A year ago, Irish Travel Trade News reported that Aer Lingus was to consider the introduction of a Premium Economy Class option on transatlantic flights. We now understand that a decision is imminent and that Premium Economy will be introduced in 2012.
Removing one row of Economy Class seats to create Premium Economy Class rows with four to five inches of extra seat pitch is easy to do and can be ‘revenue positive’ as a result of the higher fares obtainable from Premium Economy passengers. The downside is that some Business Class passengers may opt for Premium Economy instead on medium-haul routes.
In other developments, the Aer Lingus website booking system now shows the price including taxes and charges combined, all on the calendar page where flights are selected.
The website also now shows new Fare Options on screen once you choose your flight:
Low Fare
Free seat allocation
Free check-in
1 hand luggage up to 10 kilos
Plus Fare
1 free checked bag up to 20 kilos
Free advance seat selection
Free check in
Gold Circle points for Gold Circle members and applicants
Flex Fare
2 free checked bags (total weight 20 kilos)
Full flexibility to change date and times
Lounge access
Gold Circle points for Gold Circle members and applicants
The prices shown do not include the ‘booking charge’ of €6.00 per flight, so the Dublin – Edinburgh return fare of €59.98 shown in the website example above would actually be €71.98. The website also shows clearly the Plus Fare and Flex Fare options and indicates that the return Low Fare in the example can be upgraded to Plus Fare for an additional €40.00 or to Flex Fare for an additional €501.98.
Short-haul Fare Benefits
|
Low |
Plus |
Flex |
|
| Time/Date Change |
€40 + fare difference |
€40 + fare difference |
|
| Late Check-in fee |
Available to purchase |
Available to purchase |
|
| Refundability |
No refund |
No refund |
Full refund* |
| Advance Seat select |
Available to purchase |
||
| Assign at check-in | |||
| Check-in | |||
| Cabin Bag 1 < 10kg** | |||
| Checked Bags < 20kg |
from €15 |
1 bag |
2 bags*** |
| Lounge Access |
Available to purchase |
Available to purchase |
|
| Gold Circle Points |
On eligible fare classes |
||
| *Full refund less 15% of the flight fare and administration fee.**Aer Lingus Regional cabin baggage: 1 piece under 7kg.*** Combined weight of checked baggage must not exceed 20kg. | |||
Long-haul Fare Benefits
|
Low |
Flex |
Business |
|
| Time/Date Change |
€100 + fare difference |
||
| Late Check-in fee |
Available to purchase |
||
| Refundability |
No refund |
Full refund* |
Full refund** |
| Seat selection |
(sleeper seats) |
||
| Check-in |
(priority service) |
||
| Cabin Bag (<10kg)*** | |||
| Checked Baggage |
1 FREE (23kg) |
2 FREE (46kg) |
3 FREE (69kg) |
| Refreshments |
FREE meals/soft drink |
FREE meals/soft drink |
Fine dining experience |
| Movies/Games | |||
| Lounge Access |
Available to purchase |
||
| Gold Circle Points |
On eligible fare classes |
||
| The above product features apply to Aer Lingus operated flights only.*Full refund less 15% of the flight fare and administration fee.**Fare basis codes beginning with C/D are charged 15% cancellation fee & administration fee.
***Aer Lingus Regional cabin baggage: 1 FREE (7kg). |
|||
