How Covid-19 made flying business class feel more like economy

SYDNEY - Forget the flute of chilled Moet & Chandon before takeoff, mid-flight gin and tonics and a roaming dessert trolley after dinner. Flying business class isn't what it used to be.

'FEELS LIKE ECONOMY' "There's nobody to help you with your bag, you're not escorted to your seat, and there's definitely no pre-flight champagne," said Ms Sandra Lim, who flew business class to Singapore from Los Angeles with Singapore Air late last month."It feels like it's reverted back to economy class."

'STRUCTURAL CHANGE' It's also not clear to what extent the premium market, which IATA says generated 30 per cent of airlines' international revenues in 2019, can recover. Many grounded business travelers have become accustomed to video conferencing rather than making visits in person, and a global recession threatens corporate budgets.

PAYING UP? The appeal of a larger, more comfortable seat that extends fully flat may be enough to keep business class passengers coming back, said Mr Volodymyr Bilotkach, a lecturer in air-transport management at the Singapore Institute of Technology. But it might be different for those in premium economy.

That said,"there will still be airlines that recognise the value good food and service bring to their brand in return for the relatively small cost of providing it," said Mr Clark."We're human beings. We like to be spoiled."

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