Air 4-5 9/3/10 13:41 Page 48
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Clockwise from left: BA’s new Club World sleeping and dining; Etihad business class; Iberia business class Below: Air France Premium Voyageur cabin
Club Europe fare categories in the spring so “We have really good leisure fares, but New features
that some are now cheaper than full-fare once you book them there are no refunds or This year there are some excellent new
economy if booked in advance. Changes changes. Others you have to pay £150 to opportunities for agents to sell up. Air New
have been made to C and D class fares on change,” says Clive Wrattan, Etihad’s UK Zealand introduces a stylishly revamped
three quarters of the carrier’s short-haul country manager. Wrattan estimates savings premium economy cabin next spring,
routes. These fares now offer flexibility and of around 30% off the full fares are available although it is on sale from April. Its new
no charge for itinerary changes but are to early bookers that choose restricted fares seat is complemented by a meal service
cheaper than Y category economy tariffs. and says many leisure travellers were book- almost identical to its business class.
ing premium cabins for longer trips. Air France has debuted in premium
Indirect flights “Comfort is the thing people want these economy with its Premium Voyageur
However, it is on long-haul once-in-a-life- days, especially to Australia,” he says. cabin, which will be on all long-haul flights
time journeys such as to Australia that there “The additional cost is minimal in terms from June, while partner airline KLM is
is more scope for finding cheaper premium of what you get for a 23-hour flight. The now offering a budget version, Economy
fares and more options for agents to up-sell. whole experience is well worth it – you also Comfort – basically an economy seat with
Many clients save for years for a special get a limo at both ends and lounge access. more legroom.
occasion and are delighted to find there are “The difference it makes is an easy sell. On transatlantic routes, Delta now offers
some reasonable premium fares to be had if These days, if you book early, the difference flat beds on all Heathrow flights, while
they fly indirect. To the east, the growth of in fare is smaller than it used to be. People, Continental Airlines will offer them on all
the Middle Eastern carriers has made this particularly if they are retired, Heathrow departures from June 2.
possible, while to the west, new partnerships, are prepared to pay for it.” US Airways has them on Heathrow-
for example, the latest between BA and Jet Airways’ fares to Philadelphia services and will offer
American Airlines, mean customers can be Mumbai and Delhi are a them on Charlotte services from the
sent on a cheaper routing, for example from good illustration. The air- end of April.
London to Los Angeles via Chicago. line has five business- For clients going to South
class fare categories, America, an indirect flight via
Early booking with the most expen- Madrid on Iberia is a good option,
If clients are not time-constrained, indirect is sive around £4,140 as it is currently converting its
always cheapest, and when combined with a return. However, business class seats to flat beds.
restricted fare category and a booking long with 14 days’ advance Closer to home, charter airline
in advance, business class can be affordable. booking and other Viking offers a £99 upgrade
Etihad, for example, usually offers four restrictions that will package, commissionable to
business fare categories ranging from totally not trouble a leisure agents, including lounge access,
restricted with no refunds or changes passenger, this drops increased legroom, upgraded
allowed to a completely unrestricted tariff. to £1,429. meal and priority boarding.
48 12.03.2010
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