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My biggest gripe about air travel is not the aircraft or the seats or the "toys" in business class but the time wasted at airports. Having to check in hours before the flight, endless ques and security checks. I remember flying from London Heathrow to Dusseldorf in the 1960s when the check-in was just 30 mins before boarding. But now its a logistical and bureaucratic nightmare just getting to the aircraft. Faffing around with seat sizes and in flight toys is not the answer. I just want to buy a ticket and get on the plane!

I genuinely think the small size of seats and aisles is becoming a safety issue. Whenever they do 90 second evacuation tests, they don’t use normal people, they use their own (tiny, young, fit) staff. In my opinion every airplane should have to demonstrate they can meet 90 seconds using a randomly selected group of people recruited for this activity, including the 40% overweight, elderly people, etc. It should be necessary to demonstrate that there is enough space between seats where if the middle and aisle passenger are incapacitated an average-sized window passenger could still squeeze by, including if the seats before are reclined when the accident happens.

When talking about the death of regular TV, I often cite your channel as why. Old shows about air disasters had pilots yelling jargon and flipping overhead switches. Your channels are professional, honest and and respectful of viewer, and I can't recommend you enough!

Airlines are pretty much Greyhound busses with wings now. And the passengers are the same

A long time ago, airlines learned that people would be willing to endure brief periods of discomfort for cheap airfares. They responded accordingly.

After you’ve flown in an unheated C130 or C141 sitting on a canvas bench for hours anything is a step up.

The main reason I don't like flying is all the annoying crap that comes with it. It starts with the baggage limits, then the journey to the airport, the nerve-wracking waiting at the airport, the running around, all the annoying security checks and then screaming babies that drive you crazy during the flight. When I finally arrive at my destination, I'm so stressed that three vacation days are spent just recovering from the flight. In the meantime, I only travel by car because it's much more comfortable. I can look for an interesting route, set off whenever I want and stop here, have a look there. I can take as much luggage with me as I want and don't have any annoying fellow travelers. And when I arrive, I've seen a lot on the way and I have my own car with me, so I don't need a rental car.

The most memorable flight I ever had was in 1960 when I was 13!! It was on board a Short Solent flying boat from Suva, Fiji to Tahiti. It was operated by Tasman Empire Airways Ltd. (TEAL) - the forerunner of Air NZ. The flight left Suva in the morning and arrived in Western Samoa late the same afternoon. We then departed in the early hours of the next morning for Aitutaki Is. in the Cook Islands. The passengers went ashore for a swim in the sea and breakfast on the beach under the palm trees! In the meantime fuel was hand-pumped into the aircraft tanks from a barge alongside. Then we left Aitutaki around 10 am and my younger brother and I were invited to the flight deck for the takeoff!! We simply stood behind the pilots' seats and experienced the tremendous engine noise from the 4 Bristol Hercules engines and the thrill as we eventually lifted off the water. I can still see the skipper's hands on the 4 throttle levers. We were in sight of Moorea Is. about 2pm and soon landed at Papeete, Tahiti. When we saw Moorea, the skipper announced that the island was in sight and everyone rushed across to the left (port) side to see the beautiful island from our 10,000 foot ceiling. Then he came back on the speaker and asked that everyone get back in their seats because he was having a problem keeping the old girl in the air in its unbalanced state!! That was the second to last flight of the TEAL Coral Route, as it was known. A truly memorable experience never to be repeated.

I remember Pan Am Clipper Class. Took many trips around Asia. 2-3-2 seat config, free mixed drinks, way upgraded food, silverware, wide seats. The price was decent. The old 747s had about 40 or 50 of those seats behind first class. Loved those Pan Am 747s.

It’s always fun to revisit the cabin service in the John Wayne film “The High and the Mighty”. I particularly liked the part where a disgruntled passenger pulls a revolver out of his pocket. The stewardess scolds him and tells him to put it back. Those were the days….

Minor detail: a regular interstate trip we do which (allowing for inflation) cost about $1800 in today’s money in the early 1970s, now can usually be picked up for about $150- $170. Unless you’re buying a seat at the last minute and traveling at peak time in holiday season, the price is now a tiny fraction of what it used to be, literally 10% or even less.

Passengers aren't demanding Premium Economy, they're damanding to be treated like human beings. Airlines squeezing Economy with sub-17" seat widths and 28" seat pitch, and at the same time offering Premium Economy with over-18" seat width and 32-33" seat pitch are simply reviving traditional economy. It's a situation they created, and are profiting off of it.

My time-travel bucket-list: a very long journey in a pre-WW2 flying-boat. Great video, Captain.

Today's low cost long haul flights are of ridiculously bad service. My wife and I recently flew LEVEL (Iberia) from Boston to Barcelona and back. Turns out, unless you pay extra (and you know about this upfront) they won't give you as much as a glass of water on their transatlantic flights. You also must pay for headphones, pillows and blankets. This is a new low. And the price was in the ballpark of their competitors (just below $700 per roundtrip, plus $240 for the option to sit next to each other on both flights) - we chose it because of the direct flight. Oh well, never again.

I love how Petter says “it would make this video unbearably long” … am I the only one who thinks there’s no such thing as too long when Mentour releases a video? 😂

Airlines would stack their passengers like cordwood if it could get them an extra 1% profit

It is better now 😊 My father told me that he flew from Stockholm Sweden to South Rodesia (Zimbabwe now) in Africa during the early 1950's.. The trip took three days with a DC 3. First day Stocholm - Paris, second day Paris - northern/central Africa, third day the last leg to South Rodesia. Two hotel nights included in the ticket price.

Don’t forget that before deregulation, an airplane ticket was just like having cash in your pocket. An airplane ticket on one airline was good on any airline that covered the same route. Also airline tickets were redeemable for cash. In 1982, I still paid $700 for a coach fare between Great Falls, Montana and Chicago O’Hare. But the food was good and there were no delays.

Regarding Premium Economy, airlines basically figured out there was a group of folks who were willing to pay more for a seat comparable to a domestic first class seat, but took one look at business class and said, “nope, I’m good”.

Flying Qatar Airways for the first time was an eyeopener to me! This is how flying should be, it was wellness for body and soul! ❤

There is literally nothing about the travel "experience" that appeals. Horrific Airport experiences including queues and poor/rude staff with security and customs/border control. Coupled with overpriced tickets for small seats, add ons for everything and considerably poor service from bored and disinterested air crew and the whole thing stinks. It once was a fun prospect but if we are being honest,it's lacking in many ways these days and is just a necessary evil to get to where we are going.

I can't tell you how much I love these deep dive videos! Gives me a deeper understanding - and appreciation - of airline/airplane related topics/issues... And, Petter, don't worry about making your videos 'unbearably long'! No such thing! Personally, I'd *love* to see longer videos with really deep dives (say, 45-60 min long)! I really like the long-format style en vogue nowadays, and I have a feeling you will be really good at it -- making it both informative & interesting!

19:22 I agree with the nice Middle Eastern gentleman. Earlier this year I have flown from Atlanta to Amsterdam and back in Delta’s Economy Comfort+ and almost $1k extra a ticket can hardly justify benefits. - one step up in boarding - few in of extra leg room - movable foot rest (all of them were not functional on all seats I could see) - “guaranteed” pillow, blanket and headphones - complimentary alcoholic beverages.

A main difference between air travel then and now is the draconian security screening everyone has to go through. Take shoes off, belt off, jacket off, watch off, liquid restrictions, etc etc.

The last comment was absolutely correct. In the 80’s I flew hundreds if not thousands of flights and if I was running late I knew I could make a flight if I got inside the terminal 10 minutes before departure. Today is 1-2 hours and then you get a seat that you can barely, in my case, get your knees into. I won’t fly unless my destination is more than a 900 miles away.

I'm tall and have worked all my life to build a successful business. Business or First Class is the only way I fly. Also, on international flights I like leaving the US East Coast at night, having a seat that will lay flat and getting some shut eye. I've found this greatly reduces my jet lag and it allows me to arrive in Europe in the AM which gives me an extra day. Perhaps someone can answer this question. I accidentally left a cork screw in my carry on and the TSA took it. When dinner was served I was given a proper steak knife - long sedated blade and a full size handle. Take my corkscrew and give me a steak knife. Really?

No such thing as an "unbearably long" Mentour video 😊

Thank you for a fascinating explanation. I fly a lot. I hope you will consider doing a similar "deep dive" on airline "frequent flyer" programs. These began as a loyalty reward program, but have morphed into an entirely separate income stream. And I'm not referring just to the incredibly profitable agreements between airlines and credit cards, but rather the actual fare differences for different booking classes that offer no actual "benefits" other than frequent flyer miles: pay $200 for a seat that offers 25% miles, $500 for the exact same seat on the exact same flight, but get 100% miles. In other words, it's not a reward for loyalty and the airlines are not just selling seats - they are selling miles. It's not just "First, Business, Premium Economy and Coach." There are dozens of booking classes within each of those categories. Why do I feel the airlines are...er...taking me for a ride?

All I want is to get from point A to point B in a safe efficient manner for a fair price, if I wanted luxury I would take a cruise.

Everybody hates low cost carrier experience but I love it. I can feel the discount when I book a ticket and I am willing to sit in miserable seat for few hours to save hundreds of dollars.

We have taken Ryanair flights throughout Europe for less than the cost of a lunch. For short trips, it's like taking a bus. We travel with only carry-ons and buy a snack at the airport just before boarding. There is no way a long haul airline can match their model.

Just checked. Jet blue Mint Heathrow to Boston return 2 months away is about £1120 whereas the standard is about £270, so 75% lower for a economy seat

I fly a lot, most the time in premium economy domestically, and first on longer flights, typically. I like the direction airlines are going with premium economy tickets, expanding their seat selection in those higher classes. Overall it brings the prices of those cabins down, which helps. If airlines continue to expand their premium products, the prices will continue to become more affordable. A first class ticket across the Atlantic one-way is usually $5-700. Really affordable with all things considered. Premium economy is often just a little more expensive, but in return, my long legs don’t suffer having my knees pressed against the seats in front of me. I call it the “tall tax”. I can see airlines in the future rolling out 100% premium planes more and more often, like what we see with SQ22/23 and BA1/2. That’ll be there for those who want and can afford those products, just at a better price, and people still trying to pay as little as possible will continue to have plenty of options. It’s a win for everyone IMO.

I flew on a 707 on long haul in 1963 and the seats were larger the food actually was terrible and ticket prices were outrageous so the flights were half empty

Besides Qatar and Emirates, there's also Etihad. Which operate hub and spoke from the Middle East

I recently flown on NEOS 787 premium economy from JFK to Milan. I felt it was totally worth the experience I received. From lounge access to bigger seats and leg room. Pre flight Prosecco and multi course meals just made our vacation trip extra special.

To anyone complaining, just ask them if they’d be willing to pay $4,000 in todays dollars for a seat like those old photos, and watch it get awful quiet.

I would say that the statements "premium economy is ripping of the customers" and "premium economy is the most profitable part of the airlines operations" are not at all contradictory.

Just how a guy sitting in a chair can produce such captivating, informative and inspiring tv is beyond me. Keep it up

Air travel creates some wild videos of fights and lunatics using air travel. Spirit Airlines seems to appeal to the dregs of society busting up the places and vulgarities by usually obese people. How they fit in 17.75 inch wide and 28 inch pitch seats is amazing.

Midwest Express, a Milwaukee based airline, had first-class service for all passengers. Wide leather seats, china place settings with silverware, free champagne, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies . . . through the 80s and 90s.

The last FIRST CLASS Delta ticket I bought did not include lounge access because it was 30 minutes too short of a flight, Delta has too many restrictions on access to their lounges. If you buy a FIRST CLASS ticket you should get lounge access period!

Last time I stepped in an airliner it had 4 Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engines with huge propellers .

Back in the 1999 I had to fly to Milwaukee for a job interview. Being only a couple of hours away from DC, a friend of mine recommended that I fly Midwest Express. It was an airline created by Kimberly Clark to transport their executives around. Every seat was first class. It was quite the experience.

The golden age is still here, wealthy people charter a private jet.

Why would anyone wish to pay extra for early boarding? The few times I flew, I always preferred to board really among the last entering the plane. We all arrive at the same time anyway.

Our friend from Sweden is still the most professional (and entertaining) explainer of how aviation works - take saa mycket!

Thank you Petter for your videos, full of knowledge and wisdom, thank you.

As someone that can't be called short, I definitely prefer enough legroom on long haul. 2-3 hours I can survive being squeezed in cattle class from a low cost carrier, but 10-12 hours? Don't think so, flying in and of itself is uncomfortable enough due to noise and dehydration.

NY to London $550 in 1960 but you wouldn't be riding on a 747 back then, if you were lucky you got a 707 6-7 hours if not you got a DC-7 or a Conny 12-14 hours.

Wow, watching that baggage door come down with that attendant looked like a garage door.

In a way I am glad that you did NOT mention “seat pitch”. Because it is a very misleading metric to compare the space you get from one airplane to the next. As the construction of the seat has a very significant impact on the available space you get as a passenger, even if the “seat pitch” is the same. As an example consider my experience with Copa Airlines in 2017: Their advertised “seat pitch” was 31 inches; but the difference in seat construction was all that mattered between triggering a claustrophobic panic attack or not. In some situations the space available was as low as 40cm in which to squeeze my head. Then there is also a significant difference between “domestic business class” of legacy carriers in Europe and North America. The single aisle aircraft in Europe will more often than not just block out the middle seat of their standard economy seating to create a 2+2 layout and use a moveable curtain to adapt the cabin size to demand. But the “seat pitch” is more or less the same throughout the whole airplane. So you only get more elbow room and more overhead bin space, but NOT more legroom. Meanwhile the single aisle planes in North America generally have a genuine 2+2 seat layout that also includes more longitudinal space as well for their “domestic business class”. In 2021 I had to make a trip from Europe to South America, and due to claustrophobia I had booked in business class. For the intra-european segments I had one in a bulkhead seat and the other not. And in the later I suffered a claustrophobic panic attack. In the summer of 2023 on a trip to Canada I booked the transatlantic segments in “premium economy” and the canadian segments in “domestic business”. Comparing the two transatlantic airlines (though in the same alliance) with the domestic segments, I can say that international premium economy and domestic business (in North America) have more or less the same seat space and cabin service product. Instead of using the “seat pitch” as a passenger space metric, a much better passenger space (and comfort) metric would be to measure the space between the headrest of your full upright seat and the fully reclined seat-back in front of you, as well as the same seat configuration at the pelvic level (lumbar support to knee position). Because not everybody wants to (or can) be fully reclined. Also, putting your carry-on bag under the seat in front of you significantly reduces your legroom and contributes to triggering claustrophobia.

People want golden age of aviation back, but don’t want to pay €3 extra for more legroom on their €20 transatlantic flight

04:53 There is zero chance the car is missing that drum 😄

I get annoyed having to pay for business class because I’m confined to a wheelchair. They’ve made aisles so narrow and legroom so small in economy that although they have aisle chairs for immobile passengers, they’re too small for a wheelchair passenger to transfer into their seat. Getting out is even harder. You can’t book bulkhead or bassinet seats either as the armrests are rigid and can’t be raised to do a slide on/off transfer. Airlines don’t want to have to deal with disabled people so they make it difficult or expensive to travel. To visit family in the US costs me around $40k return (I’m in Australia). My able bodied husband pays less than $2k in economy and we sit apart. If I need anything in transit (medication or repositioning my paralysed legs) the cabin crew has to go get him from economy to help. Wheelchair accessible economy would be very helpful.

Euro-business class as offered by LH, AF, or LX is actually a rip-off as one usually pays a substantial higher fare than Y class but is offered an economy class seat with the middle seat blocked for more space. In contrast, flying domestic (!!!) business class in China includes a full sized business or first class seat (much akin to first class in the U.S.) in a 2-2 configuration which is often available at rather attractive rates , for example on Shenzhen Airlines or Hainan Airlines.

I used to like travelling by airplane back in 1970s, or even 1980s, but not anymore. Airports now are huge and crowded and have many controls. Travelling has become an unpleasant experience.

I’m 56. Air travel has consistently gotten worse and more expensive every year. The planes have gotten dirtier too. I hate flying and avoid it when possible.

Premium economy isn't such a new idea. Virgin Atlantic were offering exactly this in the mid 2000s. My wife and I flew Manchester to Orlando in 2005. The premium economy seats were in the upper lounge of the 747. Plenty of space, big comfy seats, and great food.

More companies are changing their staff travel policies. In my company the old policy was if the flight has airtime less than 5 hours then the ticket should be economy and if more, we could book business class. The new rule is if the flight takes less than 3 hours, the ticket must be economy. If airtime between 3 to 10 hours, it should be premium economy and only if more than 10 hours, we can book business. For me who lives in Europe, this means all europian flight must be booked in economy (normally 70% of our destinations).

I like where I live so not really motivated to leave my island. If I took airlines it is two hour drive to the airport costing $60 round trip for tolls and gas. The airlines demand a 3 hour check-in since international flight. The flight is two hours plus 30 minutes to get bag and clear customs. A 2 hour flt consumes 7.5 hours. I have not been on an airliner in 6 or 8 years and I used to be a pilot for a living and not worth the trouble. I have other ways off the island.

I still remember when 1st class upgrades were debuted by the airlines. Starting with TWA and their "FirstUp" program. I can recall walking up to the TWA gate agent and literally asking for a 1st class upgrade, and getting it. Granted, I was frequent flyer of TWA and was in their Ambassador class, iirc, but it was still something up until then I didn't dream of doing as an economy passenger. Speaking of LLCs, if you are in the US and need to visit Japan, be sure to look at ZipAir with their 787-8s and the "Lie-Flat" class. Lie-Flat is not quite a business class, as it has no IFE, but free internet, and no in-flight meals unless you pre-order the meal. You also need to pre-order a pillow and blanket, but at least you then get to keep it.

What really sucks is the size of the seats in economy. They get smaller and smaller. They are only usable for children and people smaller than 1.60m. (my experience in Airbusses NEO's)

15:00 "This is actually very central in how the Gulf airlines can work the way they do…" It also doesn't hurt that they are wholly owned by their governments, and thus get a lot of sweetheart deals.

I mostly fly US domestic on Delta (since they ate Northwest). The seat choices are First, Comfort+, and Main. Comfort+ is a Main seat with extra legroom. I find the Comfort+ seat more comfortable than First as long as no one is in the middle seat. I used to buy in Main and then upgrade to Comfort+ when I checked in (online, 24 before departure). But the paid upgrades became less available over time and I had to start buying Comfort+ tickets (and noting the price difference since I am only getting reimbursed for Main). But on my last flight, booking six weeks ahead of time, only two middle seats were available in Comfort+ on one leg and I booked in Main, which was sparsely booked, for the return. However when I checked in for the return I was offered a really inexpensive First class upgrade which I took. Another thing that I have noticed is the decline in the amenities offered in Comfort+. The 3 inches of extra legroom and “dedicated” overhead space still make it worth it but I remember how it used to be and feel I am getting cheated out of something.

Have an Absolutely Fantastic Happy New Year Mentour!

When Singapore Airlines refurbished their A380s a couple of years ago the new standard economy seat was reduced to the comfort of a suburban train seat. Dreadful. Their Premium Economy class is poor value, the roominess is nice but the reclining seat with the leg rest digging into the calf of your leg is ridiculous, not at all comfortable. Business Class is something else altogether though, really good and something I am not prepared to pay for out of taxed income! And then again, the cabin crew's efficiency can make a big difference. Being offered food and drinks service at the right time is great, but food served 15 minutes before the accompanying drink is just plain poor, and even 5 star SIA are guilty of that these days, twas never so 20 years ago. I was hoping that the FAA review into seats and safety would produce a better experience for economy passengers with just a little more leg room and wider seats, but no it didn't. There really does seem to be a race to the bottom. Over the last few years I have travelled with Air Canada, TAP, SIA and Air Canada have the most comfortable economy seats, but then the flight is short at just 8.5 hours!!!

We had a carrier in the USA called Midwest Express. It was First Class seating with hot meals and wine service for every seat. It made it all the way to the Great Recession be for selling off to Frontier. It had an unusual origin as it started as the corporate transport for paper company Kimberly Clark.

The whole aviation system has adapted to society in general .. a clown-world! - Glad I got to travel the globe during the better years 1970-2020. - Now "they" could not pay me enough to go through airport security. -

Is that tea in your mug? Thanks for the video, Petter and MentourTeam. ❤

AUSTRIAN A320, Berlin - Vienna sitting on an garden Chair costs 14€ extra. Service: 1 cup of water and one small pice of chocolate. Never ever.

I agree! Flying Lufthansa business often. Its for sure not premium airline anymore, low quality and very old seats & lounges. Aircrew is most of the time great , can not understand why Lufthansa can not travel to US or Dubai for lessons learned.

As always, informative and tightly scripted. One of the very best KZfaq channels. Thank you.

Just had a flight with BA, they don't even give a drink outside of water and a scrappy cookie. For twice the price of of easyjet on a 4 hours flight. Not getting better.

The main problem airlines have is that too many of their customers aren’t the ones paying or choosing. It’s the same problem we created with healthcare in the US. For domestic flights, the way gate slots work are also a weird externality. Finally, taxing tickets is butt arse backwards. Tax the fuel and add landing fees. Most every time people are angry about an industry there’s some government policy keeping market forces from fixing things.

Before the pandemic, I managed twice to get a well-priced business class seat for a flight within Europe. Once even slightly cheaper than the economy class for the same flight. In both cases it was a A321 with no special seats for business class, though. They left he middle seat empty, I had priority boarding and there was better lunch. Sometimes it makes sense to peak into business class and compare prices.

My wife and I are going on our "trip of a lifetime" for a month in NZ and Oz...we are flying from Toronto Pearson to Melbourne...and the only thing I am dreading, the only thing, is the airport/airline experience...airline better figure out that while they are having their way now, times change...frankly I get tired of arguing with airlines to only get what I actually paid for.

phenomenal video, great talking points! informative as always keep up the great work!

I’ve flown from Japan to Atlanta 4 times in the past 6 months in economy, worst experience ever

Low cost carriers have the advantage and the big disadvantage of often being single type only. While it makes the operations cheaper and allows for better crew exchangeability, if your one type gets grounded, has issues, or has a required change, your whole fleet is down and you loose everything. Not only long haul, but this happened to many carriers, both with Airbus and Boeing aircraft types, and their engines, quite a few times in the recent past.

I’ve flown KLM & Iberia premium economy recently and it was nearly as good as business. I’ve flown business many times for various technical reasons and yes the biz seats are superior. However, the gap between economy and premium economy is so much bigger and worthwhile than the gap between premium economy and business for most 8-13hr flights. Given the price difference there’s a lot of value to be found in premium economy.

Ha!!! Love what you did there at 12:47! The airline which may not be mentioned on social media. Which one? Can’t say. 🙂

As someone who’s flown close to half a million miles, I just had to stop around 2017 because of how disgustingly filthy the cabins had become. If you don’t value cleanliness at the customer touch points, then it’s obvious that things are likely worse behind the scenes - No thank you. I bought a Corvette and travel the country that way now.

I always have a little bit mixed feeling about these divisions in transportation. What i mean by that is, that i hope no one will get tempted to downgrade economy class to the point, where it will actually become uncomfortable to fly, just so more and more people decide to pay more. Economy is used by many and for many it is the door to travel. I wouldnt want to see in future 5 classes in a plane, where the fifth is passengers strapped to pufas in cargo compartment :))

I expect the same kind of experience in coach as traveling on the Long Island Rail Road without the waste of time and security hassle of an airport. Plus people are better dressed on the train.

Thank you for a great explanation in easy to follow manner.

@ 9:48, regarding secondary airports, haven't this started to change a bit as well? in Sweden Ryanair dumped Skavsta Nyköping for Arlanda and recently Wizzair also have started flying some routes from Arlanda.

Why do I feel that this episode is an ad to the Emirates ?

This may sound crazy but crazy things over time have been coming true. There are groups, states, and nations already planning on restricting pleasure air travel with personal carbon allowances enforced through Central Banks Digital Currencies in the future to save the earth. Air travel creates 2% of CO2 and they can't have it. Australia only creates 1% and that nation is hell bent on going back to cave man days. We already have 15 minute ghettos being started to restrict auto travel and limit movement. These same people are messing with the food supplies so don't air travel will be exempt from the madness.

I’ve resisted the impulse to ‘moo’ as I went through a Jetway to an aircraft, half expecting to see cubes of alfalfa on the seats in Steerage… If only Transporter Technology could be a reality

“Coach must sell to make the plane available”... American Airlines CEO Robert Crandall Circa 1990 wrote in his monthly airline magazine that the airline made money in the first and business class along with freight, but required the coach seats be sold to “make the flight available”. Bob pointed out if coach seats were not sold, the amount of flights a day would be less. As my professor constantly barked out, “Economics are numbers in truth!”

Something between business class and existing economy class, with actually increased travel comfort is something I would 100% pay for in long haul flights. Basically just get me a seat that's comfortable to sleep in in upright position, a bit wider, has some decent legroom, and a good hot meal with some drinks. Then I'll gladly pay something like 20-50% more than economy, depending on the upgrade from economy. Don't need lounge access or multiple luggage or even priority boarding as standard. Make that stuff optional. Just don't try to sell it as "Premium Economy" that we see on short haul flights where every seat is exactly the same, and the only difference is the food. I am not paying 50% or more for a meal.

Multiple classes of airlines is a best case scenario that cater to different types of people… those who want comfort will pay premium and those who want budget will take budget airlines

Thank you for sharing.😊

I miss the days just buying a ticket and just zoom through checking in and get on air craft ! 1980’s

The golden age of flying started when smoking became not allowed. The USA was the first or one of, I remember being laughed at when I changed planes in the USA and asked if the connecting flight was non smoking as they all had been for like 4 years but it wasn’t the case everywhere. One time as a child I flew in the first row of non smoking behind a person who smoked for 6 hours. I was sick for a week.

I have been flying domestic USA the last few years on Delta. For flexibility I choose fully refundable fares and often choose what they call Comfort Class. This is an economy seat with additional legroom. I pay about $40-$60 additional for these seats for flights about 2-4 hours duration. Twice I did upgrade to domestic first class when prompted by Delta for about $90, but those promotions are now in excess of $300. I have used ULCC in the past but found the experience unpleasant. I did fly LCC JetBlue in the past but there lack of reliability due to broken planes and few spares caused me to discontinue flying with them. My son flew JetBlue this year and experienced a rejected takeoff due to a technical issue and waited several hours for a replacement aircraft.

Being taller than 6ft economy travel is disgustingly uncomfortable. My height isnt my fault i shouldnt have to pay for extra leg room.

Great video! The issue here relies also on what is not mentioned, but still active. What are the class tariffs used in Economy (M, H, T, W, X, and others, being Y the full economy fare). All these classes of fares in the economy section come with some perks, which allow for reimbursement (or not), luggage allowance, seat allocation (or not), and so on. The RPK is low in economy, whilst the RPK is extremely high in Business, not to mention First.