Yahoo Finance Business class flights are set to get a whole lot cheaper
If you’re planning on heading overseas and want to do it in style, flying business class is now more within your reach than ever.
Budget airlines have long stripped down or ‘unbundled’ their flights to exclude baggage or seat selection, and make fares cheaper.
But full service airlines were yet to dive into those waters… Until now.
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Full service airline carrier Emirates has announced plans to unbundle its business class fares – which means flying in style could be a lot more affordable for those not wanting to use every single perk of the business class ticket.
It’s the first time any airline has removed lounge access for a paid business class ticket.
Passengers would still reap the benefits of priority boarding, the 40 kilogram baggage limit and all the usual bells and whistles like business meals, extra room and full-reclining seats.
What will I miss out on?
They could opt to go without lounge access, the airline’s signature chauffeur pick-up, the ability to upgrade to first class using points or early seat selection - and they won’t earn full business class points.
The special fare is also only available on selected routes at selected times, but according to Escape, it’s already available from Dubai to various routes in Europe and Africa, and Australia is to follow.
How much will I save?
A business class fare from Dubai to Paris next year could set you back around $4,323, but on the new unbundled rates, it will cost you just $2,680.
A flight from Dubai to Edinburgh in February next year would cost just $2,570 on the unbundled fare, compared to the regular rate of $3,832.
“The biggest thing people want is the space — the seat, the bed, the ability to sleep on a long-haul flight,” Helloworld Travel’s group general manager of retail, commercial and air tickets, John Constable told Escape.
“There is an audience that don’t need frequent flyer points and would rather get to the airport later rather than spending time in the lounge.”
Since this announcement, Lufthansa airlines also announced they plan to unbundle business class flights.
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