Air France Launches New La Premiere First Class

Air France has revealed its new La Premiere first class suite ahead of a September 2014 debut on the airline's Boeing 777-300 fleet.

Only four of the suites will be installed on each of Air France's 19 Boeing 777s, but with a footprint of 3 square metres per passenger each suite packs plenty of style and top-end touches.


The airline says the seats "are dressed in soft, harmonious colours, subtle combinations of ice blue and very light grey, delicately enhanced with touches of red, Air France’s signature colour."


The suites themselves are 2.3 metres long, with just over 2 metres of that taken up by a 77cm wide lie-flat bed.

Air France's sleep service includes a mattress, cushion, Sofitel My Bed duvet and a wide plush pillow.


The seat width itself is 57cm, with a generously-sized 60cm square table for working or dining and an ottoman for inviting a fellow traveller to share their meal.


Other creature comforts include a 24 inch HD screen and BOSE noise-cancelling headphones plus a console with integrated storage compartments.

It's all topped off by an amenity kit with Givenchy toiletries.

The electronic window blinds are similar to those of BA and Emirates, opening and closing at the touch of a button.

Each suite features an adjustable partition and curtains which you can keep wide open with leather tiebacks or draw closed to create a fully private cabin.


Passengers can also dial the cabin's lighting to 'soft' or 'radiant' settings, with a bedside lamp for that added 'just like home' touch.

That's all in keeping with the trend towards a more residential feel for the priciest of premium cabins, similar to the ethos behind TAM's (sadly) now-abandoned Boeing 777 first class cabin and more recently Etihad's A380 first class suites.

Air France tags the new La Premiere as a 'designer suite' and it shares some of the DNA of the airline's latest Boeing 777 business class cabin.


The suites were designed by London firm Priestmangoode, which is fast becoming the go-to team for refined high-flying elegance, and branding agency Brandimage.

Scoot To Become World's First 'All Boeing 787' Airline

Singapore Airlines' low-cost offshoot Scoot is set for a flood of Boeing 787s next year, taking delivery of as many as one per month from February to June 2015 in order to become the world's first 'all Dreamliner' airline.

The airline will receive its first Boeing 787-9 in November this year, parent group SIA confirmed in its Financial Year 2013-14 report released overnight.

Scoot says the first destinations for its Boeing 787-9s, which is expected to make its inaugural flight in December, will "include Australia, Japan and Taiwan".




A second 787-9 will also arrive before the end of February, SIA says, with one of the airline's Boeing 777-200s being decommissioned in the same timeframe.

Scoot aims to retire all six of its Boeing 777-200s, which were handed down from Singapore Airlines, by the middle of 2015 and shift to an all-Boeing 787 in order to parlay the Dreamliner's increased fuel efficiency into a healthier bottom line.

This would require the delivery of one Dreamliner per month from February through June, on top of November's debutante Dreamliner, to fully replace Scoot's six Boeing 777s.

A spokesperson for Scoot told Australian Business Traveller this evening that "the delivery of Scoot's Dreamliner fleet remains on schedule... we expect to transition to an all 787 fleet by middle of 2015."

The airline has 20 Boeing 787s on order, split into ten of the original Boeing 787-8 and ten of the larger, longer-range 787-9.
Inside Scoot's Boeing 787

Scoot's Boeing 787-9 will be kitted out with 35 'all-leather' premium seats in ScootBiz class, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout.

Each features include an extendable leg-rest and a 'cradle' recline position.


There'll also be AC power sockets for every traveller.


The bulk of the bird will of course be given over to a sea of 340 economy seats in a 3-3-3 configuration, for a total head count – or should that be bum count – of 375.


The standard economy seat is a slimline slab sans headrest.


However, the seats in the extra-legroom Stretch rows and child-free 'Scoot in Silence' cabin will sport adjustable headrests.

Pleasingly, all seats from tip to tail will enjoy access to AC power and "streaming Internet connectivity.

Scoot will receive only Boeing 787-9s until the middle of 2015, at which point the first of 10 smaller 787-8s will arrive. These will pack the same seats but with a total seatcount down to around 330, the airline predicts.

Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson believes the 787s will gives Scoot the flexibility to launch new routes, or add more flights to existing routes, where economics might not favour the larger and less fuel-efficient Boeing 777.

"They're operationally interchangeable so there's no efficiency impact, but the different capacities open more options with respect to network and deployment" Wilson said.

Scoot joins Jetstar as one of the low-cost carriers stumping for the Boeing 787, based on its reduced running costs via lower fuel consumption and longer time between major maintenance checks.

"The economic advantages of this later generation aircraft – including a fuel-burn saving of around 20% per seat – ensure that costs and thus airfares can be kept low so that more people can travel more often" Wilson promised.

Qatar Plans 'Super Business Class'

"We are developing a new seat which will be called super business class, and this will be introduced in just over 24 months' time, and this will replace our current herringbone seats," Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker revealed during a media briefing at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Qatar's forthcoming Airbus A380 flagships – the first of which is due for delivery in May 31 with its inaugural flight to London in June – will likely be the airline's only jet boasting first class.

“Our premium travel is business travel, mostly, so we will keep a very limited number of first class seats, only in the A380, and all the other airplanes will only have a business class product."

Despite British Airways, Etihad Airways and China Southern all offering first class cabins in their Boeing 787s, the outspoken Al Baker considers that first class is no longer about high-flying executives but rather the domain of cashed-up luxury travellers, and “today there is very low demand for first class.”

“People who used to travel in first class were high net worth individuals and mostly businessmen, companies that were doing windfall profits were making their executives happy,” Al Baker theorised during a media briefing at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

“But after the 2008 crash all the companies have reinvented their strategy on executive travel, and executive travellers moving back to first class will never happen, I don’t think.”

Qatar’s new first class cabin (below) appears only on its flagship Airbus A380s, which will begin flying to London on June 17.


But Al Baker remains wary of his airline’s ability to fill a first class cabin on its Boeing 787 fleet.

“British Airways has a first class product but keep in mind that BA is one of the most profitable carriers, and secondly they have huge point-to-point traffic that has very high first class demand.”

“But even if you ask BA for their first class load factor, I believe network-wide its is only 60%.”

In lieu of first class on the Boeing 787s, Al Baker believes that offering a high quality business class is a superior strategy.


“We have decided that we better not have first class, but give a very good business class product, and that is what we are doing – we are really giving a first class product with a business class price.”

Singapore Airlines Reveals Premium Economy

Singapore Airlines will launch premium economy on its Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 superjumbo fleet, as well as the forthcoming Airbus A350 jets.

The new premium economy seats and cabin will be launched in the second half of next year, the airline revealed this morning.

A spokesperson for Singapore Airlines confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that premium economy "will enter service in the second half of 2015, initially on Boeing 777-300ERs and very soon after on A380s... as well as the A350-900s that will operate on long-haul routes."

The new seats will begin to be fitted from the middle of 2015.

"We aim to have a good number of aircraft fitted with the new cabin product within a short timeframe", the spokesperson said, adding that "we're aiming to have a very competitive offering featuring more space, amenities and convenience. These are important aspects that our studies have shown Premium Economy customers are looking for."

Australian Business Traveller understands the airline's focus for premium economy will be on long-distance routes, although "it will also be offered on some prime medium-haul routes."

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President (South West Pacific) Tiow Kor Tan told Australian Business Traveller than while he could not "provide details at this point on the deployment of our new Premium Economy across our global network, there is no doubt this is a welcome move for our Australian customers."
The Singapore flag-carrier has long been skeptical of the value of a 'better than economy but less than business' cabin, claiming that its economy class was more than good enough.

However, it has now fallen into line with other airlines which have embraced premium economy including Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and most recently Lufthansa.

The airline also plans to upgrade its entire fleet of Boeing 777-300ER jets with new first class, business and economy seating.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong refused to elaborate on the premium economy plans, only saying that "when we set our mind to do something, it will be done well."

Singapore Airlines To Refit Boeing 777s

Singapore Airlines will upgrade its entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet with the airline's latest first class, business class and economy seats beginning next year.

The US$325 million (A$346 million) refit will encompass all 19 of the long-range jets in SQ's current Boeing 777-300ER fleet in an attempt to deliver a consistent travel experience alongside the airline's new Boeing 777-300ERs.

The project will also see the in-flight entertainment system upgraded.

Singapore Airlines says the refurb is expected to begin early in 2015, "with all aircraft completed by September 2016."

“Feedback about our next generation cabin products has been extremely positive and our customers have been asking for them to be fitted on more aircraft. We have listened,” said SIA Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah.

“This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to constantly enhancing our products and services, and further demonstrates our confidence in the future for premium full-service air travel.”

In related news, the airline also revealed it would finally launch a premium economy cabin in the second half of 2015.

Singapore Airlines' new Boeing 777 first class seats are ‘mini-suites’ are built around a fixed-back shell with curved side panels.


The seats are 35 inches wide and extend to a 82 inch long bed, up from the current 80 inches of the current first class seat.


Boosts to personal space include a space underneath the ottoman which can fit a standard cabin bag, while a ‘vanity area’ with its own mirror lets travellers do a quick pre-landing freshen up without leaving their seats.

Another stowage pocket contains laptop power and USB ports along with an HDMI socket to pipe content from your laptop or other device onto the 24 inch screen.

Singapore Airlines’ new Boeing 777 business class seats share similar design DNA as first class and retain the current forward-facing layout and 1-2-1 configuration as its current business class cabin, with a similar degree of ‘private space’.

There are now two positions between the standard upright seating and lie-flat bed, which SQ terms Lazy Z and Sundeck mode.


The 28 inch wide seat converts to a 78 inch long flat bed, using the same flip-over design as SQ’s current business class product, with an increased recline from 128 degrees to 132 degrees.


There’s a new amenity storage area on the side console and a separate laptop stowage area.

An ‘all in one business panel’ sports the laptop power supply, USB port plus eXport and HDMI ports. As with the new first class there’s a floodlight reading lamp and on/off switch for the 18 inch LDC monitor (up from today’s 15.4 inches).


There’s also a height-adjustable table of 20.5 inches x 14.5 inches which deploys from the side console, a personal vanity mirror and cocktail trays.

Emirates A380 To India In July

Emirates will introduce Airbus A380 super jumbo aircraft on one of its existing service between Dubai and Mumbai from July, the airline announced today. Emirates becomes the second airline to announce A380 flights to India. Singapore Airlines is launching A380 flights between Singapore and Delhi and Mumbai from May end.

An Emirates spokesperson said "Emirates plans to deploy an A380 on one of its existing daily services between Dubai to Mumbai, starting from July and is working closely with Mumbai Airport Authorities to make this deployment possible. In addition we have plans to upgrade existing aircraft to larger capacity Boeing 777s to Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai starting from 01 June. We will announce details shortly."

Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380 planes and has 50 of them in its fleet. It is also the largest foreign airline operating into India with 185 weekly flights.

In February the civil aviation ministry on Wednesday revised the bilateral air traffic entitlements with Dubai, allowing them a 20 per cent increase in seats to India. Dubai, which had asked for 50,000 additional seats a week, was been granted 11,000 seats for allocation in three phases. Dubai was not been granted any additional port of call (destination) in India.

Etihad's CEO James Hogan recently said the airline would at a later date bring in the aircraft to India.

The A380 can sit 850 people in a single class configuration but usually used in a three-class offering with a seating capacity of 550-600 passengers.

India on January 42 allowed carriers to operate the A380 to operate to four of India's airports-Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.


A month later, it certified Mumbai as a Code-F compliant airport, which means it has a runway suitable for the A380 to land. Delhi has been Code-F certified for a few years now.

AirAsia India Is Born

AirAsia (India) Pvt. Ltd on Wednesday received the air operating permit from the regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

An AirAsia India executive, requesting anonymity, confirmed the development.

The permit was the last hurdle for AirAsia (India), a venture of Malaysia’s AirAsia Bhd, Tata Sons Ltd and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace Pvt. Ltd.

In February, DGCA dismissed a demand by private airlines in India, including IndiGo (run by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd), Jet Airways (India) Ltd, SpiceJet Ltd and GoAir (run by Go Airlines (India) Ltd), objecting to the grant of a licence to AirAsia India, arguing that a September 2012 policy change allowing foreign airlines to invest in local airlines was applicable only to existing airlines and not new ones.​

The approval to AirAsia India will be subject to any future directions from the high court, a DGCA official said. The official declined to be named.

The Supreme Court had said in February that awarding a licence to AirAsia is subject to the outcome of the Delhi high court decision. The high court is hearing a plea by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy seeking stay on further approvals to the proposed airline venture between Malaysia’s AirAsia and the Tata Group.

Qatar Airways CEO Promises Airbus A350 For Perth

Qatar Airways will fly its new Airbus A350 to Perth in early 2015 as one of the launch routes for the next-generation jetliner, according to airline CEO Akbar Al Baker.

Speaking at a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Al Baker told Australian Business Traveller that the current daily Perth-Doha Boeing 777 service would be upgraded to the new Airbus A350 "in early 2015, I hope."

Al Baker said that Perth was chosen both for being an "ultra long-haul route" from Qatar's Doha hub as well as for its importance as Australia's "mineral resources capital."

"The size (of a city) doesn't matter to us, it is the economic activity in that place that matters to us" Al Baker said.

"Perth will not be the launch route for the A350 but it will be one of the first ultra long-haul routes that we will operate" he added.

Qatar previously intended to run a Boeing 787 Dreamliner onto the Perth-Doha route from February 1st 2013, but cancelled those plans just two weeks shy of the launch when the Boeing 787 was grounded around the world after a series of critical overheating problems with the lithium-ion battery system.

However, Al Baker admitted that the long Perth-Doha flight would have been towards the edge of the operating range of the early model Boeing 787-8s which were ordered without the necessary crew rest.

By comparison, he said, the flight "can comfortably be flown by an Airbus A350 which is designed for these ultra long-haul routes."

Qatar's focus on Perth comes as its Gulf competitors also sharpen their sights on the WA capital.

Emirates is tipped to begin Airbus A380 flights to Perth later this year, while Etihad begisn flying to Perth from July 15 this year and has also earmarked a Boeing 787-9 for Perth in the future.

At the same time, Qantas has axed regular international flights from Perth, with the Flying Kangaroo's Perth-Singapore route being shuttered from May 12th.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce attributed the controversial decision to "a giant wave of airline capacity that has reshaped Australian aviation", especially from low-cost airlines, partnered with "ongoing record fuel prices.

Qantas A380 On DFW-Sydney

Qantas Airways announced Tuesday that it will begin flying the double-decker Airbus A380 between Dallas/Fort Worth Airport and Sydney starting Sept. 29.

This is the second A380 service for DFW Airport, which is spending $2.8 million to add a jetbridge at Terminal D, gates 15 and 16, to accommodate the jumbo jet.

Emirates Airline has announced it will fly the A380 on its DFW-Dubai route beginning in October.

“The announcement of Qantas Airways A380 service to DFW is outstanding news for our Airport and the Dallas/Fort Worth region, because it adds more seats to what has become a very popular and important route,” said DFW Airport chief executive Sean Donohue in a statement.

Donohue and Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price recently took a trade trip to Australia to promote North Texas’ regional economy and tourism.

By using the larger jet, instead of the Boeing 747-400, Qantas will be able to operate a direct flight to Sydney. Currently, the Australian carrier flies directly from Sydney to DFW but stops in Brisbane on the return trip.

The Sydney to DFW flight is the longest regularly scheduled commercial passenger flight in the world, taking about 15 hours and 25 minutes to travel the 8,500 mile route.

Qantas will operate six flights per week, dropping its Tuesday flight. However, with the A380 able to carry 484 passengers, Qantas will increase its seat capacity on the route by 10 percent per week.

“Dallas/Fort Worth has become an important gateway for Qantas customers since we started flying there in 2011,” said Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce in a statement.

The carrier is a member of American’s Oneworld alliance and also has a partnership with Emirates.

Time Of Purpose

To everything there is a season. And a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, a time to die. A time to wipe and a time to laugh. A time to plant, and a time to reap. 

Could it be? What if all that you ever shared with someone you love was just planting something for the future. A future that neither of you could have predicted. Somehow, your love have prepared you for. What if, it's time for you to reap all of that now, when you seem to need it more than ever. 

It was incredible seeing you again. But you are my land, my water, my sky.. you always will be. So whatever you decide, be happy. And know that you are loved. Whenever you wanna come back, there will always be a place for you. With stars above your head and starred lilies beneath your feet. A tree for you to climb, with a great view of our city. It took some 2 days to know and it took me 4 years to realize.

Everybody's love story is different. Sometimes, it just take time. A lot of time. There is a time to write stories, and a time to live your own. 

Etihad's New Boeing 787 First Class Suites

Etihad Airways' new Boeing 787 First Class will offers guests an enhanced suite complete with a chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to create a double bed.

Eight First Suites are in a 1-2-1 configuration, spread across dual curved aisles – a key design feature of Etihad's Boeing 787s, the layout creates a unique environment and an industry first in design.


Boasting a 26 inch wide Poltrona Frau lounge chair that converts to a comfortable 80.5-inch long fully-flat bed, like the First Apartments on the A380, leather upholstery and three different colour schemes also make an appearance.

Complete with in-seat massage, an ottoman with space for carry-on storage, a 23" x 20" dining table and a personal wardrobe, the elaborate suite also sees an inflight chef on hand to prepare a la carte five-star meals throughout the flight.

When it comes time to sleep, a turn-down service with a luxury Coco-mat mattress and bedding comes as standard, as does privacy – a 58" high sliding door (about 147 cms from ground to top) keeps sleeping passengers from prying eyes.

Etihad Airways is introducing the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system across both the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high definition screens across all cabins.

The system has video touchscreen handsets, offering an additional screen for guests to maximise their entertainment, so they can play games or view the moving map while watching a movie.

Noise cancelling headsets are provided across all cabins, with built-in magnetic audio jacks to ensure the best sound quality.

Etihad's New Airbus A380 First Class Suites

Etihad Airways' new Airbus A380 first class suites will feature a stunning extra-large private VIP suite dubbed The Residence, along with nine First Apartments, in an extraordinary 'reimagining' of luxury air travel.

Etihad's Airbus A380 First Class: The Residence

The Residence is a three-room private VIP cabin with its own dedicated Savoy Hotel-trained butler as well as a lounge room, two dining tables and a double bed, along with a private shower suite with a four minute run time.

The Residence

Measuring an unparalleled 125 square feet in total area, The Residence will be located on the forward upper deck of the airline’s new fleet of Airbus A380s and will be available for single or double occupancy.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The Residence will set Etihad Airways apart from the rest of the industry and allow us to provide the complete range of world-class products and services to cater for the individual tastes of every VIP traveller.

The first of its kind for the superjumbo, Etihad raises the bar in tough competition for well-heeled travellers.


A door and passageway separate the living room from the master bedroom and the ensuite shower room. The bedroom features a Poltrona Frau upholstered 82 inch long double bed with custom-made mattress, bedside unit, wardrobe, and under-bed stowage for hand luggage.


The living room features a large 32 inch LCD TV, whilst the bedroom boasts its own 27 inch LCD TV.


The communications suite features broadband with internet mobile and data capability, Live TV, HDMI, AC outlet and USB ports.

The Residence is fully Wi-Fi enabled and equipped with the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, controlled by video touch screen and handsets.

Etihad's Airbus A380 First Class: The Apartments

Benefitting from the A380’s size, each First Apartment has a total area of 39 square feet, offering 74 per cent more space than Etihad Airways’ existing First Class suite.


Inside, there's a 30.3 inch reclining lounge chair and separate full length ottoman which opens into an 80.5 inch long and 26 inch wide fully flat bed.

Adding to the home design touches, the First Apartment includes a chilled mini-bar, personal wardrobe and a separate vanity unit with lit make-up mirrors and stocked with luxury branded amenities.


Taking design cues from the best boutique hotels, the First Apartments across the cabin have three separate but complementary colour palettes - chocolate, cashmere and coffee – each with its own accent colour.

First Class Chefs will provide a five-star restaurant-style service in the sky, with guests able to request dishes prepared to their personal tastes and preferences.

First Apartment guests have an exclusive shower room, and six apartments have connecting doors for passengers travelling together.

If for some reason you want to leave that plush suite, you can head to The Lobby bar.


Located between the First and Business Class cabins, The Lobby features a lounge and bar area with leather sofas, marquetry table, and large-screen television.

The Residence and First Class Apartments will debut on Etihad's Airbus A380 superjumbo, which begins flights to London in December this year and will also fly to Sydney from the middle of 2015.

Etihad Airways Introduces Super-Luxury Seats on Airbus A380

Etihad Airways will be targeting premium high-yielding passengers following the announcement on Sunday of a hotel-style bedrooms on its Airbus A380 fleet.

“The Residence by Etihad,” its A380 premium class offering, features a living room, separate double bedroom and an ensuite shower room.

The concept of having actual beds on a plane is not new, however, Etihad looks set to be the first to introduce it on a commercial plane with the whole upper A380 deck reserved for the premium class.

In 2007, Lufthansa reportedly considered introducing “triple-decker bunk-beds” in its economy class. While it was also reported in 2007 that Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, had expressed interest of putting beds on Virgin Atlantics A380’s.

  
Prices for Etihad’s premium “The Residence” class were not released in a statement put out by the airline on Sunday. However, fares are expected to be high with passengers traveling in this class having their own personal butler.

Research and planning for their A380 offering began back in 2008 when the airline established Etihad Design Consortium (EDC), which brought together design companies, Acumen, factorydesign and Honour Branding. It conducted research workshops with Promise Commmunispace in Abu Dhabi, Sydney, London and New York.

  
The first class section on the A380 has been renamed First Apartments and will feature private suites with separate reclining lounge seat and a full-length bed as well as other amenities including a mini-bar.

The First Apartments will be configured in a 1-1 single aisle cabin with the passenger seat reclining to an 80 inch fully flat bed. First Apartment passengers will also have exclusive access to a shower room.

  
The Abu Dhabi government backed airline did not release the cost of fitting out the A380 nor did it say how many would be initially received. Its first A380 is reportedly due to be delivered in December.

Etihad also unveiled its plans for its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, with the first set for delivery in October, in its statement on Sunday.

  
The renamed business and economy classes are now called Business Studio and Economy Smart Seat, will also feature on the Airbus A380.

The business studio, configured in a 1-2-1 format, has 20 per cent more space than Eithad’s current business class seat.

  
First and business class passengers travelling on Etihad’s 787 Dreamliner or A380 fleet will have access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar.

Economy Smart Seat, a new seating offering, will have an 11-inch personal monitor screen.