If you thought splitting the back of the plane into economy, basic economy and premium economy was confusing, hold on for more. Qatar Airways is now offering four different flavors of business class, as well as returning A380s with first class to the sky.
The return of the A380s is a temporary measure; the airline had permanently grounded them at the beginning of the pandemic, but is bringing them back for a while to keep capacity alive while it deals with the grounding of thirteen A350s found to have fuselage structural issues.
But one class back, where the majority of its premium tickets are sold, the airline is offering four different levels of price, access and amenities which it says is what its passengers want. All of the access and amenities that can now be selected were previously automatically part of business class.
Lite, previously announced, will allow a seat but no lounge access, no free changes, and a fee to get a refund in place of credit. It also earns only 75% of the usual loyalty points, and carries a fee for seat assignment. Next step up, Classic, gets lounge access, but pays for seat assignment and has a refund fee, although it does allow one change without a fee and gets 125% of the miles.
At the top come Comfort and Elite. Comfort still has the refund fee, but two free changes and comes with free seat selection and 175% of miles. At Elite, that goes to 200% and unlimited free changes.
Got that all? Good…there will be a quiz at the end of the lecture.
