To Premium, or not to Premium?
November 15th 2009 06:55
Air travel was so simple before - we had just the major airlines, we didn't have to choose if we wanted food, comfort kits and what to add for them, we didn't have to pay for exit row seats and we had 3 seating plans to choose from - First, Business or cattle class.
Now with competition increasing in the industry and everyone wants to stand out that little bit more so they'll get noticed - this first came in the form of adding a different class onto the plane so make those feel more special - and with this - PREMIUM ECONOMY was born.
Qantas, British Airways, SAS Skandinavian, V Australia, Virgin/Pacific Blue and a few other airlines are now offering this seating plan. Passengers can pay a little (well, ok, a lot - sometimes double) more to have just that slightly larger seat width, slightly more leg room and to be offered proper wines (out of the bottle, not the box!) and a little bit better food (alas, airline food is no longer 'all the same') - but at double, triple or more the price, is it really worth it?
Lately there has been more demand for those looking for that extra comfort but don't want to pay business fares. An economy class airfare to London, if bought at the right time flying the right airline, can cost only around $1300 including taxes. Premium economy, due to not all airlines offering this service, a Qantas seat for example, can cost around $5000 per person, and SAS Skandinavian, flying half economy to Asia and only from there, get the premuim service on their SAS's own flights (and vice versa on the way back) is around $4500.
You know what? If you are lucky, you can grab one of those business class specials with Asiana Airlines for just $6000 - WHY pay the same for an inferior service?
I don't know about you - if I really wanted to fork out the money, I'd look for the special business class airfare and have a significantly more comfortable journey than try to just have a little bit better service for a lot more cost. (First class is, and will always be out of reach for me I think) - Premium is just not worth it.
What do you think?
Now with competition increasing in the industry and everyone wants to stand out that little bit more so they'll get noticed - this first came in the form of adding a different class onto the plane so make those feel more special - and with this - PREMIUM ECONOMY was born.
Qantas, British Airways, SAS Skandinavian, V Australia, Virgin/Pacific Blue and a few other airlines are now offering this seating plan. Passengers can pay a little (well, ok, a lot - sometimes double) more to have just that slightly larger seat width, slightly more leg room and to be offered proper wines (out of the bottle, not the box!) and a little bit better food (alas, airline food is no longer 'all the same') - but at double, triple or more the price, is it really worth it?
Lately there has been more demand for those looking for that extra comfort but don't want to pay business fares. An economy class airfare to London, if bought at the right time flying the right airline, can cost only around $1300 including taxes. Premium economy, due to not all airlines offering this service, a Qantas seat for example, can cost around $5000 per person, and SAS Skandinavian, flying half economy to Asia and only from there, get the premuim service on their SAS's own flights (and vice versa on the way back) is around $4500.
You know what? If you are lucky, you can grab one of those business class specials with Asiana Airlines for just $6000 - WHY pay the same for an inferior service?
I don't know about you - if I really wanted to fork out the money, I'd look for the special business class airfare and have a significantly more comfortable journey than try to just have a little bit better service for a lot more cost. (First class is, and will always be out of reach for me I think) - Premium is just not worth it.
What do you think?
This is Virgin's premium economy seats - really just the same seats with the middle seat made into a 'space' - how is that premuim?
This is Qantas' premium offering - ok this marketing photo actually makes it look nice - has anyone ever travelled on them? Any good?
Thai's premium economy seating - besides the 2-2-2 configuration I really can't tell the difference otherwise
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Comment by AmyHuang
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In German there is actually a thing called meatcake as translated from 'Fleischkuechen' -- it's like meat loaf and is actually really nice! Without the icing of course, served with gravy and salad.