British Airways unveils seating plans for new aircraft

BA will be the first airline in Europe to operate the Dreamliner and A380

With the first of the airline’s new long-haul aircraft only six months away from delivery, British Airways has announced the cabin design and layout for its Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.

Two hundred and fourteen customers will enjoy the comforts of the new British Airways Dreamliner and the A380 will be the largest aircraft in the British Airways fleet, with 469 customers.

The 24 Dreamliners and 12 A380s will feature the elegant cabin designs fitted on British Airways’ new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which have proved hugely popular with customers.

All eight 787-8s will feature a new Club World 2:3:2 layout, the latest generation World Traveller and World Traveller Plus seats.

In addition, the new A380 will also have an enhanced version of First.

The exact seating plans of another 16 787-9s on order have yet to be finalised, they could have three or four-cabin configurations.

British Airways is set to be the first European airline to operate both new aircraft types, with its first Dreamliner arriving in May and A380 deliveries starting in July.

Speaking in Seoul, Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG), said: “We are investing £5bn in British Airways’ new and upgraded aircraft, innovative technologies and customer services.

“We now have six Boeing 777-300ERs all fitted with our latest cabins.

“Our customer feedback and satisfaction scores show the seat and cabin designs have achieved the highest ratings we have ever seen.

“By next Spring we will have finished installing our new First cabins.

“The nine new aircraft we take delivery of in 2013 will feature our latest signature designs to ensure the customer experience maintains the highest standard across our fleet.”

The British Airways Dreamliner will have 35 seats for customers in the new Club World triple configuration of 2:3:2; 25 seats in a World Traveller Plus layout of 2:3:2; and a further 154 seats for those travelling in World Traveller, with a 3:3:3 configuration.

On the British Airways A380 there will be 14 seats in First on the main deck, with extra personal and stowage space; the Club World cabin will feature 44 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration; and there will be 199 seats in World Traveller, with a 3:4:3 layout.

The A380 upper deck will feature 53 seats in the new Club World triple configuration of 2:3:2; 55 seats in a 2:3:2 World Traveller Plus layout; and World Traveller will have 104 seats in a 2:4:2 configuration.

Both new aircraft will also feature the airline’s latest Thales in-flight entertainment system, which offers customers 50 per cent more movies, 200 per cent more TV shows and 200 per cent more audio programmes and music.

British Airways will announce the routes the new aircraft will operate in spring 2013.

Rotana opens two new properties in Dubai

Rotana has announced the opening of two of its newest properties, Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana, situated in the heart of Dubai.

Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana is a luxurious five-star property boasting 428 rooms and suites, each furnished with modern amenities and conveniences.

It is the latest addition to Rotana’s Rayhaan portfolio, which features a collection of some of the most desirable properties in leading destinations in the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile, Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana will offer a first class residential experience and features 192 well-appointed apartments, equipped with modern conveniences and amenities.

Key appointments for the properties include Mark McCarthy, a respected veteran of the hospitality industry with more than 19 years of experience in the business, as general manager.

He will lead a team of seasoned hotel professionals who are expected to play strategic roles in leading Al Ghurair Rayhaan and Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana’s bid to capture a large share of business in the Deira district, one of Dubai’s busiest destinations for both business and leisure travellers.

Armin Weller joins McCarthy in the executive management team, taking on the position of F&B Director for both properties.

Weller will be primarily responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the F&B department, encompassing all outlets, meeting rooms, as well as events and catering operations.

Turkish Airlines launches more flights to Africa

Istanbul - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) – Mombasa (Kenya) are the next new destinations which Turkish Airlines will add to its extensive and growing African network.

Flights from Istanbul to the two new points are scheduled to begin on December 5th, 2012 and will be operated outbound from Istanbul on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with the returns operated 5 days a week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Alitalia begins direct flights from Rome to Abu Dhabi

Alitalia, Italy’s flag carrier has begun direct services from Rome to Abu Dhabi with a celebratory flight to the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Alitalia are operating the new flights in conjunction with codeshare partner Etihad Airways.  The launch of the new direct Rome-Abu Dhabi service follows last August’s announcement that the Italian carrier would fly four weekly return Airbus A330 services between the two capitals.

H. E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, said: “It is always a pleasure to see the relationship between the UAE and its friends growing into actual business ventures and economic cooperation.

“Alitalia’s decision to come to Abu Dhabi demonstrates the capital’s growing importance as a trade and tourism hub in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi is looking forward to further deepening such opportunities in ways which are beneficial to all parties,” he added.

H. E. Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of ADAC, said: “Abu Dhabi is witnessing continuous growth in air traffic movements as a result of joint Government and corporate’ efforts to provide world-class airports and aviation services, and the position Abu Dhabi holds as a key connecting destination in the region.  ADAC is proud to welcome Alitalia to Abu Dhabi International Airport and is committed to offering the airline unparalleled service, whilst welcoming Italian passengers to the world-class city of Abu Dhabi.”

James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said:  “Today’s flight is yet another positive milestone in our expanding partnership with Alitalia.  It underscores our commitment to grow the partnership by providing this new and fantastic proposition for both airlines’ business and leisure customers, giving them direct access to Rome and Abu Dhabi respectively, and beyond across both networks.  In addition, it allows customers to earn and burn frequent flyer miles on both airlines’ combined networks.  We look forward to further developing our relationship and exploring more codeshare opportunities in the future.”

Andrea Tucci, Alitalia Vice President Alliances & Network Agreements, said: “Today marks the first time Alitalia lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport, one of the most important hubs in the world. The new Alitalia Rome-Abu Dhabi route strengthens the partnership between Alitalia and Etihad Airways, developed in December 2009 with a codesharing agreement. Thanks to this new flight, Italian travellers now have the opportunity to travel to the UAE with a direct link from Rome and, via an easy connection at Abu Dhabi International Airport with Etihad Airways, to many important tourist destinations across Australia, Thailand, Oman, Bahrain and South Africa.”

Flights from Abu Dhabi depart at 8:15am on Thursdays and Sundays, and at 2:25am on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Flights from Rome depart at 9:45pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays and at 11:15am on Tuesdays and Sundays.

The split schedule ensures maximum connectivity over Abu Dhabi International Airport – Etihad Airways’ hub – to codeshare destinations such as Bahrain, Muscat, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Melbourne and Sydney.

Equally, the new service will ensure efficient codeshare connectivity beyond Rome to the cities of Athens, Milan, Frankfurt, Munich, Geneva, Venice and Zurich.

In addition to the codeshare with Alitalia, Etihad Airways has 40 other codeshare agreements in place with airlines across the world. Codeshare partnerships, along with equity acquisitions and organic growth, form the three pillars of Etihad Airways’ expansion plans.

Routes Americas outlines 2013 agenda

The sixth Routes Americas, held in association with ALTA, will take place on February 10th-12th 2013 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia hosted by Sociedad Aeroportuaria de la Costa.

The event, which is the annual gathering of air service decision makers for the entire Americas region, will bring together more than 350 delegates from airports, airlines, tourism authorities and other industry stakeholders from across the Americas to discuss air service development.

The event is expected to attract over 60 airlines from across the Americas and beyond and with over 35 carriers already registered to attend this figure is expected to rise further.

All four US network carriers; US Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and the world’s largest airline, United Airlines (who attended the event for the first time this year) have already confirmed that they will be in Colombia for the event along with the top low-cost carriers in the US (JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit).

From elsewhere in the region registrations have so far included Volaris, COPA Airlines, Aeromexico and Colombia’s home carrier, Avianca-TACA.

Moreover, a strong presence from Canada looks likely with registrations confirmed from Air Canada, who will return to the event for the first time since 2009, and leading low cost carrier, WestJet which boast an extensive network into the Caribbean, have also confirmed their attendance and will also take meetings for their new subsidiary WestJet Encore whose initial schedule will be announced in January 2013.

Alaska Airlines and WestJet Encore have also confirmed that they will deliver a Route Exchange Airline Briefing during the event; these briefings will provide attending airports with a unique insight into the carrier’s planning process.

It is expected that further briefings will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Routes Americas attracts senior key decision makers, from a variety of airlines, who are responsible for making decisions on both new and existing routes and the 2013 event looks set to see attendance from many senior airline delegates.

Icelandair orders 12 737 MAXs from Boeing

Boeing and Icelandair have announced a commitment for 12 737 MAXs, valued at more than $1.2 billion at list prices.

The commitment by the Icelandic carrier includes 737 MAX 8s and 9s.

Boeing looks forward to working with Icelandair to finalize the details, at which time the order will be posted as a firm order to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

“This commitment is the result of our research into what aircraft manufacturers have on offer to help us strengthen and grow our fleet and our network towards the future,” said Bjorgolfur Johannsson, Icelandair Group president.

“We have had a successful relationship with Boeing for decades and we are pleased to continue our cooperation for years to come.”

The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world’s best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today’s Next-Generation 737.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today’s most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes.

Ryanair to introduce 6 new routes

Ryanair today announced significant summer 2013 growth in Scotland, with 38 routes (6 new) at Edinburgh and 27 routes (2 new) at Glasgow Prestwick, which will deliver a combined total of over 3m passengers and sustain over 3,000* “on site jobs” at both Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick airports.

Ryanair cut its winter 2012 schedule at Edinburgh following the breakdown of cost negotiations with the previous owners of Edinburgh, the BAA. After reaching agreement with Edinburgh Airport’s new owners, Global Infrastructure Partners, Ryanair will now grow again at Edinburgh as follows:

38 routes (up 11%).
6 new routes to/from Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice & Santander
Increased frequencies on 5 other routes
From 232 to 246 weekly flights (up 5%).
From 1.6m to 1.8m pax p.a (up 11%).
1,800* jobs at Edinburgh Airport.

Ryanair will also grow at Glasgow Prestwick as follows:

27 routes (up 7%).
2 new routes to/from Rzeszow & Warsaw Modlin
Increased frequencies on 4 other routes
From 86 to 95 weekly flights (up 10%).
From 1.2m to 1.4m pax p.a (up 6%).
1,400* jobs at Edinburgh Airport.

Ryanair celebrated its Edinburgh and Glasgow summer 2013 schedules by launching a 100,000 seat sale with fares starting from £18 for travel across its European network in January which are available for booking until midnight (24:00hrs) Thur (6 Dec). Ryanair’s 6 new Edinburgh routes and 2 new Glasgow routes will begin in April and are on sale on www.ryanair.com now.

In Glasgow today, Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

“Ryanair is delighted to announce its Scottish summer 2013 schedule, which will deliver over 3m passengers p.a. and sustain over 3,000 jobs at Edinburgh and Glasgow Prestwick Airports.

Following successful negotiations with Edinburgh Airport’s new owners, Global Infrastructure Partners, Ryanair will grow its summer 2013 operations at Edinburgh by 11%, with 38 routes, including 6 new routes to/from Bologna, Beziers, Cagliari, Corfu, Katowice and Santander from April 2013, which will help deliver a total of 1.8m pax p.a. and sustain 1,800* “on-site” jobs at Edinburgh Airport. This is a prime example of what can be achieved by dismantling the BAA monopoly and we look forward to further growth at Edinburgh Airport under its new ownership.

Our summer 2013 schedule will see us operate 27 routes at Glasgow Prestwick, including 2 new routes to Rzeszow and Warsaw Modlin, which will help deliver a total of 1.4m pax p.a. and sustain 1,400* “on-site” jobs Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Ryanair’s summer new Scottish routes will begin in April and will be available for booking on www.ryanair.com tomorrow.

To celebrate our new Edinburgh & Glasgow Prestwick routes, we are launching a 100,000 seat sale with fares starting from £18 for travel across Europe in January, which are available for booking until midnight Thursday (6 Dec). Since seats at these crazy low prices will be snapped up quickly, we urge passengers to book them immediately on www.ryanair.com.”

Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport CEO, said:

“I welcome Ryanair’s return to growth and investment at Edinburgh Airport.  When I came to Edinburgh Airport in the summer, it was clear that we had to repair the relationship with Ryanair and work with them to provide more choice for Scottish passengers. I’m pleased that today we can announce a new relationship and new routes.  This announcement underlines the fact that Edinburgh and Scotland is an attractive market for a variety of operators and that we as an airport are open and willing to do business to expand our network and encourage growth.”

Iain Cochrane, Glasgow Prestwick CEO, said:

“We’re delighted with Ryanair’s latest commitment to grow its business from Glasgow Prestwick which is another sign of its continuing confidence in our airport. The decision to increase its Prestwick operations for next summer, along with new routes to Rzeszow and Warsaw is great news both for the airport and the region too. It gives travellers an even greater choice of value-for-money destinations next year and a further boost for the local economy, with more visitors to Scotland coming through the airport gateway.

British Airways to cut cabin crew

UK flag-carrier British Airways has confirmed it will cut 400 senior cabin crew roles.

The measures will affect both long- and short-haul routes the carrier said earlier.

All redundancies will be voluntary, according to International Airlines Group-operated British Airways.
A 90-day consultation period has begun, with the first posts expected to be abolished in March 2013.

The airline has about 14,000 cabin crew staff in total.

Sister airline Iberia confirmed it would shed as many as 4,000 jobs last month as it seeks a return to profitability.

fastjet in talks for bankrupt South African airline 1time

British-owned low-cost airline, Fastjet is in talks to buy failed budget airline 1time from its liquidators. The transaction would involve Fastjet paying a nominal fee for the purchase of 1time. 

The deal would also involve reaching a settlement with 1time's creditors. FastJet is the holding company for African airline Fly540, which operates from Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola.

Last month, reports said that Fastjet had pulled out of last minute negotiations to save the airline, prompting 1time to file for liquidation. 

According to CEO of 1time, Blacky Komane they had pinned their hopes on a cash injection from British investors. Three days after the airlines fleet was grounded, he told the SABC: "We're still in talks with the UK - so within the next 48 hours we should know which way the company is going."

He added that the survival of the airline company depended on the capital injection.

The national carrier, filed for liquidation at the beginning of November, grounding all its flights and leaving passengers stranded countrywide. 

The news of the airlines liquidation came as a surprise. Despite being under business rescue, the airline had announced it was doing well.

The airline owes various institutions, including Airports Company South Africa, around R350 million. 

Arik Air launches new Lagos-Kinshasa flights

Arik Air is expanding its regional African network with the addition of new flight services from Lagos, Nigeria to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first commercial flight on the route will take place tomorrow, December 5th, and subsequently operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Sunday.

The announcement means Kinshasa has now become Arik Air’s third destination in Central Africa, following the inclusion of flights to Luanda, Angola in 2011 and Douala, Cameroon in August this year.

The new Lagos-Kinshasa service will operate via Douala, Cameroon with outbound flights departing from the MurtalaMuhammed International Airport, Lagos at 11:10 and arrive at Douala International Airport at 12:40.

Flights will then continue onto Kinshasa, departing from Douala at 13:25 and arriving at N’djili International Airport, Kinshasa at 3:25 pm (local time).

The return flights will leave Kinshasa at 16:10, arriving in Douala at 18:10 and will thereafter leave Douala at 18:55, arriving in Lagos at 20:25.

The Lagos to Kinshasa route will be served with a Boeing 737-700 Next Generation aircraft.

The 737-700 is a two class compartment and the configuration is 12 Business Class seats and 112 Economy Class.

Lufthansa expands its broadband Internet service

Lufthansa passengers travelling on long-haul flights can now once again enjoy the full freedom of online communication. Together with its long-standing partners Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Deutsche Telekom. Lufthansa will be the first airline to offer its customers broadband Internet access on intercontinental routes. The service, which will initially be provided on selected North Atlantic routes, will be available on nearly the entire Lufthansa intercontinental network by the end of 2011. “Inflight Internet on board our longhaul flights is an innovation in the interests of our customers,” says Thierry Antinori, member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board. “FlyNet complements the consistent communications service offering for Lufthansa customers at all points of the travel chain. It provides them with completely new and unique opportunities to spend their time on board or while waiting for connecting flights.”

The extremely fast, high-performance inflight Internet service gives passengers with a WLAN-enabled laptop or smartphone unlimited online access. Thanks to the high bandwidth, emails – including those with large file attachments – can be sent and received without any time delay. Business travellers can also access their company’s Virtual Private Network (VPN). In spring 2011, inflight data communication should also be possible using the mobile phone standards GSM and GPRS. In addition to the wireless Internet (WLAN) service, Lufthansa customers will then be able to use their mobile phones to send and receive SMS text messages and transfer data with smart phones such as the iPhone or PDAs such as BlackBerry.

FlyNet is incredibly easy to use. Passengers—no matter where they are sitting on the aircraft – can logon to the Internet with any WLAN-enabled device, just as at any public hotspot, or in the near future set up a connection with a GSM/GPRS-enabled device. After opening the browser, they can automatically access the exclusive, free Lufthansa FlyNet portal, where they will find constantly updated news about economics, politics, sports and entertainment. Via this portal they can access the Internet service provided by Deutsche Telekom, which is to be paid from February 2011 on. Service provider information detailing the various billing options is available on this portal as well, including payment via credit card, via integrated roaming partners or by redeeming Miles & More award miles. The price for one hour’s online access is 10.95 euros or 3,500 miles, while the 24-hour flat rate is 19.95 euros or 7,000 miles. Under the 24-hour flat rate agreement, passengers can access the Internet on all Lufthansa connecting flights equipped with a hotspot during the period of validity as well as after the flight in Lufthansa lounges. Thanks to the introductory FlyNet offer, inflight Internet access will be available for free on FlyNet-equipped aircraft until January 31, 2011.

Lufthansa operated the world’s first scheduled flight with broadband Internet access on 15 January 2003. From May 2004 until the end of 2006, when Lufthansa’s then-partner Connexion by Boeing discontinued the service, wireless broadband Internet enjoyed increasing popularity. The technology also proved very reliable. By the end of 2006, some 69 of Lufthansa’s long-range aircraft were equipped with FlyNet, making the Lufthansa fleet the largest Internet-enabled long-haul fleet in the world, with about 30,000 users per month.