Aer Lingus is to cease offering business class seating on its flights and plans to withdraw from the
inter-airline corporate service One World Alliance as part of its move to becoming a low cost carrier.
Business class customers already have to book online following the ending of the business class telephone lines. Business class services within Europe will end some time after March 2005, the airline said.
The announcement comes in the midst of a major restructuring being sought by the airline which will involve the loss of 1,325 staff.
Siptu representatives are due to meet today to decide a response to the company's plans. It is expected that the union will seek a pay rise for those who remain with the airline after restructuring.
The union was recently given a mandate for protective industrial action.