Summary
- Unbundled business class fares are becoming popular with airlines like Emirates, Finnair, and Lufthansa.
- Basic business class tickets may not include extras like checked baggage, seat selection, etc.
- Delta Air Lines considers unveiling a basic business class fare, potentially leading other airlines to follow suit.
While the concept of a basic economy fare has been around for years, it hasn’t gained much traction for those flying in business class. That is until the last few years when several airlines – including Emirates, Finnair, Lufthansa, and Qatar Airways, to name a few – introduced ‘unbundled’ fares for their premium services.
Essentially, this means passengers only buy a business class seat, with all the extras ordinarily included in a business fare, such as lounge access, extra baggage allowances, and seat selection being optional. While on one level, it makes sense, we have to ask, are basic business class fares in the future?
What exactly is a ‘basic’ fare?
The basic economy concept started to gain industry-wide adoption in the 2010s, with Delta Air Lines’ decision to introduce a Basic Economy fare in 2012 sparking the change. While low-cost carriers had already been doing this for decades, full-service airlines eventually got onboard within the past decade or so.
Source: EQRoy | Shutterstock
Some of the key features of a basic fare include:
- No complimentary seat selection
- Baggage and carry-on restrictions
- Reduced or no mileage points at all
- Less flexibility for itinerary changes
However, the change that matters most to customers is the price, with basic fares coming cheaper than a ‘full’ ticket. So the question is: Will this catch on in business class?
Which airlines offer basic business?
Less than a decade ago, the concept of a ‘business lite’ ticket was mostly unheard of. However, several major airlines have introduced such fares in recent years, including:
- Lufthansa – Business Saver
- Emirates – Special Business Class
- Finnair – Business Light
- Qatar Airways – Business Lite, Classic or Comfort
- Air France/KLM – Business Light
Photo: Qatar Airways
As it stands, the majority of global airlines have not unbundled their business class product, but this could be about to change if trendsetter Delta Air Lines goes ahead with its plan to offer a basic business fare. The carrier is mulling over the idea and has promised a big announcement at its Investor Day in November 2024.
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Pros and cons
There is an argument both for and against basic business class fares. As such, it is important to examine both sides of the argument. There likely isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the question, however. All in all, it is up to the person buying the ticket to choose the approach they prefer. So, without further ado, let us begin!
For basic business class
There are several reasons why passengers might want to buy a basic business class ticket. On long-haul flights, there is an awful lot to be said about the seats. Take the British Airways Airbus A350 – passengers in economy will get a fairly standard economy seat in a 3-3-3 configuration. However, passengers in business will each be treated to a private suite in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Photo: Emirates
Now, in addition to the suite, passengers will get a better soft service on the flight, including an upgraded catering offering in the business cabin (if this is included in a basic fare, of course). While these are essential for some passengers, others are only interested in the lie-flat seat.
The argument for a basic business class fare goes along these lines: why should passengers pay more for amenities they don’t really want? The added flexibility of choosing a fare with perks that you actually want will appeal to most travelers.
Against basic business class
Of course, people also wouldn’t like basic business classes for several reasons. Firstly, passengers paying the price of a business class ticket may feel entitled to extras such as priority boarding and lounge access. Suddenly, having to pay for these extras could prove unpopular.
Photo: M101Studio | Shutterstock
Meanwhile, there is also the issue of expensed business class tickets. Some businesses may be willing to pay for a business class seat but no extras. This could mean that passengers would have to pay for extras such as lounge access out of their own pocket. This, again, could prove rather unpopular.
The solution?
Perhaps a potential solution is to meet in the middle and offer a tiered approach, much like what Qatar Airways has done. This would allow passengers to be able to buy a basic fare, a full fare, or something in between, without having to buy the extras individually. Much like the experience of booking your extras with a low-cost carrier, it can be time-consuming to manually select each individual perk for purchase.
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Just how big a difference is it between first and business?
How likely will basic business become the norm?
Looking at industry trends over the past few years, it seems feasible that basic business fares will become more common in the coming years (particularly with Delta’s odds on introducing such fares). As has usually been the case in the US airline industry, when one carrier adopts a major change, the others tend to follow suit.
However, business class isn’t subject to the same laws of consumerism that economy class is. Business has always had an air of prestige about it, so the idea of still paying a lot of money simply for a more comfortable seat may not catch on.