Continental Airlines is following the ever more popular trend for “better than” economy class seating.
Earlier this month US carrier Delta announced it plans to introduce Economy Comfort seating across its large international fleet. Delta seemed to have followed in the footsteps of its alliance partner KLM which offers a similar product.
Now comes news that Continental Airlines (now merged with US carrier United) will adopt Economy Plus seating from the beginning of next year.
Economy Plus seating is provided in a separate area of the economy cabin. It offers passengers the advantage of up to five inches extra legroom for a modest fee. In other respects the seating and inflight service is exactly the same as normal economy class.
United has successfully offered Economy Plus on its main international and domestic fleet for 12 years. Says Jim Compton, chief revenue officer of United Continental Holdings, “Customers who sit in Economy Plus are significantly more satisfied with their travel experience.”
Like its rival Delta, Continental is a two-class carrier. So by offering a “third” seating option it can narrow the gap between the lie-flat comfort of business class and the more cramped conditions found in economy class.
Continental says it will install Economy Plus across its mainline fleet from early 2012. It will cover both international and domestic destinations and be fitted to the carrier’s large fleet of B777s, B757s and B737s.