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Subscribe to RSS FeedUpward economy: OpenSkies Econ.
One of the great things about launching a new airline is taking it from concept to reality. We spent many late nights working through the different cabins’ designs. Economy class—which we’ve named Econ—was no different. We saw that economy passengers are looking for a fresh approach too, an affordable travel experience that just gets things right.
For starters, there are only 30 seats in Econ, which means no issue of overcrowding. You’ll be able to board and disembark the plane quickly and easily. We also put a lot of thought into the seats themselves and came up with the leather Econ seat that’s actually comfortable. And to S.M.’s question, each Econ seat offers our AVOD personal entertainment system with over 50 hours of audio and video. Add to that the fact that you get great tasting, healthy meals, exceptional wine service (something not seen in most economy class cabins), and personalized, attentive service.
Those may sound like small details, but they’re all a part of building a lasting impression—they’re all a part of how we’re out to make Econ a whole new experience.
Let us know what you think.
Dale
March 14th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Just wondering what the seat pitch is going to be? At 6 ft, the current standards for seat pitch are not that great, every inch makes a really big difference to me.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:36 am
LOVING these interior colors especially the gold colored econ seats.
Great look, all three classes. Now, a suggestion: A brown or deep tan colored carpet would be more appropriate than the blue.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I love the blue carpet goes with the name of the new airlines. Its great, nice and fresh!!!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Yes pitch is everything. The current BA 31″ is well below the likes of Thai and Air NZ who both offer up to 34″ in economy. Having the same pitch for long haul as there is for short haul doesn’t make it special.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
surely having only 30 economy seats negates the idea of a ‘budget’ airline flying between NY and europe? I thought the idea of openskies was to bring down the cost of travel across the pond?
Just my two cents.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I’d rather go with the blue carpet. A tan one would be a little too much of the color.
Really, I appreciate the effort, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.I could picture this seat on any other aircraft and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. The only economy class seat that’s REALLY been different has been Cathay’s new economy.
Also, I’d like the adjustable ears on the headrest. So useful on long flights.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Is it true the in flight entertainment with be nothing more than a glorified ipod handed out at the start of the flight?
March 22nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Indeed, it would be wise to install the basic ergonomic designs found on such airlines such as Singapore Airlines Economy Class.
It would be interesting to know which OEM’s IFE system will be installed to deliver passenger’s entertainments.
When the actual airline is flying, what would be even more interesting is to see how econ is priced and whether it will be priced at a premium to take into account the OpenSkies exclusivity.
If one assumes two cabin crew for econ, that is a very good ratio of 1:15!
And with regards to the Cathay Pacific New Economy Class seat, it looks good, it looks better on the marketing pamphlet but unless you like slouching when you attempt a “recline”, I am sceptical.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hi Dale,
Getting Economy right is a real challenge, most european and American airlines are failing in comparison to the middle eastern and south asian airlines.
There are many service and comfort components that contibute, and I am sure you have given careful consideration to each.
One of the small things that you have not mentioned in the blog, and one of the things that nobody else does, is really good coffee in economy.
As a very frequent traveller with Emirates, who in my opinion have one of the best value/experience economy offerings, On occasion I will be offered Espresso or Cappucino from the business cabin if the flight is quite empty. Served in a real cup, it tastes great particularly just before arrival in the morning and makes the end of the journey feel very civilised.
Given the range of automatic machines available and the small number of passengers you will be carrying in this class, I would love to see real, fresh coffee and real cups in all classes of travel. Even if you don’t manage espresso, how about a real cafetiere with a real cup?
G
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I think that adding power points to plug in laptop would be a very valuable addition to the features. I would imagine that most people have their own music to listen to… but the ability to work during a long flight would really help
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
I like the seats, but one thing you have overlooked was the winged headrests. Everyone loves them, whether it would be short or long haul flights. Also, compared to Virgin America, your seats look as if they were “downgraded”. If an airline is offering long haul economy seats on short haul domestic flights, you have no excuse to not offer what they offer. Regardless, you did do a good job as far as color and the amount of seats, but I don’t think you really thought of the customer when designing these seats.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Pitch is important! Would it be greedy to suggest a flat 36″. I travelled United Economy Plus & found it great on transatlantics. It would be a great competitive advantage.
Are the seats slimline? Who makes them?
I hope the IFE system is inbuilt seatback, AVOD & easy to control. Will it be the same as the current BA system?
Cheers,
March 25th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Winged headrests definitely a must…and would be very nice to do better than 31 inches in econ.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
As others have said, getting economy cabins right is difficult. Having to pay for my own travel I often end up travelling WT on long haul flights.
Subtle, unobtrusive personal lighting would enhance the whole experience. There is nothing worse than finally falling asleep in a darkened cabin, than someone throwing on all the lights. I appreciate it is difficult to provide a meal service in the dark however and this might be an unavoidable reality of night flying.
Qantas IFE is excellent. The control it gives each individual over their own entertainment is outstanding.
Most important is the seat pitch. 34″, which might seem greedy, is desirable. Inches really count at the back of the plane!! You are clearly well aware you can’t go wrong with wings on the headrest.
As with everything else, endeavour to keep it the same or similar to BA. Have Exec Club miles count on Openskies flights.
If the food, service, and general experience is as good a BA then it should be an excellent new airline, let’s hope many more 757s start operating from the continent to the States.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
The idea seems fantastic and I certainly will try this for my next trip to europe. However, the seats all seem so tall. The head rests come out to support the necks of average to taller heighted flyers. However, someone who is petite at 5′3″ or less may find that terribly uncomfortable. Instead of caressing my neck, it would poke the back of my head, resulting in my head being unnaturally tilted downwards.
I wonder if any airlines will have seats specifically for short people, like some cars have. It would make the 8 hour flights much more enjoyable.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Just discovered the blog… What a great idea for a great new concept !! Had no time yet for more than only a quick look but as far as I saw everything seems to be just brilliant apart from a major point for all future “econ” passengers. How could you design a brand new seat and forgot what is now a must for economy travel : winged headrests !!!!! All but third world airlines have this equipment in “Y” class and I really think they are much more essential than endless discussions about the color of the carpet… unless you love very close contact with passengers’ shoulders next to you during your sleep
May 19th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Hi Dale,
I totally agree with what some of the others are saying on this forum.
Firstly with having only 82 seats on board and very few in economy, how can this be classed as a budget airline, surely this could be a recipe for financial suicide?
Secondly the image of your new airline is not very well defined at the moment, are you budget or premium? You might be better to ditch the economy seats and go towards the Silver Jet premium class model with just two classes of first and business?
Thirdly if you are to offer economy seats, will those passengers be receiving a Easy Jet type service (where they pay for everything on board) or are you going to aim towards a Emirates/Singapore Airlines service? Frankly, with my experiences of both of the airlines above, they manage to reduce the stress on the cabin crews by providing as standard, the passenger with so much food and drink on each tray and at regular intervals, that invariably they don’t ask or demand much else as economy passengers. So everyone wins, the crew, the passenger (who will often report a positive experience to their friends and associates) and the airline (by the free, cheap word of mouth advertising from the passenger). Remember on average a consumer will tell seven people about a bad experience, and then those seven will tell another seven, etc, etc, just look at the bad press RyanAir gets, from providing very little to the passenge!