Asiana axes Airbus A380 first class, rebrands as Business Suites
By David Flynn, May 8 2019
Asiana Airlines is officially axing first class from its Airbus A380s, although the upmarket private suites themselves will be retained and sold under the new brand of Business Suites.
From 1 September 2019 the South Korean carrier and Star Alliance member will treat the twelve private suites at the nose of its superjumbo fleet – which currently flies to New York, Los Angeles and Frankfurt – as an upgrade business class offering, moving to what industry boffins sometimes tag as a Business Plus model.
Business Suites fares will be pitched as 30-40% lower than first class fares, Asiana says, but still at a premium above business class.
The main lure for paying that extra money will be the vastly superior first class cabin, with its spacious and comfortable private suites, compared to the larger and busier business class cabin. Access to Asiana's flagship first class lounge at Seoul's Incheon Airport is also included.
That aside, Business Suites passengers will be served the same meals and drinks as business class, along with the same mileage earning rates in the Asiana Club frequent flyer program and with other Star Alliance partners.
The ability to book Asiana's new Business Suites using frequent flyer points remains unknown at this stage.
Asiana's move borrows from the playbook of Malaysia Airlines, which adopted a similar strategy – including an identical name for its primo Airbus A380 and A350 cabins – in December 2018, although everything else such as meals and drinks, inflight amenities and pyjamas remained as they would in first class.
Read more: Comparing Malaysia Airlines Airbus A350 Business Suites and business class
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
10 May 2018
Total posts 12
Well, I didn't see that one coming... I'm also a bit surprised that Malaysian started something (changing First Class to Business Suites) that another major airline has followed! That's a first!!
20 Sep 2012
Total posts 8
Unless I'm mistaken, this cabin is at the front of the lower deck with all economy behind.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 477
Very unexpected, and interesting to see another airline going down this 'Business Plus' route, but especially when Asiana's first class was still a fairly competitive product, unlike that of Malaysia Airlines. Obviously this is more to do with Asiana's current cost-cutting drive than the product but in today's climate I would think that unless you have an amazing first class proposition and the routes and passengers which demand it, business class and maybe 'business plus' is the safest and most profitable bet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
I think you hit the nail on the head with your first sentence.
Whether this is truly an industry-wide approaching trend or just the travails of two financially troubled - in differing ways - carriers, is yet to be seen. It has been evident in the financial press that Asiana is experiencing issues with it's external auditors.
As you infer, Asiana may well be taking this move to prompt a revenue boost with the re-classification of what is generally regarded as an excellent product.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1207
Minor point but Asiana's suites are on the lower (or main) deck of the A380.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 416
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