Skymark starting A380 service between Tokyo and NYC in fall
Looks like another airline is trying the "no economy seats" thing. This time, it's Skymark, a discount carrier from Japan. They're outfitting a double-decker A380 with 34" Premium Economy downstairs and 60" angled lie-flat business class seats upstairs.
While this type of service always sounds glamorous and exciting to me, I'm not particularly optimistic it will do well. There have been several attempts at this and none of them seem to last very long. British Airways had their "OpenSkies" brand offering all business class flights between NY/DC and Paris but they eventually decided to install a normal compliment of economy class seats. Singapore Airlines discontinued its all-business class flight from Newark. SilverJet, Eos, and MaxJet all offered similar service and all are now out of business. The only surviving example I know of is British Airways' JFK – London City service.
Given how short the flight from NYC to London is (just over 6 hours in the air), people might be more inclined to spring for a bit of luxury to make the 15 hour trip to Tokyo more pleasant. If nothing else, I hope the addition of 400+ seats a day on the JFK – NRT route will drive down prices on the other carriers.
full story here
While this type of service always sounds glamorous and exciting to me, I'm not particularly optimistic it will do well. There have been several attempts at this and none of them seem to last very long. British Airways had their "OpenSkies" brand offering all business class flights between NY/DC and Paris but they eventually decided to install a normal compliment of economy class seats. Singapore Airlines discontinued its all-business class flight from Newark. SilverJet, Eos, and MaxJet all offered similar service and all are now out of business. The only surviving example I know of is British Airways' JFK – London City service.
Given how short the flight from NYC to London is (just over 6 hours in the air), people might be more inclined to spring for a bit of luxury to make the 15 hour trip to Tokyo more pleasant. If nothing else, I hope the addition of 400+ seats a day on the JFK – NRT route will drive down prices on the other carriers.
full story here
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