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Some things just belong together: peanut butter and jelly; business class seats and business class lounges.
But Emirates has begun selling business class tickets that are not eligible for typical business class perks, including access to a business class lounge.
These discounted business class tickets are called “Special” business class. One could draw comparison to the “basic” economy tickets that have been recently introduced by airlines—tickets that get you an airplane seat but little else. (No advance seat selection, no use of overhead bins, etc.)
So, what exactly is excluded in “Special” Business Class on Emirates—or should we call it “Basic” Business?
In addition to no lounge access, you are not permitted an Emirates chauffeur to the airport, and you don’t have the ability to upgrade to first class with miles. Also, your seat selection is restricted, which means you can only select seat assignments after check-in opens.
Undoubtedly, those that don’t care for the frills that come with business class will opt for these tickets.
Because these tickets have just been introduced, it’s hard to say how much money you will save purchasing a “special” business class ticket. But it’s likely that other airlines will follow Emirates’s lead and start unbundling their business class offerings.
What might this look like for consumers if other airlines unbundle their business class? Paying separately for your meal on an international flight, paying to select your seat in business class, paying to flush the toilet? (Alright, maybe that last one’s a stretch.)
Would you buy a “Special” Business Class ticket, or do you like having lounge access and making seat selections in advance?
Let us know.
Would not buy a “special “ business class ticket.
The lounge is nice. But the real reason I get biz is the cool bed and the ability to spring right into action when I arrive. So if it is a plane with a nice, non angled bed, I will take it without the lounge. If this saves me $30, I will use some of it at the airport restaurant instead of the lounge, and still come up ahead..
Dislike the idea. I love travel w Emirate business class but now w this new idea and new “ special” deal. It does not makes Emirate any better than the rest. I will start shopping for other airlines business class that treat us like a VIP customers. Saving money is not always the best. It is the loyalty and repeated customers help sell your airline.
Given the regular business is so expensive, I would consider the “special” business class seat based the the difference in price. If it was substantial, I could either get a credit card that provides Lounge access as part of the annual fee or I could pay for the Lounge on a per use basis.
I tink this is crazy/ its called cheat the customer every way you can
Ridiculous, why would they call at “special?” Next thing they mau\y offer standing room…
They have just lost a potential customer.
Do not think I would buy a basic business ticket and like selling them to my clients, will probably not do so.
No way. They removed reasons for paying so much more. Ridiculous. I may as well buy basic economy .
If Emirates wants to operate on the cheap, guess I’ll fly some other airline.
RVB
Hello:
This is like the “cattle car” re-invented. Will never fly Emirates again. The regular Emirates Business Class is grossly overrated anyways!! Have flown it a few times and was not impressed.
American United Delta don’t offer lounge access with domestic business class either.
That just happened to me
They all want you to join their annual lounge clubs for $400-600 a year
Higher fees for less. That’s the future
If they lower the cost for the business class and eliminate ground services ,makes it affordable,
That’s the way to go.
When we, a couple travel together, advance seat selection is a requirement for us. It’s unimportant when we travel alone. Lounge access is appreciated but the need is a result of the timing and complexity of the routing and connecting flight timing
Obviously, when I pay for a business class seat I want all the perks, period.
I agree with Mr Veli..why bother buying expensive tickets if you can’t get the perks. I also doubt if there is much difference between “SPECIAL” business class and regular business class.
Absolutely not would I opt for this type of business. Enough sticking it to your customers
I have always felt that a Biz ticket should come with all the frills: lounge access, better service, better food, greater luggage allowance, earlier boarding, more space for storage, lie-flat seat. Those that believe the lie-flat seat alone justifies a three to seven-fold increase in price over economy are selling themselves short.
As I understand from another blog, this move by Emirates is a money grab because the special price is the same as the old saver price, so there is no savings to the passenger involved – merely a cut in service. Passengers will now be paying a higher price for a “regular” Bix ticket.
I will not be buying “special” Biz class. I like the additional perks and feel that the price charged for a Biz ticket warrants those services. Lounge access is very useful on layovers following an intercontinental flight as I found out flying SFO to MEL with a several hour layover in SYD. Having access to recliners, showers, and good food was great after an overnight 14 hour flight.
Wether I would opt for a discounted Business Class ticket would depend on the difference in price and the duration of the flight.
I would travel by other airlines than Emirates. We pay extra for the perks and comfort. If those are taken away, might as well travel by economy, save money and let these airline fly with empty bus class seats.
Emirates good bye.
Mike Rama
Emirates is trying to trick customers by offering a cheap deal. I will not give
my my business to an Air line like this. I believe Emirates business class price is higher compared to some other middle-eastern Air line
Cook Travel is spot on when they say other airlines will follow this practice. Actually, I’m surprised AA hasn’t done so already. As for international travel to anywhere in SE Asia, I won’t fly with anyone but Singapore Airlines, even if they start this “new” business class deal.
Emirates just downgraded themselves and the reputation they had built… Watch the ratings fall…
The packaged pluses of Business and 1st Class are the items that get customers to consider future “comfort investment” in such travel fares…
Expecting travelers to pay any such business class fares and yet having the stress of no seat assignment until
24 hrs prior day? is pure nonsense…
That’s a loss of two travelers going fwrd from my side… and wont consider even if traveling alone…
Ill be going back to my US Airlines…
Hope your survey results reaches Emirates and they abort such cheap scheme…
As along as every seat has aisle access, I don’t really care if there isn’t advance seat assignment unless, as commented earlier, I’m flying with someone else. The decision is really a function of the cost saving. Lounge access is nice, but there are plenty of cards, as mentioned, where that is available.
Another factor, not mentioned, is if the baggage allowance for this “special” class will be reduced to that of a coach ticket. Will these passengers board with the regular business class, or will they have to wait and made to feel shamed as less patrician than the full fare folks?
I agree with AR – it was one of the reasons to fly with them. Another reason to keep evaluating the market.
Emirates was a highly regarded airline until now. We did get what we paid for. With the advent of these new games, we will look for other airlines to travel. They’re not the cheapest airlines by any means.
Profit maximization is the name of the game in all airline travel. As some have said, Singapore Airlines is the cream of the crop for value business class to all SE Asia destinations [with lounge, seat selection, great Kris Flyer mileage program, etc.].
Emirates new “class” of service takes them out of range for us. “Unbundled” translates to poor quality!
Tried to enter Emiratws Business lounge few minutes ago but was turned down, discovered that my complimentary business class ticket by a partner client is ” special” which means rubbish to me . Needless to say, the client won’t get any business from me ,lol .
I purchased two business special for a few reasons. The difference to business savers would have been $4500 which was not worth . I have access to a few lounges in Orlando and Dubai due to my platinum cards pecks so the emirates lounge did not appeal. The only nuisance was the restriction on seat choice. For the amount of money paid it’s a no brainer. I chose Emirates because of the direct flight between Orlando Dubai but otherwise I will pass.My flight is in a few days and I’ll see what else is missing.
Very disappointed that we got a business class. It doesn’t make any sense at all not to provide business lounge access.
Terrible.
Luckily I have the property pass.