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He said most passengers “sacrifice some level of comfort” on widebody aircraft too, given that there are no lie-flat beds in economy class.
“You kind of suffer the pain, if you wish, for the economic benefits that you are deriving from the transaction,” Váradi added.
By contrast, budget carriers in the US have been introducing premium options amid reduced profits. Spirit Airlines announced blocked-out middle seats similar to business class on European short-haul flights, while Southwest is ditching its open-seating policy.
Wizz Air also announced flights between Milan and Abu Dhabi starting next June, and Váradi said the airline is working on routes to India, too.
Due to competition from the likes of British Airways, Váradi ruled out transatlantic flights — something that Frontier Airlines had considered before canceling its plans for the XLR.