No frills on long haul?
I recall that this was an idea put about when WW was in charge. Has any progress been made on it since DM came in, or is it a dead duck.
Just thinking about it, they could have a three class service on t/a routes:
- A decent J class, with PTV, AVOD, (nearly) lie flat seats, new FFP (also for full fare Y class),
- Redesigned Y class, 32-33" pitch, PTV/AVOD. Free food/drink
- New no-frills, 30" pitch, 9 abreast on 330, pay for food, no interlining, pay for IFE.
The 330 isn't really great at 9 abreast, but if it's a low cost, no frills, cheap service, it's worth looking at. At the end of the day, it's only a matter of time before no-frills comes to long haul and EI should be ahead of the curve, particularly with FR breathing down its neck. If they don't someone else will.
When they get the new type, whatever it is, the no frills Y class could have pay-PTV/AVOD. Ultimately, this would become the main Economy Class, with the current Y class becoming the premium product (with slightly higher pitch).