Emirates revealed big news at the Aviation Festival in London.
Sir Tim Clark, president of the UAE-based airline, said that it is considering "three or four" types of economy class service, according to TTG. These new variations would allow the airline to offer a more basic fare and charge for optional ancillaries.
Clark noted the demand for long-haul, low-cost flights already exists in the marketplace.
"We have seen what happened in short-haul, it was nuclear on our industry," he said. "It's a question of time, the economics are probably more difficult, but it is clear that the place for long-haul low-cost is there."
Clark also elaborated, saying there are more changes coming to the air industry and the way consumers engage with airlines.
"Things are still in their infancy, but boy, is it going to come," he said. "Front of house is going to be completely different; it's not just about bundling and unbundling, we can learn a lot more about you [the consumer]. I'm looking to see a suite of [new] products coming through."
Both Clark and Qantas International chief executive Gareth Evans agreed that tech was the way forward for airlines.
"We can't make the flat screens or the beds any bigger. It has to be about mobile devices," he said at the Aviation Festival.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Emirates, Norwegian Step up Free Wi-Fi[/READMORE]
Emirates is looking at a sophisticated new digital platform that will engage customers and allow the purchase of lower-cost airfares. Evans even noted the digital experience will soon be completely changed.
"Should, there be a button on my mobile that says 'I'm at the airport, I'd like my normal coffee'?" he asked.
(Yes, we think there should.)
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