Biz or First Class Coast to Coast?
Given the semi-success of the all business class airlines that formed around flying from NYC to London, I’ve wondered if there wouldn’t be a demand for such service between Los Angeles and NYC. Frankly, I wonder if an all First Class service between those two cities wouldn’t be in demand.
I could see an airline such as American Airlines or Delta Airlines or United Airlines fitting out a 737-800 or A320 with their international business class or first class product and offer a customized service from the curb to the airplane as well. If one flew from LAX to EWR, it would be as convenient as convenient gets and serve industries such as the entertainment business with near private jet service.
The airlines would simply need 2 or 3 dedicated aircraft refitted and could draw upon senior staff for such flights. With lie flat seating, the airline could offer both morning and evening departures from each city and by flying into EWR, put their customers close to Manhattan. They likely could charge a small premium (10 to 20%) over their existing product just to allow people to avoid flying with the masses and the associated delays that come with more people on one airplane.
That is the one city pair that could support such service. I do believe it could have potential for profitability but I also believe it would raise the profile of the airline as well.
Almost seems you’re pointing this concept directly at my demographic, Greg, although my crew flies between LAX and EWR/LGA/JFK very rarely…
It’d be interesting, that’s for sure. Personally, I’d like to see expanded biz-class on the AirTran model; reasonable rates and even more reasonable gate upgrades available, but with more than just three or four rows set up for business class. In all the flights I’ve taken on that carrier, biz-class has never gone lacking for passengers, and there’s usually mmore people willing to upgrade than are seats available. Lots more, at least on the flights I normally take.
However, if the carriers are going to charge the rates that they do for first-class service, they’d better be prepared to provide the service they charge for. On AirTran, the bump-up gets you free booze and munchies, in addition to the more comfortable seating. I recently flew x-country on NWA (PHX-BOS, by way of the DTW hub) for $125 coach, with first-class seats on the same flights going for $720. Near as I can tell, the extra $600 only got the takers four-across seating instead of 6-across back in cattle-class – no meal, no “complimentary” drinks, no nothing. Unacceptable.
A premier-class, all-first or all-biz flight would no doubt charge more than the extra 10-20% premium that you predict, especially if they’re furnishing the plane with a lie-down seating plan, but they’d better be fully prepared to put out for it.
-R