel buyer and the travel management company. But hold that
AIRLINE
Air Asia X Premium Economy
Air France Premium Voyageur
Air New Zealand Premium Economy
ANA Premium Economy
British Airways World Traveller Plus
EVA Air Elite Class
Icelandair Economy Comfort
Japan Airlines Premium Economy
KLM Economy Comfort
AIRCRAFT A330-300
B777-200/300 A380
A330/A340 B747
B777-200
B747-400/ B777-300ER
B747
B777-200/300 B767-300
B777-300ER B747-400
B757 B777-200/300
A330-200 B747-400
B777-200/300 MD-11
Qantas Premium Economy
B747 A380
SAS Economy Extra
Thai Airways Premium Economy
United Airlines Economy Plus
Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
A340-500
B747 B777 B767
B747-400 A340-300/600 42
88 83 67
68 35/38 42in 35-37in
38in 38in
2x2x2
3x4x3 2x5x2 2x3x2
2x3x2 2x3x2
A330/A340
SEATS 12
24/28 38 21
39 36
24
38/40/44 varies
71/103 56
12 44
35 36
34/40 38
40 32
Varies
thought. The UK Government’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) has thrown a spanner in the works. As airlines have pointed out, the APD increases introduced in November will unfairly target premium economy passengers, who will pay the same as those flying business or first class. This works out to £170 on flights to Australia, more than double the previous tax of £80. Simon Buck, head of the British Air Transport Association, said recently: “We’re going to see the death knell of premium economy. And that would be a real degradation in the level of service for people who can’t afford to pay £3,000 to go into business class, but who want to pay a modest supplement for premium economy. “Are we really going back to a time when the only people who could afford to have lots of
SEAT PITCH CONFIGURATION MENU Full recline
2x2x2
38in 38in 38in
38/40in 41in
38in 38in
40in 40in
33in 38in
35in 35in
35/34in 35in
Up to 42in
2x4x2 2x4x2 2x3x2
2x2x2 3x3x3
2x4x2 2x4x2
2x4x2 2x4x2
2x2 2x4x2
2x4x2 3x2
3x3x3/ 3x4x3 3x3x3
2x4x2 2x3x2
38in 2x3x2
Enhanced, snack bar
Three-course, light meal pre-landing
Enhanced
As economy, extras for purchase
Enhanced
Touch screen entertainment system. A380: power points, phones with SMS
Power points, AVOD. Internet access in 2011
Individual seat back system
Individual system
Power points (LHR aircraft), AVOD
Priority check-in, boarding, disembarking, extra baggage allowance
Business class check-in, Fast Track security, extra baggage allowance
Separate check-in
Separate check-in for Mileage Plus members
Dedicated check-in
room on an aircraft were the very wealthy?” Hopefully not, with worldwide opposition to
the tax urging a government rethink. British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh, for one, has issued a statement which will resonate with the business traveller. “Excessive taxation puts aviation’s social and economic benefits at risk,” he says. “Aviation supports more than 500,000 jobs in the UK and provides air links that are vital to the success of UK businesses in a global economy.” None of which has so far deterred the major airlines from offering premium economy, which they claim is still a viable alternative to business class for executives seeking to cut back on corporate spending while continuing to seek out commercial advantages around the world.
TECHNOLOGY
Paid-for hot meal
Power points, entertainment screens for hire
Paid-for extras AVOD
Premium meal service
As economy As economy Upgraded
Included, choice from economy
Enhanced
Power points, AVOD
Power points, AVOD
Power points, new entertainment system
Power points, AVOD, satellite communications
Seatback entertainment system
Power points, individual entertainment system
As economy AVOD
ON THE GROUND No extra facilities
No extra facilities
Premium check-in, priority boarding, lounge access
Limited lounge access, dedicated check-in
No extra facilities
Dedicated check-in, extra baggage allowance
Check-in as business class, with lounge access
Dedicated check-in, lounge access
No extra facilities
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