International Business (2 class airlines) vs Intl First/Business (3 class airline)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
International Business (2 class airlines) vs Intl First/Business (3 class airline)
Air Canada, and certain US (which ones?) and other international airlines (eg Virgin, Austrian, SAS) offer only 2 classes, even for their overseas routes. Most US airlines and other airlines offer 3 classes.
What is the difference between business class on a 2 cabin airline, vs first or business on a 3 cabin airline?
Mote - one could argue that certain airlines, such as BA, or United, are starting to offer 4 classes, with a premium economy class, up there?
What is the difference between business class on a 2 cabin airline, vs first or business on a 3 cabin airline?
Mote - one could argue that certain airlines, such as BA, or United, are starting to offer 4 classes, with a premium economy class, up there?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
British Midland offer a three class service -- economy, premium economy (similar to Y+ on United -- except that the seats are in a separate cabin) and business. Business seats have a 60" pitch, which is comparable to many other airlines First Class seats.
Apparently, they can't introduce beds in Biz because BA have a copyright on that -- or so said the purser on a recent transatlantic flight.
Apparently, they can't introduce beds in Biz because BA have a copyright on that -- or so said the purser on a recent transatlantic flight.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dorset,UK
Posts: 151
Surely BA can't have a 'copyright' on Beds in Business when it comes to this general theme- they have every right to stop others copying their particular design of bed, but how can they stop someone having a fuly flat seat?
#5
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Kfar Saba, Israel
Posts: 4,172
2 or 3 class configuration and an "Economy-Plus" configuration basicly differ by the level of service. In most airlines, the Economy-Plus" is just wider seats, extra legroom and extra amenities such as laptop power and larger personal video screen, but same level of service as in coach (same food basicly).
Airlines that offer a B-F united class (BusinessFirst in Continental, BusinessElite in Delta, TransWorldOne in TWA) usualy will not offer full flat beds as in First class but will offer extra amenities than the usual Business class of a 3-class airline.
Airlines that offer a B-F united class (BusinessFirst in Continental, BusinessElite in Delta, TransWorldOne in TWA) usualy will not offer full flat beds as in First class but will offer extra amenities than the usual Business class of a 3-class airline.
#6
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
I think one of the most important things is that once you get to a pitch of about 55' anymore really doesn't add any really value, the differentials at that stage are, service and to a lot of people the recline of the seat.
In terms of fully-flat beds BA have copyrights on several design features. The majority of other carriers have 'flat seats' (for legal purposed a flat seat is one which is level but not horizontal) this is the type of seat Virgin etc have.
Qantas, BA and arguably Swissair have fully-flat beds (defined as being level and horizontal).
There has been some success is saying that a flat-seat cannot be termed a 'bed'. But a fully-flat seat can be termed a 'bed'!
It terms of service differentials I think one of the major differences between Business and First is that the small number of First passengers and passenger:crew ration, allow a much more tailored service. For example, food is normally 'cheffed' rather than reheated, and can be served at the passengers convienience as opposed to to fit in with the requirements of the crew.
In my opinion the service differentials are very real, and there exists a big difference between a Business Class product or a Business/First product and a First product.
Nick
In terms of fully-flat beds BA have copyrights on several design features. The majority of other carriers have 'flat seats' (for legal purposed a flat seat is one which is level but not horizontal) this is the type of seat Virgin etc have.
Qantas, BA and arguably Swissair have fully-flat beds (defined as being level and horizontal).
There has been some success is saying that a flat-seat cannot be termed a 'bed'. But a fully-flat seat can be termed a 'bed'!
It terms of service differentials I think one of the major differences between Business and First is that the small number of First passengers and passenger:crew ration, allow a much more tailored service. For example, food is normally 'cheffed' rather than reheated, and can be served at the passengers convienience as opposed to to fit in with the requirements of the crew.
In my opinion the service differentials are very real, and there exists a big difference between a Business Class product or a Business/First product and a First product.
Nick