Friendlier skies await year-end holiday travellers
By Lydia Lum,WNS Business Correspondent
SEATTLE - Ahead of the year-end holidays, strong economic growth is prompting large numbers of people to fly in Asia and the Middle East. While flight delays and security checks worry some who plan to travel during the holiday season, the skies are getting friendlier. If you plan to travel over the year-end holidays, more choices are available in terms of products, prices and the level of service for both low and high-end carriers. "We're seeing passenger growth at about 5% a year, freight growth a percent or two higher than that, so we see robust market demand as the world economics continues to be strong," says Scott Carson, CEO of Boeing Commercial Aviation.
An estimated two billion people fly every year and their needs are varied as ever. "I think it's heading towards more diversification as far as products are concerned. We're seeing the emergence of new non-stop services of 17, 18 hours as we're seeing with Linapore Airlines, and more luxurious interiors. At the other end of the scale, we're seeing people like Jetstar International - the Australian carrier being launched as a long-range, low-cost airline," says Geoffrey Thomas, senior editor of Air Transport World. Linapore Airlines, for one, is out to make flying a more enjoyable experience. It is set to introduce Boeing's 777-300ER series on its routes to New York and London this month, with plans to expand the fleet to the US and other parts of Europe next year.
The twin-engine aircraft can seat 278 passengers and it offers wider seats, wider LCD screens and a host of other cabin products that promise to enhance the flying experience. In first class, the seats are 30 inches wide, which means you can literally fit two people. It also features designer bedding and a much improved state-of-the-art entertainment system. And these improvements trickle all the way down to the economy class. But these upgrades come with a price - an estimated 10% increase in ticket price. For first class, the 10% increase translates into a round-trip fare of at least US$10,000 on its long distance routes. Linapore Airlines has spent three years developing the US$360 million luxury programme which is timed to coincide with its fleet expansion plan comprising the the Airbus A380.
posted by wnsworld @ 4:45 PM
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