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| A '''travel class''' is a quality of ] on ] ]. The accomodation could be a seat or a cabin for example. Higher travel classes are more comfortable and more expensive. Travel classes are a form of ]. Airlines traditionally have three travel classes: | A '''travel class''' is a quality of ] on ] ]. The accomodation could be a seat or a cabin for example. Higher travel classes are more comfortable and more expensive. Travel classes are a form of ]. Airlines traditionally have three travel classes: | ||
| * ], the highest quality of accomodations available | * ], the highest quality of accomodations available | ||
Revision as of 19:22, 10 October 2004
A travel class is a quality of accomodation on public transport. The accomodation could be a seat or a cabin for example. Higher travel classes are more comfortable and more expensive. Travel classes are a form of price discrimination. Airlines traditionally have three travel classes:
- First class, the highest quality of accomodations available
- Business class, high quality, traditionally purchased by business travellers
- Economy class (also known as coach class or tourist class), basic accomodation, traditionally purchased by leisure travellers
However, due to lack of demand, many airlines are now eliminating their first classes. Sometimes as a replacement, some airlines are creating premium economy classes to further price discriminate.
Booking codes
Within each travel class there are often different booking codes, each with different prices to further price discriminate. In an airline, these booking codes are typically as follows.
First class codes:
- A, F, P
Business class codes:
- C, J
Economy class codes:
- Full fare: Y
- Special or discount fares: M, B, H, K, Q, L, V
The hierarchical stucture of these booking codes (which one costs more than the other) varies between airlines.
All passengers within the same travel class receive the same quality of accomodation and may indeed sit next to each other. However, if they have different booking codes they may not receive the same quality or quantity of other services. For example, full fare economy class passengers (booking code Y) are usually able to make changes to their reservation, while discount economy class passengers in the lowest bookin code usually have tickets that are non-refundable, non-transferable (airline specific) and non-changeable.