Originally Posted by
LHR/MEL/Europe FF
I don't really get the criticism of euro business. Unless you are really wide, an economy seat with vacant middle is just fine. In fact a bit more room than you'd have on a traditional 2-2 set up. The pitch is a bit rough, but 38 inches for UA and AU first/biz class isn't really that spectacular either. Euro airlines (LH. LX, AF) seem to have better quality food than Australia, and everyone gets the same thing. No one misses out.
The easy criticism is that it is just economy class with an empty seat adjacent and different food
Air New Zealand offers a similar product on its trans tasman routes but doesn't try to call it business class
Qantas's business class may be more expensince, but at least it is not just a tarted up economy class
There may not be a market for business class in Europe - sell it as a more exepnsive economy offering with an empty seat and better catering and no one would have any reason to complain