PREMIUM AIR
NEW ARRIVALS
Another emerging trend that will affect travellers who frequent the US and Asia particularly is the ability of new generation aircraft to fly vast distances nonstop. The latest of these, the Boeing 777X, is currently being tested before Lufthansa becomes its launch customer in summer 2020. The new aircraft will feature the world’s largest engines and wingspan – 7m of which will be folded on landing. The 777X can fly 10,000 miles – around 20 hours in the air – putting it firmly in the growing ultra long-range category. How things have changed since 2013, when Singapore Airlines axed its nonstop flights from Changi to Newark and Los Angeles, operated with thirsty four-engine Airbus A340s. The carrier resumed its 18-hour Changi-New York flight last October and a month later, reinstated the LA flight, which is just under 18 hours.
Meanwhile, Qantas brought Australia within nonstop reach in March, although this distance, at just over 17 hours, now seems almost routine. What has made the long trans-Pacific routes possible in Singapore Airlines’ case is the Airbus A350 ULR (Ultra Long Range), of which the carrier has a fleet of seven. The ULR has a range of just over 11,100 miles and with these aircraft, which carry only 67 business and 94 premium economy seats, Singapore Airlines is making a determined pitch for the trans-Pacific traveller – it will begin a service to Seattle on 3 September, its first new US route for 11 years. Geographically, Seattle is the closest mainland US point to Singapore and, more importantly, a hub for Singapore Airlines’ partner Alaska Airlines, giving it connections to many parts of the US interior, particularly since the latter carrier’s takeover of Virgin America.
FIRST CLASS HAS FALLEN
FROM A 2 PER CENT SHARE OF GLOBAL CAPACITY IN 2014 TO JUST 1.2 PER CENT
COMING UP
n THE EAGERLY AWAITED NEW BRITISH AIRWAYS business class seat will be unveiled this year. The new Club World cabin will be revealed on the first Airbus A350s to enter BA’s fleet. Four of these will begin service this year, with two Boeing 777s also featuring the new business class product. BA is also currently refitting World
Traveller Plus premium economy cabins. New menus now include a third main meal option plus a more substantial second hot meal later in the flight. New amenity kits, quilts and pillows are also being introduced.
n CANADIAN BUDGET carrier WestJet will attempt to attract premium travellers with new Boeing 787s fitted with its first business cabin, complete with lie-flat seats. The first of these will fly between Gatwick and Calgary, Canada’s oil capital.
n FINNAIR will operate a widebody Airbus A330 on a second daily frequency from Heathrow to Helsinki starting this summer. The aircraft upgrade means premium passengers can enjoy long-haul business class
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seating between the two hubs, with these aircraft continuing to Asia and Far East destinations.
n THE FIRST REFURBISHED QANTAS Airbus A380 is about to enter service. The aircraft will carry the new Business Suite as found on the carrier’s Boeing 787s, offering direct aisle access plus new lounge and bar areas. The 787’s premium economy cabin will also be found on the A380, with 25 additional seats, bringing the total to 60.
n TURKISH AIRLINES will unveil a new business class seat this year on Boeing 787s and Airbus A350s in a 1-2-1 config- uration. The carrier was due to be fully operational at the New Istanbul Airport from early March.
n MANCHESTER AIRPORT plans to offer the UK’s first private terminal designed for all passengers on commercial flights. Access to the PremiAir terminal will start at £50 and will include food, drink and car transfer to the aircraft, with similar facilities for arriving passengers. The building is scheduled to open in mid-2019.
n AIR FRANCE has begun fitting its latest Premium Economy cabin in 15 Airbus A330s. Seats are 19 inches wide (48.3cm) with a 40-inch (102cm) pitch. TV screens are larger, at 13.3 inches (34cm). Wifi is included and seats have an power socket and two USB ports.
n ANA will launch a Nagoya-Shanghai connection on 31 March and a Narita-Chennai route next winter. The Star Alliance member introduces the latest variant Boeing 787-10 on Narita-Singapore from 26 April and on Narita-Bangkok on 1 July.
n SAS will target new routes to India, the Middle East and North America with three new Airbus A321LRs from early 2020. Route announcements will be made this spring.
Private terminal PremiAir 2019 MARCH/APRIL 77
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