Programs: AA LT PLT 2 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 1,615
OS "business class" - if it is supposed to be a joke, I didn't find it funny
Here is a copy of my recent letter to OS regarding my experience in their "business class":
Dear Austrian Airlines,
My name is "Paulchili" and I recently flew on Austrian Airlines for the first time - and most likely the last time.
I would like to tell you about my experience.
I purchased a business class award (for 2 people) on flights from Warsaw to Yerevan via Vienna. I decided to spend the extra miles because the flight from Vienna to Yerevan is an overnight flight and I wanted to enjoy a more comfortable experience.
We also purchased business class awards from Yerevan to Istanbul (via Vienna) for the exactly same reason.
When I boarded the flight from Warsaw to Vienna, I noticed that the business class seats were identical to the economy seats, except for the color.
Granted, it is a short flight on a small plane but nevertheless, Austrian Airlines does sell this flight in 2 classes - business and economy - at very different prices (both for money and miles) while there really is no perceptible difference between these two classes.
That experience behind me, I was certain that the next segment to Yerevan will offer a REAL business class experience as it is on a larger plane (A321) and a longer flight. You can imagine my horror and disappointment on boarding the plane only to discover that the "business class" seats were again IDENTICAL to the economy seats in EVERY POSSIBLE WAY (this time including the color). The seat itself had the same look, feel, width and pitch than those in economy. The seats are heavy plastic and are covered with a very thin layer of padding both on the seat and the backrest - providing very little comfort. In addition to this, if the person in front of you reclines, as they invariably do, the back of their seat is literally inches from your face. This makes eating or even reading nearly impossible (unless you are very nearsighted) - never mind trying to cross your legs. Getting out from a window seat to use the bathroom (with the seats in front of you reclined, requires being a Chinese acrobat, which I am not, due to lack of space. This is something I would expect (and accept) in the economy but certainly not in the business class.
I wondered what really made these seats business class versus economy and thus "worth" significantly more money/miles?
Was it the little blue curtain that separated the 2 entirely identical cabins? Or was it the slightly better meal? Incidentally, I did not have a dinner because who wants to eat at 11 PM? In any case, I, probably like most other people, did not purchase the business class ticket for the better meal - I wanted to have better seats with more waist and legroom.
In my opinion the overall experience in this "business class" was not worth the significant difference in cost (either money or miles). I really would like to hear from you regarding what makes this a business class and justifies you charging anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 more money/miles. I certainly couldn't tell the difference in the seats.
I felt deceived thinking that I would receive a business class seat for the extra miles (or money) that I had spent. I certainly would never do this again on Austrian.
I consider this type of practice - charging significantly more money/miles for identical seats - dishonest at best and outright cheating at worst.
I have flown in business class many times on many different airlines, both short and long haul, to know what business class looks like. It certainly does not look or feel like what I received on my Austrian Airline flights.
Before you state that this is "the industry-wide standard" for continental business class, let me tell you that this is not so.
During this time I flew on Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Budapest - a very short segment indeed - in a REAL business class. The business cabin had fewer seats which were quite obviously different from those in economy. Namely, they were significantly larger with ample width and enormous pitch; they were well cushioned with large recline, leg rests and IFE units in the arm. There was ample room between the rows, even with the seats reclined, giving you much personal space. The food was served with table cloth. This looked and felt like a business class that I have known and expected and thus gladly paid extra for it. My second flight on Turkish Airlines (the segment from Vienna to Istanbul) also greatly surpassed Austrian business class. While the seats were not as spacious as on the prior Turkish flight, they were well cushioned, very comfortable and most importantly, had a generous pitch. This provided for a comfortable seating with ample legroom. These are, in my opinion, the minimal requirements and the most important elements of a business class travel - everything else is an "icing on the cake".
Sadly, this was not the case in the Austrian "business class" and thus you failed miserably. I cannot even imagine Austrian Airline promoting and selling business class seats that are in very single aspect identical to economy seats while charging a premium for this service.
One of your mottos is "we fly, you smile". Unfortunately your "business class" experience made me want to cry and not smile.
I would very much like to hear your side of the story as to how and why you can justify charging more for the ABSOLUTELY IDENTICAL seats on the plane.
Looking forward to hearing from you in a timely manner.
Respectfully,
Paulchili
As I just sent it, I have not heard from them yet (if I ever will) but I would like to hear from OS FF here on this board.
Programs: LH SEN, SPG Platinum, Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 500
You mention that "In any case, I, probably like most other people, did not purchase the business class ticket for the better meal - I wanted to have better seats with more waist and legroom."
The OS website makes it clear what seats are used for short haul business class, and this is what you received.
In addition, the "use economy and block the middle" is the norm for EU airlines flying within the EU.
Programs: AA LT PLT 2 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdsuk
The OS website makes it clear what seats are used for short haul business class, and this is what you received.
In addition, the "use economy and block the middle" is the norm for EU airlines flying within the EU.
Then can you tell me why they charge more for these identical seats? Is it for the omelette?
What I see in their description of short haul business is a promise of "more comfort and more space": http://www.austrian.com/Info/Flighti..._lang=en&cc=US
More than what? Economy? I certainly didn't see either of those.
As far as the other point, I pointed out that this is not always the case - see my note about TK flight from IST to BUD (and VIE to IST).
Besides, I don't believe EVN is in the EU - or is it?
Thank you for both.
I did find the short haul C description. It promises more comfort and space but is IDENTICAL to the economy seat (same pitch) - where is the more space?
To quote Clara's immortal words - "Where is the meat"?
Programs: AA LT PLT 2 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 1,615
Quote:
Originally Posted by whiskey_sk
Have you been NEKed in C today?
I guess I have been NEKed.
On this side of the big pond we have a saying:
"Fool me once - shame on you; fool me twice - shame on me."
I am not about to be fooled twice
I guess I have been NEKed.
On this side of the big pond we have a saying:
"Fool me once - shame on you; fool me twice - shame on me."
I am not about to be fooled twice
Intra-European flights on almost all carriers basically involve a coach cabin with a movable curtain, a blocked off middle seat and perhaps better meals. That's why it's called "Business" and not "First" (or whatever marketing hype name various carriers use).
You won't be flying within Europe (and close by locations) if you don't accept this standard.
Thank you for both.
I did find the short haul C description. It promises more comfort and space but is IDENTICAL to the economy seat (same pitch) - where is the more space?
To quote Clara's immortal words - "Where is the meat"?
Well space is 3 dimensional... the extra space is next to you, not in front of you (this however is at least clearly stated on the OS site, however they do fail to mentioned its the same seat as in Y...)
Also this is the LH forum: please dont use antiquated terms such as "seat pitch", we have been brainwashed by LH marketing to call it "Living Space" and it has been tremendously increased with the introduction of NEK of course
Seriously, totally agree with you, but I cant even think of any other European carrier doing it much differently (other than the TK example you brought up)
Thank you for both.
I did find the short haul C description. It promises more comfort and space but is IDENTICAL to the economy seat (same pitch) - where is the more space?
To quote Clara's immortal words - "Where is the meat"?
I've flown OS C on the routes OP describes. I found it far superior to my regular UA domestic flights in 'F' (F! HA!)
The service and the food service in particular were much better than on US carriers. I didn't make it all the way to the end of the first post but I have no issue with that flight.
Sadly, BD no longer flies LHR-EVN-TEH so there are not many options on this routing. The timing stinks, but that isn't OS at fault; most carriers from western Europe land/depart EVN at that hour. AF is I believe now the exception. EVN may not be in the EU, but the distance from VIE to EVN is comparable to some intra-EU flights, I suspect.
As to the middle seat being kept free, yes it is, however on at least a half dozen flights this summer I had a passenger wave to their spouse excitedly that the middle seat was free and to 'come sit next to me'. I suspect that many don't realise that it is supposed to be kept free! (Most of those appeared to be Americans)
And re the TK flight, I discovered last year that many FTers consider Turkey to be in the 'Middle East' so perhaps that is why they are the exception?
Programs: Severals Golds (BA, BD, AB and LH), Highest tier with HH, SPG and ICRA, lawyer, sometimes a nice guy
Posts: 7,969
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paulchili
Then can you tell me why they charge more for these identical seats? Is it for the omelette?
What I see in their description of short haul business is a promise of "more comfort and more space": http://www.austrian.com/Info/Flighti..._lang=en&cc=US
More than what? Economy? I certainly didn't see either of those.
As far as the other point, I pointed out that this is not always the case - see my note about TK flight from IST to BUD (and VIE to IST).
Besides, I don't believe EVN is in the EU - or is it?
They charge more because Business Class is generally a flexible ticket and they charge a bit for the omelette and the lounge. The difference between a fully flexible Eco and Business is only small.
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OS "business class" - if it is supposed to be a joke, I didn't find it funny
