First Class Airfares - why so expensive?

Also, remember that London is a world business centre with a healthy demand for business travel demand, and also the income level in the UK is higher than most so they can price it much higher than a ticket out of, say, Thailand (where incidentally First/Business Class tickets are very cheap).
 
First class on the 747 with BA is great, you get about 4/5 windows to yourself, they address you by your name and the whole service is very personnel. Atleast with BA, for any normal person business class is good, 3 windows to yourself and you get your own bed with very nice food. First class is for the elite, for whom money doesn't matter and they just want the best. There are a lot of people like that, First is usually pretty full.

I believe club and first take up 25% of the plane, but generate 75% of the profit
 
I believe club and first take up 25% of the plane, but generate 75% of the profit
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That certainly used to be the case, but airlines are now beginning to put a lot more Business Class seats into some of their planes into routes where demand for such premium tickets are so high that Business Class is always full, even though Economy might not be even close.

Look at BA 777-200 for example. The ordinary economy class only starts after the 2nd last set of doors, which wouldn't have happened 10 years ago.
 
If you go with a decent airline even economy isn't too cramped, and I'm around 6'1" and relatively wide - but I guess I used to fly around the world for a living so for me falling asleep on a plane is ridiculously easy and I get comfortable anywhere (I can even sleep on the floor - military training for you ;)).

I think the price isn't justified however I like the fact there is a bit of a gap as it does make it more exclusive. Remember there is also business/club0 class and economy plus which are nice "in between" and don't cost horrendously more.

Even though I could afford to upgrade I'd rather spend my money on my holiday rather than the flight - and big airlines like Virgin and so have more than acceptable service in economy cabins (and this is coming from a snob! ;)).
 
so what happens if you have an economy ticket and have literally no leg room??? :confused: i always try to get a bulk head seat being 6ft 6, but if this isnt available what would happen?
 
I used to fly economy when I visited Canada, now I fly business... the difference in experience is vast.

For example, with Air Canada all beverages and food is free, the seat is good, you get your own personal screen + video game thing (was a SNES last time I was there, zelda!), you get to sit in the private lounge at the airport (again, free food and drink). your seat reclines almost flat and you've still got about 1-2ft of room even if the person infront has their seat back.

Although business first on Air Canada is about £900 return, and economy £400. Much more sensible.
 
I think it's where a lot of airlines make their money. If I had the cash I'd fly first-class.

I'm not sure of all airlines, but I know Virgin and Emirates offer a limo service to the airport, private check-in lounges, beds on the plane etc.

Remember that most of the people in First-class are extremely rich, or corporate travellers. Money isn't really an issue to them. Nice position to be in!!!
 
Hate said:
I used to fly economy when I visited Canada, now I fly business... the difference in experience is vast.

For example, with Air Canada all beverages and food is free, the seat is good, you get your own personal screen + video game thing (was a SNES last time I was there, zelda!), you get to sit in the private lounge at the airport (again, free food and drink). your seat reclines almost flat and you've still got about 1-2ft of room even if the person infront has their seat back.

Although business first on Air Canada is about £900 return, and economy £400. Much more sensible.
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You get that on Virgin cattle class
 
Freefaller said:
Even though I could afford to upgrade I'd rather spend my money on my holiday rather than the flight - and big airlines like Virgin and so have more than acceptable service in economy cabins (and this is coming from a snob! ;)).
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I hyst got home from the US yesterday and flew economny with Virgin, first time I have flown economy lang haul for ages and it was a bit of an ordeal TBH , business/first is nice but for mr premium economy represents the best compromise

my brother joined me out there and he got Virgin Upper class ( he had to go via LA ) for £1400 return which was a good deal
 
Scuzi said:
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.
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When I worked for Air France in the '90s, I was told the very same thing. Don't know if it's still valid today, but it was the case approx 10 years ago.
 
How many first class seats goto frequent fliers or big corporate accounts as free upgrades? An incentive for customer loyalty or whatever.
 
Yeah Premium Economy is only about double the price but it's much more comfortable. Will be flying that way to Florida next year.. Oops.. This summer.. hopefully:)
 
Hate said:
I used to fly economy when I visited Canada, now I fly business... the difference in experience is vast.

For example, with Air Canada all beverages and food is free, the seat is good, you get your own personal screen + video game thing (was a SNES last time I was there, zelda!), you get to sit in the private lounge at the airport (again, free food and drink). your seat reclines almost flat and you've still got about 1-2ft of room even if the person infront has their seat back.

Although business first on Air Canada is about £900 return, and economy £400. Much more sensible.
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To be honest Id rather have the £500 to spend whilst Im there.
 
Me and my family recently flew out to Jamaica on holiday with Thomson. £500 each for the whole package all inclusive. My mum managed to damage her back while out there and ended up in hospital for the whole time. When it came time to travel home again her insurance company refused to let them go back with Thomson because in their eyes the Thomson plane wasn't suitable for a woman in her condition. Total price for the return flight with Virgin Business Class: £4500 each one way :eek:
 
Cybermyk said:
It's expensive to keep the riff raff out.
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Pretty much.

We flew BA Business class to JFK (NY) this summer & BA First class back from LA - all on Dad's airmiles, and the difference between them & economy is :eek:

LordSplodge said:
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.
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<Before you've even sat down> "Champagne sir?"

Upstairs is pretty nice, as its just Business class so there's no plebs around :p

Freefaller said:
Anyway don't go to LA it's a dump and really isn't worth more than a long weekend's visit. There is so much more to CA to see.
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Definately, we went there @ the end of 3weeks in CA, and the only reason was for Disney :cool:
 
Economy and sleeping tablets is a good compromise.

Edit everyone knows the closer you are to booking its mostly more expensive. Week in April with Virgin GBP 2,794.90

Also look into Miles + Money using some of the miles you earned last time, this can often make the price much better.
 
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