Abstract The premium economy class is fast becoming an embedded and valued product that is being incorporated into the long haul fleets of the world's flag carriers. The premium economy unique proposition positions itself mid way between economy and business class with enhanced leg room as its primary attribute. It targets the price sensitive business traveller and the comfort seeking leisure passengers. This study contains an insight into the unit cost of production of economy, premium economy, business and first class seats and their potential to generate revenues on the lucrative London Heathrow to New York JFK route using a British Airways 747-400 aircraft. The main findings show that the rationale for implementing a premium economy seat is justified as it is only 1.6 times more expensive than an economy seat to produce, but it generates revenues that are 2.3 times higher than its cost of production - spawning the highest marginal returns from the four cabin hierarchy. The research reinforces the assumption that premium economy class cabins could very well become an embedded and sustainable product in the landscape of long haul travel in the near future.
Highlights The study aims to determine the rationale that underpins the core reasons for installing premium economy cabins. The unit costs to produce a premium economy seat is only 1.6 times more expensive than an economy seat. Premium economy generates the highest marginal revenues over its cost of production when benchmarked against the other cabins.
The rationale for implementing a premium economy class in the long haul markets – Evidence from the transatlantic market
Journal of Air Transport Management ; 47 ; 11-19
2015-03-17
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
JetBlue plans a321 for premium long-haul service
Online Contents | 2013
|The market potential of all-premium class services on medium haul leisure routes from Germany
Online Contents | 2011
|Longbow in for long haul . Transatlantic solution proposed for NATO AGS
Online Contents | 2002