Any new Dreamliner coming with First Class?

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    Jetcruiser
    Participant

    Has anyone read if the Boeing Dreamliner will be configured with First Class? It seems all the newly introduced aircrafts to date offer three class configurations but no First Class, only Business Class.


    SteveJohnsonIn0z
    Participant

    I read an interview with a Boeing 787 exec where he said that all the orders to date have had business as the top class, they’re either two-class (business & economy) or three class with the addition of premium economy.

    I think that’s a smart move. For many airlines which have fairly long-distance flights within a county (eg Australia, the popular east coast to west coast route is 5+ hours, same goes for USA) as well as relatively short ‘international’ flights (again like Australia, trans-tasman flights from Sydney & Melbourne to NZ, around 4-5 hours, are our most popular ‘international’ routes), it would be easy to swap the 787 from long-haul international onto those longer domestic runs or ‘short’ international runs and still be able to sell business (and premium economy), but it would be a very tough sell to flog first class, very hard to justify on trips under 8 hours.


    Str8Talking
    Participant

    Plus, as many airlines have used the 787 to improve their business class product altogether (a lot of them going from recliner seats to flat beds – even some of the big players, like Qatar Airways) combined with the current economic climate, they don’t seem to feel there’s that much of a market for First.


    TominScotland
    Participant

    I thought that the 787 was designed for long, thin routes where demand for First would, in any case, be very limited. Therefore, trans-continental in Oz or the US would hardly be the best use of these aircraft.


    AMcWhirter
    Participant

    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    It seems we are regressing to a two class config as was common before Business Class was introduced. ie. First and Economy.

    Granted todays long haul business class is streets ahead of yesteryears First but what is missing are those extras which lead to a more comfortable flight overall, such as private car to/from aircraft. Better in lounge dining (experience here mainly Swiss and Lufthansa) escort through immigration/emigration/security, a smaller more private area on the plane and so on.

    These are the reasons I primarily fly first and would certainly miss them if all airlines went to an all business/economy model. I hope airlines such as BA and LH will keep a First class if and when they purchase the 787.


    AMcWhirter
    Participant

    As far as I am aware, LH has not yet ordered the 787.

    BA’s initial batch of 787s are expected to be configured 3-class: business, premium economy and economy.


    Jetcruiser
    Participant

    Thanks LondonCity for the link to the article – much appreciated.

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