Business travellers embracing cattle class

[Homer]

Business travellers embracing cattle class

Is business class a thing of the past? The answer is yes - an overwhelming majority of business travellers are now stuck in cattle class with the rest of us.

Only 10 per cent of business travellers are flying at the pointy end of the plane, a survey released by Visa and the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry has found.

From: Business travellers embracing cattle class - World - Travel - smh.com.au

 

[aus_flyer]

Only 10 per cent of business travellers are flying at the pointy end of the plane, a survey released by Visa and the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry has found.

Then 12 J seats on most domestic flights makes sense!

I don't think J is a thing of the past for business travellers, it always has been the form of travel for a fortunate few, and will continue to be.

 

[StevePER]

I'm surprised it's as high as 10%.

 

[MelUser]

I'm in favour of anything that increases the number of (U) seats. Less paid J = more U!

 

[thegurio]

But do they pay for the "cheaper" tickets - i'm assuming Y and then upgrade using points or status?

That is what i gather from the guys around here anyway.

 

[oz_mark]

Business travellers embracing cattle

I wonder if embracing is the right word!

 

[Travel Guru]

I wonder if embracing is the right word!

I would have thought enduring would be closer to the mark!

I don't know too many corporate travellers who fly economy by choice.

TG

 

[straitman]

I wonder if embracing is the right word!

Are they using the word 'embrace' like Qantas uses the word 'enhance' :?:

 

[Batesy]

My experience and that of many people I know across many companies is that its Y if domestic in OZ and J if international. I think is difficult to justify J for say MEL -SYD. I was based in PER until recently and my employer has a Y policy for travel from PER unless travelling every two weeks.
We spent $300k in one month on SYD-PER travel a couple of years back when it was policy to be J for travel to PER, suffice to say the business changed the policy to all Y after that, no matter where in the country you were travelling.

International including NZ is in J. I think that our policy is fairy normal for large public companies.

 

[JohnK]

Looking at the global economic crisis I would not be surprised if the number of people travelling business class drops in the next few years.

 

[simongr]

International including NZ is in J. I think that our policy is fairy normal for large public companies.

I think you are a little unusual with an NZ J policy - I havent seen one of those for a while...

 

[DTM1]

We fly J from MEL - PER, but Y elsewhere in Aus.

All o/s is J.

However, I'm not sure whay PER should be treated differently to NZ ?

 

[straitman]

I think you are a little unusual with an NZ J policy - I havent seen one of those for a while...

Agreed. I work for as big a company as you could imagine and NZ is 'Y'. OS over 4 hrs is 'J'

 

[Myrna]

Hubby's company's policy - it must be over 5 hours for him to travel in J, otherwise it is cattle class (eg all domestic, including from SYD to PER and to NZ).

 

[SeaWolf]

Last place I worked for the travel policy seemed to depend on your pay packet. If you were up the top end it was J all the way. Grunts were always in Y. Though to be honest, if you were a grunt you weren't doing much travel anyway.

 

[dajop]

My company has the divide between Y & J at 6 hours. It does of course depend on no of travellers (eg if there is a lot going to an o/s conference it definitely Y), and where we're at in our fiscal year.

On the NZ business class thing .... a bit of trivia ... if using Air NZ, the price per mile for J isn't that bad. It's actually often less expensive to fly MEL-AKL return in J than MEL-BNE return

 

[Reggie]

I don't know too many corporate travellers who fly economy by choice.

TG

I disagree, nearly all corporate travellers, and pax for that matter, have a choice on flying economy. The other choice(s) are pay the difference to fly J, or not fly at all. Personally I make the first choice, its amazing how many people say I wish I could fly J, but wouldn't pay for it themselves.

 

[straitman]

I disagree, nearly all corporate travellers, and pax for that matter, have a choice on flying economy. The other choice(s) are pay the difference to fly J, or not fly at all. Personally I make the first choice, its amazing how many people say I wish I could fly J, but wouldn't pay for it themselves.

Reggie,

I disagree with you. Our company policy will not allow for a self paid upgrade. They even have trouble with the concept of a points upgrade though they will reluctantly accept it.

 

[oz_mark]

I am in a similar position, although the reasons are more administrative than what the policy says. Basically, there is no way for me to pay for an upgrade, as it needs to go through the TA, and that would not get approved. Points upgrades can be done as it does not require the TA to get involved.

 

[garyjohn951]

A sign of the times. Higher interest rates, company's tightening the belt. I have friend who 4 yrs ago went J everywhere. Now his US parent Company have clamped down, why currency rates. $ yrs ago the $A got .50 US now what is it. The US company's subsiduary is bleeding than belts are tightened.
I know only one area of business, but more examples out there.