EasyJet coming of age as it challenges British Airways with inaugural Moscow flight
Skift Take
EasyJet is on a roll, and it's airfares will look a lot better to some business travelers than the larger British Airways' pricing. EasyJet's modest entry into Russia should shake things up a bit.
EasyJet Plc’s inaugural flight to Moscow today will see the U.K. discount carrier go head-to-head with British Airways as it targets a bigger share of Europe’s lucrative business-travel market.
EasyJet will serve Moscow twice-daily from London Gatwick and four times a week from Manchester after winning route rights by guaranteeing a 125-pound ($186) round-trip fare for three years. BA’s cheapest economy ticket costs 311 pounds.
“Business between Britain and Russia is buoyant and EasyJet will particularly facilitate smaller companies,” said John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting in London. “There are plenty of Russians with the income and willingness to travel.”
While ranked second to Ryanair Holdings Plc among Europe’s low-cost airlines, EasyJet has dropped its early no-frills approach in favor of a model that offers ancillary services like lounge access and flexible tickets to draw corporate traffic. The move comes as network carriers including Deutsc
