Tag Archives: Luxury Travel

Ultra-fast Internet for Global business jets

17 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Buisness, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Challenger 350, Embraer, Honeywell, Inmarsat, News, Transport, Travel, Travel Blog

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wave

Kurt Weidemeyer of Inmarsat, William Shatner, Jean-Christophe Gallagher of Bombardier Business Aircraft and Jack Jacobs of Honeywell at the announcement in Las Vegas.

Three companies are joining forces to offer what is being called the fastest Internet connectivity in business aviation.

Bombardier Business Aircraft said Tuesday that testing and validation for the service was nearing completion.

The Canadian aircraft manufacturer is partnering with Honeywell and Inmarsat to offer the so-called Wireless Access Virtually Everywhere, or WAVE, on its Global business jets from next year.

“Passengers can now stage a videoconference, browse the Internet or stream online shows high above land and water, as seamlessly as they would on the ground,” the company said on the opening day of the 2015 National Business Aviation Association conference and exhibition in Las Vegas.

“Bombardier is the first business aircraft manufacturer to make ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi services available in flight globally and the first to offer performance commitments for network availability and speed,” it said.

GlobalThe service will be available on new Global 5000, Global 6000, Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft.

There will also be a retrofit option for Global Express, Global Express XRS, Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft.

D3“Our Global aircraft can link virtually any key city pair worldwide, non-stop, at close to the speed of sound, and the Bombardier WAVE system is intended to match this performance with its exceptional speed, promise of reliability and worldwide reach,” said David Coleal (left), president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

“WAVE is a further example of how Bombardier is leading the industry in delivering the ultimate cabin experience to its customers.”

HoneyThe system leverages Honeywell Aerospace’s JetWave hardware and Inmarsat’s JetConneX solution to deliver high-speed access, consistent performance and seamless coverage across the globe, Bombardier said.

Inma“Our JetWave hardware, coupled with Inmarsat’s JetConneX solution, is ushering in a new era of connectivity in the skies,” said Kristin Slyker, vice-president at Honeywell Aerospace.

“The industry continues to demand better, more consistent and faster in-flight Wi-Fi to make the travel experience better and our next generation technology is leading the way to satisfy these demands.”

The images are courtesy of Bombardier, Honeywell and Inmarsat.

A thousand reasons to celebrate

16 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Airshow, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Business Aviation, Embraer, IATA, ICAO, Life, Luxury Travel, Travel, Travel Blog

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netjetBombardier’s 1,000th Challenger 600 series aircraft is set to enter into service this year …and that airplane will be the first Challenger 650, built for private aviation leader NetJets Inc.

nbaaBombardier made the announcement as business aircraft manufacturers descended on Las Vegas for the 2015 National Business Aviation Association conference and exhibition.

The airplane will be on static display at the three-day show opening Tuesday.

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Pat Gallagher (left) of NetJets with David Coleal of Bombardier in Las Vegas on Monday.

“Our collaboration with NetJets to create their Signature Series concept on our Challenger and Global platforms is evidence of what can be accomplished when two visionary industry leaders join forces,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

The aircraft is part of an original NetJets order announced in June 2012 for 100 Challenger aircraft with options for an additional 175, Bombardier said.

NetJets has also placed a firm order for 50 Global jets with options for an additional 70 aircraft in March 2011.

“The Challenger 650 aircraft will be a wonderful addition to our fleet,” said Pat Gallagher, NetJets’ executive vice-president of sales and marketing.

The airplane received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada this month.

With a range of more than 7,400 kilometres, the aircraft can fly from London to New York, Dubai to London or Sao Paulo to Miami non-stop.

In other show news:

emEmbraer Executive Jets is forecasting a global demand for 9,100 new business jets, worth $259 billion, over the next 10 years.

“This is the total market opportunity to be serviced by all manufacturers and represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 3 per cent per year over the next 10 years, Embraer said.

“The analysis foresees that demand is likely to exceed the last decade’s deliveries and market value, when approximately 8,190 business jets were delivered, worth $198 billion.”

bbjEarlier in the day, Boeing Business Jets announced orders for four new BBJ MAX 8 airplanes.

Three airplanes were ordered by an undisclosed customer based in the Middle East while one order came from an undisclosed customer in Asia, Boeing said.

Nearly 100 business aircraft will be on display at NBAA15, which has attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world.

citMeanwhile, Cessna Aircraft Co. debuted its new Citation Longitude business jet.

It also announced plans to enter the large business jet category with the Citation Hemisphere.

“The Longitude and Hemisphere will join the Citation Latitude to complete a new, large-cabin, three-aircraft Citation family,” the company said.

Images are courtesy of Bombardier, NBAA, Embraer, Boeing and Cessna.

 

CS100 to make Dubai Airshow debut

04 Wednesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Canada, CS100, CS300, CSeries, Dubai, Dubai Airshow, Embraer, Emirates Flight Training Academy, Luxury Travel, Phenom, Transport, Travel, UAE

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cs3The all-new CS100 is going to Dubai, after all.

Initially Bombardier had decided to send just the Q400 turboprop,
Learjet 75, Challenger 350 and Global 6000 to the Dubai Airshow.

Today, the Canadian aircraft maker announced that the CS100, in the livery of launch customer SWISS, will be on static display at the show.

The Bombardier lineup will also feature a CRJ900.

Fred2“Recognized worldwide as a premier venue for meeting key industry leaders, the Dubai Airshow also represents a great venue and opportunity for us to display our lineup of aircraft and provide an update on the exciting developments ongoing with C Series aircraft’s certification program,” said Fred Cromer, president of Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

“Additionally, it’s a great opportunity to showcase the Q400 aircraft and CRJ900 aircraft’s performance capabilities, making them ideal for different types of operations in a diverse region.”

The CS100 and CS300 made their airshow debut in Paris this summer, but Bombardier was unable to win any new orders at Le Bourget.

Cost overruns, long delays and most crucially a lack of new orders have beset the CSeries program.

The CS100 can carry up to 125 people while the bigger version, the CS300, is meant for up to 160.

In all, Bombardier has won 243 firm orders for the CSeries aircraft, 180 of them for the CS300.

emMeanwhile, Emirates Flight Training Academy has signed a firm order for five Embraer Phenom 100E business jets, with options for five more aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017.

A Phenom 100E in the Emirates Flight Training Academy’s livery will be on static display at the Dubai Airshow, which runs from Nov. 8 through Nov. 12.

The organizers say more than 160 commercial, business and military aircraft will be on display at the show.

The Phenom 100E image is courtesy of Embraer.

Global 7000 : ‘There’s no competition’

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Canada, Embraer, GE Aviation, Global 7000, Global 8000, Gulfstream, Luxury Travel, Montreal, News, Toronto, Transport, Travel

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P3P1Work is progressing rapidly at a Bombardier facility in Toronto on what is being billed as the ultimate long-range business aircraft.

The super-luxury Global 7000 boasts of many firsts, among them a four-zone cabin that includes a bedroom.

Two Global 7000 flight test vehicles are being assembled on what the company calls “the most advanced production line in business aviation.”

Two additional test vehicles are in various stages of production.

Coleal, Ouellette and GE's Kathy MacKenzie in Toronto on Tuesay.

Coleal, Ouellette and GE’s Kathy MacKenzie in Toronto on Tuesay.

“With a no-compromise approach and forward-thinking technology, we are focused on bringing the game-changing Global 7000 aircraft to market,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.

He noted that Bombardier is employing the highest-calibre technology throughout the entire manufacturing process for the Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft program.

“The final assembly line in Toronto features a state-of-the-art automated positioning system that moves the wing structure into place for joining with the fuselage.”

The program’s integrated aircraft ground tests are also making good progress across 15 facilities, the company said.

When the Global 7000 and 8000 program was first announced in 2010, many thought it was in response to Gulfstream’s G650. More than 100 G650s are in service now.

But Coleal doesn’t agree with that argument.

Design Manager Tim Fagan

Design Manager Tim Fagan

“The G650 is not a competitor because of the four-zone cabin,” he said Tuesday as Bombardier showcased the test vehicles to the media.

In fact, Coleal doesn’t think there is another business aircraft currently in operation or in development to compete with the Global 7000.

Powered by the next-generation General Electric engines, the Global 7000 aircraft will have a range of 7,400 NM (13,705 km) at M 0.85 with 8 passengers, and will be able to connect London to Singapore or New York City to Dubai non-stop.

The Global 8000, which is also under development, will have a longer range and feature a three-zone cabinet. It will also be powered by GE engines.

B6“We’re excited by the unprecedented precision and quality we’ve observed on the assembly of the first two flight test vehicles,” said Michel Ouellette, senior vice-president of the program.

“This further validates that Bombardier made the right choice in the technology it is employing to build the most advanced business jet on the market.”

The Global 7000 is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018.

As for customer interest, Ouellette said, “We’ve a healthy backlog of orders.”

A full-scale mock-up of the Global 7000

A full-scale mock-up of the Global 7000

All images are by Abdul Latheef

Bombardier Global 7000 in pictures

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

Posted by in Airbus, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Bombardier, Business, Business Aircraft, Embraer, Global 7000, Global 8000, Luxury Travel, Niki Lauda, Transport, Travel

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Images from the Global 7000 media event in Toronto on Tuesday. All photos are by Abdul Latheef.

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The largest habitable work of art

23 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by in Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arts, Austria, Automotive, Business, Cities, Culture, Environment, General Motors, Graz, Hotels, Life, Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel, New Zealand, News, Opel, People, Rogner-Bad Blumau, Spa Hotels, Tourism, Transport, Travel, Travel Blog

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Dome“The water feels like silk on your skin.”

That is how Rogner-Bad Blumau describes the thermal water at the Austrian hotel’s spa.

The supply is from the nearby Vulkania springs and is said to be the most mineral-rich curative water in the spa town of Bad Blumau.

And the healing water is just one of many features that make this hotel out of the ordinary.

Billed as the world’s largest habitable work of art, Rogner-Bad Blumau was designed by eccentric Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, whose last name literally means “100 waters.”

“Your name is Hundertwasser, I have water of hundred degrees,” businessman Robert Rogner told the artist as they began the work on the hotel in early 1990s.

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Rogner-Bad Blumau is unique in so many ways – the most compelling being the architecture itself.

There are six “houses” connected by a maze of hallways and green roofs with golden onion domes.

In addition to supplies from the Vulkania springs, the hotel’s numerous pools and bathing areas get water from the Melchior and Balthasar springs.

Original roof tiles from old farmhouses have been used for the facade of one of the rainbow-coloured buildings.

Artist

The late Friedensreich Hundertwasser

They all fit well with the philosophy of Hundertwasser: A life in harmony with nature.

“The great thing about Blumau is the uniqueness,” said Jasmin Rogner, co-owner of the 312-room, four-star hotel.

“It’s a great artwork, which rather increases in value with time,” she wrote in an email.

“The biggest challenge is to interpret this great place consistently.”

Hundertwasser died in February 2000 in his adopted home country of New Zealand.

The hotel sits on the beautiful rolling hills of Bad Blumau, less than an hour from the city of Graz – a UNESCO City of Design and the hometown of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I stayed at the hotel back in March 1998, barely a year after Rogner-Bad Blumau opened its doors to first guests.

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The 1998 launch of Opel Astra at Rogner-Bad Blumau. Photo by Abdul Latheef

I was among a group of journalists flown in from around the world for the launch of a new General Motors car, Opel Astra.

The hotel has since become a major site for product launches and corporate events.

The property is owned by Rogner International Hotels and Resorts.

Bad Blumau is easily accessible from Graz, Vienna and Salzburg. Austrian Airlines has direct flights from Toronto to Vienna while Lufthansa offers flights to Graz from several German cities.

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 Images are courtesy of Rogner-Bad Blumau

Airbus raises aircraft prices

16 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by in A350XWB, A380, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, News, Transport, Travel

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FamiliesA year ago, the Airbus A380 cost a mere US$414 million.

As of January 1, the price of the superjumbo has gone up by $14 million to $428 million, the European aircraft manufacturer announced this week.

The single-aisle A318, the smallest member of the A320 family, will cost just over $74 million while the brand new A350-800 jet will sell for $269.5 million.

AirbusOn average, the company has increased its list price by 3.27 per cent.

That is the price nobody pays though, as airlines typically negotiate a better deal.

“The 3.27 per cent price increase has been calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2014 to January 2015 period, and enables Airbus to continue to enhance its profitability,” the company said.

 

Last year, the price went up by 2.6 per cent.

 

Airbus offers aircraft ranging in capacity from 100 to over 500 seats and has

sold more than 15,000 airplanes to some 380 customers worldwide.

 

Images are courtesy of Airbus.

Etihad’s ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery beautiful

28 Sunday Sep 2014

Posted by in A380, Abu Dhabi, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, Eithad Airways, News, Transport, Travel

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AirbusLess than a week after unveiling its first Airbus A380 in the beautiful “Facets of Abu Dhabi” livery, Etihad Airways has revealed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in the same colours.

The airline says the new livery is inspired by the culture, landscapes and the modern architecture of the UAE’s capital.

While the A380 rolled out of the Airbus paint hangar in Germany last week, the Dreamliner rolled out of its paint hangar in the United States on Sunday.

787-9Etihad has ordered a total of 10 Superjumbos and the first A380 will operate on the Abu Dhabi-London route from December. Sydney and New York are other planned A380 routes.

Etihad, which has ordered 71 Dreamliners including 41 787-9s, will get its first aircraft later this year.

They will be introduced on six of the airline’s routes: Dusseldorf, Doha, Washington, Mumbai, Brisbane, Australia and Moscow.

The airline hopes to paint its entire fleet of more than 100 aircraft in the new livery over the next three years.

Images are courtesy of Airbus and Boeing

 

Billionaires ‘prefer Airbus business jets’

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in A380, Airbus, Airbus Corporate Jets, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dubai, Flying Palace, France, Luxury Travel, News, Technology

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The new ACJ319 Elegance

The new ACJ319 Elegance

Airbus is predicting that it will sell 10 corporate jets this year as more billionaires are eager to take their lifestyles into the air.

“In the airline market, the customer is interested in economy. In the corporate jet market, that is not an issue for the customer,” said David Velupillai, marketing director at the European aircraft manufacturer’s corporate jet division.

Speaking from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, he said that a recent study commissioned by the company had provided some new insights into the billionaire lifestyle.

David Velupillai, marketing director at Airbus Corporate Jets

David Velupillai on board an ACJ318

Velupillai said a key finding was that billionaires in the Middle East love to travel with an entourage such as those looking after them and advising them on the ground.

That means they need a larger aircraft that will enable them to travel in comfort, which at present Airbus is best placed to provide, he said.

Airbus business jets can carry groups of between 19 and 50 people. Then, of course, there is the corporate version of the A380 superjumbo, which can carry 100 or more people.

A bedroom on the ACJ319 Elegance

A bedroom on the ACJ319 Elegance

Fly-by-wire is standard on all Airbus corporate jets, which are based on the modern family of Airbus aircraft and include the ACJ318, ACJ319, ACJ320 and ACJ321.

At the same time, Velupillai said, fly-by-wire is non-existent on many competitors’ jets.

“Recently I flew with a billionaire on an Airbus Corporate Jet and he was quite surprised by how comfortable the airplane was,” he said.

“He had never experienced such comfort and freedom of movement on an airplane before.”

Velupillai says that is because Airbus business jets are the widest and tallest in the market.

A new addition to the company’s product line is the new ACJ319 Elegance, an airplane which Velupillai said is easier and faster to outfit and which has generated a lot of buzz since its launch this April.

The Lounge on the ACJ319 Elegance

The lounge on the ACJ319 Elegance

The Elegance offers many innovations, including a modular approach which lets the customer choose from a wide range of seating and socializing options.

More than 170 Airbus business jets are currently in service around the world.

With the number of billionaires forecast to grow in Asia and the Middle East, Airbus is hopeful that the demand for its business jets will remain robust in the next few years.

By the way, if you want to buy one of these aircraft, it could take up to 20 months from order to delivery.

So be patient!

 

Flying Palace claims just ‘speculation’

Prince Alwaleed signs the order for the A380 superjumbo in 2007.

Flashback: Alwaleed signs the A380 deal in 2007

Remember, the “Flying Palace” ordered in 2007 by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal?

The A380, scheduled for delivery next year, was purported to undergo $200 million worth of cabin outfitting featuring multiple bedrooms, a theatre, a turkish bath and a garage for Rolls Royce cars.

“All these claims are speculation, with the airplane yet to be outfitted,” said Velupillai.

Alwaleed resold his superjumbo in late 2012 to an unidentified customer.

“That’s true, but I can’t reveal the identity of the buyer,” said Velupillai.

All images are courtesy of Airbus.

 

 

Boeing 737 MAX orders top 2,000

20 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in 737 MAX, Air Canada, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Canada, News, Southwest Airlines, Transport, Travel, WestJet

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The Boeing 737 MAX. Boeing photo.

The Boeing 737 MAX. Boeing photo.

Less than three years after Boeing decided to build the 737 MAX, the company is reporting that orders for the single-aisle aircraft has topped 2,000, worth US$209 billion at list price.

That is faster than any other Boeing airplane in history, it said.

“Two thousand orders at this stage in the program is a remarkable achievement,” said Keith Leverkuhn, vice-president of the 737 MAX Program.

The final assembly of the aircraft will begin this summer.

Launch customer Southwest Airlines is expected to fly the airplane in the third quarter of 2017. It has ordered a total of 200 aircraft.

Other major customers include WestJet and Air Canada with 65 and 61 airplanes respectively.

 

Air Canada gets 1st Dreamliner

18 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Air Canada, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Canada, Dreamliner, Haneda, News, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Transport, Travel

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Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner during a test flight. Boeing photo.

Air Canada’s first 787 Dreamliner during a test flight. Boeing photo.

Air Canada has taken delivery of the first of 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners ordered by the airline.

The airplane took off this morning from Boeing’s airfield in Everett, Wash., on its delivery flight to Toronto (YYZ) after a handover ceremony attended by senior Air Canada and Boeing executives.

“The 787 Dreamliner will immediately make a dramatic improvement to our fleet capabilities,” said CEO Calin Rovinescu.

“The range and economics unlock new destinations for customers, who will love the innovative look and comfort onboard.”

Air Canada’s first Dreamliner will be used on Haneda (HND) and Tel Aviv  (TLV) routes from July.

“The 787 will enable Air Canada to connect Canada and the world, while improving the flying experience of passengers as well as the company’s bottom line,” said Brad McMullen, vice-president of North America sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Air Canada’s first 787 features three classes – an International Business Class with 20 seats, a Premium Economy Class with 21 seats and the regular Economy Class with 210 seats.

The airline is organizing a media tour of the airplane at Toronto airport on Tuesday.

Boeing has received orders for 1,031 Dreamliners from operators around the world and delivered 140 so far.

 

AirAsia raises the security bar

13 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in AirAsia, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Interpol, Malaysia, News, Passport, Security, Tourism, Transport, Travel

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Interpol

AA3

Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia is set to become the first airline in the world to use Interpol’s I-Checkit system for enhanced security, the international police agency announced today.

It will allow passenger passport numbers to be compared against Interpol’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database, which contains more than 40 million records from 167 countries.

I-Checkit, however, will not allow the airline gain direct access to the database.

“With the pilot project respecting national legislation linked to data protection, no personal data will be transmitted to Interpol, with only the travel document number, form of document and country code screened against SLTD,” Interpol said Tuesday.

“Should a passenger’s passport register a positive match against the database, AirAsia has procedures in place that will refer the passenger to local authorities. Interpol’s procedures would simultaneously be engaged to notify all relevant Interpol National Central Bureaus worldwide,” it added.

I-Checkit will be deployed later this month, Interpol said. The initiative is part of Interpol’s Turn Back Crime global awareness campaign.

“AirAsia is extremely pleased to be the first airline globally to collaborate with Interpol to implement I-Checkit,” said Group CEO Tony Fernandes.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble during a visit to AirAsia operations at Kuala Lumpur's klia2 terminal. Interpol photo.

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble during a visit to AirAsia operations at Kuala Lumpur’s klia2 terminal. Interpol photo.

“The partnership we have created will result in improved passenger security and will support our desire to offer low fares, but with the added assurance that this system and partnership provides.”

Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble called I-Checkit the new standard for airline security.

“After today, airlines will no longer have to depend solely on countries screening passports to keep passengers safe from terrorists and other criminals who use stolen passports to board flights. Like AirAsia, they will be able to do it themselves as well,” he said.

AirAsia Group, based in Kuala Lumpur, operates flights to nearly 100 destinations in more than 20 countries.

Etihad takes luxury travel to new heights

04 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in A380, Abu Dhabi, Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Boeing, Business, Dreamliner, Eithad Airways, Luxury Travel, News, Transport, Travel

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Etihad

The Residence

The Residence

Two weeks ago, the buzz in the airline industry was the launch of a private branded airplane by the Toronto-based luxury hotel chain Four Seasons.

Today, it’s Etihad Airways announcing the launch of hotel-style rooms on its aircraft to lure wealthy passengers.

The UAE carrier says The Residence on its Airbus A380 will be the world’s most luxurious living space in the air.

“Accommodating single or double occupancy, it features a living room, separate double bedroom and en suite shower room. Guests in The Residence will also have a personal Butler” the airline said Sunday.

The Residence

The Residence

For those who can’t afford The Residence, Etihad will offer private suites called First Apartments, which will have a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed, as well as a mini-bar, personal vanity unit and wardrobe.

On its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the attraction will be the so-called First Suite. Etihad says each First Suite will be fitted with a personal wardrobe, drinks cabinet and space that allows you to entertain another guest.

The First Apartment

The First Apartment

“These new living spaces will raise inflight product and service standards to their highest level yet in commercial aviation and alter air travellers’ expectations of inflight comfort and luxury forever,” said James Hogan, Etihad president and CEO.

“Etihad Airways’ A380 and B787 will deliver the most advanced airline cabins in the industry, while meeting all weight, range and cost targets at our desired seat count.”

The interiors of the two aircraft were designed by the Etihad Design Consortium, established in 2008.

The airline said EDC brought together three top design companies, Acumen, Factorydesign and Honour Branding, to develop cabin and seat designs for the new fleets.

Etihad has ordered 71 Dreamliners, 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. It also has ordered 10 A380s, with an option for another five superjumbos.

The airline is expected to take delivery of the new aircraft, starting this fall.

All images are courtesy of Etihad.

 

Sorry, Business Class only…

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Airbus, Aircraft, Airlines, Airports, Aviation, Business, Doha, London Heathrow, Luxury Travel, News, Qatar Airways, Transport, Travel

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Qatar Airways Business Class. Qatar Airways Photo.

The A319 cabin. Qatar Airways Photo.

All-business class flights have been operating in several parts of the world for years.

Now Qatar Airways is set to become the first airline in the Middle East to offer the service.

The airline says it will operate a daily business-class only flight from its hub in Doha (DOH) to London Heathrow (LHR) this spring.

“The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from 15 May 2014, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all-business class, single aisle, 2–2 seating configuration offering 40 seats,” the airline said Tuesday.

Q2Qatar Airways already operates five daily flights to Heathrow.

“Today’s announcement reaffirms Qatar Airways’ determination to continue its expansion drive by improving an already superior in-flight product,” said CEO Akbar Al Baker.