Originally Posted by
pacificboot
It is not just about the cost of food. The way that CX servces its J-class meal is quite labor intensive. That is why the cabin crew to passenger ratio in Y is 4 times the ration in J. To offer just one less cabin (be it 2-class or 3-class), you can reduce the number of cabin crew/wastage/bottles of wine/alcohol.. a very long list of amenities.
It comes down to whether or not Cathay wants to offend people that knows what J service is, and then didn't get it. Remember assuming that most of the op-up passengers will be Cathay frequent flyers and elite status members. Does Cathay really want to make them mad and take their business elsewhere just to save a few bucks in the short run but risk losing big bucks in the long run?
Haven't we learn the lesson from Circuit City? 4 years ago they were hurdled as a "model cost cutting company" by reducing staff and services at their retail stores and "saving" 20% on operating costs. Well, because of the reduced services people take their businesses elsewhere, and they are now bankrupted.
I'm not say Cathay will be bankrupted, but just making a comparison that Cathay might lose out in the long run when frequent flyers take their businesses elsewhere.