The seat vs the rest of the service.
May 1, 2019, 1:15 pm
#16
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May 1, 2019, 1:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
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TG sells their J hard product without the soft product as "premium economy" on their Scandanavian routes. It appears to do decently.
May 1, 2019, 1:55 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2013
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As to OP's question, it's all about the seat for me.
May 1, 2019, 2:00 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2013
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I'm sure it would come down to the price, but if I could have a lay-flat for WTP pricing without the CW service, I would definitely.
May 1, 2019, 2:01 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
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Firstly, this thread is dangerous - be careful what you wish for / you don’t know what you have ‘til it’s gone! Look at shorthaul and people missing the g&t / cup of coffee. When we had complimentary catering on SH, a lot of people were begging for BoB!
For me, the whole experience is why I book business class. So, it’s absolutely NOT just about the seat. It’s about ‘the service’ - this includes as baseline a good seat, but I also value the flexibility to eat on board or in the lounge. I like being able to have a glass of champagne or a g&t if I fancy it. BUT if the champagne is served warm or in a plastic glass or if I have to ask 3 times for it, it loses appeal - that’s where the service comes in and is the danger of seeing each ‘element’ as discrete. Whatever anyone says, brown shoes do not go with black trousers, and it’s the same with business class - all of the elements combine to make for an overall product and you take bits away and you’re left with something that isn’t really J. The value is in the overall package being more than the sum of the constituent parts IMHO.
For me, the whole experience is why I book business class. So, it’s absolutely NOT just about the seat. It’s about ‘the service’ - this includes as baseline a good seat, but I also value the flexibility to eat on board or in the lounge. I like being able to have a glass of champagne or a g&t if I fancy it. BUT if the champagne is served warm or in a plastic glass or if I have to ask 3 times for it, it loses appeal - that’s where the service comes in and is the danger of seeing each ‘element’ as discrete. Whatever anyone says, brown shoes do not go with black trousers, and it’s the same with business class - all of the elements combine to make for an overall product and you take bits away and you’re left with something that isn’t really J. The value is in the overall package being more than the sum of the constituent parts IMHO.
May 1, 2019, 2:08 pm
#21
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May 1, 2019, 2:29 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2015
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Generally speaking the seat is the most significant difference between cabins, most certainly between Y and J.
That being said, on a daytime flight service becomes more important to me, where I'm not trying to sleep but want to rather enjoy the service, food, drinks, the ceremony of it all. While seat should still be comfortable it's less important.
Nice username
That being said, on a daytime flight service becomes more important to me, where I'm not trying to sleep but want to rather enjoy the service, food, drinks, the ceremony of it all. While seat should still be comfortable it's less important.
Nice username
May 1, 2019, 3:01 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2017
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May 1, 2019, 3:11 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
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Air NZ offer exactly that: https://www.airnewzealand.com.au/economy-skycouch
May 1, 2019, 3:21 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BOS
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The seat would be the most important for me.
If airlines would offer more 'no frills' service with a business class type lie flat or angled seat, for something more affordable than current business class prices then I would take that. Jetblue's Mint product is up there, and as much as we dislike Spirit Airlines, I like their 'Big Front Seat' concept. (obviously, US flyer here)
It may be because I'm a flyer who does not drink and would rather be left alone aside from meals and request for assistance that I initiate, I couldn't care less for complimentary alcohol or dedicated personal attention from cabin crew. I just want to get from point A to point B as comfortably as I can.
If airlines would offer more 'no frills' service with a business class type lie flat or angled seat, for something more affordable than current business class prices then I would take that. Jetblue's Mint product is up there, and as much as we dislike Spirit Airlines, I like their 'Big Front Seat' concept. (obviously, US flyer here)
It may be because I'm a flyer who does not drink and would rather be left alone aside from meals and request for assistance that I initiate, I couldn't care less for complimentary alcohol or dedicated personal attention from cabin crew. I just want to get from point A to point B as comfortably as I can.
May 1, 2019, 3:27 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: BA GGL, EK Gold.
Posts: 13
The seat would be the most important for me.
If airlines would offer more 'no frills' service with a business class type lie flat or angled seat, for something more affordable than current business class prices then I would take that. Jetblue's Mint product is up there, and as much as we dislike Spirit Airlines, I like their 'Big Front Seat' concept. (obviously, US flyer here)
It may be because I'm a flyer who does not drink and would rather be left alone aside from meals and request for assistance that I initiate, I couldn't care less for complimentary alcohol or dedicated personal attention from cabin crew. I just want to get from point A to point B as comfortably as I can.
If airlines would offer more 'no frills' service with a business class type lie flat or angled seat, for something more affordable than current business class prices then I would take that. Jetblue's Mint product is up there, and as much as we dislike Spirit Airlines, I like their 'Big Front Seat' concept. (obviously, US flyer here)
It may be because I'm a flyer who does not drink and would rather be left alone aside from meals and request for assistance that I initiate, I couldn't care less for complimentary alcohol or dedicated personal attention from cabin crew. I just want to get from point A to point B as comfortably as I can.
May 1, 2019, 3:44 pm
#28
Join Date: May 2005
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It is the seat of course (aka how much space it occupies on an airplane). There will always be people who’ll think that just because they paid this or that much for a ticket they should get the best food and wines, and it always surprises me as to why people expect culinary delights from an airline rather than a restaurant. While I think it is nice that we get food and drinks in premium cabins, I also think that criticizing airlines for not knowing how to do a steak right (really? steaks? rather than efficiently moving millions of people between places?) or not being imaginative with their menus is completely misplaced.
May 1, 2019, 7:01 pm
#29
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For me as with most it is the seat that is the most important. However, there must be a MINIMUM level of service.
After all these years of flying I don't except a lot. But I won't fly UA long haul anymore because of the poor service I continuously get in UA F. No matter what UA does with their F seat I still won't fly them because of the service.
As a benchmark I've had good experiences in AA F (international) and BA F. The worse AA and BA F is still better than the best UA F service I've had.
Lounge is not a big factor at all. In fact, I count it a win if I arrive at the airport, check-in and go through security / immigration and can get to the gate 3 minutes before the start boarding (with NO lounge visit).
After all these years of flying I don't except a lot. But I won't fly UA long haul anymore because of the poor service I continuously get in UA F. No matter what UA does with their F seat I still won't fly them because of the service.
As a benchmark I've had good experiences in AA F (international) and BA F. The worse AA and BA F is still better than the best UA F service I've had.
Lounge is not a big factor at all. In fact, I count it a win if I arrive at the airport, check-in and go through security / immigration and can get to the gate 3 minutes before the start boarding (with NO lounge visit).
May 1, 2019, 7:08 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 91
Seat First, Evetything Else A Bonus
I would say the seat in Business Class comes first especially in long haul. As my user name implies I'm tall. I really like the lie back seat that KLM has.
I've tried the exit seat in economy on Emirates, and KLM. Even though there is an abundance of leg room by the exit door, you can be constrained by people using that space to que for the loo, or passengers with babies, or passengers using it to streatch their legs, all the above mentioned I don't object to, and I understand why passengers do this.
Add in the competition for the arm rests, business class seats will win me over everytime. I've always had superb staff on Emirates, Singspore Airlines, and in KLM. The food, drinks, entertainment options are all an additional bonus.
But being tall, there is nothing more than I like better than when you turn the seat into a semi bed, or a flat bed in business and catch some sleep. Thus no need to worry about passengers tripping over your feet or getting woken up by them.
I've tried the exit seat in economy on Emirates, and KLM. Even though there is an abundance of leg room by the exit door, you can be constrained by people using that space to que for the loo, or passengers with babies, or passengers using it to streatch their legs, all the above mentioned I don't object to, and I understand why passengers do this.
Add in the competition for the arm rests, business class seats will win me over everytime. I've always had superb staff on Emirates, Singspore Airlines, and in KLM. The food, drinks, entertainment options are all an additional bonus.
But being tall, there is nothing more than I like better than when you turn the seat into a semi bed, or a flat bed in business and catch some sleep. Thus no need to worry about passengers tripping over your feet or getting woken up by them.
Last edited by Giantlonglegs; May 1, 2019 at 7:11 pm Reason: Typo