Premium Flights » Premium Airlines

Premium Seats on American Airlines to Come with Tablet computer

premium flights — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:42:55 +0000

The battle to attract international travelers for premium booking is now extending in technology. Customers will not just enjoy additional comfort in premium seating but also enjoy the latest in electronics. American Airlines will give one of the most powerful internet tablets in the market to their premium travelers. While on flight, each traveler in premium seating will be able to play games or watch films on a Galaxy Tablet.

One of the most powerful internet tablets in the market today, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab (Version 10.1) features the latest both in hardware and software. Running the 3.1 version of Android OS aka Honeycomb. The device runs on Tegra-Dual Core that can easily stream 1280×800 pixels in video. It also comes with an 8MP camera and the ability to run websites with Flash. It the thinnest tablet on the market at a staggering 8.6mm in width. The Galaxy Tab will allow the passengers to play games, watch videos or listen to music and will only have Wi-fi as connection. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is seen as fierce competitor for Apple’s iPad2 because of the hardware features and software capabilities.

But even though passengers will have a Galaxy Tab with Wi-fi, passengers with Galaxy Tab 10.1 cannot immediately access the internet. They still have to pay for in-flight access of the internet. The Galaxy Tab will be for premium passengers of international flight visiting countries in South America and Europe. An added in-flight entertainment on a long haul flight definitely helps improves the entertainment experience for the passengers.

AirAsia Offering Premium Flights with Discount

premium flights — Tue, 17 May 2011 09:25:52 +0000

Keeping up with the competition to attraction more travelers in various parts of Asia, AirAsia is offering discounts on their premium flights. The promotion is available for a limited time and allows guests to travel from the 1^st of July until October 31^st 2011at a discount rate. Customers can gain of up to 30% discount on their airfare tickets.

The premium passenger services in AirAsia easily compete with some of Asia’s best airlines. Customers can choose the flatbed services which allow the passenger to fully relax while traveling to a nearby country. Passengers on premium flights are also given priority during check-in so that they can easily board the flight. After arrival, premium seating passengers are also given priority in retrieving their baggage. Hot meals and beverages are also available for premium passengers.

But the best feature of the premium passenger flights from AirAsia is on schedule flexibility. Passengers can easily change the time and date of their travel. The deal is ideal for businessmen and travelers who are not sure of their travel dates but would like to save on airfare immediately.

AirAsia is a pioneer in Asian airline industry for no-cost flights. The company was established in 1993 and they currently serve more than 20 countries with over 400 destinations. The company’s main headquarters is in Malaysia but its rapid expansion pushed the creation of various subsidiaries in different countries in Asia. AirAsia is one of the lowest cost airlines in the world and the first in the region to fully implement e-ticketing.

Earn Additional Miles from BA or AA Premium Flights

premium flights — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:19:20 +0000

Boosting the image of premium international flights is never a problem for large airlines. BA (British Airways) and AA (American Airlines) are always at par with the best in the industry when it comes to offering attractive packages for premium flights and accommodation. But there is always competition and airline companies always have to come out on top to be fully competitive.

For BA and AA, the best way to gain attention for their international premium flights seating is through additional miles. As members of the “Oneworld Alliance,” BA and AA are offering 20,000 additional miles for every international flight. This is a very attractive offer and it’s currently available for passengers not only for BA and AA but also for Iberia. The promotion will end June 30, 2011.

It is important to take note that the promotion is only good for “full fare ticket” which means the ticket price was purchased without any discount. This set-up could be a bit expensive for some passengers especially those without miles membership of any of the airlines. But a few additional dollars for 20,000 miles is worth it for loyal passengers of BA, AA and Iberia.

The premium seats in these airlines ensure that their customers experience world class accommodation from check-in to their destination. Extra seat space, access to exclusive lounges while waiting for the flight and additional baggage allowance are only some of the perks that comes with premium seating in any of these airlines. With the addition of 20,000 miles, it’s a winning deal for travelers.

Blue1 and premium flights

premium flights — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:44:00 +0000

Following the current trend of the airline industry, Blue1 will also start offering premium flight accommodation. This is a more affordable version of the business class with almost the same amenities. Blue1 refers to this type of service as Blue1 Premium.

Amenities for the Blue1 passengers are highly competitive in the industry. Travelers will enjoy additional luggage check-in with no extra cost and expedited security check-up for European flights. Blue1 also has a dedicated check-in counter and free access to the airline’s lounges. Passengers will also enjoy expanded menu for additional food options. They will also enjoy guaranteed seats
of their choice.

But what made the Blue1 Premium a lot more interesting is the flight change offer at no additional cost. Travelers can enjoy flexibility with their schedule and Blue1 will accommodate their request for changing flights without extra charges.Normally, this service requires extra fees with flight fare difference which could lead to hundreds of dollars.

Blue1 Premium relieves their passengers of this fee. Blue1 or Blue1 Oy is a Finnish airline company established in 1987 as Air Botnia. It was acquired by SAS in 1998 and the company changed its name to the current version in 2004. The airline is currently operating 14 aircrafts serving 29 destinations in Europe.

The airline company is notable for being the first regional company to be part of Star Alliance in 2004.

Premium Flights from Etihad Airways

premium flights — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:05:35 +0000

Etihad Airways was established in 2003 and their operations officially started November of the same year. Although the airline company is relatively new in the industry, it has become one of the most
recognized airlines in the Middle East. It is currently the flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, UAE. The airline currently serves more than 60 destinations in 42 countries. Aside from earning as a passenger airline, the company is also offering cargo services called the Etihad Crystal Cargo.

To compete with other airline companies in premium services, Etihad started their premium flights outside the country in late 2009. Although they have offered premium services in the past, it was only limited to flights in Abu Dhabi.

They extended their services to Frankfurt, Germany after the opening of their premium lounge in the same country. After the opening in Frankfurt, the company quickly expanded their services to other countries in major cities.

The premium services offered by Etihad are more than just basic accommodation through their
premium lounge. Aside from world class in-flight accommodation, passengers are also treated with “live” kitchen where they can order their food and prepared after their order. This means fresh meals on the air with the aid of a chef. Additional services offered by the airline are healthy spa services. These two services are rarely found in other airlines as these are highly personalized services.

Even though the company is young compared to other airlines in Asia, it has certainly made its mark in the industry. Aside from being a flag carrier of Abu Dhabi, they also offer some of the best premium flight perks.

AirAsia X – the premium flight experience

premium flights — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:03:43 +0000

AirAsia X is now offering premium flight experience at competitive rates. The offer started in July 19 and will end on August the 1st, 2010. Flights booked during these dates are for travel from August the 2nd, 2010 to November 15th, 2010. This would be the lowest premium fare offered by the airline.

Flights from Kuala Lumpur to China, Taiwan, Australia, London and India will enjoy premium accommodation with highly competitive rates.

But even with the lowest price possible in premium rates, the accommodation will almost be the same compared to business class in AirAsia X. Seats will be wider (20 inches) and they can stretch into full bed position (77 inches).

Aside from comfortable seating with improved leg space, those who book during these dates will also enjoy additional perks during boarding and during the flight. Passengers on premium fare will enjoy priority boarding so they don’t have to go through longer lines and 20kgs of baggage allowance per passenger. During flights, passengers will be provided with pillows and blankets and options for meals and drinks (non-alcoholic).

AirAsia X was established in 2007 as a low-cost with long haul capability airline. It is part of AirAsia and it’s marketed as a low cost option for the airline company. AirAsia X currently offers flights to 11 destinations worldwide. The airline company’s headquarters is in Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia while its main hub is in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Decreasing luxury air travel demand

premium flights — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:25:27 +0000

The luxury air travel that some of us used to enjoy before is now a thing of the past. The recession greatly affected us in so many ways and that includes the air travel. British Airways had already admitted that they don’t see the possibility that there would be a demand for luxury air travel the way they used to before.

Premium seats’ demand had dropped to 14.9% in June and the drop would have dropped even further if not because of the offer by British Airways for a buy 1 take 1 or two for 1 offer on Business class tickets.

People travelling on premium seats are paying less now and with the lesser passengers purchasing premium tickets, it’s still not good for the airline. British Airways has over £401 million losses for the month of June and it keeps on rising and one of the primary cause of this loss is with the lack of premium seats sold to passengers.

People are saving up their money during this time of recession and it is very evident with the airline tickets being sold. People still need to travel but they sacrifice the comfort and convenience to save on their money. This is practical and expected but still leaves a big scar on the airline industry and it continues to hurt the market as the recession continues to affect everyone.

British Airways cuts the canapes

premium flights — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:25:40 +0000

British Airways is now cost cutting which is expected would save them up to £22m by removing canapés and chocolates from their long flights and budget travellers for short-haul journeys will be making do with pretzels and a paper cup drink instead of having a sandwich and bottled water. British Airways passengers with flights less than 2.5 hours will not receive any meal at all after the 10 am flight. Morning flights would still enjoy a free breakfast.

British Airways needed to do some cost cutting after they had £401 million losses last year and is expected to have some more losses this year. They are now planning to raise £680 million to help the airline survive this crisis that we are all facing and had caused such pain in the aviation industry.

For short-haul flights under the business class would still continue to have their lunch and dinner foods as usual while premium travellers for the long haul flights would get second meals but in smaller servings as compared before and without the canapés and chocolates.

British Airways said in a statement that their foods are still in top class but with minor adjustments to avoid waste and so they could save money. After all, these meals are offered free but they just need to adjust it in order to survive the crisis.

British Airways and Iberia Merger Agreement

premium flights — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:44:55 +0000

BA is willing to accept a 50-50 deal with Iberia according to El Economista, in exchange for the Spanish Airline to shoulder BA’s pension fund shortage. The new group would then have their headquarters in Madrid.

The share holder of Iberia Caja Madrid bank and Iberia itself had refused to make a comment as to whether or not there is a better offer from British Airways. It’s been noted that the two companies had been in the talks for a merger for over a year now but the deal for ownership split had been a problem as both could not agree on each other’s proposal.

British Airways has a pension deficit problem too and this also adds as a blockage to their deal with Iberia.

Iberia had recently had a change of leadership as their chairman had already stepped down and the position had been filled by Antonio Vasquez who is proven to be a very good dealmaker and some believe that his appointment would act as a boost for the possibility of the merger to push through.

No news yet as to whether or not the agreement would push through and if Iberia would accept the 50-5o ownership deal proposal by British Airways.

American Airlines test fuel saving techniques

premium flights — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:27:50 +0000

American Airlines will start using new fuel saving techniques for the first time. These techniques will not be implemented for the first time in small flights where the effects of fuel efficiency could be low but on a trans-Atlantic flight. American Airlines will test their new fuel efficiency techniques on June 11 with a flight from Paris to Miami.

Although there are numerous fuel-saving techniques that will be implemented on the said flight, two practices will be highlighted. First is the use of the GPS (Global Positioning System) which will guide the airline to the proper route which basically could be the shortest route possible. Instead of the usual jet liner routes, the GPS system will guide the pilots to use different routes for more fuel efficiency. The second technique that will be implemented on the flight is the slow descent and ascend of the plane. This technique is believed to slow down fuel burning.

If these fuel saving measures will be fully implemented in each flight, the amount of fuel saved could be massive. American Airlines is already reporting of saving no less than 110 million of gallons in 2008. The said figure is expected to rise this year when each flight would follow the fuel saving measures.

The American Airlines flight is also being closely monitored by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). If the fuel efficiency could be properly established, these practices will be enforced on other airline companies as well. Hopefully, their savings will only mean affordable fares which could increase travel around the world.