Airlines, Classes, and Comfort

Latest news: We are often asked if it is safe to travel. Understandably, the present situation in the world has people hesitating about their travel plans. The big question is whether to continue with what you have booked and that is a very personal decision. And for new bookings you will see it will cost you more. For destinations in the Middle East and connecting airports, that decision is made for you as most airlines have cancelled or reduced their flights. If one is skeptical about exploring a new adventure, they should simply stay home because they would be too nervous to enjoy it. After so many years of airline travel, I am still fascinated that airplanes take off, fly high above the earth and land safely again. According to multiple sources, your risk of dying is 190 times greater in a car than in an airplane. Those same resources state that the chance of being the victim of terrorism on an airplane is roughly the same as getting hit by lightning. The world has changed drastically in recent years, yet I keep traveling. At the time you read this, we will be cruising the Magdalena River in Colombia, South America.

“You again!” exclaimed the purser on the Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Los Angeles. I had escorted a group from Marco Island to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand and it was an interesting experience. This group was all in for a good time which extended to having fun with the crew on Air New Zealand en route. So much so that when we returned three weeks later and the same purser welcomed passengers at the entrance to the aircraft, the man threw his arms in the air with a hearty welcome back.

What a wonderful time we had on those long flights due to the outstanding service from a very friendly crew. Regretfully, I have not flown Air New Zealand since, but the airline was one of the first to address comfort of their passengers in economy class and it was a long time before any other airline followed the example.

Some of our older readers will remember how one could often stretch out on three or four seats toward the rear of the aircraft, because flights were often not full. That is a rarity today. Back in 2011, Air New Zealand CEO, Rob Fyfe, made a business out of that by adding footrests to some rows of economy seats that could be elevated to the level with the seat cushion. By adding a mattress pad, blanket and pillows, a short 5’1” bed was created. The airline called it “Skycouch.” For this story, Air New Zealand General Manager for customer service, Alisha Armstrong, commented: “Our economy Skycouch product is an excellent choice for anyone travelling who values a little extra space and comfort. It is a row of three seats where footrests lift 90 degrees to create a couch in the sky.

When you book, you'll pay an economy fare for each passenger traveling, plus the cost of the Skycouch. New Zealand's location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-long-haul travel experience. We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort, and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive at their destination well-rested. So, in true Air New Zealand fashion, we reimagined the economy cabin with the Skycouch, and when our “Skynest” sleep pods are onboard later this year, that will be the world’s first sleep zone in the sky for economy travelers. To my knowledge there are only a few other airlines offering a “lay-flat” in economy, with Lufthansa being the largest carrier offering it.

However, their seats don’t fill up the middle space between rows and therefore are far less comfortable. Furthermore, the airline offers three rows only bookable at check-in or at the gate.

In 2020 during Covid, any aircraft improvements were halted due to the uncertainty about the immediate future. Airplanes were parked in remote desert locations around the world to reduce the cost of maintenance. However, the end of Covid brought a surge of travelers, which has continued to multiply. Airline executives around the world have been scrambling to update their product to entice clientele to bypass regular economy with an upgrade to more comfort and more profit for the airline.

In 1969 British Airways and Air France introduced the Rich and Famous to the Concorde, a joint venture of the British and French.

Flying a commercial aircraft at 60,000 feet in three and a half hours from Europe to New York was a feat the United States could only dream of. I was fortunate enough to sit in the cockpit at the landing of this incredible aircraft that looked spectacular from the outside and flew high above normal commercial routes at 60,000 feet. But the one hundred one class bucket seats were narrow and a grey, dreary interior, whereas Air France brightened the decor with red, white, and blue interiors. However, this was considered a big step above first class and often sold out despite the steep pricing. As the program was criticized and boycotted by the USA, it collapsed after only one serious accident at take-off in Paris. I am still convinced that if the USA had been part of the concept and operation, these spectacular planes would still be flying today. But with the taste of something unique and special and a large crowd wanting to travel, airlines rushed to get new aircraft offering more luxurious interiors to make up for the longer flights.

First class was the way to go for the elite with private suites, showers, and amenities providing enough comfort for passengers to arrive rested. But the cost increased dramatically until it reached a point after the epidemic that businesses were not willing to pay the price anymore. It started with airlines supplementing their First Class, followed by less expensive “Business Class,” and over the last years, many airlines have done away with their First Class altogether. Some airlines, like Iceland Air, pursued a “business class” that could barely be called that. Two seats on each side and a row of single seats in the middle, none of which could completely recline.

The carrier tried to make up for that with much lower prices, an impressive menu on board, and fancy drinks. Their gin offerings alone included a list of up to ten different flavors.

Other airlines took a different approach and that still seems the goal. Business class was upgraded, and today airlines offer pods with doors and suites, making it more comfortable than the former first class and Delta is an example with their “DeltaOne.” Back in 1992, Taiwan’s EVA Air came up with the idea to offer “Premium Economy,” calling it “Evergreen Deluxe.” Virgin Atlantic followed suit the same year, naming it “Mid Class,” but soon thereafter changing it to “Premium Economy.” Today it is called simply “Premium” and delivers one of the best experiences in the market for the money. The cabin section is separate from economy, and in my recent experience, the service was superb as flight attendants paid more attention to details and made their passengers feel special. British Airways ignored “Premium” for another eight years. Today, most major airlines have adopted the “new” class and willingness of the public to pay extra has significantly increased revenue for the airlines, but service varies. Although our carrier of choice, Delta, offers a separate section as well, the overall experience cannot be compared to Virgin Atlantic. One of the world’s largest airlines, Emirates, only introduced the service over two years ago. Previously, they had concentrated on two classes of their huge fleet of Airbus A380, the largest commercial airplane in the world, featuring as many as 612 seats in only two classes on this extraordinary aircraft. At the time of writing this story, the airline announced plans to remodel these two-class aircraft and to reduce the total number of seats to 569 in three classes by the end of this year.

During Covid, all A380’s were grounded, but airlines have been struggling to obtain new aircraft for the ever-increasing demand, and therefore the last A380 was brought back in service by the Australian airline, Qantas, at the end of last year. The massive aircraft is well-suited for different classes of service from one extreme to the other. Here you find the most opulent first-class cabins and the most basic economy.

If you get a chance to fly on the Airbus 380, in any class of service, it will be an experience.

And if you want to try out Premium Economy, don’t waste the money on Delta. Stick to their co-chair, Virgin Atlantic from Miami, or perhaps KLM and Air France through Atlanta. If all that is not complicated enough, airlines also offer sections in economy with slightly more space and different names like “Comfort Plus” and American's “Main Cabin Extra.” It seems Delta will come out soon with two different offers in their DeltaOne class, adding more confusion.

However, if comfort is not a priority and the least expensive airfare is the qualifier, check it out. I recently saw last-minute airfares on the Dutch airline, KLM, from Miami to Amsterdam at the end of April and beginning of May, Tulip Time in my home country, for as low as $380 in Basic Economy! As always: Save travels!