First-class seating is usually feasible on widebody aircraft. The prolonged grounding of this aircraft type by airlines around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the growth of this cabin class. Preference for new narrowbody aircraft also increased among airlines. The general development before the pandemic was already skewed toward the replacement of first-class cabins with the more profitable combination of business-class and premium economy-class seats. The high capital and operational expenditure on providing first-class service was also one of the prime reasons for this replacement development. While first-class products were popular with frequent flyers and the target customer bases, the financial implications on airlines needed to be addressed. The fact that first-class cabins are important from a marketing perspective is a strong argument for their retention. Airlines still flying aircraft with these cabins have utilized the abundant scope for innovation within these cabins. Investment in innovation and effective marketing strategies have resulted in the sustained high reputation of airlines' brands.
•What are the arguments for and against the implementation of first-class cabins in aircraft?
•What important considerations do passengers analyze while selecting their itineraries?
•What best practices and innovation have global first-class cabins seen over the past decade?
Sign up for a complimentary Growth Pipeline Dialog™
A Growth Pipeline Dialog is a structured open discussion with our growth experts providing unparalleled industry intelligence, technology advancements, and proven implementation best practices. This discussion will spark innovative thinking and help generate a pipeline of growth opportunities you can leverage to maximize your company’s future growth potential.
