First Class Airfares - why so expensive?

[[TW]Fox]

I hate economy on long haul flights as it's super cramped and nasty. It's put me off flying. So I thought I'd check out how much it is to fly First, purely out of interest becuase there is no way I could afford to.

I entered an outward flight date of the 14th Jan, back on 21st of Jan, from London to lets say LA. These details gave a price for Economy of £398 return. Not bad.

Now, judging by the price difference between Standard and First on the railway, you'd expect First to be nearer to £800. But I guess it's a better service, so lets double it. I expected £2k.

Nope.

£8419.

EIGHT THOUSAND POUNDS. For a return air ticket.

What on earth justifies this absolutely massive expense? How could you even justify this if you were loaded? For the millionaires amongst us thats still 4 times as much as it costs to service your Ferrari F430 at main dealer rates.

Business Class, however, was a bargain at just £6000.

 

[Cybermyk]

It's expensive to keep the riff raff out.

 

[slambo69]

judging by the cheapness of flights, its probably how companies get their money, just get 10-20 peeps on the first class job and the rest cover wages and fuel.

Probably only used for business customers i.e. just charge it to the company...

 

[Dolph]

Because that's the point where the supply available and the demand for the service balances.

 

[Vai]

Do they have middle/second class?

Oh and the expense is justified by their companies paying for it

 

[[TW]Fox]

Because that's the point where the supply available and the demand for the service balances.

Judging by the availability of upgrades and the average efficiency level of the first class section of a typical 747-400 flight I would suggest you are wrong but that wasn't really the answer I was looking for

 

[Alex_L]

Business executives normally have no option but to travel because its critical to their business. Airlines know this and charge accordingly for business and first class that executive expect to travel by.

 

[Raymond Lin]

It's how they make up the difference. They don't make money, or make a loss on the long distance economy seats.

 

[Scuzi]

When doing a familiarisation course with British Airways, the head honcho of operations told us in a presentation that the first and business class air fares are what make them money. The economy seats make them very little or no money at all and often operate at a great loss.

The airlines can and apparently have to charge those prices if they want to make a route worthwhile.

 

[zetec452]

Judging by the availability of upgrades and the average efficiency level of the first class section of a typical 747-400 flight I would suggest you are wrong but that wasn't really the answer I was looking for

Many business class / 1st class people will book later.

I've flown first class and business class and would safely say that 1st class isn't worth the premium.

 

[G-MAN2004]

nm

 

[SB118]

Hi, my name's Fox and i didn't even make it an hour into the new year without finding something new to bitch about.

 

[[TW]Fox]

 

[easyrider]

Who cares about first class.

If you have the money you just book.

 

[Ev0]

Premium economy looks to offer a nice balance at a decent enough price so check that out

 

[Tom0]

Also, 14th of jan is two weeks away, i expect there is only 1 or 2 tickets left first class, so they're high prices. I expect if you looked for first class in 2 months time to LA they'd be allot cheaper. Still, doing that way is extortinate, what justifys raising prices with the amount of tickets remaining/sold...

 

[willd58]

How many first class seats are there on your average plane?

 

[LordSplodge]

It is simply a way of keeping the plebs in their place. Plebs have to fly steerage whereas the elite can whilst sipping the finest champagne and laughing at the plebs in steerage.

Just look at the difference between First and Steerage on say the White Star Line for example. It's jut the modern day version of that.

Even if I could fly First or Business I would not as I would spend the whole flight wanting to punch the god damn snobs in their rich faces.

 

[jhmaeng]

How many first class seats are there on your average plane?

Anything between 8 and 16, not counting the less luxurious regional/short-haul configuration...

Singapore Airlines has just introduced "Suite Class", which they have priced at even higher than the existing First Class fares. For a lot of money for an 8-hour flight from Singapore to Sydney, you get this:

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/exp/new/suite/index.jsp

 

[skiba]

Corporates have to fly their staff business, first is generally reserved for private wealth individuals and upgrades. They can therefore charge whatever they want (relative to their competitors) as it will get paid.