Domestic and regional
Australia and New Zealand
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia offer Business Class on their domestic networks as well as on trans-Tasman flights to New Zealand. Flights between Perth and Sydney typically feature lie-flat seats, with deep recline cradle seats on other routes.
On the other hand, Air New Zealand does not offer Business Class on its domestic network. Business Class is available on flights between New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands when operated by Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 family aircraft, both of which have lie-flat seats.
North America
Canada
On short-haul flights, Air Canada, the flag carrier of Canada offers recliner seats, which are similar to what is offered on regional business class in the United States. However, on some high-capacity routes, such as Vancouver-Toronto, Air Canada utilises its long-haul fleet, such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Boeing 767, and the Airbus A330. On flights using Internationally configured aircraft such as these, the business class product is a lie-flat product. However, on discount carriers, such as Air Transat, and WestJet Airlines, business class is "euro-style", an economy class seat with a blocked middle seat for added comfort.
United States
In the United States, lie-flat business class is usually only offered on transcontinental flights (and even then typically only on premium routes between New York-JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco) and flights from the East Coast to Hawaii. On other flights, Business class is typically a recliner seat. US carriers generally designate "first class" as the front cabin on other domestic two-cabin aircraft.
Europe
European carriers generally offer a "business class" consisting of enhanced economy seating with better service. There may be a curtain to separate business from economy class, based on demand, but the seats are in the same cabin. Some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa use convertible seats that seat three people across in economy, or adjust with a lever to become two seats with a half seat length between them for business class use.
Business class has started to disappear from some short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM and SAS). On these routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely (e.g. BMI on many routes) and offer only one class of service. British Airways used to offer "Business UK" on their domestic system, offering the same service as Economy with the addition of expedited check-in, baggage reclaim, lounge access and priority boarding. In flight, until January 11th, 2017, drink, tea or coffee and a snack are served to all customers, with a Hot breakfast on flights prior to 9.29am.
Discount carriers
See also: Premium economy class
Interior of business class cabin of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 777-300ER en route to Dhaka from Jeddah.
Most low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair and Easyjet in Europe, Tiger Airways in Australia, Southwest Airlines in the United States, and even some national carriers such as Aer Lingus and Air New Zealand on their domestic and regional networks do not offer any premium classes of service. Some, however, have options above a standard coach seat:
AirAsia charges a premium for passengers to sit in front of the aircraft or the exit seats which also offer more legroom as well as board first (such seats are called Hot Seats).
On their domestic and trans-Tasman networks, Air New Zealand has Space + seats available complimentary for Koru Club elite members and for a small charge at check-in for others. Other than a few more inches of legroom the seats are identical to normal economy seats.
JetBlue offers Even More Space (the first 9 rows on the A320 and the bulkhead and emergency row on the E-190) for between $20 and $90 extra per segment. EML includes priority boarding and priority security screening but no other benefits.
Spirit Airlines has Big Front Seats in the first row of all their aircraft. The seats were part of Spirit's former First Class offering, Spirit Plus, but now offer no benefits other than bigger seat pitch and a 2 by 2, rather than 3 by 3 arrangement.
Virgin America offers Main Cabin Select and includes a guaranteed bulkhead or emergency row seat, free alcohol, food, pay-per-view movies and checked baggage. Unlike JetBlue and Spirit, where the cost is under $100 per segment for the upgrade, Main Cabin Select is marketed as a true premium economy product, and can easily double the cost of a regular economy ticket. Upgrades are also available at check-in for between $70 and $160 each way. Elevate Silver and Gold members receive complimentary space available upgrades. Virgin America also offers 'First Class' which are 8 seats at the front of the plane in a separate cabin that recline more, have a leg rest electronically controlled, and have free movies, music and games and offer free drinks and snacks.
Both Qantas and Virgin Australia offer Business Class on their domestic networks as well as on trans-Tasman flights to New Zealand. Flights between Perth and Sydney typically feature lie-flat seats, with deep recline cradle seats on other routes.
On the other hand, Air New Zealand does not offer Business Class on its domestic network. Business Class is available on flights between New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands when operated by Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 family aircraft, both of which have lie-flat seats.
North America
Canada
On short-haul flights, Air Canada, the flag carrier of Canada offers recliner seats, which are similar to what is offered on regional business class in the United States. However, on some high-capacity routes, such as Vancouver-Toronto, Air Canada utilises its long-haul fleet, such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Boeing 767, and the Airbus A330. On flights using Internationally configured aircraft such as these, the business class product is a lie-flat product. However, on discount carriers, such as Air Transat, and WestJet Airlines, business class is "euro-style", an economy class seat with a blocked middle seat for added comfort.
United States
In the United States, lie-flat business class is usually only offered on transcontinental flights (and even then typically only on premium routes between New York-JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco) and flights from the East Coast to Hawaii. On other flights, Business class is typically a recliner seat. US carriers generally designate "first class" as the front cabin on other domestic two-cabin aircraft.
Europe
European carriers generally offer a "business class" consisting of enhanced economy seating with better service. There may be a curtain to separate business from economy class, based on demand, but the seats are in the same cabin. Some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa use convertible seats that seat three people across in economy, or adjust with a lever to become two seats with a half seat length between them for business class use.
Business class has started to disappear from some short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM and SAS). On these routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely (e.g. BMI on many routes) and offer only one class of service. British Airways used to offer "Business UK" on their domestic system, offering the same service as Economy with the addition of expedited check-in, baggage reclaim, lounge access and priority boarding. In flight, until January 11th, 2017, drink, tea or coffee and a snack are served to all customers, with a Hot breakfast on flights prior to 9.29am.
Discount carriers
See also: Premium economy class
Interior of business class cabin of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Boeing 777-300ER en route to Dhaka from Jeddah.
Most low-cost carriers, such as Ryanair and Easyjet in Europe, Tiger Airways in Australia, Southwest Airlines in the United States, and even some national carriers such as Aer Lingus and Air New Zealand on their domestic and regional networks do not offer any premium classes of service. Some, however, have options above a standard coach seat:
AirAsia charges a premium for passengers to sit in front of the aircraft or the exit seats which also offer more legroom as well as board first (such seats are called Hot Seats).
On their domestic and trans-Tasman networks, Air New Zealand has Space + seats available complimentary for Koru Club elite members and for a small charge at check-in for others. Other than a few more inches of legroom the seats are identical to normal economy seats.
JetBlue offers Even More Space (the first 9 rows on the A320 and the bulkhead and emergency row on the E-190) for between $20 and $90 extra per segment. EML includes priority boarding and priority security screening but no other benefits.
Spirit Airlines has Big Front Seats in the first row of all their aircraft. The seats were part of Spirit's former First Class offering, Spirit Plus, but now offer no benefits other than bigger seat pitch and a 2 by 2, rather than 3 by 3 arrangement.
Virgin America offers Main Cabin Select and includes a guaranteed bulkhead or emergency row seat, free alcohol, food, pay-per-view movies and checked baggage. Unlike JetBlue and Spirit, where the cost is under $100 per segment for the upgrade, Main Cabin Select is marketed as a true premium economy product, and can easily double the cost of a regular economy ticket. Upgrades are also available at check-in for between $70 and $160 each way. Elevate Silver and Gold members receive complimentary space available upgrades. Virgin America also offers 'First Class' which are 8 seats at the front of the plane in a separate cabin that recline more, have a leg rest electronically controlled, and have free movies, music and games and offer free drinks and snacks.
Comments
Post a Comment