El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. (TASE: ELAL) has found a solution to the slump in business class travel: Basic Business Class. Before departure on long-haul flights, the ground staff will offer economy class passengers the option of paying $250 for a seating upgrade to business class. There is a catch: passengers taking up the offer will still get the economy class meal.
A passenger who took up the offer told "Globes" that it was worth it. "A business class ticket costs $3,000. I paid less than $1,000, added $250, and had a seat just like those who paid the full fare. When I told the guy sitting next to me about this, he was furious, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself."
Business and first class are premium services on all airlines. One airline executive told "Globes" today, "Business class is the jewel in the crown. Such a cheapening of its standing may generate a few thousands dollars per flight, but will hurt the airline's reputation in the long term."
El Al said in response that it regularly offered seating upgrades to economy class passengers in cases where business class was not offered, or economy class was overbooked and there were business class seats available. In these cases, the airline provides economy class service.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 28, 2009
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