Thanks for the information, Jet aiways has by far the cheapest flight I could find.LX-LGX wrote:I don't know the exact rate structure from JetAirways, but the general rules for tickets are:Laurens wrote:I'm trying to find the cheapest flight BRU-EWR. Jet Airways has a class called "Special economy", wich is really cheap comparing with their "normal economy". What does "special economy" mean? And in some cases the premiere class is cheaper than "normal economy".Thanks
There are three different seats in most long haul planes: First Class, Business Class and Economy Class.
Full Economy, Y-class (shortly Y) is the most expensive Economy-class. These tickets are fully refundable if not used, changes are permitted for free, and you're also allowed to fly one or both flights with another carrier. Mostly used for business trips with probability that the return flight will have to be changed a few times. If an exit seat is still available, the airline will give it to you.
Special Economy could well be the same seat in the plane as Full-Y, but with rules from the carrier: f.e. valid on their flights only, no changes allowed (or allowed at a cost, f.e. 125 euro), tickets must be paid within a time limit after the booking, and no refund afterwards. The rate depends on the load factor from each particular flight: few pax = cheap tickets, and the more people book for that flight, the more expensive next tickets will be. Each carrier has a "yield management" for these operations. If a flight is almost full, they will block the Special Economy, and try to sell the remaining seats at the expensive Full-Y. Till they think they won't sell all of them, and open Special Economy again...
Same applies for the better seats (f.e. lie flat beds) in the plane, the Business Class: there is an expensive C-Class, which allows you to change your ticket whenever you want, and allows you to fly C-class on another carrier. And there is the Special Business Class, which is much cheaper, but the ticket will show "valid on ... / this carrier / only". You are allowed to change your dates, you have access to the Business Class lounges, but if you've missed your flight, you have to wait for the next flight from that carrier only.
Once again: these are general remarks, thus not valid for all carriers.
Travel agencies have access to a worldwide reservation system that shows all flights from all carriers, and they can check the load factors. Make a print from the lowest offer you can get at home, and then ask them if they can beat it. Don't forget the extra's like airport taxes, fuel surcharges, ...
greetz