I would like to see airlines do replace economy with something akin to a pods in a Japanese pod hotel. Though safety concerns about everybody getting out of their pods quickly in event of an emergency might be an issue with that.
I flew a lot of economy class for work with a few lucky upgrades sprinkled in. I'm now retired. However for vacations my wife and I always fly domestic 1st class and international business class. A vacation should be an enjoyable experience. No sense arriving at your international vacation destination with no sleep, massive jet lag, and a horrendous back ache. The higher internal air pressure achieved due to a composite airframe on the 787 really does reduce jet lag. Always try to fly a 787 when you will have a big change in timezones.
“Business Class” has been a misnomer for several years. Whenever I’ve flown on business the company has made me fly economy to save money. I do however fly “Business Class” when I’m travelling for pleasure, or more importantly, when I’M PAYING. The concept is probably dead as far as the name is concerned (hence BA call it “Club”, not “Business”), but the Cabin itself is not.
Darren, I agree with you. While true business travel (paid by one's company) may decline, the demand for true comfort on longhaul flights could increase. More affluent and older leisure travelers want a more premium experience.
Darren , Dianne, indeed all the replies, absolutely. The writer underestimates both the amount of money a decent number of people have to spend on leisure travel and the significant difference it makes to the holiday experience. In terms of business travel reductions it will be the meetings that can't be justified by the time, never mind the cost, that will not come back, and those are also likely to be sectors flown in economy or premium economy.
Agreed, whether I travel for leisure or business I mind about the possibility to lie flat and sleep, that's the one thing I accept to pay a premium for. All the rest (food, service, priorities) is a welcome plus but myself along with what I guess would be the majority of premium travelers, wouldn't mind to break apart the purchase in single items, in the end of the day it doesn't change a whole lot and the airlines can survive.
@werner van gelder Companies vary in their policies. Many companies will allow you to upgrade to Business if a flight is more than 10 or 12 hours (or, if you are senior enough, for any flight). If a company wanted me to fly Tokyo to the US in economy, I'd definitely push back on that. a 16 hour flight in a seat that narrow would leave me cramped like a pretzel by arrival. My job shouldn't require physical pain.
Personally speaking, if flying international, I'll be damned if I'm stuck on a 14hr flight plane across the ocean in cramped leg room and sitting upright trying to sleep the whole flight. Not happening. For that alone it's worth a few thousand dollars. I want to enjoy the trip to the destination, not just the destination itself. So long as their is still people with discretionary money, business class is going no where and the demand for it will eventually force airlines to consider doing away with it altogether. Quite frankly, I don't think they can anyway, because their money is made on big spenders. First class today is your modern day private jet. No need to pay 1st class prices when a private jet gives you all that and more in privacy. But business class is perfectly in the middle. It will evolve. It will grow. But it's not going anywhere, so long as people like me request it, it'll always be around for as long as human beings fly.
I'm willing to bet that 90% of business class sales is for company travel, which are largely being replaced by Zoom. So unless discretionary business class demand increases by close to tenfold, there WILL be a huge permanent drop in demand even after COVID. Business class will reduce in size, and I think Dan is correct, smaller planes will win out.
Yeah but most people don't just have two thousand dollars laying around to spend on a business flight. Business travelers mostly get their flight paid by their company, or they use miles to upgrade. I don't think most people just have a thousand dollars to spend on a one way flight.
For most people, it’s either enjoy the flight OR enjoy the destination. $3000 is more than most people’s disposable income in 3 months, they aren’t going to spend it on a flight or two, they’re going to spend it a couple of weeks at their destination. What has more value for money, a few hours on a plane or a few weeks at your destination? It’s obvious what most people would choose. If airlines priced business at only twice as much as economy, more people would definitely choose business, but they aren’t going to at 4 or 5 times the price of economy.
Business class will be back. It might be less and smaller but it will be there. Some people want more luxury and some business meetings cannot be replaced by Zoom. Instead of 50 seats, maybe 25.
I agree. I went from flying constantly (domestic and international) to stuck behind Zoom meetings. All of us are making do with what we have, and Zoom or otherwise virtual meetings have a lot of limitations. If there was a better and safer option, we would but we don't have those options now. Working from home and virtual meetings also blur the line of work and home life, and it will not continue forever... Business travel will be back but I do agree that the old "hop on a plane at a moment notice" will decline and people will be more focused and purposeful when making that business trip.
100% agree. Zoom can replace many simple meetings for which you wouldn't have flown around the globe before either. However, deep-dive technical meetings, conferences, etc., it just doesn't work and there is a body of literature on that as well. For people who travel out of necessity, business class can't be replaced.
@@NonstopDan OMG you answered my comment. Made my day. First of all, great videos as always. Airlines will continue business class simply because it is the most profitable one. Economy covers the costs and premium gives a small profit but the real deal is Business Class.
Suffering is relative... Economy on a 787 or a350 is alot different then an old 757. Elevated cabins more entertainment options and bigger more comfortable seats.
@@vijayanchomatil8413 totally true. Emirates economy NCL to DBX had great food and drink and 2k entertainment channels plus ample legroom. On daytime sector flights I simply can’t see the point of massively priced upgrades (even £40 extra will get you lounge access at the major airports)
It makes me happy to see you've been able to pivot to these types of videos in 2020. This is a really well made video. Hope to start flying again soon.
One side comment: Some US Airline's named "First class" what is still a business class when it comes to international Booking class codes (C, Z et al.) (e.g. United First on US domestic). Second problem here: economy class tickets where in fact subsidized by higher classes. If the revenue from Business and First is missing it means your economy fare will increase dramatically.
Wow Dan, the production value of this video is over the top. I totally did not see this coming. I’ve been following and watching your videos for a long time but this is definitely the best one yet.
I really hope this isn’t the end of business class. Actually, I think it will decrease for business travellers, but increase for families who are desperate to travel after the pandemic. As always, great video 👍🏻
I work at an airport, and the borders reopened during summer 2020, the planes that arrived there was filled to the brink with families and friends who wanna to go out and see the world, so I don’t see any bad signs if that can shouldn’t happen.
The family demand will only sustain for so long. After you've born a few thousand dollars on your first family holiday after the pandemic, blowing out again on a second holiday is less attractive. Meanwhile business travelers pre-pandemic would have been doing a much as a WEEKLY commute. The numbers just don't match up.
Really interesting video Dan, thanks so much for this. I was expecting it to be really negative news but you actually put a nice silver lining in that dark cloud. So well made as well, you have gone from flight reviewer to master documentary maker - bravo Sir!
I’m really liking these documentary style, deep dive videos from you (even more than the trip reports). Despite following many aviation/paxex channels and news outlets, I always end up learning something new with your mini-documentaries. Keep it up!!
I personally believe that food should be free in all classes and at least 1 piece of luggage should be free in premium classes. Even LCC Norwegian does this in their “Premium” cabin.
While I’d agree to that idea generally, issue is that we used to have this not that long ago. And removing all those “extras” is what brought down the price of flying so much nowadays (at least for economy). After all, airlines don’t operate on huge margins to begin with so every penny counts, really.
I think luggage, because it's practically a necessity, and food, because it's cheap, should be built into the ticket price. I read somewhere that an airline meal is only like $4.00 per passenger. Is someone really gonna balk at a ticket that's $4.00 more expensive, especially if they know they'll get a decent meal?
I think this pandemic has taught people the importance of multiple streams of income, unfortunately having a job doesn't mean financial security. I really appreciate the transparency and giving people a fighting chance during this troubling times.
Absolutely. Did you know that the level of unemployment has increased tremendously since the pandemic? We should learn how to create multiple streams of income and not depend only on monthly salary and wages
@Job Offers Life is too short to be working for someone else's dreams. Be a billionaire of your own. take a big step today. Make investments. I earn money even while sleeping.
Thanks for sharing. As a child I recall flying First Class on board a QANTAS Super G Constellation on several occasions. It was pure luxury and a memory I will not forget.
Nonstop Dan - RUclipsr, airlines reviewer, and, from now on, aviation marketing guru ;-) This is an incredibly mindful, inspiring (at least, for airline marketeers) and well-made video that truly everybody let see your love for aviation. I wouldn't be surprised to see you being offered a job in a top-notch airline's marketing division some day - hopefully not, as this may end one of (if not, the) best RUclips's airline review channels. Thank you so much for making and sharing.
Love your videos - I believe that ( and I have noticed - airlines like qatar and Ba have dropped their business fares making it more affordable ) I travel to a lot of cities all of the world and have noticed a reduction of biss fares making it more affordable yet the standard is still high. You may loose some business travelers since companies are zooming more but you are going to gain a lot more regular travelers who want more comfort
Dan I agree. Your analysis I think it is correct. I fly business only for leisure (only twice this year pre-covid). For me on long haul out of Sydney it makes sense. Beds or at the very least a good recline and leg room makes a flight. Keep up the good work.
Man, are you naive? Unbundling didn't save money, it lowers the bar and overcharges to bring service back to levels that were standard before. Airlines don't need apologists giving them excuses to regress.
Outlook nicely done. Yes, all the international business boondogling may drop to a drip; but zoom can never replace conversations over dinner, casual talks over drink, chat in the car, etc., etc., etc. It will take longer and more frustrations and maybe more mistakes in the early stages of new biz development. Fax and email made it all more productive, but never replaced the biz travels; actually air travel increased over the past decades even after 911/ TSA security.
2 things i see flawed.. 1) business class has always attract leisure travelers especially on long haul flights.. i dont know the percentage.. but i assume it wud be quite high 2) business travelers for big conglomerate, have started flying economy for years as cost cutting measures... unless u r board members, or the flight is really really long haul, companies have been known to put their employees on economy class granted no 1 holds water, business class will never go away
I liked your airline reviews a lot since your old channel days. But I must admit that I'm enjoying your editorial style on broader airline related subjects even more. Much success to you!
I think there are some things not considered. The whole remote work thing will result in businesses flying employees to HQ/hub whereas before everyone would be in the same place already. For example, my company has started to do this for all remote workers very regularly. This is an entirely new category of business travel which just didn't exist before, because working remotely was never as big of a thing as it has already become now. Many company are offering this as a bonus alternative to the typical bonuses one might get working in an office (free food/coffee/alcohol, social events, etc).
The key line in the video is "business is where most of the airlines revenue comes from". With drastically reduced business travel, so many routes will become unviable. This will result in a reduction in flights and unless someone figures out how to run a long-haul economy airline, more expensive flying for all of us 🙁
Hi Dan - for a so called "amateur" this video is absolutely professional and worthy of broadcast on any major TV channel. Your knowledge of the airline industry is very impressive and shows in the quality of your video`s. If you could let us have the occasional shot of the middle 2 seats (for people who travel with their other halfs such as me) especially the dividing screen between the seats (to see how easy it is to have a conversation without having to crane your neck around it) that would be great. Keep up the great work mate !
I consider myself very lucky that as a family we were frequent fliers in the 80's and early 90's. You'd get empty flights almost all the time and upgrades to business were easy to arrange as well. Tickets were very expensive so it was a serious cost to save up for, but it was also a huge event to go to the airport (you'd go like 4-5 hours before the flight just to enjoy the airport!), shop and eat at the airport, watch the planes take off etc. We would even dress up for the day of flying, wear our best clothes, get manicures/pedicures LOL!
Not any more. Now folks come in the pajamas, no hair cuts, etc. As if they just woke up, got out of bed and stepped on a plane. There's no dignity any more. It's the equivalent of getting on a bus, for the air. Really shocked me and pretty sad. So, when, i come dressed like i'm going somewhere i thought this is how it's supposed to be. For most others, it's not.
*Fantastic video! Please make more of these!* By the way, I predict that the major cabin changes we are going to see are a big reduction in economy and business, yet a major extension and improvement of premium economy.
Wow Dan, amazing job on this documentary. I am a child of the 60s and I used to fly back then so you nailed it! This could’ve been a difficult topic because you are so young but you did your research. Superb storytelling! I hope you are feeling better and back to traveling soon!❤️🙏✈️
As forward thinking as Emirates is, I think they missed out on the opportunity that a Premium economy class provides. I fly US to Asia 3 times a year and have switched to flying BA instead of Emirates because they don't offer that "perfect" spot in between the two classes.
@@77l96 Their backbone is the A380. If their flagship plane, around which their entire hub-and-spoke model is built upon, doesn't offer it, the airline does not offer this product.
To add a few key points - 1) short-haul and long haul will demand different products re seats, facilities, food 2) pricing - with the loss of Business subsidizing Economy, longer term the planes could go Premium Economy for most 3) prices may be cheap in short-term to get people flying but long-term will be higher than 2019 (was 2019 Peak Flying?) Different airlines will aim at different customers via product and price differentiation - but get it wrong, as Dan said, it would spell the end of the airline. Know your customer and tailor the aircraft to match the route = flexibility. Perhaps standby / tickets on day will come back into play to fill aircraft at cheaper prices?
I’m glad i was able to fly business class with Emirates in 2015 from Zurich to Sydney return and get the full business class treatment. First time i ever flew Business, glad i could do it before the awful Covid turned up.
I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked on this video, but a really well thought out analysis. Not sure I completely agree that Business Class will die off or even largely change to the Ryanair model. Business travel will certainly go down, but there’s a core of the more wealthy traveller that still wants that luxury, and can stretch to Business Class but not First. And I’ve observed in long haul flights that I’ve taken this past year, Business Class on Cathay Pacific (my home airline) has been proportionally A LOT fuller than economy. What I suspect is that some airlines / routes will be able to maintain this, others will go the way you have suggested. Let’s see what the future brings. 2021 so far looks a lot like 2020.
This was a great video! In the aftermath of covid, I’ll probably find it hard to adjust to not having a lot of personal space on a flight. My flights going forward will mostly be in premium economy or business - this Build Your Own Business Class idea sounds great!
I think it would be great if you could get guest speakers to talk on these videos e.g Pilots, Airline Executives, Engineers etc. It would give a deeper insight into the aviation sector.
Fantastic video and I agree 100%. I used to travel long flyghts every month and the company suspended all non essencial travels until may2021. Rgds from brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Best video I've seen of yours non-stop Dan. A few years ago I flew Auckland to Shanghai on Air NZ in economy and was given an upgrade to the SkyCouch. There were two empty seats next to mine, so, with a few pullouts I had a 3 seat wide lie flat, pretty comfortable bed. Had a very nice NZ Pinot Noir, while lying flat, in Economy Class! The addition of SkyNest is a step up (It looks) from SkyCouch. Can't wait!
I really enjoyed watching this informative-style video of yours, Dan! I do hope that business class won't be dead. And actually you are saying too that it won't be dead - instead it will be rather renamed/ reinvented. But of course more people watch with a more drastic headline. 😂 Very well done, Dan! Glad I watched it. Hugs! Chris, from TravelSingFly
That means, that the airbus a350, a330 and the boeing 787 will prevail more time, and even the 777 would become less useful. Smaller planes with large range will apear in the next decades, like the 321xlr, even larger ranges for this kind of planes.
Informative and well produced video! I think you're right about business class and I believe it's clear that this has been coming for awhile. It's just the natural cycle of things is all :-) I, for one, like the idea of customizing my flight because it makes it more alike to other mass transportation which I think is necessary for aviation as it becomes more and more popular and accessible for everyone.
With every recession, the same mindless refrain has been repeated, just as you have done here: This will change things forever. Newsflash: No, it won't. Once this period ends, and it will.... the first people, who travel on business class, will communicate subtly that this is a "badge of importance". See, everyone, I am too important to communicate via videoconference. I have already experienced this during my mining days. Ignore the doom and gloom of this message, everyone.
We also ran into this after 9/11. The whole fleet was grounded for almost two months. The industry changed but it also sprang back. The economy expands and contracts. That is what businesses, especially airlines, need to be able to cope with.
Brilliant Dan! I know I compared this series to Wendover productions after the first one, but this is becoming next level. The production value alone is so slick!
As many people have stated here, I do not believe this is correct for the exact reasons others named: I will NOT travel on long haul flights where I need to sleep sitting up; I do not ever want to be in close proximity to other passengers; and I want privacy, a good meal, and my own aisle seat. Otherwise I do not book travel. And by the way, this was a visually excellent video!
Besides any other issue what has changed after Covid is very related of what is understood for luxury so Dan hits it exactly in the core point ! your videos are wonderful and totally 💯
Imagine forgetting to add a meal to your 12h + long haul flight to your unbundled business class seat. Even a meal from the terminal won't last for 12h without getting at least somewhat hungry again.
I think you've hit the nail on the head with your theory. Businesses have discovered video-link talking which can involve multiple people at the same time and without the cost of buying airline tickets and hotel rooms.
Thank God I treated myself to Business Class when I flew trans-Pacific in 2019. I got them on that "auction" business of Philippine Airlines. But then again, it came out to almost the same if I had booked beforehand on, say, Asiana or Eva Air. In the past, I always got good Lufthansa Business seats c/o of my MileagePlus points.
Excellent video, Dan! Your first non-travel travel video, I presume? This is one of those rare videos when you don’t just show us what happened but actually go beyond and speculate and make conclusions, etc. Very well done, professional video. I sure HOPE some business class survives, however, especially long-haul flights, like Houston to Dubai or Houston to New Zealand, etc.
The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/nonstopdan11201
I will use skillshare to learn about airplane physics lol
I would like to see airlines do replace economy with something akin to a pods in a Japanese pod hotel.
Though safety concerns about everybody getting out of their pods quickly in event of an emergency might be an issue with that.
I may be strange, but i travel economy when i travel for work, and in business class when going on vacation...
Tbh I never traveled on business or first, but going on a vacation on business seems fun
I think it’s better to fly in economy for small flights and business and first class for medium and long flights
I flew a lot of economy class for work with a few lucky upgrades sprinkled in. I'm now retired.
However for vacations my wife and I always fly domestic 1st class and international business class. A vacation should be an enjoyable experience. No sense arriving at your international vacation destination with no sleep, massive jet lag, and a horrendous back ache. The higher internal air pressure achieved due to a composite airframe on the 787 really does reduce jet lag. Always try to fly a 787 when you will have a big change in timezones.
@@addasensei I chose premium economy for long routes.
@@mattcolver1 Is that the plane they call the dreamliner which is more the nightmareliner in my opinion. I always try to avoid if possible.
The only reason I fly business class is to lie down flat for sleeping. Premium economy just doesn't cut it!
Lie flat with direct aisle access is amazing.
Exactly.
WOW! This video was soo much better than I had hoped for. Great job Dan!
Hey i watch your vids
Paid for comment.
@@RalphEllis what makes you say that?
Why did you have low expectations?
@@voxer99 He had lower expectations, not low expectations
“Business Class” has been a misnomer for several years. Whenever I’ve flown on business the company has made me fly economy to save money. I do however fly “Business Class” when I’m travelling for pleasure, or more importantly, when I’M PAYING. The concept is probably dead as far as the name is concerned (hence BA call it “Club”, not “Business”), but the Cabin itself is not.
Darren, I agree with you. While true business travel (paid by one's company) may decline, the demand for true comfort on longhaul flights could increase. More affluent and older leisure travelers want a more premium experience.
Darren , Dianne, indeed all the replies, absolutely. The writer underestimates both the amount of money a decent number of people have to spend on leisure travel and the significant difference it makes to the holiday experience. In terms of business travel reductions it will be the meetings that can't be justified by the time, never mind the cost, that will not come back, and those are also likely to be sectors flown in economy or premium economy.
@werner van gelder - but to be fair it’s a “staggered” 4 so you still have personal access to your seat.
Agreed, whether I travel for leisure or business I mind about the possibility to lie flat and sleep, that's the one thing I accept to pay a premium for. All the rest (food, service, priorities) is a welcome plus but myself along with what I guess would be the majority of premium travelers, wouldn't mind to break apart the purchase in single items, in the end of the day it doesn't change a whole lot and the airlines can survive.
@werner van gelder Companies vary in their policies. Many companies will allow you to upgrade to Business if a flight is more than 10 or 12 hours (or, if you are senior enough, for any flight). If a company wanted me to fly Tokyo to the US in economy, I'd definitely push back on that. a 16 hour flight in a seat that narrow would leave me cramped like a pretzel by arrival. My job shouldn't require physical pain.
Personally speaking, if flying international, I'll be damned if I'm stuck on a 14hr flight plane across the ocean in cramped leg room and sitting upright trying to sleep the whole flight. Not happening. For that alone it's worth a few thousand dollars. I want to enjoy the trip to the destination, not just the destination itself. So long as their is still people with discretionary money, business class is going no where and the demand for it will eventually force airlines to consider doing away with it altogether.
Quite frankly, I don't think they can anyway, because their money is made on big spenders. First class today is your modern day private jet. No need to pay 1st class prices when a private jet gives you all that and more in privacy. But business class is perfectly in the middle. It will evolve. It will grow. But it's not going anywhere, so long as people like me request it, it'll always be around for as long as human beings fly.
I'm willing to bet that 90% of business class sales is for company travel, which are largely being replaced by Zoom. So unless discretionary business class demand increases by close to tenfold, there WILL be a huge permanent drop in demand even after COVID. Business class will reduce in size, and I think Dan is correct, smaller planes will win out.
Yeah but most people don't just have two thousand dollars laying around to spend on a business flight. Business travelers mostly get their flight paid by their company, or they use miles to upgrade. I don't think most people just have a thousand dollars to spend on a one way flight.
yes, I totally concur.
For most people, it’s either enjoy the flight OR enjoy the destination. $3000 is more than most people’s disposable income in 3 months, they aren’t going to spend it on a flight or two, they’re going to spend it a couple of weeks at their destination. What has more value for money, a few hours on a plane or a few weeks at your destination? It’s obvious what most people would choose.
If airlines priced business at only twice as much as economy, more people would definitely choose business, but they aren’t going to at 4 or 5 times the price of economy.
Business class will be back. It might be less and smaller but it will be there. Some people want more luxury and some business meetings cannot be replaced by Zoom.
Instead of 50 seats, maybe 25.
I agree. I went from flying constantly (domestic and international) to stuck behind Zoom meetings. All of us are making do with what we have, and Zoom or otherwise virtual meetings have a lot of limitations. If there was a better and safer option, we would but we don't have those options now. Working from home and virtual meetings also blur the line of work and home life, and it will not continue forever... Business travel will be back but I do agree that the old "hop on a plane at a moment notice" will decline and people will be more focused and purposeful when making that business trip.
100% agree. Zoom can replace many simple meetings for which you wouldn't have flown around the globe before either. However, deep-dive technical meetings, conferences, etc., it just doesn't work and there is a body of literature on that as well. For people who travel out of necessity, business class can't be replaced.
@@_w_w_ I just hope I will start earning good money in a few years because I wanna try business class.
I agree too. It won't be completely gone, but from an airline perspective, business class might never be what it once was...
@@NonstopDan OMG you answered my comment. Made my day. First of all, great videos as always.
Airlines will continue business class simply because it is the most profitable one. Economy covers the costs and premium gives a small profit but the real deal is Business Class.
"Something in between luxury and suffering" 🤣🤣👍
In between luxury & suffering lol Dan that's absolutely hilarious 😂 love that!
4:55 for reference if anyone is wondering
Suffering is relative... Economy on a 787 or a350 is alot different then an old 757. Elevated cabins more entertainment options and bigger more comfortable seats.
@@vijayanchomatil8413 totally true. Emirates economy NCL to DBX had great food and drink and 2k entertainment channels plus ample legroom. On daytime sector flights I simply can’t see the point of massively priced upgrades (even £40 extra will get you lounge access at the major airports)
@@vijayanchomatil8413 economy on a 787 is cramped as hell
Wow! You did an amazing job on this video Dan! Loved watching it!
Agreed!
Paid for comments.
It makes me happy to see you've been able to pivot to these types of videos in 2020. This is a really well made video. Hope to start flying again soon.
One side comment: Some US Airline's named "First class" what is still a business class when it comes to international Booking class codes (C, Z et al.) (e.g. United First on US domestic).
Second problem here: economy class tickets where in fact subsidized by higher classes. If the revenue from Business and First is missing it means your economy fare will increase dramatically.
Wow, I've never thought of that. That's some good info right there
Wow Dan, the production value of this video is over the top. I totally did not see this coming. I’ve been following and watching your videos for a long time but this is definitely the best one yet.
I really hope this isn’t the end of business class. Actually, I think it will decrease for business travellers, but increase for families who are desperate to travel after the pandemic. As always, great video 👍🏻
I work at an airport, and the borders reopened during summer 2020, the planes that arrived there was filled to the brink with families and friends who wanna to go out and see the world, so I don’t see any bad signs if that can shouldn’t happen.
I hope it isn't the end too! Thanks for watching🙏
@@NonstopDan I can also guess that the A321LR was the right investment at the right time for SAS🇸🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴
The family demand will only sustain for so long. After you've born a few thousand dollars on your first family holiday after the pandemic, blowing out again on a second holiday is less attractive.
Meanwhile business travelers pre-pandemic would have been doing a much as a WEEKLY commute. The numbers just don't match up.
Loving these new types of videos !! Great replacement to full flight reviews for the time being ✈️✈️
The second you mention Ryanair, a shiver went up my spine. I really hope not too many legacy heads down this track. Great job on the video Dan!
Really interesting video Dan, thanks so much for this. I was expecting it to be really negative news but you actually put a nice silver lining in that dark cloud. So well made as well, you have gone from flight reviewer to master documentary maker - bravo Sir!
I’m really liking these documentary style, deep dive videos from you (even more than the trip reports). Despite following many aviation/paxex channels and news outlets, I always end up learning something new with your mini-documentaries. Keep it up!!
I personally believe that food should be free in all classes and at least 1 piece of luggage should be free in premium classes. Even LCC Norwegian does this in their “Premium” cabin.
It's not really free. It's just built into the price.
While I’d agree to that idea generally, issue is that we used to have this not that long ago. And removing all those “extras” is what brought down the price of flying so much nowadays (at least for economy). After all, airlines don’t operate on huge margins to begin with so every penny counts, really.
"There is no free lunch."
@@mdleweight Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to agree, but I sure do with you!
I think luggage, because it's practically a necessity, and food, because it's cheap, should be built into the ticket price. I read somewhere that an airline meal is only like $4.00 per passenger. Is someone really gonna balk at a ticket that's $4.00 more expensive, especially if they know they'll get a decent meal?
I think this pandemic has taught people the importance of multiple streams of income, unfortunately having a job doesn't mean financial security. I really appreciate the transparency and giving people a fighting chance during this troubling times.
Yes that's right. We learnt the hard way.
Absolutely. Did you know that the level of unemployment has increased tremendously since the pandemic? We should learn how to create multiple streams of income and not depend only on monthly salary and wages
@@jubrilusman7477 Diversification of Investments is really a great idea for multiple streams of income.
@Job Offers Life is too short to be working for someone else's dreams. Be a billionaire of your own. take a big step today. Make investments. I earn money even while sleeping.
Having a job doesn't guarantee financial security. I learnt that this pandemic.
Awesome production quality. I'm looking forward to more of these mini docs!!!
Thanks for sharing. As a child I recall flying First Class on board a QANTAS Super G Constellation on several occasions. It was pure luxury and a memory I will not forget.
Nonstop Dan - RUclipsr, airlines reviewer, and, from now on, aviation marketing guru ;-)
This is an incredibly mindful, inspiring (at least, for airline marketeers) and well-made video that truly everybody let see your love for aviation. I wouldn't be surprised to see you being offered a job in a top-notch airline's marketing division some day - hopefully not, as this may end one of (if not, the) best RUclips's airline review channels.
Thank you so much for making and sharing.
That's so kind of you Thomas - thank you!
Love your videos - I believe that ( and I have noticed - airlines like qatar and Ba have dropped their business fares making it more affordable ) I travel to a lot of cities all of the world and have noticed a reduction of biss fares making it more affordable yet the standard is still high. You may loose some business travelers since companies are zooming more but you are going to gain a lot more regular travelers who want more comfort
This video made my day today I was so bored at home I enjoy watching your videos it makes me feel so connect thank you Dan.
Dan I agree. Your analysis I think it is correct. I fly business only for leisure (only twice this year pre-covid). For me on long haul out of Sydney it makes sense. Beds or at the very least a good recline and leg room makes a flight. Keep up the good work.
Man, are you naive? Unbundling didn't save money, it lowers the bar and overcharges to bring service back to levels that were standard before. Airlines don't need apologists giving them excuses to regress.
Outlook nicely done. Yes, all the international business boondogling may drop to a drip; but zoom can never replace conversations over dinner, casual talks over drink, chat in the car, etc., etc., etc. It will take longer and more frustrations and maybe more mistakes in the early stages of new biz development. Fax and email made it all more productive, but never replaced the biz travels; actually air travel increased over the past decades even after 911/ TSA security.
2 things i see flawed..
1) business class has always attract leisure travelers especially on long haul flights.. i dont know the percentage.. but i assume it wud be quite high
2) business travelers for big conglomerate, have started flying economy for years as cost cutting measures... unless u r board members, or the flight is really really long haul, companies have been known to put their employees on economy class
granted no 1 holds water, business class will never go away
It’s been awesome watching your channel grow over the last 3 years. Congrats on your success. Great work on this one!
well, i am giving this A+. Short, informative, nice insights. Great job.
I liked your airline reviews a lot since your old channel days.
But I must admit that I'm enjoying your editorial style on broader airline related subjects even more. Much success to you!
I think there are some things not considered. The whole remote work thing will result in businesses flying employees to HQ/hub whereas before everyone would be in the same place already. For example, my company has started to do this for all remote workers very regularly. This is an entirely new category of business travel which just didn't exist before, because working remotely was never as big of a thing as it has already become now. Many company are offering this as a bonus alternative to the typical bonuses one might get working in an office (free food/coffee/alcohol, social events, etc).
The key line in the video is "business is where most of the airlines revenue comes from". With drastically reduced business travel, so many routes will become unviable. This will result in a reduction in flights and unless someone figures out how to run a long-haul economy airline, more expensive flying for all of us 🙁
Excellent thesis, and your presentation is superb! Thank you!
Hi Dan - for a so called "amateur" this video is absolutely professional and worthy of broadcast on any major TV channel. Your knowledge of the airline industry is very impressive and shows in the quality of your video`s. If you could let us have the occasional shot of the middle 2 seats (for people who travel with their other halfs such as me) especially the dividing screen between the seats (to see how easy it is to have a conversation without having to crane your neck around it) that would be great. Keep up the great work mate !
I consider myself very lucky that as a family we were frequent fliers in the 80's and early 90's. You'd get empty flights almost all the time and upgrades to business were easy to arrange as well. Tickets were very expensive so it was a serious cost to save up for, but it was also a huge event to go to the airport (you'd go like 4-5 hours before the flight just to enjoy the airport!), shop and eat at the airport, watch the planes take off etc. We would even dress up for the day of flying, wear our best clothes, get manicures/pedicures LOL!
Not any more. Now folks come in the pajamas, no hair cuts, etc. As if they just woke up, got out of bed and stepped on a plane. There's no dignity any more. It's the equivalent of getting on a bus, for the air. Really shocked me and pretty sad. So, when, i come dressed like i'm going somewhere i thought this is how it's supposed to be. For most others, it's not.
Lool im only 15 but airports have always been my favourite place. I love stop overs 😬🙈
Excellent video - great documentary!
Loved the vid! These documentaries are so damn good.
I love the growth of this channel!!!
This is your best video to date Dan. Well done!
Great overview and profound message for the future!
*Fantastic video! Please make more of these!*
By the way, I predict that the major cabin changes we are going to see are a big reduction in economy and business, yet a major extension and improvement of premium economy.
Love this video I could see this coming it may have taken a couple of decades but it has arrived and I am so happy as a traveller
Wow Dan, amazing job on this documentary. I am a child of the 60s and I used to fly back then so you nailed it! This could’ve been a difficult topic because you are so young but you did your research. Superb storytelling!
I hope you are feeling better and back to traveling soon!❤️🙏✈️
Very interesting ! You’ve grown up. I’ll watch next one
As forward thinking as Emirates is, I think they missed out on the opportunity that a Premium economy class provides. I fly US to Asia 3 times a year and have switched to flying BA instead of Emirates because they don't offer that "perfect" spot in between the two classes.
@@77l96 Their backbone is the A380. If their flagship plane, around which their entire hub-and-spoke model is built upon, doesn't offer it, the airline does not offer this product.
@@77l96 and you continue to prove my point - Emirates does not offer a premium economy cabin. The 777 does not offer this product either.
I'm really loving these type of videos! Can you do one on the history of Pan Am?
Dan, super insightful and very reasonable analysis. I loved it!!
must say it is a very professional video! enjoyed that very much here
To add a few key points - 1) short-haul and long haul will demand different products re seats, facilities, food 2) pricing - with the loss of Business subsidizing Economy, longer term the planes could go Premium Economy for most 3) prices may be cheap in short-term to get people flying but long-term will be higher than 2019 (was 2019 Peak Flying?)
Different airlines will aim at different customers via product and price differentiation - but get it wrong, as Dan said, it would spell the end of the airline. Know your customer and tailor the aircraft to match the route = flexibility. Perhaps standby / tickets on day will come back into play to fill aircraft at cheaper prices?
I’m glad i was able to fly business class with Emirates in 2015 from Zurich to Sydney return and get the full business class treatment. First time i ever flew Business, glad i could do it before the awful Covid turned up.
I didn’t know what to expect when I clicked on this video, but a really well thought out analysis. Not sure I completely agree that Business Class will die off or even largely change to the Ryanair model. Business travel will certainly go down, but there’s a core of the more wealthy traveller that still wants that luxury, and can stretch to Business Class but not First. And I’ve observed in long haul flights that I’ve taken this past year, Business Class on Cathay Pacific (my home airline) has been proportionally A LOT fuller than economy. What I suspect is that some airlines / routes will be able to maintain this, others will go the way you have suggested. Let’s see what the future brings. 2021 so far looks a lot like 2020.
This was a great video!
In the aftermath of covid, I’ll probably find it hard to adjust to not having a lot of personal space on a flight. My flights going forward will mostly be in premium economy or business - this Build Your Own Business Class idea sounds great!
I mean judging from the title, you're not wrong. I would camp in james asquith channel for memes if anyone's interested.
I think it would be great if you could get guest speakers to talk on these videos e.g Pilots, Airline Executives, Engineers etc. It would give a deeper insight into the aviation sector.
Nonstop Dan, awesome research and well done. Thanks for sharing....
Fantastic video and I agree 100%. I used to travel long flyghts every month and the company suspended all non essencial travels until may2021. Rgds from brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Best video I've seen of yours non-stop Dan. A few years ago I flew Auckland to Shanghai on Air NZ in economy and was given an upgrade to the SkyCouch. There were two empty seats next to mine, so, with a few pullouts I had a 3 seat wide lie flat, pretty comfortable bed.
Had a very nice NZ Pinot Noir, while lying flat, in Economy Class!
The addition of SkyNest is a step up (It looks) from SkyCouch. Can't wait!
For my taste, your best Video so far!
That was a very great video! I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.
Great video Dan....very informative in our World that has changed....keep it up...
Really good video, I was iffy about your hypothesis at first but you explained your point of view very well!
I really enjoyed watching this informative-style video of yours, Dan! I do hope that business class won't be dead. And actually you are saying too that it won't be dead - instead it will be rather renamed/ reinvented. But of course more people watch with a more drastic headline. 😂
Very well done, Dan! Glad I watched it.
Hugs! Chris, from TravelSingFly
Great vid. Good mix of past and future trend analysis.
You are so right ! ... I think that other option maybe is that Premium Economy will be the new Business Class ! Grat video congatulations
That means, that the airbus a350, a330 and the boeing 787 will prevail more time, and even the 777 would become less useful. Smaller planes with large range will apear in the next decades, like the 321xlr, even larger ranges for this kind of planes.
Very well done documentary. Please do more videos like this.
Great informative video Dan
Informative and well produced video! I think you're right about business class and I believe it's clear that this has been coming for awhile. It's just the natural cycle of things is all :-) I, for one, like the idea of customizing my flight because it makes it more alike to other mass transportation which I think is necessary for aviation as it becomes more and more popular and accessible for everyone.
This was SUPERB....well done!!
Very informative, really enjoyed this format.
Love these narration videos, please keep it up!
With every recession, the same mindless refrain has been repeated, just as you have done here: This will change things forever.
Newsflash: No, it won't. Once this period ends, and it will.... the first people, who travel on business class, will communicate subtly that this is a "badge of importance". See, everyone, I am too important to communicate via videoconference. I have already experienced this during my mining days.
Ignore the doom and gloom of this message, everyone.
There is always permanent change after a recession
Fantastic Dan and thank you! Great to see someone offering their views into the future. Very well put together video too!
Very comprehensible analysis - very well done!
We also ran into this after 9/11. The whole fleet was grounded for almost two months. The industry changed but it also sprang back. The economy expands and contracts. That is what businesses, especially airlines, need to be able to cope with.
Great video essay, Dan.
Welcome back, Dan. I hope the virus wasn't too hard on you and am glad to see you recovered.
Brilliant Dan! I know I compared this series to Wendover productions after the first one, but this is becoming next level. The production value alone is so slick!
So glad you liked the video John!
Wonderful documentary video Dan❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️... Loved it much
Great video at perfect timing Dan! I love your new focus, congratulations!
As many people have stated here, I do not believe this is correct for the exact reasons others named: I will NOT travel on long haul flights where I need to sleep sitting up; I do not ever want to be in close proximity to other passengers; and I want privacy, a good meal, and my own aisle seat. Otherwise I do not book travel. And by the way, this was a visually excellent video!
Loving the new style of video! Great insight too!
Really informative thanks been a while since I've been on this channel 💯 I like videos like this
I love these types of videos of dan :) keep up the good videos
Wow Dan, what a well constructed and informative video! Well done...
Besides any other issue what has changed after Covid is very related of what is understood for luxury so Dan hits it exactly in the core point ! your videos are wonderful and totally 💯
Very informative! Thanks for posting!
Imagine forgetting to add a meal to your 12h + long haul flight to your unbundled business class seat. Even a meal from the terminal won't last for 12h without getting at least somewhat hungry again.
You can always buy food on the airplane..
Great video Sir, I miss flying & cannot wait to travel to Asia again!
This is on par/if not better than the CNBC informatic videos. Good job Dan!
This was so interesting! Very well made!
fascinating content, beautifully presented.
Well put together Dan!
I think you've hit the nail on the head with your theory. Businesses have discovered video-link talking which can involve multiple people at the same time and without the cost of buying airline tickets and hotel rooms.
This is awesome Dan. Great job. I really hope things pickup sooner than later.
Thank God I treated myself to Business Class when I flew trans-Pacific in 2019. I got them on that "auction" business of Philippine Airlines. But then again, it came out to almost the same if I had booked beforehand on, say, Asiana or Eva Air. In the past, I always got good Lufthansa Business seats c/o of my MileagePlus points.
Excellent video, Dan! Your first non-travel travel video, I presume? This is one of those rare videos when you don’t just show us what happened but actually go beyond and speculate and make conclusions, etc. Very well done, professional video. I sure HOPE some business class survives, however, especially long-haul flights, like Houston to Dubai or Houston to New Zealand, etc.
Great video Dan
Brilliant video this was extremely informative 👌