Feature: Airline Update
all our travellers to make their buying decisions primarily based on price without the influence of promotional or personal preferences when spending corporate cash.” HSBC’s Whiteing, however, says that an airline’s onboard product is important as it directly relates to the traveller’s experience, and the company takes an interesting approach to this. “A fully flat seat in business class on long haul routes is now almost a prerequisite and many airlines have concentrated on this in recent years.” He continues, “We send a feedback form to selected travellers after their trip and get their opinions on their overall experience – the check- in process, punctuality, the lounge experience, baggage handling and catering – which we collate half yearly and put in a league table and then share with our suppliers.” Another unavoidable area of development is
that of airline mergers and partnerships, with South American airlines LAN and TAM recently jumping into bed together, following in the foot- steps of Continental and United, and the three- way tie-ups of British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia, and Air France, KLM and Delta. Both GE’s Mullineux and our anonymous
WHO OFFERS WHAT
THE DETAILS The following information has been supplied directly by the airline in question and is subject to change. Cabin types listed are those available on long-haul routes only. It is assumed all airlines offer traditional check-in desks (shared or their own) at their UK departure points and separate desks for premium passengers – only additional means of checking in are listed.
AirAsia X Based: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia UK departure points: London Stansted Cabins: Economy, Premium Alliance membership: Non-member Incentive schemes: None UK check-in: Online Chauffeur pick-ups: None UK lounge access: Servisair lounge New business contact:
maa_corpgroup@airasia.com www.airasia.com
UK lounge access: 4Deck, shared lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 New business contact: Prithi Shukla: 0207 333 0153;
prithi.shukla@
airastana.com www.airastana.com
Air Canada Based: Montreal, Canada UK departure points: London Heathrow Cabins: Economy, Executive First Alliance membership: Star Alliance Incentive schemes: Aeroplan (FFP) UK check-in: Online; self-service kiosks; check-in kiosks at London Paddington station. Chauffeur pick-ups: None UK lounge access: The London Lounge, which is shared with SAS, at Heathrow's Terminal 3. New business contact: 0208 750 8481
www.aircanada.com
AirAsia X
Air Astana Based: Almaty, Kazakhstan UK departure points: London Heathrow Cabins: Economy, Business Alliance membership: Non-member Incentive schemes: Nomad Club (FFP) UK check-in: Online Chauffeur pick-ups: None
Air China Based: Beijing, China UK departure points: London Heathrow Cabins: Economy, Capital Pavillion (Business class), Forbidden Pavillion (First Class) Alliance membership: Star Alliance Incentive schemes: Phoenix Miles (FFP); Air China Rewards (SME reward programme) UK check-in: Online Chauffeur pick-ups: Limousine option for First and Business Class passengers within 55 miles of Heathrow. UK lounge access: Star Alliance lounge New business: Malcolm Day: 020 7744 0794;
malcolmday@air-china.co.uk www.airchina.co.uk
Air Europa Based: Palme de Mallorca, Spain UK departure points: London Gatwick Cabins: Economy, Business
Alliance membership: SkyTeam Incentive schemes: Flying Blue UK check-in: Traditional check-in desk only Chauffeur pick-ups: None UK lounge access: Servisair lounge New business contact:
uksales@air-europa.com www.aireuropa.com
Air France Based: Paris, France UK departure points: Multiple Cabins: Voyageur (Economy), Premium Voyageur (Premium Economy), Affaires (Business), La Premiere (First) Alliance membership: SkyTeam Incentive schemes: Flying Blue (FFP), Blue Biz (for corporates) UK check-in: Self-service kiosks; check-in kiosks at London Paddington station for passengers travelling on the Heathrow Express. Chauffeur pick-ups: None UK lounge access: Access to Air France lounge at London Heathrow, and the SkyTeam lounge at Manchester airport. New business contact: 0871 66 33 777
www.airfrance.co.uk
Air New Zealand Based: Auckland, New Zealand UK departure points: London Heathrow Cabins: Economy, Premium Economy, Business Premier Alliance membership: Star Alliance Incentive schemes: Airpoints (FFP) UK check-in: Traditional check-in desk only Chauffeur pick-ups: Available to passengers on certain Business Premier fares within a 60-mile radius of London Heathrow airport. UK lounge access: Star Alliance lounge at Heathrow New business contact: Gary Kershaw, UK/Ireland sales manager:
gary.kershaw@
airnz.co.nz www.airnewzealand.co.uk
example, when someone is flying out business class with British Airways and returning with Iberia – they are very different service levels that the passenger experiences.” Mullineux also cites a lack of competition as
EMEA travel manager urge caution on this front. The latter says such partnerships have little immediate impact on travel programmes, but in the long-term there is likely to be a reduction in schedules and less competitive pricing. “There is no doubt that these partnerships benefit the airlines directly through better efficiencies across their operations – the driving force for such arrangements is certainly not the interests of the customer,” he says. “There is also concern with regard to different service levels as many of the airlines indicate each brand will retain its own identity but cross- sell to its customers. That creates problems, for
cause for concern. “History tells us that the greater the choice, the lower the fare, so in that sense, consolidations, mergers, alliances and anti-trust immunity all effectively act to reduce competition which may lead to an increase in the average fares that we are obliged to pay.” Taking a pragmatic approach, Mullineux continues, “We’re equally aware that many carriers have been losing money, which in the medium term is unsustainable. It's in nobody's interest to have carriers that are here today and gone tomorrow. “In that sense we recognise that survival
may only be possible through some form of partnership. They’re developments that we have to live with and can take in our stride since we continue to invest in the technology and processes to identify and access the lowest fares on the market. This is key to saving money.” Investing money in anticipation of long-term gains? Hmm, sounds kind of familiar.
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