There are various ways in which airways attempt to differentiate themselves in first & enterprise class, from the inflight product, to the bottom expertise. In some instances the bottom expertise begins earlier than you even get to the airport, as some airways provide complimentary chauffeur service to & from the airport. On this put up I needed to take a better take a look at which airways provide this.
Airways providing complimentary limousine service
Some airways provide first & enterprise class passengers a complimentary chauffeur service, as a approach of offering a differentiated expertise. Sadly over time we’ve seen these alternatives lower considerably. Not solely have a number of airways eradicated their chauffeur service possibility, however even these airways that provide it have added extra restrictions.
Finally I can perceive why some airways battle with justifying providing chauffeur service. Whereas it’s after all good to have a door-to-door expertise, many premium flyers are touring for enterprise, and presumably they’ll expense transportation to & from the airport as properly. Many airways simply discovered that they couldn’t cost a premium that justified this, so some airways (like Virgin Atlantic) have eradicated it.
With that out of the best way, let me share the airways that at the moment provide chauffeur service, ranked roughly primarily based on how available the service is.
Emirates first & enterprise class chauffeur service
Dubai-based Emirates Airline presents essentially the most available chauffeur service:
- That is out there at most locations worldwide, on each arrival and departure
- First & enterprise class passengers can reap the benefits of this; nonetheless, award tickets, tickets upgraded from economic system, and “primary” enterprise class fares, aren’t eligible for this service
- The flight should be marketed and operated by Emirates to be eligible
- This may be reserved greater than 12 hours earlier than departure by means of the reserving administration instrument
- There are most distances that may be traveled, however they differ by metropolis (it’s typically going to be round 50 miles)
At this level Emirates is the one airline that gives chauffeur service almost globally, with few restrictions.
Etihad first & enterprise class chauffeur service
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways presents chauffeur service, however solely at its Abu Dhabi hub:
- That is solely out there when arriving in or departing from Abu Dhabi
- First & enterprise class passengers can reap the benefits of this in the event that they paid money for his or her ticket, however passengers on award tickets or who upgraded aren’t eligible (besides Etihad Visitor Gold and Platinum members, who’re eligible)
- The flight should be marketed and operated by Etihad to be eligible
- This may be reserved greater than 12 hours earlier than departure by means of the reserving administration instrument
- The chauffeur service is legitimate for journey to anyplace within the UAE
Turkish enterprise class chauffeur service
Istanbul-based Turkish Airways presents chauffeur service, however solely at choose airports:
- This service isn’t out there in Istanbul, however somewhat is accessible at outstations in the US and Canada, however provided that flying to or from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Beirut, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Cairo, Mumbai, Delhi, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Dacca, Nairobi, Riyadh, Dammam, Amman, Jeddah, or Bahrain
- Enterprise class passengers can reap the benefits of this in the event that they paid money for his or her ticket (in fare courses C, D, J, Ok, and Z), however award tickets and upgraded tickets aren’t eligible
- The flight should be marketed and operated by Turkish to be eligible
- This may be reserved greater than 24 hours earlier than departure by means of the reserving administration instrument
- The chauffeur service is legitimate for as much as 35 miles of journey
- As of now that is solely legitimate for departure dates by means of September 5, 2023; nonetheless, it appears the airline extends this function one 12 months at a time
Air China first & enterprise class chauffeur service
Beijing-based Air China presents chauffeur service, however solely at choose airports in China:
- This service is just out there at choose airports in China, together with Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Xi’an
- First & enterprise class passengers should be touring to or from Europe, the Americas, Africa, or Oceania, in fare courses F, A, J, C, D, Z, or R; this implies award tickets don’t qualify
- The flight should be marketed and operated by Air China to be eligible
- This may be reserved greater than 48 hours earlier than departure by means of this web page
- The space you possibly can journey varies by metropolis
Air France firstclass chauffeur service
It is a area of interest providing, however Air France presents chauffeur service in restricted markets, together with in France:
- This service is accessible when departing or arriving in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Good
- Solely firstclass passengers are eligible for this
- The flight should be marketed and operated by Air France to be eligible
- This may be reserved greater than six hours earlier than departure by calling Air France
Whereas that is the most important market by which Air France presents chauffeur service, the airline additionally presents chauffeur service in choose different markets, together with Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, although the phrases there are even stricter.
SriLankan enterprise class chauffeur service
As soon as once more that is very area of interest, however SriLankan presents chauffeur service in London for passengers touring to & from Colombo:
- This service is accessible when departing or arriving in London
- Solely enterprise class passengers on full fare tickets issued by SriLankan Airways are eligible
- The chauffeur service is legitimate for as much as 30 miles of journey
- This may be reserved greater than 30 hours earlier than departure by calling SriLankan Airways
It’s fascinating how SriLankan Airways presents this for only one airport, particularly for the reason that airline faces no nonstop competitors available in the market. Whereas London is premium, I can’t think about that is what is going to push individuals over the sting to e book SriLankan.
Different airways provide tarmac transfers
As you possibly can see, this put up is particularly about airways providing a chauffeur service to & from the airport. That is totally different than a few of the airways that provide tarmac transfers between planes and lounges. For instance:
Backside line
To distinguish themselves, some airways provide first & enterprise class passengers complimentary limousine service to & from the airports. It’s at all times superior when that is provided, because it creates a seamless expertise, and in addition gives additional worth.
Sadly these alternatives are far more restricted than previously. A number of airways have reduce this service altogether, whereas different airways added fare class restrictions. At this level there aren’t any available award tickets that include chauffeur service anymore.
If you happen to’ve used an airline chauffeur service, what was your expertise like? And did I miss any airways providing this service?
