IN THE AIR ➔ ANA's cabin conversion


each seat lying perpendicular to the aisle for easy access. A sliding table is 150 per cent bigger than its predecessor, seats again convert to flatbeds and there's universal laptop power points. Finally, the new economy


JAPANESE airline ANA is launching its brand new Boeing 777-300ER on its London-Tokyo service from October 12th, complete with new cabin designs. The 'Inspiration of Japan' makeover sees the carrier ditch its premium economy cabin on the aircraft and introduce new First, Business


NEW LOOK LIVERY FOR VIRGIN


VIRGIN ATLNATIC has unveiled a new aircraft livery and brand identity which will be applied to its entire fleet, as well as signage and marketing communications. The more contemporary design features a new font and more prominent positioning on aircraft, while the iconic, flag- waving lady who appears on the nose of all Virgin aircraft has received 'a subtle cosmetic makeover and enhanced detailing.' “We have been working behind the scenes to re-ignite our brand and are developing new designs for the entire fleet of A330s that are due to come into service next year,“ says Virgin Atlantic's ceo, Steve Ridgway.


and Economy product. The new 'ANA First Square'


suite features a flatbed seat, privacy screen and 23-inch LCD TV – the cabin comprises eight of the suites in two rows of a 1-2-1 configuration. In its new-look business


class ANA has adopted a staggered seating set up, also in a 1-2-1 configuration, with


cabin comes with a generous 34-inch pitch – previously 31 inches – and a fixed-back design to prevent passengers reclining into the personal space of those behind. There's sliding head and foot rests, a 10.6-inch LCD TV screen, laptop power, USB socket and iPod connectivity. The airline is the launch customer for the highly anticipated Boeing 787 and, after several delays, expects to take delivery of the first of its 55-strong order early in 2011. The Inspiration of Japan brand is due to be installed on the Dreamliners, though how the airline plans to deploy them remains to be seen.


LATIN AMERICAN GET TOGETHER


Five minutes with... Mark Ryan


PROFILE


Director of Global Sales, Corporate, UK & Ireland JUMEIRAH HOTELS & RESORTS


Mark’s life in hospitality began in the family hotel back in Ireland carrying suitcases up and down three flights of stairs. Since completing a degree in Business & Hospitality Management, Mark has worked for Hilton Dublin's front office department and the Dorchester's reservations department in London, before joining the sales operation six years ago at Jumeirah.


What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? My first sales trip to the Middle East always stands out in my mind as the most fascinating trip to date. Visiting countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha for the first time opened my eyes to how differently business is done in the Middle East and Gulf States, and how little we actually know about these countries from a business aspect. My perception of some of these countries was completely different to what I actually experienced there, and I would go back to each of them in a heartbeat.


LATIN American airlines LAN and TAM have announced their intention to combine and rebrand as Latam Airlines. The joint operation would


be one of the world's largest airlines and have South America exceptionally well covered, though each airline would continue to fly under their own existing operating certificates and brands. The carriers' combined network would cover 115 destinations in 23 countries with a fleet of 220 aircraft and a further 200 on order. It is not yet clear how TAM – which


launched a new First Class cabin earlier this year, pictured above – and LAN's respective Star and oneworld alliance affiliations would be resolved. “As the industry consolidates


we cannot stand still,” says Enrique Cueto, LAN's chief executive officer. TAM’s ceo, Marco Bologna, adds, “In an open skies market a large Latin American airline group would provide much more competitive services to our passengers. We will be able to offer new destinations that neither company could have supported on its own.”


What is your worst business travel experience and why? I am cursed with being a light sleeper and have the sonar hearing senses of a bat! Flying back from an overnight sales trip in LA I cunningly managed to secure an emergency exit seat for extra leg room, while saving company money by flying economy! When I got to my seat I discovered these particular exit seats on this plane had less space than normal seats as the door had a part jutting out to the isle. On top of that, the passenger next to me immediately fell asleep and snored like a wild boar. That woke up the sleeping baby across the isle, which promptly started crying. Jack Daniels was a good friend to me that evening!


What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? The Côte d'Azur, South of France, for the weather, food and wine, and Ireland for the scenery and people.


What single thing could be done to improve your business travelling life? This will upset all my airline friends, but I would like an arrivals lounge or an ‘executive shower room’ for non- business class travellers. It would be great to be able to step off a plane, have a shower and a shave, and get your suit and shirt pressed, before heading off to your meetings.


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