European no-frills airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet should consider adding business class cabins, according to a survey of travel industry executives.
Middle Eastern low-cost carriers such as Flydubai and Jazeera Airways have both added business class products to their aircraft, and senior industry managers believe this concept could work in other regions.
The study carried out by World Travel Market found that 87 per cent of respondents believed that no-frills business class could be successful in other regions – particularly in Europe (42 per cent), Asia (40 per cent), North America (35 per cent) and UK and Ireland (29 per cent).
The report suggests that no-frills business class could include bigger seats, more leg room and a meal.
No-frills business cabins could also prove popular with UK holidaymakers with 6 out of 10 saying they would be willing to pay extra to upgrade, although 39 per cent said it would depend on the cost of the service.
Research firm Euromonitor International also suggested that “no-frills business class cabins or full business class flights are a business model that the UK’s low-cost carriers, led by Easyjet and Ryanair could embrace”.
“The no-frills airlines may take on board the business model quicker as holidaymakers say they would be willing to pay up to £350 more to fly low-cost business class,” said the report.
“Although some holidaymakers say they would only be prepared to pay an extra £5 for no-frills business class service.”