WSJ: Europe’s Top Airlines to Spend Billions in Battle to Win Back Passengers
#1
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
WSJ: Europe’s Top Airlines to Spend Billions in Battle to Win Back Passengers
Europe’s two biggest airlines are rolling out more than €4 billion ($4.5 billion) in cabin upgrades in an attempt to arrest the hemorrhaging of lucrative premium passengers to Middle East rivals which have stolen their customers in part by wowing them with luxurious amenities onboard flights.
The cabin overhauls represent a second front in a battle between Air France-KLM SA, Europe’s largest airline by traffic, and the continent’s No. 2, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, against competitors from the Persian Gulf.
The cabin overhauls represent a second front in a battle between Air France-KLM SA, Europe’s largest airline by traffic, and the continent’s No. 2, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, against competitors from the Persian Gulf.
Will have to wait and see if U.S. carriers mimic this.
#3
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
It didn't yesterday. Maybe they've taken it off their public section. I don't have a WSJ subscription.
I just typed in the first few lines from the story on http://news.google.com and it comes up. Maybe try that route as a workaround.
I just typed in the first few lines from the story on http://news.google.com and it comes up. Maybe try that route as a workaround.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
The LH cabin "upgrade" in economy class has made for less comfortable seating than used to be the case on LH. Great way to win back passengers? Not so sure about that.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
It didn't yesterday. Maybe they've taken it off their public section. I don't have a WSJ subscription.
I just typed in the first few lines from the story on http://news.google.com and it comes up. Maybe try that route as a workaround.
I just typed in the first few lines from the story on http://news.google.com and it comes up. Maybe try that route as a workaround.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Scarborough
Posts: 596
there is no way they can winback.......the middle-eastern carriers are too good in giving good food, great IFE, etc. They actually serve a menu and give amenity kits. In economy.
Try to beat that, klm, AF, LH.....I doubt if these "spent millions" will work unless u bring what the ME4 bring!
Try to beat that, klm, AF, LH.....I doubt if these "spent millions" will work unless u bring what the ME4 bring!
#7
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
British Airways cabin upgraded resulted in the seat pitch in SH J being "Enhanced" from a comfortable (ish) 34'' down to a squeezy 30'' (the same pitch incidentally as the standard Ryanair seat).
Ironically now the best seats on their A320 aircraft at the exit rows in Y.
Ironically now the best seats on their A320 aircraft at the exit rows in Y.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
British Airways cabin upgraded resulted in the seat pitch in SH J being "Enhanced" from a comfortable (ish) 34'' down to a squeezy 30'' (the same pitch incidentally as the standard Ryanair seat).
Ironically now the best seats on their A320 aircraft at the exit rows in Y.
Ironically now the best seats on their A320 aircraft at the exit rows in Y.