3.4 Pricing Structure
Fares on Singapore Airlines display the usual pricing structure – very
expensive for First Class and Business Class, and quite affordable for Economy.
Just to give an idea of the price differentials, a search by a passenger (Thomas,
2003) for a ticket for a round trip from New York to Frankfurt and back leaving July
24 and coming back July 31 (2003), gave the following: An economy class ticket
for the trip cost just US$684. A business-class ticket cost a “whopping”
US$4,869.00, while the same trip in First Class was a “shudder-inducing”
$8,021.90. All are full, unrestricted fares; lower fares are available under certain
conditions. Thus an Economy Class passenger pays only 8.5% of the First Class
fare, and 14% of Business fare, while Business Class fare is 60.7% of the First
Class fare. No wonder First Class passengers are treated like a head of state!
They are paying for superb service and are probably getting value for their money.