The recession has forced airlines to focus a little more on the economy traveller. With business travellers flying less and downgrading to economy, airlines have realised the need to invest more in the back of the aircraft to maintain their load factors.
Air New Zealand this year became the first airline to offer beds in economy. Its Skycouch caused a few chuckles as it doesn’t offer quite the level of luxury of premium class fully-flat seats, but it represents the first real improvement in economy comfort for more than 20 years.
The airline anticipates other airlines will buy its Skycouch, which will be available on Air New Zealand flights from London to Auckland via Los Angeles from the end of this year. Along with several other airlines, Air New Zealand is also upgrading its inflight entertainment system in economy, where passengers will gain larger video screens.
British Airways has rolled out a new entertainment system, known as audio and video on demand, across its fleet, while Thomson Airways has made PlayStation Portables available for hire on selected flights.
Air France has extended the number of long-haul routes featuring its new standard of cabin called Premium Voyageur. Positioned between its business class (Affaires) and its economy class (Voyageur), the new Premium Voyageur features 48cm-wide seats offering 40% more individual space than its economy seating.
Routes where the new cabins are available include Beijing, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Houston, New York JFK, Lagos, Los Angeles, Luanda, Osaka, Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo.
The airline plans to phase in the cabins on its entire long-haul network with the exception if its Caribbean and Indian Ocean services.
Qantas is stripping First-Class out of its Boeing 747-400s and putting more Premium Economy and Economy seats in its Airbus A380s. At the same time, Qantas is installing the award-winning economy seat from its A380s on nine of its 747-400s. The seat gives more legroom and is cushioned to make it easier to sleep sideways. The carrier is also installing a new enter-tainment system in all three classes.
Transatlantic carrier Continental Airlines is giving passengers the option of reserving economy seats that offer more legroom for the first time, but they have to pay for the privilege. The cost will be calculated on length of journey and what rivals on the same route charge. It is likely to be about £130 for a return flight to the US.
Passengers who can still afford to travel in the front of the aircraft will be pleased to know that British Airways has just spent £100 million upgrading its First cabin to include a bed that’s 60% wider, personal wardrobes, a 15-inch entertainment screen, writing tables and upgraded amenities. The upgraded cabin is currently available on flights from Heathrow to Chicago.
Meanwhile, Oman Air has laid claim to becoming the first airline to offer both mobile services and broadband internet on its Airbus A330 flights. Since March 1, mobile users have been able to use their phones during the flight, for which they are charged by their network provider at international roaming rates, while access to the Wi-Fi network can be paid for onboard.
This article appeared in a special aviation-themed issue of Travel Weekly edited by Virgin Atlantic chief executive Steve Ridgway
