As y'all know, I've been quite fascinated by La Compagnie, the new all business class airline between Paris and Newark. As I've written about, they had some hiccups getting off the ground, though I managed to fly them from Paris to Newark a couple of weeks ago. I found them to be a spectacular value,…
Continue reading: Another Perspective On La Compagnie Business Class
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No way these folks survive the doldrums of January and February with that mix of business model and "oh, whatever" approach to maintenance.
The seat / screw issue was hilarious. Wish the airline the best, but wouldn't be an investor.
Optimally, to handle a 72-seat business cabin on a 757, you would have 2 galley operators (forward and aft) serving 2 aisle runners each. That would be a total of 6. This assumes proper modular prep on ground. You don't really get much benefit from adding crew above that number because the galley space constraints actually mean they start getting in each other's way more than helping.
I cannot see how you can design any sort of service for 3 operators on a 757. At a bare minimum, you need 1+1 per galley and then too you'd take close to an hour to get everything out.
It seems that the 2 for 1 offer has stopped already. I tried to book this deal as a surprise gift, but couldn't find it anymore. Anyway, $1000 per person for a return TATL is unbeatable value in business class (or business class light). $2000 per person is the opposite. I've flown well established airlines in business class from OSL (with a stopover) to USA for less... 🙂
I have to disagree with Eric, as there are always cheaper economy options than $875 from Berlin to New York, unless you really book last minute. I'm actually looking at IcelandAir right now for departures in September, which has $400 one way tickets from several places in Europe. More companies at slightly more expensive fares can be found but most are well under $875.
Anyway, as said, I was seriously looking to fly them with the offer. Now that the offer has come to an end, I won't do so anymore. Why?
First of all, I need to get my sorry ass to CDG first on a different booking and PNR. That's a bit of a risk. Second. I need to get my sorry ass to CDG. If there's one airport in Europe best to avoid... 😉 Third, I don't like the French attitude (you also got a taste of it) and that's why I avoid Air France at all costs. La Compagnie seems to be in the same league. Oh, and when I read about their hard product and their customer treatment, I'm somehow not tempted to try them anyway. Pity, really... but thanks for the warning anyway. 🙂
As said, I receive business class offers on a regular basis, offering a real business class product for about the same amount of money or sometimes even less. $2000 for a sub standard product is just not attractive. Give them a bit of credit as every start up of long haul operations comes with issues and needs time to settle in proper routines (isn't that right, Bjorn Kjos?), but by what I read now I bet they'd cease operations before Christmas.
ps. Does anyone know what the actual target group is for this airline? Almost-wealthy tourists? I guess most business travelers who are allowed to travel in business rather travel with established airlines where they can brag bout their status level (plus that a lot of companies have agreements with airlines and alliances), while wealthy people probably won't fly a single-aircraft-single-route operating airline with a sub-standard product but rather choose a decent business product with a well-established airline. Or am I wrong here?
Thanks for the review. I'm flying them tomorrow to EWR, I'll probably try to do a TR to get a different point of view. Do you have any recommandations regarding seats assignment?