enchanced economy

[Guest jackjones]

Yeah, I'm going to miss Deluxe instead of Elite. Shame when things that are working perfectly well and being enjoyed have to go the way of the dinosaur. Good that we've got Thai and a few others with their enhanced economy, even if they do go for a higher tariff than EVA.

 

Pen

 

Do Thai have a Premium Economy section coming from the US?

They are bog standard coming from the UK. The would be my last choice for direct flights and even below some indirect flights. EVA Economy is the best economy choice for direct flights out of the UK at the moment.

[PenName 1]

Hi, Jack -

 

Yeah, on the Airbus non-stops from New York and Los Angeles, Thai has Premium Economy. It's $199US each way to go Premium but I find it to be at a higher level of comfort, care and attention than Eva Deluxe or Elite. I believe seatguru quotes it out as something like 36" to 40" of legroom and the seating is 2-3-2. Power ports at each seat, personal video with a decent-sized screen and plenty of choices, plus the nice Thai flight attendants. Singapore Air has their version from Los Angeles and New York, too.

 

As far as I know, those are the only carriers with something between straight economy and business class that are flying from the US.

 

Pen

[Guest jackjones]

That's cheap in UK terms. A mere £100 each way.

We are unlikely to see those prices in the UK, when they finally get around to upgrading their product.

[PenName 1]

Hi, Jack -

 

Well, thats $199 each way in addition to regular Economy. Depending on whether you're going out of Los Angeles or New York, standard Economy is around $1,100US, so it's more expensive than Eva's Elite but as I wrote earlier, it's a better experience in my opinion. Also, it's nice to not have a layover and then another 3 - 6 hours flight (depending on connecting in Tokyo or Taipei or Hong Kong) after already being on a 10+ hour flight. And lastly, I think I prefer the mileage plan with United / Star Alliance, and Thai fits right in.

 

Pen

[Guest jackjones]

I understood that it was £100 each way, in addition, to the Economy fare. :) Interesting to see if those prices transpose to the UK if and when they upgrade their product.

[mister_handy 124]

Hi, Jack -

 

Yeah, on the Airbus non-stops from New York and Los Angeles, Thai has Premium Economy. It's $199US each way to go Premium but I find it to be at a higher level of comfort, care and attention than Eva Deluxe or Elite. I believe seatguru quotes it out as something like 36" to 40" of legroom and the seating is 2-3-2. Power ports at each seat, personal video with a decent-sized screen and plenty of choices, plus the nice Thai flight attendants. Singapore Air has their version from Los Angeles and New York, too.

 

As far as I know, those are the only carriers with something between straight economy and business class that are flying from the US.

 

Singapore does "Executive Economy" on the direct LAX-SIN and (ny area)-SIN flights on their new Airbus planes. OTOH, there's no regular economy section on those flights - the alternative is regular economy on one of their 747 flights via NRT or another stopover.

 

Depending on the scheduling, I've seen the EE flights out of LAX as low as about $1000-1100 into SIN, which is $300-400 more than the comparable low-end fares, but I've also seen the sifference be $900 vs $1800.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I understood that it was £100 each way, in addition, to the Economy fare. :) Interesting to see if those prices transpose to the UK if and when they upgrade their product.

 

The $398 "upgrade" to Premium Economy on TG on is a promotional price that appears to extend well into 2008. From searches on the TG Web site, the total cost R/T from JFK to BKK is between $1,500 and $1,600 (the dates I want it"s $1,512 all in with taxes, surcharges, etc.).

 

I would imagine there would be a similar promotion if such service is introduced from the U.K.

 

Evil