Economy class codes
- Full fare: Y, B
- Standard fare: M, H, N
- Special or discount fares: G, K, L, O, Q, S, T, U, V, W, X
On most airlines, unrestricted economy ticket is booked as a Y fare. Full fare tickets with restrictions on travel dates, refunds, or advance reservations are commonly classed as B, H, or M, although some airlines may use S, W, or others. Heavily discounted fares, commonly O, T, Q or W, will not permit cabin upgrades, refunds, or reservation changes, may restrict frequent flyer program eligibility, and/or impose other restrictions. Other fare codes such as X are restricted for use by consolidators, group charters, or travel industry professionals. However on some airlines W or X is used for frequent flier program award redemptions.
Most low-cost carriers have greatly simplified the fare classes they use to a handful of cases, unlike the dozens employed by a traditional airline. While some traditional carriers have followed, others continue to utilise price discrimination over commoditisation.
The codes in short:
- B = Economy/Coach
- E = Economy/Coach Discounted
- G = Economy/Coach Discounted
- H = Economy/Coach Discounted
- K = Economy/Coach Discounted
- L = Economy/Coach Discounted
- M = Economy/Coach Discounted
- N = Economy/Coach Discounted
- O = Economy/Coach Discounted
- Q = Economy/Coach Discounted
- S = Economy/Coach; On some airlines it can also stand for 'Super Comfort' (Premium Economy)
- T = Economy/Coach Discounted, or Premium
- U = Economy/Coach Discounted
- V = Economy/Coach Discounted
- W = Economy/Coach Discounted, or Premium, or award
- X = Economy/Coach Award
- Y = Economy/Coach
- (a lowercase "n" after any class code indicates Night Service)
Canada
In Canada, VIA Rail's train classes are sometimes a bit different than what we're used to with the airline codes. A full fare Comfort (economy) class ticket uses the Y code, but if you're traveling on a 'Special Fare' the code is YS, and does not permit changes or refunds. Sleeper fares use codes like FS (Single Bedroom, HEP Cars), or PD (Double bedroom, double occupancy).
The codes in short:
- Y = Comfort (Economy) Full Fare
- Q = Comfort (Economy) Discount Fare
- V = Comfort (Economy) Supersaver Fare
- YS= Comfort (Economy) Special Fare
- J = VIA 1 Regular Fare
- JS= VIA 1 Discount Fare
- JX= VIA 1 Supersaver Fare (Sometimes called the 'Value Fare')
SLEEPER CLASSES (Another letter usually follows the class code depending on the occupancy)
- D = Renaissance Double Bedroom (Standard)
- Z = Renaissance Double Bedroom (Deluxe
- W = HEP Car Berth (Upper)
- S = HEP Car Berth (Lower)
- F = HEP Car Single Bedroom
- P = HEP Car Double Bedroom
- R = HEP Car Triple Bedroom
Airline seats are chairs on an airliner in which passengers are accommodated for the duration of the journey. Such seats are usually arranged in rows running across the airplane's fuselage. A diagram of such seats in an aircraft is called an airline seat map.
Seating layout
Airline cabins are frequently classified as narrow-body if there is a single aisle with seats on either side, or wide-body if there are two aisles with a block of seats between them in addition to the seats on the side.
The number of seats abreast is affected by the aircraft width. On very small aircraft such as the Beechcraft 1900 there are only individual seats on each side of the aisle (1+1 seating). The widest narrow body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 have six abreast seating in a 3+3 layout. Asymmetrical layouts also exist, the Embraer Regional Jets have 1+2 seating while the Douglas DC-9 aircraft typically feature 2+3 seating.
On wide body-aircraft the center block of seats between the aisles can have as many as 5 seats on planes like the layout on some McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Boeing 777 aircraft, although Boeing recommends the 3+3+3 over the 2+5+2 layout.[4] Very wide planes such as the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380 have ten seats abreast, typically in a 3+4+3 layout, although this layout is also sometimes used as a high density layout on aircraft normally seating nine abreast, such as the 777 or DC-10.
Window seats are located at the sides of the aircraft, and usually next to a window, although some aircraft have seat rows where there is a window missing. Window seats are preferred by passengers who want to have a view, or a wall which they can lean against. Passengers in seats adjacent to the aisle have the advantage of being able to leave the seat without having to clamber over the other passengers, and having an aisle they can stretch their legs into. If a seat block has three or more seats, there will also be middle seats which are unpopular because the passenger is sandwiched between two other passengers without advantages of either window or aisle seats.[5] Middle seats are typically booked last.[6]
On most commercial aircraft, seats are forward facing. There are exceptions. On military aircraft seats are frequently rearward facing. Southwest Airlines previously offered a few such seats on some aircraft, rearward facing seats are also common on business jets to provide a "conference" type layout. British Airways also has rearward-facing seats in its Club World (Intercontinental Business Class) Cabin. It has been argued that rearward facing seats are safer because in the event of a crash, the sudden deceleration will propel the passenger into a rearward facing seat instead of out of it. The force is therefore distributed over the entire seat back, instead of the straps of the seat belt. The argument against such seats has been based on passenger comfort, safety and cost. An argument against rearward seats has been that passengers who desire the natural layout of forward facing seats may be uncomfortable with a rearward layout. On the safety aspect, the argument has been that during a plane crash, debris such as luggage, will fly forward in the cabin, quite possibly into the passengers in rearward facing seats. On the cost aspect, rearward facing seats need additional strengthening which adds extra weight and therefore higher costs.[7]
Additional Benefits
First Class seats vary from large reclining seats with more legroom and width than other classes to suites with a fully reclining seat, workstation and TV surrounded by privacy dividers. International First Class seats usually have between 58 and 94 inches (147 - 239 cm) of seat pitch and between 19 and 35 inches (48 - 89 cm) of width while domestic flights may have between 34 and 68 inches (86 - 173 cm) of pitch and between 18 - 22 inches (46 - 56 cm) in width.
On the ground, First Class passengers are offered complimentary limousine service and usually have special check-in and security zones at the airport while some airlines operate private terminals. First Class passengers are often able to board the aircraft before other passengers, sometimes through their own jetbridge.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary and gourmet meals are usually served with a choice of wine, dessert, and aperitifs. Often these meals have been designed by leading chefs and are served on white linen table cloths and with real cutlery (often with the exception of knives for security reasons).
First Class passengers usually have at least one lavatory reserved for their exclusive use, with more than one on larger planes. Business and Economy Class passengers are not normally permitted into the First Class cabin. Normally AVOD (AudioVisual On Demand) entertainment is offered, although sometimes normal films, television programs and interactive games are provided on medium-large seat-back or armrest-mounted flat panel monitors.
Historically, First Class air travel has been very expensive. More recently, passengers have been able to upgrade their Business Class or Economy Class tickets through membership in elite frequent flyer programs and through the policies of some airlines that allow Business Class or Economy Class passengers to purchase upgrades on a space-available basis. First Class long haul fares regularly exceed $10,000 per person round trip, as opposed to $3,000-4,500 international business class tickets and $1,000 economy class tickets.
Cabin separation
Access to the First Class portion of the plane is usually restricted from those traveling in Business Class and Economy Class by curtains, although for security reasons, US-based airlines are increasingly removing these cabin dividers or installing transparent cabin dividers. Even though Business Class passengers are restricted from the First Class Cabin and Economy Class passengers are restricted from both the First and Business Class Cabin, airlines generally will allow a group of people traveling on the same flight in different Cabins to convene together in the lowest ticketed cabin amongst the group.
US Domestic First Class
On most domestic flights within the United States, what is normally Regional Business Class in the rest of the world is branded as "Domestic First Class" by the US Airlines. The service is generally a step below Long Haul International Business Class.
However, Domestic First Class does have two very different meanings on certain transcontinental routes such as LAX-JFK, SFO-JFK, and others. American Airlines and United Airlines both operate a special service on the JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO routes known as "American Flagship Service" and "United p.s." (p.s. stands for premium service) respectively. In these cases, First Class is actually a three cabin First Class which is different from two cabin First Class, both in comfort and price. In these cases, Domestic Business Class is generally equivalent in pricing to Two cabin Domestic First Class. The Three Cabin First Class is more of a true First Class rather than a rebranded First Class.
Occasionally, an airline will have an Internationally configured aircraft operating on a domestic route (usually to increase utilization or simply to reposition the aircraft) where the Domestic First Class customers will get to enjoy the nicer International Premium cabins as a free unexpected bonus.
For example, American Airlines operates a single Boeing 777 between Dallas Ft. Worth and Chicago every day in addition to the rest of the flights which are on the domestic MD-80 aircraft. The bonus for First Class customers on that particular flight is that they get treated to the International First Class Flagship Suites for no additional premium. Further sweetening the deal, AA only sells the particular flight as 2 class service, in which case, the International Business Class Cabin is sold as Economy, which means a few lucky Domestic Economy class customers will get to sit in an International Business Class product, though the service will still be standard Economy service.
Business class
Amenities
Long haul business class seats are substantially different from economy class seats and many airlines have installed "lie flat" seats into business class, whereas previously seats with such a recline were only available in international first class. There are essentially three types of long haul business class seats today. These are listed in ascending order of perceived "quality".
- Cradle seats are seats with around 160 degrees of recline. The seat pitch of business class seats range from 33–79.5 in (84–200 cm) (usually 55–62 in (140–160 cm)), and the seat size of business class seats range from 17.5–34 in (44–86 cm) (usually 20–22 in (51–56 cm)).
- Angled lie flat seats recline 180 degrees to provide a flat sleeping surface, but are not parallel to the floor of the aircraft when reclined, making them less comfortable than a bed. Seat pitch typically ranges from 55 to 65 in (140 to 170 cm), and seat width usually varies between 18.0 to 23.0 in (46 to 58 cm).
- Fully flat seats recline into a flat sleeping surface which is parallel to the floor. Many airlines offer such seats in international first class but retain inferior seating in business class to differentiate the two products and fares.
Herringbone seating is used in some widebody cabins, in which seats are positioned on an angle in order for all seats to have access to an aisle.
Even airlines that do not offer lie flat business class seats offer substantially more leg room in long haul business class compared to the economy section. The appearance of lie-flat seats in business class has made it increasingly difficult for many passengers to justify, either to their employers or themselves, the added expense of an international first class fare. As with first class, all Alcoholic beverages are complimentary and meals are of higher quality than coach class. Coach class passengers are usually not permitted in the business class cabin.
Economy class in rail travel
Some railways have renamed their economy class for marketing purposes. Such names include VIA Rail's Comfort class, although Amtrak still refers to such seating as coach class. It is called second class on most European railways or standard class in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
An economy class seat in a train usually consists of a seat, sometimes with a fold-down tray for use as a work surface or for food service. The chair sometimes will recline, particularly on overnight trains, where it will permit more leg room for sleeping in a semi-upright position. The seat may also include a pocket attached to the back of the seat in front for storage of small items such as magazines. Depending on the configuration of the passenger compartment, luggage might be stowed in overhead racks or at each end of the coach.
Economy seats in North American intercity passenger trains are found almost exclusively in Coach cars, with other class fares on the train separated by the type of car (ie. sleepers, etc.). Economy seating on North American passenger trains typically does not include meal service in the fare.
On British intercity trains it is common to find some standard class seating arranged around permanent tables - offering plenty of space to work. Power sockets for laptops are common and some trains offer (chargeable) Wi-Fi Internet access in standard.
Economy class in air travel
Some airlines have renamed their economy class for marketing purposes. Such names include British Airways' World Traveller, Air Canada's Hospitality/Hospitalité, Philippine Airlines' Fiesta Class (although Economy Class is widely used), LAN Tourist Class, and Air France's Tempo. The seat pitch of domestic economy class seats range from 29 to 36 inches (74 to 91 cm), usually 30–32 in (76–81 cm), and 30 to 36 in (76 to 91 cm) for international economy class seats. The seat size of domestic economy class seats range from 17 to 18.25 in (43 to 46 cm), usually 17 in (43 cm), and 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm) for international economy class seats.
In addition to a fold-down tray table, an economy class seat usually also includes a pocket of items attached to the seat in the next forward row, containing such things as:
- An airsickness bag
- An airline magazine
- A Duty-Free shopping catalogue
- A safety and evacuation procedure card
- Headphones (if inflight entertainment is available)
In-flight entertainment[1] may be available. Some video screens, especially on older planes, are mounted on the ceiling of the aircraft or on a bulkhead so that all passengers in the cabin watch the same film. If there is an individual screen for each seat or partial row of seats, it may be smaller than first and business class screens, or there may be fewer video channels available. Headphones must be purchased on some carriers. This is often called an "entertainment fee". Airlines usually attribute this to being hygienic by not reusing and recleaning headphones. On some carriers, the headphones come in a pack with other amenities such as earplugs, eye mask etc.
Low-cost carriers often offer only economy class. These airlines are often associated with short-pitch seats, no free food or drink, and little or no reading material, but also lower fares. Such airlines include EasyJet, Ryanair, and Bmibaby. Most charter airlines also offer only economy class but some are introducing 'Economy Plus' Virgin Blue and Air Transat is now offering Club class. This class is also referred to as 'cattle class' by some people, in a somewhat insulting manner.
Meals are usually provided on longer flights, although, due to drastic cost-cutting, even some mainline airlines have ceased to serve meals except on very long and international flights.[1] Short flights usually include a soft drink and a snack such as pretzels or peanuts. Many airlines, particularly low-cost carriers charge for snacks on short flights and even on flights of a duration of more than 6 hours or more en route. Skybus went as far as to institute a "no outside food" policy, which would force passengers to buy their refreshments. Many, such as Aer Lingus and Ryanair, no longer provide complimentary soft drinks on flights that are under two hours long.
The quality of the food varies depending on a number of factors. Airlines have now introduced a variety of special meals, such as vegetarian or kosher meals, as well as dishes suited for particular nationalities. All of these requests should be ordered well before departure. Generally, domestic airlines in the United States are known for poor quality food. Therefore, economy class food is a frequent butt of comedians' jokes.
Because of the reputed low quality and frequent unavailability of airline food on domestic U.S. flights, some airport vendors have started to offer meals packaged so that they can be carried on to the flight.[2]
Carriers such as Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer inflight audio and visual entertainment on demand as well as a choice of meals across their international and selected domestic routes. On Qantas' new Airbus A380's wireless connectivity is available to all of its passengers (including economy).
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