As we all know an extra ten centimetres can make all the difference!
An article in The Age says that on a long-haul flight, an extra 10 centimetres of leg room can make all the difference in the world, but a perch in the pointy end of the plane is out of reach for most travellers who want something more than a regular seat in cattle class.
Airlines around the globe, including Qantas, have now identified a new traveller market, premium economy, with Qantas unveiling plans to introduce a fourth class on its fleet of new Airbus A380 aircraft, offering a new seat that is wider and increases the space from the seat in front by 27 centimetres.
Premium economy will also include a self-service bar on board and separate check-in queues at the airport.
Qantas is now following the lead of UK airlines Virgin Atlantic, which pioneered premium economy, and British Airways.
A spokesman for travel agency Flight Centre said the new class appealed to travellers who wanted more comfort on long-haul flights without the pricey extras offered in business class, saying, “It’s definitely a growing sector.” “We saw it first a few years ago, but airlines are very competitive so if they see one airline doing something that works successfully, they will follow.”
Premium economy tickets cost 10% to 15% more than economy tickets.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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