Why is Iceland Air's Saga Premium product classified as Business class?
Other than lounge access, I can't see anything in the product that's different from other Premium Economy product. The seats aren't even 180 degree recline!
Sure, they are cheaper than business class fares in other airlines, but it feels a bit disingenuous on Iceland Air's part to call it "business" in the first place
Best Answer
It's not. Here's what I see if I go to book a flight on Icelandair's website:
The premium cabin is sold as "Saga Premium," as also shown on their services page. Their fleet pages depict "Saga Premium" and "Economy" classes, not business. Which strikes me as fair. It's clearly a premium service as compared to economy, even if there aren't all the benefits you could hope for.
They used to have a third "Economy Comfort" class in between, but it never made much sense, was weirdly inconsistent so nobody knew what they were actually getting, and they got rid of it.
As Carl notes in a related question, Saga Premium may show up as "business" on some third-party booking sites. These sites are limited by the commonalities of the GDS booking systems and do not generally have the capability to display custom labels for cabin classes. In Icelandair's case, they used to offer three classes until last year, so I suspect it made sense for them to map the now-discontinued Economy Comfort to "Premium Economy" and Saga Premium to "Business," since GDS systems don't let you make up arbitrary names.
Ultimately, there is no standard definition for the quality of service to be provided in any particular class, so it's something you have to research on an airline-by-airline and even flight-by-flight basis, as the product may depend on the route or aircraft being used.
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Is Saga premium the same as business class?
Saga Premium is Icelandair's premium cabin, akin to business class. This fare includes two checked bags, a carry-on and personal item, priority boarding, priority check-in, fast track through security, seat selection featuring more spacious seats, complimentary meals, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, and lounge access.What is Icelandair business class called?
Icelandair names its Business Class as Saga Class, and it seems appropriate given that anyone who flies the airline for the first time will have at least one story to tell. When you get to your seat you will likely find a pillow awaiting you, either for comfort or something to cry into after the Boarding Challenge.Is Saga premium worth it on Icelandair?
Even without those bells and whistles, the seats themselves are plenty comfortable and much more spacious than what you get back in economy with Icelandair. But everything else about Icelandair Saga Premium was outstanding, from the tasty food to the snappy service and an excellent lounge before the flight.What is Icelandic business class like?
Each seat is 20.5 inches wide and offers 40 inches of pitch with a foot rest. These is more legroom and recline than domestic airlines, but regardless for a transatlantic flight is more similar to premium economy than business. Each seat also has a universal power port and a USB charger in the IFE.SHOCKING ECONOMY FOOD - Icelandair Business Class vs Economy battle
More answers regarding why is Iceland Air's Saga Premium product classified as Business class?
Answer 2
This page sets out the different fare classes.
The difference between economy flex and saga premium:
- Free headset
- Free meals
- Free alcoholic beverages
- Free champagne
- Free hot towels
- 2 32 KG checked baggage vs 1 23 KG checked baggage
- 2 - 2 vs 3 - 3 seating
- Plug socket
- Priority check-in
- Lounge access
- 3400 miles points for flights within Europe vs 2550
- 4800 miles points for flights to/from North America vs 3600
Answer 3
The important external thing (for naming a booking class "Business class") is whether airports recognize it as business class (and get the appropriate fees for those passengers) and hence honor their business class services to those ticket holders. Then the airline can call a ticket business-class. What happens inside the airplane is really the airline's discretion and the level of services differs dramatically from airline to airline.
Answer 4
As some already said business class does not mean business class. If you compare Qatar Airways Q suite with Lufthansa you can also ask why is Lufthansa classified as business class. In business class you get better seats, for Icelandair these seats are not much better as other airlines seats in premium economy. But you will have lounge access, something you don't get in premium economy, and you earn more miles, it helps a lot if you know where to credit them.
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