Air passengers can now look forward to travelling in the business class of budget carrier GoAir. The Mumbai-based airline is looking to introduce business class seats in a separate section called "Go Comfort" in all its flights in the winter schedule.
Currently, GoAir's aircraft have an all economy class configuration. A GoAir executive confirmed the development saying, "This will include serving food on board among some other frills." However, further details were not immediately known.
"They plan to initially reserve three or four rows for that segment. This will be offered on a trial basis by the month-end. Since an ideal business class has only two seats in an alignment, this segment will include the window and aisle seats, and the middle seat will be kept empty. Light snacks will be served on board at first. They will charge Rs 1,000 extra for these seats," said Mohit Srivastava, head of online sales, Makemytrip.com.
GoAir executives said at a later stage they plan to do away with one of the rows to make for more leg room in the business class segment. Light snacks would be replaced with full-fledged meals and the fares would increase. GoAir is the second budget carrier looking at transforming itself into a value carrier. Last month, the low-cost Deccan brand of Simplifly Deccan was changed to Kingfisher Red.
The carrier offers upgraded service including food on board, and has hiked fares considerably over the last year-and-a-half. Aviation experts say that the value carrier may actually be the new model for the low-cost carrier in India.
"The average flight time in India is longer than in Europe or America. So the average air passenger would want their food or beverage on board. Not carrying food or beverage does not really make for faster turnaround of aircraft because the time gained there, would be negated in the time spent due to congestion in Indian airports. So frills and a slightly increased fare are in order," said an industry expert. "While rebranding Deccan as Kingfisher Red gives Kingfisher a brand advantage having all segments of air travel under itself, it would not be the same for GoAir,” he added.
Also, with the current slowdown in demand, it would not be feasible to go for a fare increase and frills,” he added.
GoAir will only be able to use the business class in the Mumbai-Delhi route, but in that people would very easily opt for a Jet or a Kingfisher economy class seat rather than an upgraded LCC," he added.