Airline News
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Top places for Austrian Airlines
Prem+, business class comfort without business class fares
Improvement to services at London Heathrow terminal 1
Extra capacity on route Amsterdam Hong Kong
Fast in Manhattan... by train or helicopter!
Iberia Plus, frequent flyer programme
Jet Airways winter schedule Brussels
5-star airline Malaysia Airlines
Lufthansa Mobile Boarding Pass
Faster & easier departures at Lisbon AirportExtra connection Amsterdam - Gdansk
VLM developments and product enhancements
Top places for Austrian AirlinesMore than 15 million air passengers from 95 countries around the world have taken part in an online survey to evaluate the world’s best airlines for British consultancy Skytrax. Austrian Airlines took top places in a number of different categories of the World Airline Awards 2008.
At the World Airline Awards the airline won the following prices:
• 1 st place – Business class catering long haul
• 1 st place – Best cabin staff in Europe
• 3 rd place – Economy catering long haul
For the second consecutive year, Austrian Airlines took the first place in the ‘Catering in Business Class Long-Haul’ global category. The third place in ‘Economy Catering Long-Haul’ proves that the offered culinary range on board of Austrian flights is also setting global benchmarks in Economy Class. This makes Austrian Airlines the only European airline to feature in the Top 5 worldwide. In the ‘Cabin Staff in Europe’ category, Austrian Airlines took a sensational first place, underlining the success of the company’s ‘We care’ philosophy.The cabin staff, DO & CO Catering, the in-flight chefs who refine the gourmet menus on long-haul flights, and the Viennese coffee house service all contribute to make Austrian unique and outstanding compared to international competitor airlines.
PREM+, business class comfort without business class fares
OpenSkies, the new premium transatlantic airline from British Airways, announced a premium travel experience across the Atlantic with a range of compelling service offerings on flights from Paris Orly and Amsterdam to New York JFK.“Since the launch of the premium service, the response to OpenSkies has been overwhelmingly positive,“ said Dale Moss, Managing Director of OpenSkies. “With our unique PREM+ offering – an entirely new service category featuring a business seat with 140cm pitch – we provide a combination of great value and a premium experience for business and leisure travellers alike.“The airline offers guests innovative features onboard, including lie-flat beds in business class, personal entertainment units with 50+ hours of programming, and fresh and healthy meal service.After the PREM+ extension the OpenSkies Boeing 757 will be provided with 64 seats in two categories: 40 seats in PREM+ and 24 seats in BIZ. The BIZ class offers ‘fully lie-flat beds’ (180 degrees guardrail) with 185 cm leg space. To realise the extension of PREM+ the 30 OpenSkies’ ECONOMY seats will be removed. The new decorated plane will operate from 1 October 2008 on the route Paris Orly – New York JFK.
Improvement to services London Heathrow terminal 1
Thanks to several improvements on London Heathrow Terminal 1, where all of bmi’s London Heathrow operations are based, departure from this terminal will be a whole new experience!bmi will further guarantee easy connections and limit passenger transfertimes to an absolute minimum thanks to significant improvements the coming months, including the flight connection centre.bmi’s check-in area at Terminal 1 will be relocated, extended and refurbished. With eight million fewer people travelling through the terminal each year, bmi passengers enjoy a quieter terminal and quicker check-in times.The Iris Recognition Immigration System makes the identification process easier and gives easy access to the UK.bmi is constantly focused on developing quick and easy check-in and boarding options that optimise travel experiences, such as further priority check-in areas for bmi business class and economy flexible class passengers.Also new security- and baggage collection facilities will be implemented to ensure a better passengerflow in Terminal 1. The British Airports Authority (BAA) has stated that security checks in the terminal will take less than five minutes 95% of the time, thanks to enhanced service at the airport.There are two new Star Alliance passenger lounges: for arrivals and for departures. Further improvements, such as a new concept international departure lounge, can be expected. bmi passengers can expect a more efficient and smooth Heathrow experience in the course of 2009.
In the near future several star alliance airlines will move to Terminal 1, transfers between star alliance will take only 60 minutes.
In August Cathay Pacific Airways announced a new round of capacity redeployment to help offset the impact of high fuel prices on the airline. Cathay Pacific will upgrade the daily flight between Amsterdam and Hong Kong from an A340-300 to the larger Boeing 747-400 from 26 October. Due to this change the weekly capacity increases with more than 650 seats, including 78 first class seats to be launched.Consistently high demand to Australia is leading the airline to considerably enhance its services to the country. Perth will become a daily service with two additional flights a week from 26 October, while Brisbane will move from a daily service to 10 flights a week. Sydney, currently served by 25 flights a week, will move to four flights each day.
In addition, Cathay Pacific has won the leading British Skytrax Award for Best First Class product of 2008. To underscore the strength of its First Class product, Cathay Pacific also took the Best First Class Catering award, while the overall quality of the airline’s product and service was reflected in it being named runner-up in the Skytrax Airline of the Year award.
Out of Amsterdam Continental flies twice daily to its New York area hub, Newark Liberty International Airport. Nearly all-Continental transatlantic flights arrive at Terminal C, Continental’s Global Gateway where passengers can use exclusive immigration and customs facilities. They can also connect quickly and easily to more than 220 destinations on the American Continent.
Fast in Manhattan... by train or helicopter!
The heart of New York can be reached quickly and conveniently from Newark Liberty International Airport. Thanks to the AirTrain, New York Penn Station in Manhattan (8th Avenue & 31st Street) can be reached within 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs $15 on NJ Transit.
Time-sensitive travelers can book an 8-minute helicopter flight between the airport and 2 heliports: Downtown Manhattan near Wall Street (JRB) or Midtown Manhattan - East 34th Street (TSS). Passengers are transferred to the helicopter from Terminal C (gate 71).
As an added value for BusinessFirst passengers travelling in J, D or Z class, Continental offers this helicopter transfer free of charge, subject to availability and validity(*). US Helicopter has a different baggage allowance policy, visit www.flyush.com for details.
* excl. all applicable taxes and airport surcharges
Seventeen years ago, Iberia became the first European Airline to offer compensations and advantages to its frequent users, through the Iberia Plus programme. During this period we have acquired more than 3,5 million travellers in one of the four versions of the card we offer: classic, silver, gold and platinum. In addition, 80 companies are associated with the programme, among them airlines, hotel chains, the most important car rental firms, real estate groups, health organizations, financial institutions and any other firms of the most diverse nature.Find out now about the benefits:
• Free flights, hotel stays and car hire
• Upgrade to higher classes than the one booked on flights
• Preferential seat reservations
• Priority on airport waiting lists
• Travel with a companion using accumulated Plus points
• Access to special offers
• Enjoy full travel insurance
Collect enough points and you can upgrade to a higher level of the Iberia Plus card (Silver, Gold and Platinum). You will enjoy more advantages and very exclusive benefits. Registration is free.Present the card every time you fly with Iberia or one of our associated airlines or when using the services of companies participating in the programme. You will receive a certain amount of points, which will be credited, in your personal account. Once you have accumulated enough points, you can easily exchange these to fly, hire cars or enjoy hotel accommodation.
Jet Airways (India) Ltd., introduces a new winter schedule for flights from/to Brussels, starting 27 October 2008. Flights from New York-JFK, New York-Newark, Toronto, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai will all arrive early morning at 08.00 hrs. Departures to these destinations, served on a daily basis, are scheduled at 10.00 hrs. The new winter schedule allows Jet Airways to offer more onward connections within Europe (in combination with her partner airlines) and India.New Jet Airways winter timetable, Brussels:
Brussels to North America Brussels to India New York JFK
(9W 226)
10.10-13.30 Delhi
(9W 229)
10.00-22.45 New York EWR
(9W 228)
10.10-13.40 Mumbai
(9W 227)
10.00-23.15 Toronto
(9W 230)
10.10-13.45 Chennai
(9W 225)
10.05-00.10* North America to Brussels India to Brussels New York JFK
(9W 225)
19.00-07.55* Delhi
(9W 230)
03.20-07.55* New York EWR
(9W 227)
19.30-07.50* Mumbai
(9W 238)
03.00-07.55* Toronto
(9W 229)
19.25-07.50* Chennai
(9W 236)
01.40-07.45* * = arrival next day
Malaysia Airlines is a 5-star airline and has daily non-stop flights with a Boeing 747-400 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with excellent connections to destinations within Malaysia, Asia, Australia and New-Zealand.On board of their flight from Amsterdam Economy-, Business- and First Class cabins are available. In the Business Class and First Class cabin, you can stretch out in sleeper seats for a good night’s sleep. Experience a fine à la carte dining menu and choose over 300 hours of on-demand movies with Select In-Flight entertainment. It’s the least Malaysia Airlines can offer in order for you to have a delightful flying experience.When you fly with Malaysia Airlines, you are flying with ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’. Let them charm you with the warmth and sincerity that has won the hearts of many passengers and international awards. But more importantly, they look forward to making your time on board a pleasant experience.
Now you can check in at any time and from any location from 23 hours before departure and simply get your Mobile Boarding Pass sent to your mobile phone. All the necessary information for your flight will be on the Mobile Boarding Pass. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, you can proceed directly to your departure gate. In case you are travelling with baggage; this can be checked in easily and conveniently at a baggage drop-off counter with your Mobile Boarding Pass. The mobile boarding pass consists of two elements; a 2D barcode and flight information in plain text.At the baggage drop-off counter, just show the 2D barcode so it can be scanned and you luggage can be checked in. At the security control you need to show the flight information in plain text so that you can be identified. At the departure gate, the 2D barcode will be scanned.The Mobile Boarding Pass Service is available on all Lufthansa routes within Germany. The service is rapidly being introduced on international routes and is now also available on Lufthansa flights from Amsterdam.
You can arrange for a test boarding pass to be sent to your mobile phone to make sure that this new Lufthansa service works with your mobile. You can then be confident that you will be able to use the new Lufthansa Mobile Boarding Pass service with your mobile next time you check in. For more information check your Carlson Wagonlit Travel agency or visit the Lufthansa website.
At Lisbon Airport tap|executive, tap|plus passengers or Gold and Silver Victoria Program and TAP Corporate card members are now offered a new security control and priority x-ray handling service that will help facilitate faster access to the departure lounge.
This new TAP Fast Track service at Lisbon airport uses the Green Way concept offering a dedicated X-Ray channel for passengers and baggage with priority access, providing reduced waiting time at security checks and adding to the improved service introduced with the creation of the Espaco Premium. TAP is the first airline company to offer this new option available in Lisbon Airport at Terminal 1, along with the new Espaco Premium (Premium Customer Center), an innovative structure inaugurated in June that offers its business segment passengers exclusive attendance with special check-in and customer care services and greater speed and efficiency during departure.Freedom of choice – One flight, five ways to travel
tap | executive and tap | plus are developed with the needs of the business traveller in mind with specific services and facilities available at the airport.
tap | executiveAt the airport and onboard, exclusive personalized service and maximum of comfort allow you to work or relax as you wish• Priority check in
• Priority at security/x-ray
• Lounge access
• Access to the Premium Customer Center in Lissabon
• Seat reservation
• Differentiated boarding/disembarkation
• Executive meal with option
tap | plusIf you are looking for speed and total flexibility• Priority check in
• Priority at security/x-ray
• Seat reservation
• Differentiated boarding
• Upgrade with miles
• Meal
Information about TAP branded products: 5-ways-to-travel
LOT Polish Airlines recently started with its’ new extra flight from Warsaw to Gdansk. The new flight enables customers traveling from Amsterdam to arrive 2 hours earlier in Gdansk now. The flight connects with our first morning flight departing at 7.40 am from Amsterdam to Warsaw. As a result of the new added flight we are now able to offer our customers a connection to Gdansk 3 times per day.Amsterdam - Warsaw - Gdansk07.40 – 12.25Amsterdam - Warsaw - Gdansk10.35 – 14.45Amsterdam - Warsaw - Gdansk19.45 – 23.30Gdansk - Warsaw - Amsterdam06.00 – 09.45Gdansk - Warsaw - Amsterdam14.10 – 18.55Gdansk - Warsaw - Amsterdam17.15 – 22.05Flying to Warsaw, also from Düsseldorf or from Brussels!Besides flying from Amsterdam to Warsaw, LOT also flies 5 times per day from Düsseldorf to Warsaw and 4 times per day from Brussels to Warsaw. In addition we offer direct flights from Düsseldorf to Wroclaw and to Katowice.
VLM developments and product enhancements
The airline recently added a new tool on its website. ‘Simply Questions’ provides quick and simple answers to any questions travellers may have about VLM Airlines, its products or services. Having analyzed all the different types of questions travelers have asked over previous years, an extensive list of answers has been compiled and is made available via this tool. By typing in a question, an accurate and detailed answer can be provided within seconds.
VLM Airlines’ fleet of environmentally friendly turboprop aircraft is being fitted with kevlar seats, with a unique reclining function enabling the entire seat to tilt back. This offers a more comfortable position that is proven to be ergonomically better.
Award winning airline
This summer, VLM Airlines received a number of awards, demonstrating that it clearly understands the business of making the travel experiencefor its customers as convenient as possible.
In July 2008, Business Destination Magazineannounced that the airline has won the 'Best Business Airline - Western Europe' award, an achievement that recognised the carrier's ongoing growth in the travel sector and the premium services it provides to its passengers. Later in the summer, the Skytrax World Airline Awards named VLM Airlines the 'Best Regional Airline for Europe' and 'Best Cabin Staff Western Europe'.
The World Airline Awards is based on the Skytrax World Airline Survey, which was carried out between August 2007 and June 2008 and obtains customer satisfaction levels of over 15 million airline passengers worldwide.
