An Example of how VOLATILE Air Fare Prices can Change

[sparks1093]

A small point which may seem to be verging on pedantry: KLM doesn't have first class, so you were probably upgrading from economy to business class. That has an effect on the dynamics of upgrades, on their availability and on their cost.

 

Even then, I would be surprised if any airline were to routinely upgrade economy passengers to long-haul business class for a couple of hundred dollars. That's the ballpark for upgrading someone from economy to premium economy - on a good day if they're lucky. (And AIUI KLM doesn't have a true premium economy product either in any event.)

 

What's the difference between business class and first class?

[waterbug123]

What's the difference between business class and first class?

 

Generally, cabin seating luxury goes something like this, from worst to best:

 

coach

comfort+/economy comfort/similar named product

domestic first

Premium economy (could be flip flopped with domestic first, depending on the specifics)

international business

international first class

 

Not all airlines offer both business and first internationally, but true international first class is the best of the best. If you've never flown it (I haven't) most people would be perfectly content with international business, thinking it the best of the best.

 

BUT, you have to do your research, as there are always exceptions. For example, some european airlines have a crappy international biz class for their intra-european international flights, where it's basically coach seats, but they leave the middle seat empty. So if you fly KLM from Amsterdam to Rome in biz for example, it won't be anything like your KLM seat from Amsterdam to New York.

[CruiserBruce]

What's the difference between business class and first class?

 

Depends on the airline you are talking about. In non-US based airlines, the difference can be huge. Take, for example the pictures further back in the thread of first class suites.

 

In US based airlines, the differences are less, but still greater space and privacy in First, and better food and drink. Perhaps a better lounge.

[johnjen]

Generally, cabin seating luxury goes something like this, from worst to best:

 

coach

comfort+/economy comfort/similar named product

domestic first

Premium economy (could be flip flopped with domestic first, depending on the specifics)

international business

international first class

 

Not all airlines offer both business and first internationally, but true international first class is the best of the best. If you've never flown it (I haven't) most people would be perfectly content with international business, thinking it the best of the best.

 

BUT, you have to do your research, as there are always exceptions. For example, some european airlines have a crappy international biz class for their intra-european international flights, where it's basically coach seats, but they leave the middle seat empty. So if you fly KLM from Amsterdam to Rome in biz for example, it won't be anything like your KLM seat from Amsterdam to New York.

 

Research indeed. Glad we don't go through this every year; we travel, just not a lot. The many flavors between first, business, domestic first, international first.....it's crazy. And then Icelandair and their saga class....wow. It becomes stressful doing this.

[pinotlover]

Don't forget about creations such as Air Cananda Rouge where PE service on Rouge flights don't equate to PE service on regular international flights. They used the same name but different levels of service!

[Globehoppers]

Airlines - all of them - use "dynamic pricing," increasing prices as demand increases.

 

Last year jumped early on AA 787 Business Class MIA-PEK and return PVG-MIA for $3100. Two months before departure the same seat was selling for $6000.

 

Similarly, watch "code shares." Flying MIA-USH and back on Aerolineas Argentinas Business was $2500 last Summer for this February. Delta code shares the same ARG airplane and wanted almost $10,000!

 

Airport pairing are also a consideration. R/T Florida to Italy this coming October varies by at least $1,000 pp depending on originating airport: MIA being that much less Business than MCO or TPA.

 

Lastly, cruise line airfare consolidators use their own restrictions, such as they will not display routes/fares within 5-6 hours of ship arrival or departure. Several years ago able to schedule flight out of CPH following a Norway cruise for $800 less pp directly with the airline vice cruise line. The flight departed CPH at 10:30AM and port arrival was scheduled for 6:30AM. Easily on the ship arranged airport transportation by just after 7AM and airport arrival prior to about 7:45AM for 15-minute check-in. That flight did not show on the cruise line's air reservation system - one around 1PM was the more expensive flight.

 

The cruise air programs are excellent for find best one-way pricing since airlines many times will charge the same for one-way as they do for R/T.

Edited February 2, 2017 by Globehoppers