Jeremy Tredinnick
JIN AIR/B777-200 JINI PLUS HONG KONG-SEOUL
JIN AIR, A LOW-COST SUBSIDIARY OF KOREAN AIR, launched services in 2008. It operates three B777-200s and 17 B737-800s, and flies to more than 30 international and domestic destinations. According CAPA, Jin Air flew 5.3 million passengers in 2015, 47 per cent up on the previous year.
LOUNGE & BOARDING: There was no lounge access with my Jini Plus ticket. Boarding was via gate 206, in the pleasant new concourse of HKIA requiring a slightly longer shuttle train ride. I went through the priority channel, and when entering the front cabin of the aircraft I was astonished to see it empty. No one else boarded before the plane left the gate, so I had the entire cabin to myself. THE SEAT: I was in seat 1A, unsurprisingly. The Jini Plus seats are configured in the same fashion as economy – 3-4-3 – except for the bulkhead front row, which is 2-4-2. There are 48 Jini Plus seats, but they are identical to the normal economy seats and are differentiated only by an extra 15cm of legroom. This gives them
premium economy levels of seat pitch. Also part of the Jini Plus package is priority baggage handling and an amenity kit containing the usual toothbrush, eye-mask and so on. The seat itself was comfortable, curved with side bolsters that made it feel a little like a sports car seat hugging you in position. The recline was limited, but for short-haul flights this is not really an issue. There are no screens on these seats – this is a low-cost carrier, after all. However, you can pay for the Jini Play service – which offers a small but adequate selection of films, TV shows and games – on your own device (US$10), or pay an extra US$10 for a high-quality Samsung tablet. A charging point is below the seat, but there is only one per two-or-three seats in each row.
THE FLIGHT: Soon after take-off I was given the Jini Play tablet with a charger, then served a cup of water and a snack bag containing a banana, a muffin and a refreshment towel. I worked on my laptop – the armrest table was stable enough – and then watched a movie until we began our descent. Though the screen was crystal clear, the earphones provided tinny sound quality. VERDICT: For a no-frills low-cost carrier, this was one of my best experiences – though I was lucky that the flight was so empty. If, like me, the extra legroom makes a substantial difference to your in-flight comfort, then this is well worth considering as a good alternative to economy seating on a major carrier.
Rania Apthorpe
MALAYSIA AIRLINES/A380 FIRST CLASS LONDON-KUALA LUMPUR
MAS flies a double-daily service between LHR and Kuala Lumpur. The aircraft are configured with eight first class and 350 economy seats on the lower deck, and 66 business and 70 economy seats on the upper deck.
LOUNGE & BOARDING: The airline’s lounge in T4 was not far from Gate 6, where the flight was departing. The business and first class sections were separated by a glass door. The first class lounge looked opulent, and there was a good range of European and Asian dishes on offer, although I thought it could have had more staff to make it a truly luxurious experience. First and business passengers had their own airbridge for boarding. I was onboard quickly, greeted by friendly staff and offered juice but not champagne (the bar only opened once airborne).
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
THE SEAT: First class is located at the front of the main (lower) deck. I was in window seat 1A, which features a ‘companion seat’ and 23in TV screen. There is storage space beneath, although this must be left clear for take-off and landing. At the side was a small wardrobe with hangers and an amenity bag with Bulgari toiletries, pyjamas, socks and an eye-mask. There was a menu under the central tray table. The seat was wide and comfortable, and felt private and spacious. A power socket and entertainment controls were under a shelf to the left.
There were three pre-set seat positions and a footrest. THE FLIGHT: After take-off, noise-cancelling headphones were given out and a drinks service began – the champagne was Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2005. I ordered caviar and smoked salmon with blinis and melba toast. The main meal could be served at a time of my choice, and breakfast was ordered in advance. From the main menu, I had the Malaysian chicken satay, and for breakfast the nasi lemak (a Malay rice dish). After watching a film, I reclined
fully-flat and slept. I am 5’5’’ so there was lots of room. The bed cover was very comfortable, with silk pillowcases. VERDICT: Malaysian Airlines is working hard to offer a good-quality product, as expected from an Asian airline. I found the flight extremely pleasant. The food was excellent and the crew were attentive and polite. The in-flight entertainment could do with a wider selection of new films but the experience was comfortable and tranquil. Going straight to a presentation, I was pleased to feel fresh and alert on arrival.
BBT JULY AUGUST 2016 91
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