Originally Posted by
pbarnette
I agree that E+ can be a revenue bonanza, as witnessed by the healthy premium on such fares that I have seen on BA, VS, and SK, as well as rumblings that both BA and VS are looking to expand these cabins. However, their remains the open question about whether CO has the route and fleet mix to make this work. I struggle to see how CO could offer a meaningful upgrade in space on the 757s, without going 2-2. At that point, how do you differentiate BF? And will CO see a huge rush to E+ for what are often 6-7 hour TATL flights? At least to me, the $700 premium for E+ makes a lot more sense for a SFO-LHR leg than for a EWR-DUB leg.
And the above avoids the million-dollar question, which is whether CO's BF is good enough to prevent E+ from poaching BF customers. To offer something that would be competitive with BA or VS, you are looking at close to 40" of legroom and 20" of width. With BA or VS, they can dangle the flat bed carrot, which probably minimizes the impact somewhat, but CO can only offer a better product - not one as completely different as a flat bed.
I can think of a few ways they can keep the 757s 3-3 and still have E+. For one, more legroom. They lose a few rows but have 2-3 rows of extra legroom (I'd pay the premium). CO could also have more comfortable seats (leather maybe) and slightly better food.