FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I'd think introducing a basic business class for many if not all routes will happen for a whole host of reasons: it's so easy to do, it's equally easy to adjust the rows for which it will and won't be offered, it will most likely pay for itself (or better) with the extra revenue, it vastly facilitates integration with partner airlines, and it wouldn't hurt the AB brand as an affordable airline.