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Easyjet to target business travellers
Business Travel Show London 2005: Easyjet has hinted it may look to further attract business travellers through a raft of incentives.
Head of corporate affairs Toby Nicol told delegates at the Business Travel Show the airline would consider priority check-in, allocated seating and a “Starbucks-style” frequent flyer programme. Some would incur a fee, he said.
Despite the potential concessions, Mr Nicol stressed business travellers would never be treated as VIPs and bullishly told them to seek another airline if they wanted preferential treatment.
Speaking at a debate on the low cost carriers’ relationship with corporations, Mr Nicol said: “We have tried to make life easier for business passengers. We have the most generous baggage policy in that there are no weight restrictions. The last thing business travellers want is to be told by an over-zealous check-in lady that their bag is too heavy and must go in the hold. We have also reduced check in times from 40 to 30 minutes.
“And it’s fair to say that in the next few years we could offer product that is close to the traditional airlines. In due course we could offer lounge access, for a cost of say £2.
“Priority check-in is a possibility as is a frequent flyer programme operated on a Starbucks-style reward programme where you buy 25 cups of coffee and get one free. It is also not inconceivable that we will go for allocated seating on paid-for basis.
“We’ll offer them but will people be prepared to pay? Who knows? If not, we simply won’t offer them.”
But Nicol made it clear the carrier was not looking to treat business travellers like VIPs and offer upgrades – “We don’t have an upgrade product” – or partake in tenders or discounts.
“If you want these things then call British Airways,” he said.
Nicol added that the carrier has only one price at any time in the market – in stark contrast to British Airways.
“BA is bedevilled by having 15 or 20 prices in the market. No one can possibly understand BA’s pricing policy. Even BA can’t understand it,” he said.
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