{"id":207,"date":"2008-11-14T15:29:50","date_gmt":"2008-11-14T21:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/11\/international-airlines-launch-premium-economy-class\/"},"modified":"2016-12-17T14:44:33","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T20:44:33","slug":"international-airlines-launch-premium-economy-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2008\/11\/international-airlines-launch-premium-economy-class\/","title":{"rendered":"International airlines launch premium-economy class"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Business<\/a>
\nBy Joe Brancatelli<\/em><\/p>\n

Hotshot Indian Carriers Get a Dose of Reality<\/strong>: Jet Airways<\/strong> and Kingfisher Airlines<\/strong>, two hotshot Indian airlines with global ambitions, have been forced to face the harsh realities of the nasty economic times. Kingfisher’s flights<\/strong><\/a> between San Francisco and Bangalore, expected to launch this past summer, have been permanently shelved. And no wonder: Kingfisher’s new service between London and Mumbai has averaged only a few dozen passengers per flight. On the other hand, Jet will dump its San Francisco-Shanghai-Mumbai<\/strong> flights in January after just a few months of operation. The two privately owned airlines, which have won raves for their sybaritic service, have now concluded a wide-ranging alliancethis week. It includes code-sharing and other cost-saving measures–and all but ends the spare-no-expenses competition between Kingfisher’s flamboyant boss, Vijay Mallya, and Jet chieftain Naresh Goyal. … Emirates<\/strong> has moved its flights<\/strong><\/a> to the United States into Terminal 3 at its hub in Dubai. … And there’s always change at London’s Heathrow Airport<\/strong>. British Airways<\/strong> says it will move its Atlanta-London flights away from Gatwick and into Heathrow next March. Meanwhile, Air France<\/strong> and Delta<\/strong><\/a> are giving up on their joint service from Los Angeles<\/strong> to Heathrow<\/strong>. The flights<\/strong><\/a> were launched in the spring with great fanfare.<\/p>\n

CLASS ACTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do You Know About Fourth Class?<\/strong> OpenSkies<\/strong>, the boutique airline owned by British Airways, now flies on two routes: New York-Paris<\/a> <\/strong> and New York-Amsterdam<\/a> <\/strong>. The most notable advantage: the carrier’s wonderful prem+ cabin, which is the latest and greatest iteration of "premium economy," which offers some of the perks of business class for the cost of full-fare coach. Prem+<\/strong> on OpenSkies offer seats configured 2×2 with 52 inches of legroom for about $1,500 roundtrip. A business-class seat can cost as much as $8,000. Icelandair<\/strong> is launching a premium economy cabin on transatlantic flights<\/strong><\/a>, too. The service began on November 1, although Icelandair’s premium economy class isn’t quite as lavish. Japan Airlines<\/strong> and Qantas<\/strong> have also introduced full-blown premium-economy cabins this year. Virgin Atlantic<\/strong>, All Nippon Airways<\/strong>, EVA<\/strong>, British Airways<\/strong>, Air New Zealand<\/strong> and SAS Scandinavian<\/strong> also sell versions of premium economy.<\/p>\n

NEED TO KNOW<\/strong><\/p>\n

On-the-Road Intelligence to Help You Travel Smarter<\/strong>: Clear<\/strong>, the security line-cut program, opened at Terminal A at Boston\/Logan Airport<\/strong><\/a>. Terminal A is Delta’s new home at Logan. … American Express platinum cardholders are losing a perk: The domestic free companion airfare program ends on November 15. … Bay Area diners take note: the new Michelin guide for San Francisco<\/strong><\/a> gives three stars to one restaurant — The French Laundry in Yountville <\/strong>— and awards two stars to six other dining rooms: Aqua<\/strong>, Coi<\/strong> and Michael Mina <\/strong>in San Francisco; Cyrus in Healdsburg<\/strong>; Meadowood in St. Helena<\/strong>; and Manresa in Los Gatos<\/strong>. … Korean Air<\/strong> has changed its free checked-baggage allowance. Effective November 1, coach passengers can check two bags weighing 50 pounds each. Business- and first-class fliers continue to receive a 70-pound-per-bag allowance. … Almost 15 months after it launched, Virgin America<\/strong> is finally allowing redemptions in its Elevate frequent flier program. A quick look at its award chart, which is based on the retail cost of a ticket, not mileage levels, shows that awards require about 45-50 points per fare dollar. A ticket selling for $149, for example, costs 6,930 Elevate points.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n