Media Releases

14 April 2010

Travellers willing to pay extra for lie-flat Economy seats

BUSINESS travellers flying long-haul are prepared to stretch their budgets for the privilege of being able to lie down in Economy class.

Results from an online poll conducted by Corporate Traveller revealed business travellers don't mind forking out a bit extra for a lie-flat bed in Economy.

A total of 289 business travellers took part in the survey which asked respondents how much extra they were willing to pay for a lie-flat bed in long-haul Economy - up to 20 per cent more, up to 50 per cent more or up to 100 per cent more.

Sixty-nine per cent or 199 business travellers said they were prepared to pay up to 20 per cent more for a lie-flat bed in Economy. A total of 74 respondents or 26 per cent of voters said they would pay up to 50 per cent for a lie-flat bed and five per cent said they would pay up to 100 per cent more.

Corporate Traveller national marketing manager Chris Preston said the poll results showed the concept of a lie-flat bed in Economy class had been well received by business travellers.

"The fact that almost 70 per cent of people were prepared to pay up to 20 per cent more for a lie-flat bed shows that passengers are looking for a more comfortable flying experience when they're travelling long-haul - and they are prepared to pay little extra," he said.

"If you consider the price of a return ticket between Melbourne and Los Angeles, according to our poll, the bulk of travellers would be prepared to pay up to about $205 more for a lie-flat bed in Economy Class and about $420 extra for a lie-flat bed on a flight between Sydney and London.

"Being able to stretch out your legs and lie down is the holy grail of flying for most people travelling in Economy class. I'm sure a lot of people flying long-haul international have walked past First and Business class on their way down to the back of the plane and yearned for the space and comfort of the premium seats."

One of the first carriers to announce a flat-bed experience in Economy, is Air New Zealand, which in January this year unveiled a prototype for an Economy-class Skycouch.