NEWS — SPECIAL REPORT
Cabin crew can
book excursions on the flight
Thomson Airways is planning changes to ensure holidays begin as soon as passengers step on to the aircraft. Report by REBEKAH COMMANE
Thomson Airways plans a raft of developments, from new aircraft and new routes to new technology, as Tui Travel seeks to make its fleet fully part of its group strategy to offer ‘unique’ holidays. Tui has introduced a new concept that its holidays should begin when passengers step on to the aircraft and end when they step back off on their return home. The airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners form a key part of the strategy and will operate on the company’s entire long-haul programme from this winter. Speaking aboard one of Thomson’s latest 787s on a flight to Palma, Majorca, last week, Dave Burling, Tui UK and Ireland managing director, said: “Our goal at Thomson and First Choice is to make travel experiences special. As the flight marks the start and
‘Duo’ seating Family ‘booth’ seating
end of the holiday, we see it as an integral part of the whole holiday experience.”
Thomson has introduced
new technology to help cabin crew make passengers more comfortable, with the airline trialling the use of iPads that display special requests and information on passengers. The iPads also allow customers to book excursions while on the flight. In-resort staff have access to the same customer data and their own iPads, allowing information and requests to be passed between Tui staff. Burling said that this “ensures customers can avoid repeating any issues they have to several staff members”.
Dreamliner fleet Thomson Airways became the first UK airline to operate the Dreamliner last year and managing director John Murphy revealed it has ordered two more 787s for use from the UK, taking the total Dreamliner fleet to 10 from 2016. Features of the Dreamliner include reduced cabin pressure, which helps lessen jet lag, larger windows, quieter engines and increased fuel efficiency. The Thomson Airways 787s also
have a seat pitch of 33-34 inches in economy class and 38 inches in premium economy. Tui is also upgrading its short- haul fleet, with an order for 60 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Thomson will take delivery of 47 of these from early 2018.
10 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 16 October 2014 The new 737 is
14% more fuel efficient than the existing model. These aircraft, along with the Dreamliners, will bring the average age of the Thomson fleet down from seven years to five.
“Our goal at Thomson
and First Choice is to make travel experiences special”
The airline also plans to invest in a multimillion-pound refresh of its existing 737 and Boeing 757 fleets, improving comfort and the services available to passengers.
Family booths Thomson is now examining the seating options for the new aircraft, including the idea of a ‘booth concept’ for families or large groups travelling together. Director of customer service Carl Gissing said: “The booths [would] provide space for a family to enjoy quality time. They would be ideal for customers going to our unique family-focused hotels, such as First Choice Holiday Villages or Thomson Family Resorts.” A second option Thomson is exploring is ‘duo seating’ in premium economy. On the existing fleet this would mean converting the middle seat in a row of three into a table with a champagne cooler.
On the new 737 Max there is a possibility Thomson could introduce ‘pod-style seating’ for extra privacy.
Gissing said: “This style of seating would be ideal for customers holidaying at our adult-only Thomson Couples properties and Sensatori resorts.” A further new
development, already being trialled on services
from Gatwick to Mauritius, is a ‘sweet dreams service’ where Premium Club passengers are offered a duvet, a pillow, hot chocolate and a cookie before the lights go down. Thomson intends to introduce the service on all long- haul flights from February 2015.
Dreamliner advantages One of the many advantages of the Boeing 787 is its capacity to open new routes from Britain because of its range and ability to take off from shorter runways than other long-haul aircraft. As a result of this, Thomson is adding Costa Rica to its programme for the first time from winter 2015-16 – becoming the only carrier to fly direct to the country from the UK. Flights will operate weekly from Gatwick. Murphy made it clear there
would be other new destinations. He said: “This could include expanding our operations in the eastern Caribbean to islands such as Saint Lucia, as well as Antigua, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao Vietnam and Malaysia.”
SPECIAL REPORT
All change for Thomson’s fleet
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