More fliers opt for premium economy
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Hungry for new revenue streams, airlines are installing premium-economy seats for passengers who want to buy more leg-room by trading up or save money by trading down from other cabin classes, a USA Today report said.
It said several airlines have reconfigured their long-haul aircraft in recent months to offer seats that are 5-8 inches longer and 1-4 inches wider than economy seats. Some airlines also provide better food, wine, noise-cancelling headphones and priority boarding, it added. The upgrade fee to premium economy can range from US$30 to US$2,000 for a round trip, but they are hundreds or thousands of dollars cheaper than flying in business or first class.
Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Virgin America, United and JetBlue are among about a dozen carriers that have installed, added or upgraded their premium-class seats in recent years.
“Airlines are dealing with customers who aren’t interested in paying for business class, (as) employers are asking employees to save money,” Matt Daimler, founder of consumer advice website, SeatGuru.com, was quoted saying.
JetBlue expects to generate about US$40 million of revenue by charging extra for these premium economy seats, while United said sales of premium-economy seats have grown each year since the carrier introduced them three years ago. British Airways’ said sales of its “World Traveller Plus” seats were rising on all long-haul routes, and Qantas’ premium economy is consistently the most filled cabin class, the report quoted Wally Mariani, head of the carrier’s North America operations, as saying.
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