A fresh perspective on assessing airline services

An Airline Paradigm Shift

Going beyond economy, Business, and First: A better way to decide which carrier to fly.

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The airline layer cake—economy, Business, First—has been around for so long that it now seems only natural ... just the way things are. The longevity of this venerable triad can likely be attributed to the fact that its categories are so easily defined: economy means decent, if basic, flight; Business Class provides a step up in comfort and service; First Class offers an unsurpassed experience.

But ambiguity has crept into the airline caste system to the point that it’s hard to know what to expect when you book a flight, particularly if your tastes extend beyond plain vanilla. Cabins now vary enormously, and, depending on the airline, Business Class can be either discounted First or overpriced economy. To further confuse the issue, there has been a spawn of sub-castes, like BusinessFirst and Premium Economy, which can be solid investments in comfort or a waste of money, again, depending on the airline.

"Depending on the airline,” is really what this is all about.

Until recently, a carrier’s identity was little more than the logo on the tail of their aircraft. But now the airlines are recognizing that their customers seek a more personalized experience, and as they tailor their services to fit the needs of a changing market, new identities emerge.

For that reason, here’s the recipe for a new layer cake that classifies carriers by their service objectives, giving us a clearer idea of what to expect when we climb aboard.

The New Airline Matrix:

Discount Service Carriers (DSCs):

Low cost, no frills—and proud of it.

Premium Service Carriers (PSCs):

Red carpet treatment from the moment you enter their terminal.

Elite Service Carriers (ESCs):

Raising the bar and redefining premium air travel.

Mass Market Carriers (MMCs):

The largest segment, and the one where you’ll find most US carriers. Business as usual; mediocrity ad nauseum.

In this new report you’ll find full definitions of each tier of the matrix, which airlines reside there and why. Plus, a special report-within-a-report focuses on eight Mass Market Carriers who define that segment.

Best of all, you’ll find a 7-point guide to “Working the New System,” with tips on how to capitalize on cross-tier partnerships, what new products and services make it worthwhile to sever ties with your current loyalty program, ways to identify the best service and comfort values, and much, much more!

Get your free report today!