The three operating low-cost airlines in the country – FlySafair, Kulula and Lift – have all launched ‘business class’ or premium offerings in an effort to compete against SAA.
The former wholly-state-owned airline plans to resume flights on September 23, while full-service domestic rival British Airways (operated by Comair) restarted operations on Wednesday (September 1).
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FlySafair
FlySafair introduced Business Class in August last year as a replacement for its Premium fare. Beyond the two checked bag and 32kg special equipment allowance, it included priority bag as well as a blocked middle seat between passengers. This blocked seat can be added on any of its other fare classes (Lite or Standard) at a cost of R750. This is the difference between its Standard and Business Class fares, meaning the special equipment allowance, priority bag, included seat reservation and unlimited fee-free changes are effectively bundled for ‘free’.
Kulula
Kulula overhauled its fare structure last week ahead of it resuming operations on Wednesday. Previously it had a standard fare, a semi-flex fare and a full-flex option. It now offers three options: Fly Light, Pack & Go and Fully Loaded. This repackaging of its fares has achieved two things: it can compete more effectively with FlySafair at the low-end where a traveller does not require a checked in bag and, more importantly, it effectively raises the price of its standard fares by R195. Kulula bundles two free flight changes into this ‘Pack & Go’ option where customers will pay only the fare difference. This is its answer to rival Lift’s flexible fare policy. Kulula’s highest tier fare is not strictly comparable to a…