I use ZED tickets fairly often. Just recently this month I flew EZE-SCL on Air Canada and was given a first class seat. Last year I flew on ZED tickets ZRH-WAW on LO and WAW-PRG on OK - both times in coach. It just depends on availability.

The ZED ticketing chart posted above is out of date. ZED ticket prices were raised in 2008 as a result of the spike in fuel prices. They have not been lowered to pre-fuel crisis levels yet. Here are the current ZED prices:

Zone 1 1 – 450 $21 $32 $39
Zone 2 451 – 750 $23 $35 $50
Zone 3 751 – 1600 $30 $44 $59
Zone 4 1601 – 3200 $46 $63 $96
Zone 5 3201 – 4080 $52 $71 $120
Zone 6 4081 – 5000 $57 $82 $138
Zone 7 5001 – 6100 $68 $86 $145
Zone 8 6101 – 7100 $85 $104 $179
Zone 9 7101 – 9999 $85 $106 $180

In terms of buddy passes, on June 23 any new buddy passes ticketed will be more expensive as a result of the combined DL/NW integrated pass travel policies - particularly in the fees area. From June 23, buddy pass riders will be charged the same fees as revenue passengers will be charged.