IBRAHIM HAKKI GUNTAY

Says the aviation expert who believes that changing trends will bring about another iteration of business class travel in the coming years

Ibrahim Hakki Guntay is the general manager, western and southern India for Turkish Airlines. In this issue, he shares his views on business class travel experiences and how airlines are promoting them to economy class passengers through various programmes and initiatives.

Over the years, innumerable leaps in technology have resulted in the creation of airplanes that y higher, faster and longer. Better mechanisms are now being used to ensure that travel is safer and even more cost-e cient.

is constant endeavour to build better airplanes on the outside has also trickled inwards – to the passenger cabin – giving rise to a class of passengers that are even more discerning and particular about their ‘experience’ when they y.

A subset amongst these travellers are those who travel business class. ey expect a range of luxury amenities and special care onboard that commensurate the airline charges.

Open for all

Looking at the trends and popularity, I feel that business class travel has become aspirational for passengers who travel economy and airlines are keen to promote this through various frequent yer programmes like Miles&Smiles, which is why the average airline passenger today is conscious about the miles and loyalty points they receive.

Airline executives around the globe have realised that these passengers are not only important from a nancial standpoint, but also from a value standpoint. As a result, airlines across the globe compete with each other in terms of investing and curating world-class experiences for passengers. Services like Miniport, which is a luggage transfer service from city centre to airport o ered by Turkish Airlines along with exclusive airport tranfers by a personal chau eur are some ways through which airlines are going the extra mile to make your trip into a most pleasurable experience.

Personalisation is key

e business class experience is about much more than legroom today. Flat beds, u y cotton pillows, seven-course meals, extra comfortable seats, designer night-wear and luxurious vanity kits, these are a few elements that have become the basic necessities of business class travel in recent times. With corporate travel picking up, airlines are now going a step ahead to o er personalised services and pamper business class customers with a lounge, a shower, a bed to rest and probably a bar present within the in exible boundaries of an aircra fuselage.

So, what amongst these services de ne the ideal business class experience today?

In my opinion, it is the experience of re nement and comfort created with lie- at beds, a multi-course menu by celebrity chefs, and luxury amenity kits during ight. When it comes to food and catering, gourmet cuisine has long been a staple for business class menus. Bringing chefs or ‘Flying Chefs’, onboard to serve up a ne-dining experience in the sky is another curated experience that select airlines are now o ering to passengers.

Business travel and its changing dynamics

It would be fair to say that the current norms and standards of business travel are not in any way de nitive. e constant change of trends and preferences are sure to bring about another iteration of business class travel in the very near future.

Advancements in gastronomic technology will continue to expand the long list of choices that passengers prefer as a meal in the sky. New updates in virtual reality may also become a norm of in ight entertainment given the need for constant new recreational facilities. e possibilities are endless and the potential exists – it is now up to airlines to take the rst bold step towards the future.

For me, business class service, through the value it provides, will prove to be one of the key di erentiators that will de ne the success and failure of airlines in the coming years.

Business class service will de ne the success and failure of airlines in the coming years