Lie-flat for less! Emirates becomes the first airline to offer ‘basic’ business class fares, which cost around £250 less but don’t include lounge access or fast-track security
- The ‘special’ fares are only being rolled out and offered on selected routes
- The tickets allow passengers to enjoy the in-air perks of flying business class
- But the reduced fares don’t include a chauffeur service or first-class upgrades
Emirates has become the first major airline to roll out ‘basic’ business class fares, which are up to around £250 cheaper than regular business class tickets.
The Dubai-based carrier is offering ‘special fares’ on selected routes in business class, allowing passengers to fly for less in cabins that feature lie-flat beds and menus of ‘regionally inspired gourmet dishes’.
These fares, however, don’t include ‘ground perks’ such as lounge access, chauffeur services or fast-track security, which are all available to those paying the full-fat business fare.
Emirates has become the first major airline to start rolling out basic business class fares. Pictured is the business class cabin on one of its Boeing 777s
An upgrade to first class is also not permitted with ‘special fares’ and passengers can only select their seat 48 hours prior to departure, when check-in opens.
The amount it’s possible to save fluctuates depending on the route and date of travel, but from a ghost booking that MailOnline Travel made, it looks to be in the order of a few hundred pounds each way.
When we attempted a ghost booking for a business class flight from Dubai to Johannesburg on July 15, the price of the basic special fare was 7,480 AED (£1,602).
In contrast the regular business class fare was 8,680 AED (£1,859) – a difference of 1,200 AED (£257).
When attempting to book the special fare, a message flashed up on screen warning: ‘Business special fare is not eligible for chauffeur-drive and lounge access.
The fares don’t allow passengers to indulge in ground perks such as automatic lounge access. Pictured is the business class lounge at Dubai International Airport
‘However, your Skywards benefits apply and eligibility is based on your tier. You can select your seat 48 hours prior to your flight.’
Emirates told MailOnline Travel that the new fares were introduced after a review of ‘the evolving travel preferences of our valued customers’ and will be offered ‘based on seasonal trends in travel demand’.
The airline added: ‘Passengers booked on a business class “special” fare will continue to enjoy our award-winning services and products onboard, a generous baggage allowance of up to 40kgs, and priority boarding at their convenience.’
The new business class fares come a year after Emirates announced that it would be launching a premium economy class cabin from 2020
The new basic business class fares come a year after Emirates announced that it would be launching a premium economy class cabin from 2020.
Speaking at the time, the airline’s president, Tim Clark, said it could help the carrier attract more higher-spending travellers.
Premium economy will be on the Airbus A380s that Emirates ordered last year, of which the first six will be delivered in 2020, Clark said in a company podcast on its website.
He added: ‘We will be installing premium economy into those and it will be an Emirates premium economy, so it will be special.’