The world is huge

Don't miss any of it

Travel news, itineraries, and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

X

All-Biz-Class Airline Adds Economy Option

Previously all-premium line OpenSkies is adding an “Eco” class economy section, starting June 19. Seating will be conventional big-line economy—six-abreast at 31-inch pitch on its 757s—but OpenSkies will provide no-charge drinks and individual digital tablets for entertainment. Pricing is apparently set at the going economy rate. For a test trip in July, the round-trip fare on its sole route from New York to Paris in Eco will be $1,310, the same as on Air France nonstops.

OpenSkies is also repositioning its former “Biz Seat” class as premium economy, which will become “Premium Plus.” It will be priced a bit higher than premium economy on Air France, at $2,638 round-trip for July, compared with $2,265 on Air France. Summer prices will also be substantially higher than current Biz Seat prices, now at $1,847 round-trip. And in this crazy world of airline pricing, British Airways is selling July nonstop premium economy seats from New York to Paris for $2,040—on a flight operated by “partner” OpenSkies. Go figure.

My take, for what it’s worth, is that OpenSkies missed a golden opportunity to provide a truly unique and superior economy product at a reasonable price. Seating at five-abreast in 737s would be plenty wide, for example, and 34-inch pitch would provide adequate legroom. That sort of product, priced to compete with United’s Economy Plus and Delta’s Economy Comfort, could be a real winner. Even just equivalent legroom could be attractive.

Instead, OpenSkies decided to make Eco class just another economy cattle car. Contrary to the line’s online blurb, six-abreast at 31-inch pitch is never “comfortable,” even in leather seats. And in an industry known for chutzpah, OpenSkies takes some sort of prize for justifying squeeze-em six-abreast seating as guaranteeing “service intimacy.” The sad fact is that six-abreast at 31-inch pitch in a 757 is and will always be a cattle car, a fact no cabin service tweaks or hype can change.

As far as I can tell, OpenSkies’ Premium Plus will remain a good product—probably superior to other transatlantic premium economy options. But for regular economy, I suggest you stay away from Eco and instead try to find a flight on an Air France 787 or A340, American 777, Delta 777, or United 777. And for a little more room without doubling the cost, go for Economy Comfort on Delta or Economy Plus on United.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From