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THE BATTLE OF THE CLASSESFirst Class
Business Class
Economy Class
ECONOMY CLASS
A Terrific Bargain or a Long and Slow Torture?For many people, coach seats, especially heavily discounted ones, means the ability to travel, and that's a real plus. For others though, Economy Class is just that: an economic way to get from one place to another, but it is by no means a luxury. In fact, most executives dread flying in the back of the plane, but some companies have less of a choice these days. Although the travel industry has seen a bit of a rebound post-Sept. 11, 2001, many companies are feeling the pinch and are under pressure to find the lowest fares possible. In general, many airlines and travel agents admit that most recent bookings are due to severely slashed prices. We are currently seeing some of the lowest rates in a long time, especially in the back of the plane, and this is by no means limited to the newer "no frills" airlines. Economy Class is an economic reality at the moment.
Many business travelers are now required to avoid full-fare Business Class tickets, since they can take advantage of rock-bottom prices aimed at leisure travelers, and most ticket prices are so low in cost that passengers are definitely, "getting what they pay for". In other words, Economy Class has become more "economic" than ever before. Many domestic carriers have eliminated meal and entertainment services on short-haul flights. Which is great for a family of five, to visit grandma, but for those who fly frequently and are accustomed to flying business class or better, it's a bitter pill to swallow. There is some good news, because of a "temporary economic downturn", airlines are retiring older planes, and many will replace them with new ones once capacity returns to normal. Although, the FAA's predicted full-capacity rebound is not for another two years, when this does happen, passengers will be boarding much more spacious fleets.
In fact, in the effort to lure more business travelers with low fares and keep them happy many airlines are continuing with previous plans to upgrade coach services, particularly international carriers, who have not been as affected as those in the U.S.. Cathay Pacific is rolling out electrical outlets and data ports, and All Nippon Airways inaugurated Premium Economy on its Tokyo to London. ANA's Premium Economy offers luxuries such as slippers, digital on-demand audio and video channels and a separate check-in area. Amazingly, the seats in Premium Economy cost no more than regular economy; they are available to full-fare coach passengers on a first-come, first-serve basis.
There's also the options that servers such as JetBlue and Midwest Express offer travelers, amenities like individual televisions with JetBlue and fresh-baked cookies with Midwest. Seats on these planes are marginally more spacious than those belonging to the major airlines and that's no small comfort, even if you'd rather be flying First Class.
The trend towards upgrading economy to a roomier coach is catching on. Although it's true that not all seats are created equal, as anyone who has flown First Class will attest to, there is now some comfort available for those who fly coach. As airlines compete for passengers in a slowing economy, they are focusing more closely on the one component of an airplane outside the cargo hold that makes money: the Seat.
British Airways, Midwest Express, Garuda, Virgin Atlantic, Aloha and Air France are among the airlines seeking to give more space and better service to passengers paying full economy fares. Still, airlines can squeeze in as many passengers as they like, subject to the plane-maker's specifications and an internationally agreed upon minimum seat pitch of 28 inches. The pitch is the distance between an attachment point on one seat and the same point on the next seat, and it is definitely not the equivalent of legroom. Pitch also does not take into account the thickness of the seat back, the magazine pouch, or the tray. Then you still have to contend with the passenger in front of you, who insists on reclining his seat into your lap. That's why many airlines have introduced thin and hard seats in Economy Class. This allows a bit more room for your knees, but an awful alternative for the rest of your body.
Some companies see the low-margin passengers as a valuable profit, and the trend is toward an improvement in economy. Airlines go to all sorts of lengths to find out what their passengers demand from seating. They typically carry out investigations through focus groups and passenger questionnaires, or have their staff members test drive the seats. In addition to more comfort, passengers will soon be expecting seats with built-in entertainment systems and laptop ports throughout the planes.
With hard economic times forcing more business passengers to the back of the plane, some airlines are being forced, in turn, to focus attention on the quality of travel in coach. A few are creating what is, in effect, a fourth class for passengers paying full economy fare, offering more space, better service and the ability to use personal computers while in flight.
United Airlines started the trend toward a U.S. premium Economy Class in 1999 by offering several rows of more spacious seating to its frequent fliers. American Airlines responded by offering more room throughout the coach section; the airline removed 7,200 seats from its fleet of 700 aircraft. Recently, Scandinavian Airlines System introduced its new Economy Class for long haul flights in connection with the debut of its Airbus A340 aircraft. Called "Economy Extra", the class "between economy and business" offers more leg room and wider seats than the airline's regular Economy Class, plus power ports for laptop computers, adjustable headrests and footrests. All Economy Class seats on SAS's new planes have video screens in the seat backs. As you can see, each airline is taking steps to improve "the back of the bus", and hopefully we will see more improvements in the near future. Comfortable travel, plus the ability to work, all at an acceptable price, is the trend to follow.
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