Airlines profess to offer the best of everything and lure you with sexy destinations and the promise of a great deal, but let’s not forget, like all industries, airlines are in business to make a profit. The more people they can cram into their shiny metal cans, the more money they make, right? Wrong! Savvy travellers are demanding more for less - and they’re getting it.
Former British Airways executive, Dave Spurlock, first heard these pleas in 2005, when he founded Eos, a trans-Atlantic carrier whose flights only carry 48 passengers, with 21 square feet of personal space each, compared to the usual 200 seats cramped together on other 757s.
Eos’ lavish service starts before boarding as travellers departing from New York in the evening have an option of either dining at the luxurious new Emirates Airways lounge or choosing the onboard gourmet equivalent and be spoilt for choice by a four-course menu. For travellers bound for New York, afternoon tea is served prior to landing and includes champagne, a selection of teas accompanied by an assortment of tea sandwiches, cheesecake and scones. First-class in-flight entertainment options are offered as well as award winning lie-flat beds. When compared to business class of industry giants like British Airways, everything about a voyage with Eos screams first class.
Serious doubts started creeping in when I heard Eos offers all this for a price slightly more than a full economy ticket; so, being sceptical of nature I decided to do a price comparison for a round trip from New York to London. Eos came in at $2,730.00 - 54 percent cheaper than Virgin Atlantic who’s best offering was $5,886.79.
Even more economical is US based Silverjet, an exclusively business class airline launched in January 2007 who, for the same journey, quoted a staggering $1,798.30 which is 34 percent cheaper than Eos.
However, it’s not only Silverjet’s price that work, their on-ground service ticks all the boxes too, like a 30-minute check-in time, valet parking or the option of a door-to-door chauffeur driven service; and whilst you’re enjoying a drink in their private terminal’s club lounge, the ground crew are checking you in and tagging your luggage. What I also like is the on-board ladies loo and the low illumination on night flights, call bells are muted, minimal announcements are made and there’s not a drinks trolley to be seen, guaranteeing a good night sleep on one of their 100 flat-beds (767s are designed to carry 300 passengers); and should you want a lie in, an ‘on the go’ breakfast will be handed to you on departure.
But there’s more! With all this twittering going on about fuel emissions the tree huggers out there will be pleased to know that Silverjet is the World’s first airline to become carbon neutral on all flights. Included in ticket prices is carbon offset contributions which reinvests ‘Carbon Points’ into a number of climate friendly projects around the world. The scheme is being set up in partnership with leading climate change specialists The CarbonNeutral Company and has been developed in accordance with the CarbonNeutral protocol.
And to think the only extra perk a British Airways first-class ticket buys you (for just over $7,000) is a sleeper suit.
Travelling life cannot get much better than this, right? Wrong again.
For the same trip, US based Maxjet quoted $1,146 which is 36 percent cheaper than Silverjet and a whopping 81 percent of Virgin Atlantic’s price! Even though this was a limit period sales price, after which the fares increase to $1,500, this still makes a saving of 17 percent over their next biggest rival. However, demand is high, so be sure to book your seat early.
Maxjet flies 767s and seats 102 passengers in premium seats, which recline 160 degrees.
I cannot help but wonder about the prices being charged by household names like British Airways and American Airlines – I call it extortionate, but I’m certain they’ll claim it’s profit with a string of reasons why their prices are so high. They’ll no doubt start wringing their wrists about low-cost airlines not offering frequent flyer programmes and limited destinations, which may be true, but this is where other no-frills airlines like EasyJet and Ryan Air kick in. EasyJet for example, offers a round-trip ticket from London to Ireland for $95 (Ryan Air charges 50c more). Sure, there are queues, and seats are offered on a first come first serve basis and you may only be offered a sandwich and coffee on board, but it’s a 90-minute hardship you may be prepared to endure when prices are compared to other airlines, like Aer Lingus, who ask for $248 for the same trip.
You’re being fleeced by Goliath’s of the airline trade; be smart and check out the low-cost options being offered by the David’s out there.
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