teleport
17th Dec 2005, 13:58
The EOS & Maxjet experiences compared from flights taken last week:
Maxjet: 767-200, 102 ‘classic’ (ie. not flat bed) business class seats in 2x2x2 config w. 60-inch pitch, personal digital player with 10 movies, selection of music channels & TV shows. Nice lounge at STN. Nice meals and selection of beverages.
EOS: 757, 48 flat beds in 2x2 config w. 87 inch pitch or 78 inch flatbed, personal digital player w. movies, music channels TV shows + games, & Bose noise reduction headsets. Also US 110V power supply socket in seat. Welcome pouch (ear plugs to lip balm etc.). Uses Emirates lounge at JFK. Nice meals and selection of beverages.
Maxjet competes with BA World traveller plus or Virgin Premium economy at £677 return. And it is clearly superior to BA & Virgin’s economy plus offerings. Crew was nice & attentive, but flight was not full.
EOS competes with BA ClubWorld or Virgin Upper at £2500 return (due to increase to £3500 after initial introductory offer expires). EOS Flatbed beats BA’s but not a huge difference (have not tried Virgin’s enhanced yet). Crew was nice & attentive even though flight almost full.
EOS tries harder with pampering which is reflected in the price for example the entertainment system is better stocked than on Maxjet. In my case company policy can be pushed to Economy Plus prices so Maxjet offers a higher in-flight comfort option. However the big players have more planes and more departures than the current one flight per day schedules of both airlines. Also, if loyalty program status (with big all round airlines) is a concern then alternative points will have to be found if abandoning BA or Virgin on the JFK route. On that note if booking ahead non-flexible, then BA’s flatbed price is as low as £2500. Not sure the £3500 price will work out for EOS.
Maybe a no-frills 'sleeper' flat bed product is the answer to the needs of travellers in need of sleep, and who don’t intend to enjoy posh meals, welcome pouches, in-flight entertainment etc. Also, Stansted may not be ideal for all, but congestion delays not as frequent as at LHR.
I wish them both luck for trying to offer alternatives.
Maxjet: 767-200, 102 ‘classic’ (ie. not flat bed) business class seats in 2x2x2 config w. 60-inch pitch, personal digital player with 10 movies, selection of music channels & TV shows. Nice lounge at STN. Nice meals and selection of beverages.
EOS: 757, 48 flat beds in 2x2 config w. 87 inch pitch or 78 inch flatbed, personal digital player w. movies, music channels TV shows + games, & Bose noise reduction headsets. Also US 110V power supply socket in seat. Welcome pouch (ear plugs to lip balm etc.). Uses Emirates lounge at JFK. Nice meals and selection of beverages.
Maxjet competes with BA World traveller plus or Virgin Premium economy at £677 return. And it is clearly superior to BA & Virgin’s economy plus offerings. Crew was nice & attentive, but flight was not full.
EOS competes with BA ClubWorld or Virgin Upper at £2500 return (due to increase to £3500 after initial introductory offer expires). EOS Flatbed beats BA’s but not a huge difference (have not tried Virgin’s enhanced yet). Crew was nice & attentive even though flight almost full.
EOS tries harder with pampering which is reflected in the price for example the entertainment system is better stocked than on Maxjet. In my case company policy can be pushed to Economy Plus prices so Maxjet offers a higher in-flight comfort option. However the big players have more planes and more departures than the current one flight per day schedules of both airlines. Also, if loyalty program status (with big all round airlines) is a concern then alternative points will have to be found if abandoning BA or Virgin on the JFK route. On that note if booking ahead non-flexible, then BA’s flatbed price is as low as £2500. Not sure the £3500 price will work out for EOS.
Maybe a no-frills 'sleeper' flat bed product is the answer to the needs of travellers in need of sleep, and who don’t intend to enjoy posh meals, welcome pouches, in-flight entertainment etc. Also, Stansted may not be ideal for all, but congestion delays not as frequent as at LHR.
I wish them both luck for trying to offer alternatives.