Premium Flights

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.

Premium flights and volcanic ash

premium flights — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:58:55 +0000

The Eyjafjallajokul eruption and the ash cloud hurt airlines recovery, according to IATA. Flights in various European airports were immediately cancelled last month because the ash cloud was so strong making it impossible for any aircraft to fly.
“The ash crisis affected the global recovery having a negative impact on carriers in all regions,” said Giovanni Bisignani, director general of the International Air Transport Association.

Experts were predicting that this situation would continue even during the summer time but the Met Office in the UK reports as per May 24th that the volcano was no longer emitting ash. However, geologists and volcanologists say it is a quiet and “paused” phase. If the pause lasts for more than 3 months, the volcano will be considered dormant. Nearby the Eyjafjallajoekull glacier there is a bigger volcano that could erupt at any time, so airlines should be cautious this summer.

The losses caused by the closures and delays in April were massive. No less than $2 billion of losses were reported by the airline industry and this could continue because of the behavious of Eyjafjallajokul.

It is estimated that the volcano would continue to rumble for more than a year based on its previous behavior in 1821.

BA experiences low bookings for premium seats

Join and Joy Jeju Air

premium flights — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:43:54 +0000

Jeju Air is an increasingly recognised airline company based in Korea. It’s one of the small airline companies that offer direct flights from Seoul to Bangkok. Jeju offers four flights to Bangkok a week and premium services to its passengers. Although the seats are all in economy, passengers can enjoy meals, drinks and even shop while on air. Being a low-fare airline, it’s among the top competitors on the Seoul-Bangkok route. The biggest indicator of their success is the number of reservations that are already filled months in advance.

Because of the increase in demand, the company opted to ask the government if they are allowed to increase their flights. Instead of four flights a week, they will be offering six flights a week (everyday except Monday). The ultimate plan for Jeju Air is to provide daily flights but the company wants to slow down growth and test the market before committing to the daily flight. The company credits the Korea’s economy rebounding from global recession. Passengers going in and out of Korea are also attracted to using this company which brought down rates and encouraged travel.

Jeju Air is a relatively new airline in the region. The company officially started their operations in 2006 but has to temporarily stop because of Bangkok’s political uncertainty.

New Security Measures not to Impact Business Travel

premium — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:16:37 +0000

After the Christmas security alert raised by the bombing attempt on the Amsterdam to Detroit flight, security measures, especially in US airports, have become stricter while relying on new advanced technology as was the case with the introduction of new tridimensional body-scanners. Main American airports have warned passengers to allow up to three hours for check-in prior to departure.

The new measures have not yet been implemented in all European countries, with the exception of the Netherlands. In fact, opinions from European countries representatives are still very much divided over the necessity to implement such new security measures and the impact this might have on the already suffering airline industry.

These worries, however, seem to be premature for what concerns the lucrative business travel segment and the levels of business travel flights. At least that is what appears from research of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA). A recent survey directed to travel managers showed that, although more than 43% of respondents confirmed there are new concerns in their respective companies over travel security, 81% stated this was not a reason to reduce international business travelling. Furthermore, the study also showed that 48% of respondents admit the new security implementations from the start of 2010 have raised concerns to businesses about the comfort, travel hassle and overall convenience of air travel.

It seems that, in these circumstances, companies are trying to find the balance between keeping proper safety standards and maintaining travel efficiency without impacting the vital need to travel for business purpose. Travel managers are therefore giving further attention to efficiency of business travel and less time consuming processes by planning differently travelling itineraries (e.g. avoiding airports with very high security measures which could cause disruption) or turning to advice of travel security experts.

Etihad Airways winner at World Travel Awards 2009

premium flights — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:51:34 +0000

The World Travel Awards (WTA) is the annual event acknowledging excellence in the travel and tourism industry. The 2009 ceremony was held in London last month where it announced category winners that have been voted online by a jury of over 170 thousands worldwide travel experts. The awards’ numerous categories are divided into continents and specific sub-industries going from airline companies to resorts, boutique hotels or car rental companies.

Winning the World’s Leading Airline this year was Etihad Airways, the fairly recent born United Arab Emirates National Airline. Etihad Airways also won the World’s Leading First Class award whereas best Business Class prize went to Qatar Airways. Throughout the year, the Abu Dhabi based flight company has won several other important awards, all recognizing best quality in services offered including on-board catering, lounge treatment for business passengers and loyalty programme.

Eithad was founded in 2003 by sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and has based its rapid expansion strategy on quality and customer satisfaction. In less than 6 years of activity, passengers travelling with Etihad have gone from 500 thousands in 2004 to over 6 millions in 2008. Also, the United Emirates airline company has gained important visibility thanks to its marketing and sponsorship activity. Etihad is official Ferrari sponsor in Formula 1 and also promotes the Yas Marina Circuit.

At present, the company is operating around 55 destinations from Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world, including main gateways destinations such as Paris, Munich, Frankfurt and Brussels

Flying from Heathrow Airport. Checking-in at Paddington.

premium — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:11:19 +0000

From last Wednesday 2 December, travellers taking the Heathrow Express train to the main London airport are able to check in at Paddington station using the self-service touchscreen machines which customers are already using within airports. The check-in machines can be found right next to the Heathrow Express ticket office in the station. As well as checking-in, travellers will be able to see information about their flight’s status and eventual delays on the Flight Information Display Screens, before actually leaving central London.

Some airlines companies had already implemented their own automated check-in terminals at Victoria and Paddington station. British Airways, however, had removed this service from Paddington due to insufficient demand justifying the costs incurred.

This new feature instead is provided by Heathrow Express and is a centralised system for flights of several different companies. For the time being, the service is only available to passengers flying with United Airlines, Iberia and Delta Air but others, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, are to follow shortly.

Travellers without printed boarding pass will therefore be able to check in without having to rush to the airport and with no hassle on their way to catch their flight. The advantage of the service is especially significant for business flights passengers since it is offering an increasingly seamless travelling experience.

Japan Airlines Introduces more Premium Economy

premium — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:40:14 +0000

Since 1^st December, Japan Airlines (JAL), the leading Asian air company, has introduced Premium Economy on the Tokyo-Sydney route with a once-daily flight operated on Boeing 777-200ER air crafts. Premium Economy service with JAL has so fare been available on routes connecting Japan to some main European and US destinations, including London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam as well as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Passengers with Premium Economy seats have 30kg baggage allowance, priority on their check-in at the Executive Class counters and access to the airport lounge. When travelling on board, they will enjoy the comfort of Shell Flat Seats, an award winning seat design feature, so-called for its shell-shaped figure which ensures privacy for the passengers and avoid space being occupied when the front seats recline. These seats have an extra 20% legroom than normal Economy class and a personal 9-inch TV-screen. They can be reclined up to an angle of 120 degrees, with fitted headrest and footrest.

Introductory prices for Premium Economy seats went on sale starting from 1,500 Dollars.

With the new service, JAL is confirming and expanding the success of Premium Economy cabins that other major airlines such as Air New Zealand, Qantas and British Airways have been experiencing.

Air France and Premium Economy

premium flights — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:57:21 +0000

Air France is just one of the airline companies that are offering Premium Economy class that goes in between the Business and Economy class.

As a start, this November they launched this service for daily round trips from New York and Tokyo to Paris. The new Premium Voyageur seats were also launched for flights to Tokyo in November. Just after Christmas the flights to Singapore will also have the Premium Voyageur cabin folllowed by other destinations. The airlines wants to gradually add the Premium Voyageur to all its long haul flights.

The feature has many advantages for travellers: they will be able to enjoy more comfort at a lower cost. Experts preict that more companies will follow the example and add premium economy seats and downgrading regular economy class.

British Airways – The World is on Sale

premium flights — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

British Airways has discounted its flights so if you plan to travel until march next year, now it’s time to make your booking.

The 17th of November is your last day when you can book your Premium-Economy Flights and Economy Flights at discounted
prices. So if you plan to travel around Christmas, take advantage of this offer and pay less for your holiday transportation. Your trip to Amsterdam would start from £52 one way with taxes and return tickets to Dubai start from £324 (including taxes).

These fares comes with conditions: the flight must be booked seven days in advance and a Saturday night stay is required. Moreover, these tickets are non-refundable.

For First-Class and Business-Class tickets the sale ends on November 24, so business travellers are given more time to book their flights at special prices.

Private flights for executive travellers

premium flights — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:53:15 +0000

The key to a successful and important business contract is the way to get there. To high-level executives, premium flights may not offer the optimum travel conditions in the eve of signing an important contract. The solution to airport waiting, delayed flights and time wasting security checks is a private jet. The private flight will be ready 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time and the journey can start even earlier than planned once the passengers are ready.

A private jet offers convenient flight schedules and on-board privacy to analyse the last details of the business contract or that important presentation to be used in the meeting.

Private jets are also great meeting “rooms” for signing multiple-figures business deals. The business clients can be taken on board and they would be impressed by a private aircraft turned into a luxury meeting room at hundred of miles above the ground, discussing the new deal and sipping a glass of quality champagne.

Depending on airport, the waiting lounges for private flyers have high standards of concierge services. Companies who do not have a private jet can simply book via a private jet operator.