United Airlines' upgraded premium product, with its new flatbed seats, on-demand in-flight entertainment and other refinements, makes its debut at the end of October on routes from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt and Zurich.
The first of 97 aircraft operating its international services will be a modified Boeing 767, to be followed in December by a 747, with a 777 due to come on line in early February. After that, reconfigured aircraft will join the fleet at the rate of one a week, with completion scheduled by late 2009.
As part of United’s multi million dollar wide-body aircraft investment programme, the airline is also updating premium cabin restrooms, and is installing new seat cushions and carpeting in Economy, as well as upgrading its in-flight entertainment system with digital servers and new LCD screens.
Says Graham Atkinson, United executive vicepresident and chief customer officer: “The investments we are making in our international aircraft will enable our employees to more easily deliver the high standard of personal service our top customers expect.”
Staying in touch takes its toll
Business travellers are feeling the pressure to ensure they are constantly available when on the move, according to research among 2,500 frequent flyers.
Key findings show that they are time-conscious and impatient; under pressure to ensure 24/7 availability; are technologically aware and security conscious; and report feelings of guilt over spending time away from the office and home.
The survey, carried out by SAS Scandinavian Airlines among its EuroBonus FFP members, suggests that despite an acknowledgement of the need to achieve an effective work/life balance to ensure consistently good performance at work, many respondents feel the necessity to be perpetually at the end of a phone or e-mail facility.
Unsurprisingly, security procedures are a key concern and a leading cause of stress, with more than 80% of respondents stating their journeys would be made less stressful by improved fasttrack security measures. And 83% said they found travelling more stressful than a year ago as a result of increased security measures, coupled with the present day climate of terrorist threats.
Sixty five per cent of respondents reported support for on-board telephony, with just over half of those claiming that they would definitely make use of their mobile phones during flights for text or phone capabilities. Said one: “Mobility and 24/7 connectivity will become the standard.”
However, mobile phone use in public places is a contentious issue, with more than 90% saying they would expect airlines to introduce – and enforce – etiquette for on-board use.
Brand loyalty among business travellers ranked low on the list of priorities when choosing a carrier; whereas choice of airport was the primary motivator when planning business travel, with three out of every four respondents ranking airport choice as more important than carrier selection.
A380 European debut Air France will become the first European carrier to fly the Airbus A380 when it takes delivery of its first super-jumbos in the spring of 2009.
The French national carrier has revealed that its A380s will accommodate 538 passengers in a three-class layout, with nine First Class and 343 Economy seats on the lower deck and 80 Business and 106 Economy seats on the upper level.
News in brief...
-Bidets are to be fitted on Boeing 787 Dreamliners flown by rival Japanese carriers. ANA will fit combined toilet-bidets or “washlets” in the lavatories of all classes, while Japan Airlines will fit them only in its premium cabin toilets
-Virgin Blue has opened a fifth lounge – at Canberra – for the benefit of its frequent flyers. The facility, located in the departure area next to gate 5, is available to annual members of The Lounge programme, Corporate Plus fare holders and Velocity Gold tier members, who can also take a guest. Single visit entry is also available for A$30 (US$25).
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