How it is doing as a business? When it is expected to break-even with "business class only" strategy? (Or has it already).
These questions came to my mind as I was looking to book a segment BLR-IXM (Madurai).
The return trip costs a whopping Rs.12,000 (with a stopover in Chennai). I haven't even selected "First class". The distance is bearly 400 or so KMs. Does this could really entice a businessman? A 2 hour journey (1 hour if flown direct) costing as much as a return trip to Delhi on a full-service carrier in C?
Despite the bone china and all zat jazz, it is still a standard economy seat with 32" pitch posing as business class. Even the coffee served is std machine stuff, not the full bodied expresso stuff I can expect on IC or 9W. The only difference being the china and a good staff to passenger ratio (4 for 70).
On IC/9W, J means a separate cabin meant to keep out the riff-raff. Thats another reason to fly Business: Privacy.
Paramount is just a comfortable "full-fare" full service carrier. Definitely no "all-business" class. If they come out tomorrow with a 2x1 layout with real business seats, and a E170 with 40 seats or something: then maybe.
I have flown on BLR-IXM-BLR sector last month mainly because I had not other option with me.
The seats are standard Y class seats and seat pitch is not that great. The service again is normal Y class service. The FAs are however very friendly and attentive. They go all out to make you feel at home.
himmat01 wrote: The seats are standard Y class seats and seat pitch is not that great. The service again is normal Y class service. The FAs are however very friendly and attentive. They go all out to make you feel at home.
Seems like their sales pitch of "all business class" will backfire on them pretty soon as people realize this is just a vanilla Economy product - like 9W/S2/IC/IT etc.
Their meal service is not vanilla-Y service. It is (or used to be ) served on real crockery. Bit excessive on a 40 minute flight!! But still their seat pitch etc makes it suck!
Umm definitely LESS than the IC A300 Y pitch and about the same as some of their original A320s: around 32". A true business class should be 1x2 or something with atleast 36 if not 38" pitch. But that would bring down the capacity of the E170 from 70 seats to around 40?
But i quite liked the Embraer, and i am one step short of being a fan!! I like the 2x2 arrangement even though it isnt really business class type seating!! The Embraer i smuch better than those horrendous CRJ's that S2 has!!
I hope IC/9W get some of these for their regional routes!
but i quite liked the Embraer, and i am one step short of being a fan!! I like the 2x2 arrangement even though it isnt really business class type seating!! The Embraer i smuch better than those horrendous CRJ's that S2 has!!
I hope IC/9W get some of these for their regional routes!