Which Class of Travel?
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Your travel consultant can advise on best options once you have decided which class of travel you prefer and your budget. Another improtant factor to advise is whether you’d like to go direct or take advantage of a stopover or stopovers. If you want stopovers, then advise if you’d like some options or be specific if you want certain destinations.
Economy
If you chose to travel in economy class: does the fare include meals, drinks, comfort packs and entertainment and can you pre-allocate seats? Many airlines are now charging for seat allocation, unless you hold a high level in their frequent flyer programme. With some airlines this can be added at the time of booking. There are airlines also that only permit seat allocation a certain number of days before travel. All these factors might be important to you especially if travelling with children.
Economy class is the standard class of travel and is available on all airlines (except certain business class on airlines or flights).
Premium Economy
If you chose premium economy, then not all airlines have this class so you might only be travelling half the journey in that class. Also what kind of premium economy is offered? Some airlines literally offer an economy seat with more legroom, whereas others offer an old style wide business class seat. Beware the premium offering can be vastly different from airline to airline and some carriers also offer dedicated check in and cabins, premium food and beverage offerings etc. and some just offer the extra legroom. This will be determined in the fare $$, so if you think the fare is that good, ask your travel consultant why? Premium Economy has also been gaining more prominence in the airline industry driven in part by business drive to save costs in business travel. Many companies had during the GFT either changed their travel policy or slowed the amount of travel. One offering provided by some airlines to stem the loss of their lucrative business revenue was to implement a premium economy cabin. This is also leveraged at the leisure market to target those travellers looking for something more, but not willing to pay the full business class fares.
As mentioned not all airlines offer premium economy cabins and even on certain travel itineraries it may not be possible to travel premium economy on the whole journey as this is generally available only on the larger bodied aircraft or specific routes.
Major airlines currently offering premium economy:
Air Asia X, Air Austral, Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Eva Air, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Qantas, Scandinavian, Thai Airways, United Airlines, V Australia (Virgin Australia), Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
Business Class
If you choose business class, then what are you getting? Is your fare for an old style big reclineable business seat or do they have lie flat beds. Do you get lounge access, do they have free chauffeur limousine transfers available. Some airlines even have different levels of business class. Philippine Airlines for example have four business class levels available, two of these include a lie flat bed on aircraft that have those, whereas their two lower business class levels only have the old style business seat. This will still show as business class on your itinerary and ticket, so you could feel short changed. Make sure your consultant is aware of what you are getting, if they don’t know ask them to find out before you pay. Business class is a popular product with both corporate and premium leisure travellers, and is a key driver of airline revenue and profitability. Over previous years many airlines have upgraded their business class offering to provide more value for money other extras i.e. lie-flat beds, on-board bars, massages, better menus etc.
Major Airlines offering Business Class:
Aerolineas Argentinas, Aircalin, Air Austral, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mauritius, Air New Zealand, Air Nuigini, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Vanuatu, Alitalia, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Bangkok Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Deltas Air Lines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Fly Solomons, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, LAN, Lot Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, South African Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, Swiss International Airlines, TAM Brazilian Airlines, Thai Airways International, United Airlines, V Australia (Virgin Australia), Virgin Atlantic Airways, Vietnam Airlines.
First Class
First class travel again can be a minefield as some can be over the top luxury, on some airlines the business class offering is already that good so do you want to pay the much higher price for first when you are already getting limos, lounge access, great lie flat beds etc. It’s your choice of course. Some carriers no longer offer First Class, for many top end passengers travelling in first is still a must and they use agents who have a superior knowledge of airlines and alliance offerings to ensure they can travel in their desired travel class. Another note is that even those airlines that offer First Class might not offer this on every aircraft and route so you might not be able to travel first the whole journey. This is important to remember if you are travelling on a Round The World fare in first class, as the fare will permit First Class travel where offered, otherwise you travel in business with no reduction in fare paid.
Many passengers still are not prepared to pay the premium difference between first and business and airlines have worked hard to differentiate the product even more as business class has moved towards lie flat beds. Airlines such as Singapore and Emirates now offered First Class suites. The product provides a dedicated secluded environment with superior seating, entertainment and food and beverages akin to a five star restaurant.
Major Airlines offering First Class:
Air China, Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, American Airlines, Asiana Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SWISS International Airlines, THAI Airways International, United Airlines.