Business Class Guru--Too Good to be True?

[medved]

Over the past couple of years, I have found that US domestic carriers have lowered many of their first class fares, to try to sell more of these seats (rather than give them away for free to frequent flyers, as upgrades). Of course, this annoys the frequent flyers because it reduces the number of upgrade seats available. But it is understandable that the airline would want revenue for at least some of these F seats. As just one example, a few weeks ago I flew a transcon in domestic F for $480 each way. Granted, domestic F is not so great -- clearly a worse product than J across the pond. But its better than being in the back. Many of these discounted F seats are what used to be referred to as "Y-up" fares, which means they price as coach fares, but with a "free upgrade." In some companies, with travel policies that require "coach fares," this can be helpful, because it is a "coach fare" with a seat in F.

[SecondCor521]

Emirates has three distinct classes of service internationally.

On the jet we flew, Economy was 3/4/3, Business was 2/3/2, and First was 1/2/1. Business had "almost flat" reclining seats, First had "fully flat" seats.Economy was about $1K, Business was about $5K, and First was something like $15-$20K. The ratios of flight attendants to passengers was proportionately different in each of the fare classes.

[Red Badger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SecondCor521 Emirates has three distinct classes of service internationally. On the jet we flew, Economy was 3/4/3, Business was 2/3/2, and First was 1/2/1. Business had "almost flat" reclining seats, First had "fully flat" seats.Economy was about $1K, Business was about $5K, and First was something like $15-$20K. The ratios of flight attendants to passengers was proportionately different in each of the fare classes.

Ditto.
Flew to Singapore earlier this year business class. AA leg to Narita was a pod similar to Delta One. Narita to Singapore via JAL was similar to US "first class," with a wide wide seat, food, and drinks. Singapore to Inchon via SIN was same as JAL. Inchon to US was AA pod. So, yes, on Asian flights, there is a distinct economy, business, and first class level. My business class fare was about $7K.