What percentage of business class patrons....

[Melburnian1]

What percentage of business class patrons on (a) Oz to or from SE Asia (b) to or from Europe (c) to or from USA are (i) travellers who have their tickets paid for by their company or government employer (ii) self funded travellers who are paying completely out of their own pocket (i.e. smallbusinessmen who have a 'pty ltd' company excluded).

My guess is that (i) would be high, and highest on the shorter routes but it would be interesting if an airline employee with knowledge of bookings chimed in and gave us the facts.

Does it vary markedly by airline?

 

[MartinMemo]

Of the half dozen or close family and friends I know who do it on the regular, it's all self funded holiday, usually at rack rate, usually no points redemptions.

 

[TonyHancock]

66.986% would be my guess.

Do I win a prize?

 

[boylero]

100% company funded here

 

[Hvr]

Whilst the airlines would know this, any employee who even hinted that they knew the figures would probably have their employment terminated within seconds.

Such information would be highly confidential and readily sought by competitors.

I don't see how this thread contributes to AFF.

 

[MartinMemo]

I don't see how this thread contributes to AFF.

I think it's interesting to think about though as a self funded leisure traveller myself, it's not hard to really tell if you look around a flight you're on. 6am MEL - SYD full of suits on a Tuesday, likely business. Thongs and board shorts on a Sunday to from OOL, likely self funded leisure.

 

[Melburnian1]

It gives me a clue as to why fares on particular routes may be high, or alternatively relatively low, for business class.

While we all read from time to time of companies or government entitities clamping down on spending, the fact is that some or many of us who fund J class ourselves are more likely to watch the fares closely - be more price sensitive - than those whose travel is funded by 'someone else.'

 

[SeatBackForward]

100% company funded here

Ditto. Doubt I'd ever pay for my own J fare. Upgrade perhaps.

 

[legroom]

Whilst the airlines would know this, any employee who even hinted that they knew the figures would probably have their employment terminated within seconds.

Such information would be highly confidential and readily sought by competitors.

I don't see how this thread contributes to AFF.

How would the airlines know ?

$$ coming from AMEX 'Corporate' could well be from a private client and from Flight Centre from a small firm ???

But I agree, knowing the % would not advance your knowledge bank much anyway.

If you can afford it, go ahead. And vice versa !

Navel gazing as to why Tues SYD LAX (just a made up example) is more expensive is a waste of time.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

(i.e. smallbusinessmen who have a 'pty ltd' company excluded).

Why exclude?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

are (i) travellers who have their tickets paid for by their company or government employer

Maybe that is why it is called Business Class :idea: ...as the original market research probably identified that as the prime demographic for it.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

22.65%


......

 

[Flying mermaid]

t (i.e. smallbusinessmen ?

I have smacked my fingers a few times trying not to type, but I failed.....The correct gender inclusive term is small business person (speaking as one).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It gives me a clue as to why fares on particular routes may be high, or alternatively relatively low, for business class.

While we all read from time to time of companies or government entitities clamping down on spending, the fact is that some or many of us who fund J class ourselves are more likely to watch the fares closely - be more price sensitive - than those whose travel is funded by 'someone else.'

who has paid what in any cabin could be subject to a huge variance. Some will be on an award, some will have bought the companion fares (perhaps for travel months in advance), some will be on round-the-world fares (and where did they purchase those fares? from a country with a low currency?), some will be on code shares, some will have fares subject to hefty corporate discounts, some may be on staff or industry fares, some will be on upgrades, some may be transferred from another airline under IRROPS (think UA ex SYD).

How many actually pay full fare even if the cabin is full? if the last minute walk-up fare is showing as $5000, and availability is showing J4... if the cabin goes out full it doesn't mean the last four seats went for the asking price. Could be staff on standby for holidays, could be an op-up from an oversell in a lower class.

 

[codash1099]

Using myself as a representative sample of my demographic (retired grumpy old b*stard), 100% self funded.

That's probably as reliable as any other figure and is a result of rigorous sampling a la Airline Quality

 

[SamR]

I'm 100% self funded. My company is too mean to pay for J, even on very long haul flights.

 

[dairyfloss]

How would the airlines know ?

Most sizeable corporates will have corporate airfare agreements which are accessed and tracked via specific codes in the GDS. It's probably pretty easy for them to pick those out amongst the crowd, but also safe to say that there would be many individuals, small businesses and others that may be buying J fares on the open market and so are an unknown entity so far as funding and purpose goes. The new Acquire 'product' may aid in targeting those who do this.

 

[Isochronous]

I have smacked my fingers a few times trying not to type, but I failed.....The correct gender inclusive term is small business person (speaking as one).

That presumes that the word 'businessman' or 'businessmen' is gender-biased.

 

[jetlagger]

I have smacked my fingers a few times trying not to type, but I failed.....The correct gender inclusive term is small business person (speaking as one).

I also believe the 'person" approach is more in tune with modern day reference in every context.

 

[serfty]

Only ever purchased on revenue business class fare - it was MEL-PER back in the 90's.

Work would pay for the "Y" fare bucket, it was about a 150 up-sell back then. I then "burned" a paper award upgrade certificate to travel First.