Tag Archives for first class.
British Airways has a new business class suite with privacy doors. It appears on the same plane where first class still lacks doors. That will be (slowly) changing as British Airways will have a new first class suite with doors, which will first appear on new Boeing 777s that start to be delivered next month.
Singapore Airlines isn’t selling international first class anymore on most routes, at all, for the next year. What’s going on? And what does it mean for the future of first class?
British Airways is promoting a new option to book out their entire first class cabin. That may be attractive to households that want to travel by themselves, or even individuals looking to social distance.
The “Charter our FIRST Cabin” British Airways offer is promoted as being at “a fraction of the cost” with prices so low apparently they won’t advertise them publicly – though may depend on route, expected demand, and how far out you’re making the reservation.
American Airlines suspended all food on flights under 4.5 hours back in March to accommodate social distancing requirements. Then on May 1 they introduced a snack bag and bottle of water for all customers as they board the aircraft on flights that are between 900 and 2199 miles long.
Now American is testing a snack box to bring back some food to first class, that doesn’t require flight attendant preparation. Here’s what’s inside.
About a week and a half ago I wrote that if you must travel now, you should consider turning down the first class upgrade. There’s not much service or food to speak of, so you really just get a bigger seat. But first class is more full than coach. You’ll be more comfortable – and more socially distanced – by sitting in back and spreading out in your own row.
American Airlines has basically taken this approach and made it mandatory for their employees who as traveling as non-revenue passengers. “Nonrevs” can no longer fly first class on narrowbody aircraft.
The Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Borden Dairy was flying American Airlines from Dallas Fort-Worth to Charleston, South Carolina with her CEO. The CEO insisted she take his first class seat. However she reports that an hour into the flight a flight attendant realized she wasn’t the passenger on the manifest. That’s when things got heated.
Delta is introducing a new domestic first class seat which will be introduced with its Airbus A321neo. They have 100 on order and begin taking delivery later this year.
This new Recaro seat has better privacy because of the shields that protrude from the side of the seats. There’s also improved storage at the front of the seats in the center and a larger tray table. With these seats Delta continues their practice of conveniently placing power outlets in front of passengers instead of making customers contort themselves to find and plug in their devices.
Ameican created ‘Project Kodiak’ to tweak first class: Fixing row 1’s legroom, fixing underseat storage, improving separation between first and coach, and adding tablet holders and USB power to first class.
Here are the first leaked photos of the new American Airlines domestic first class.
Singapore Airlines has several different first and business class products in its fleet. Their Airbus A380s are in the process of being transitioned from an old business and first class to a new product. Singapore’s A380 business class is an evolution over the old lie flat seat, in which taller passengers still have to sleep at an angle rather than parallel with the aisle. Meanwhile the first class suite has a separate seat and bed and dividers can be taken down for passengers traveling together so that they have a double bed to share. New Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Singapore Suites for Passengers Traveling Together The long haul Boeing 777-300ER fleet began receiving the current version of its business and first class seats in 2013. Long haul Airbus A350s received a version of the same…
Unquestionably Singapore Airlines has one of the great international first class products. Admittedly their lounges are somewhat sub par. However their food and beverage program is outstanding. Their main meals are my favorite. And their wine program is fantastically curated. What could be greater luxury – beyond the quality of the champagnes, even – than the ability for passengers to have choice?
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
