EI Returning Business Class to European Flights?

ImDave

Was on an EI flight over the weekend and overheard the cabin manager mentioning to a passenger that there are talks of returning a two-class config to the European fleet mid next year.

Has anyone heard more on this or is it completely unfounded?

I would imagine there would be scope for two-class on certain routes, so maybe it is a partial re-introduction that is being mooted.

munchkin_utd

would that be in order to allow code share with certain airlines ?

L1011

ImDave wrote: »

Was on an EI flight over the weekend and overheard the cabin manager mentioning to a passenger that there are talks of returning a two-class config to the European fleet mid next year.

Has anyone heard more on this or is it completely unfounded?

I would imagine there would be scope for two-class on certain routes, so maybe it is a partial re-introduction that is being mooted.

LHR and AMS, which were the last two from memory, would be the obvious first two for it to go back on - BA gets decent Club Europe loads from Dublin and both routes would have some level of passengers connecting to business on longhaul. CDG to challenge a very weak Cityjet could be an option too.

It creates an issue with needing a sub-fleet of craft; it used to be the 321s but they're now used wherever loads require them.

edit: though, they do have four A320s with Virgin Little Red's business class coming back soon enough :pac:

munchkin_utd

MYOB wrote: »

LHR and AMS, which were the last two from memory, would be the obvious first two for it to go back on - BA gets decent Club Europe loads from Dublin and both routes would have some level of passengers connecting to business on longhaul. CDG to challenge a very weak Cityjet could be an option too.

It creates an issue with needing a sub-fleet of craft; it used to be the 321s but they're now used wherever loads require them.

edit: though, they do have four A320s with Virgin Little Red's business class coming back soon enough :pac:

it also fits in with a throwaway statement from Mick o Leary last week that he could see Ryanair considering connections to Lufthansa flights.

Now.... if he is coming in with an idea like that then I wonder if the likes of Lufthansa are (edit: actively, currently) considering a move to outsource some of their european connecting flights.
If only for the likes of the early morning Dublin-Frankfurt flight which requires them to overnight crew and aircraft in Dublin, which cannot be the cheapest to be doing.

goingnowhere

Its more like talk of a Economy Plus style product, more legroom, no one sitting in the middle seat.

LHR/CDG/AMS makes the most sense as it is fairly rare to have a full house anyway

I very much doubt we are talking about a return to the days of full service up front

donvito99

goingnowhere wrote: »

Its more like talk of a Economy Plus style product, more legroom, no one sitting in the middle seat.

LHR/CDG/AMS makes the most sense as it is fairly rare to have a full house anyway

I very much doubt we are talking about a return to the days of full service up front

I agree, I can't see the curtain and champagne silverware service returning.

This could come with the new FF programme as promised, lounge access, priority boarding , exit row, maybe even one of their "luxury" short haul meals. Ryanair has ironically beat them too it, from a branding point of view at least.

Tenger

goingnowhere wrote: »

Its more like talk of a Economy Plus style product, more legroom, no one sitting in the middle seat.

LHR/CDG/AMS makes the most sense as it is fairly rare to have a full house anyway

I very much doubt we are talking about a return to the days of full service up front

Sounds more likely. Offer an upgraded pax experience...no need for a sub fleet or retrofit of current fleet. No need for curtains or fancy crystal. Could be a simple as complimentary drinks and snacks, or even charge a bit more and every one in row 1-3 (or 1-6 depending on demand) gets a free brekkie or chicken salad on later flights()

Jack1985

Everything with EI is rumours.. Here's another one. There are no plans for a new cabin config on short-haul. The only plans are a new cabin on the A330s, long haul expansion in 2015. The other facts are culling of routes this winter with nearly 100 CC not getting contracts and over 200 permanent CC/Pilots being asked to take unpaid leave for twelve weeks.

owenc

ImDave wrote: »

Was on an EI flight over the weekend and overheard the cabin manager mentioning to a passenger that there are talks of returning a two-class config to the European fleet mid next year.

Has anyone heard more on this or is it completely unfounded?

I would imagine there would be scope for two-class on certain routes, so maybe it is a partial re-introduction that is being mooted.

I would doubt this would be a proper business class.

owenc

goingnowhere wrote: »

Its more like talk of a Economy Plus style product, more legroom, no one sitting in the middle seat.

LHR/CDG/AMS makes the most sense as it is fairly rare to have a full house anyway

I very much doubt we are talking about a return to the days of full service up front

That would be a good idea. The European airlines should be looking to American airlines for inspiration on service.

Preset No.3

<SNIP>

owenc

Can someone please have a word with him and the other poster Wicklowleoid

I class this as harassment

Tenger

Jack1985 wrote: »

Everything with EI is rumours.. Here's another one. ...The only plans are a new cabin on the A330s, long haul expansion in 2015. The other facts are culling of routes this winter....

Apparently the route reduction will be double that of last winter. Sounds drastic but needs must, focus on the peak season.

lord lucan

owenc wrote: »

Can someone please have a word with him and the other poster Wicklowleoid

I class this as harassment

Its not harassment,concern yourself with your own posts and leave the modding to us.

owenc

Excuse me!

That was downright rude! It would've been better if he would've just kept his mouth shut and said nothing.

Fabio

Jack1985 wrote: »

Everything with EI is rumours.. Here's another one. There are no plans for a new cabin config on short-haul. The only plans are a new cabin on the A330s, long haul expansion in 2015. The other facts are culling of routes this winter with nearly 100 CC not getting contracts and over 200 permanent CC/Pilots being asked to take unpaid leave for twelve weeks.

Unpaid leave? Feck...:(

roundymac

Fabio wrote: »

Unpaid leave? Feck...:(

Yep, it's the way to go I'm afraid and if you don't like it they'll find someone else to take your place double quick time. The up side is that they will have job's to back too................won't they???

Tenger

Well its not unheard of. Back in the olden days (ie 1980's and early 1990's) EI was very seasonal. It was normal for frontline staff to be given 3-4 months off in the winter. At the same time EI would lease their excess aircraft capacity to the Southern Hemisphere. (Hence some interesting EI hybrid liveries in the online archives)

smurfjed

I really don't know why they dropped business class on routes such as London, it always appeared to be full.

They also dropped themselves off a lot of industry reservation systems and airline interline systems, it would be nice to see these back.

Tenger

smurfjed wrote: »

I really don't know why they dropped business class on routes such as London, it always appeared to be full.

They also dropped themselves off a lot of industry reservation systems and airline interline systems, it would be nice to see these back.

Well both those decisions were part of the Willie Walsh idea to transition to EI.com as a brand in combination with being an EasyJet type operation. Since then (2002-2005) Easyjet have moved up in service terms.

Locker10a

Tenger wrote: »

Well both those decisions were part of the Willie Walsh idea to transition to EI.com as a brand in combination with being an EasyJet type operation. Since then (2002-2005) Easyjet have moved up in service terms.

Yes and Easyjet are leaning more and more towards benefits for their PlusCard flyers they already get choice of i think rows 1-5 and exit rows for free onboard their flights! I really think with Ryanair doing similar EI need to offer much better gold circle benefits! And also have then a lessor program for joe soaps just to grap even more customers! I think a tie up between Dunnes Stores clubcard holders and EI would be a good idea, get so many points and get 10% off your fare! Customers collect points by shopping at Dunnes and book with EI because they get a discount it a win win !