| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 39 |
| Copyright: Other |
Us airways
Airline’s new first-class cabin sets sights on corporate sales
US Airways has introduced an additional class in a bid to establish itself as a stronger player in the corporate market.The airline, which has traditionally only offered business and economy classes, has added a first-class cabin to coincide with the delivery of new, larger Airbus A330 aircraft.
US Airways vice-president international Mark Schwab said: “We have traditionally been seen as a leisure-orientated airline but believe this will show we are a more serious player in the business market.”
He said with rival airlines Delta and Continental offering only two classes, there was a gap in the market.
The new three-class product will only be available on the A330 aircraft, which began operating between Paris and Philadelphia last month.
The aircraft will be rolled out on the Philadelphia route from Frankfurt this month and from Gatwick on June 12.
By the end of the year, the airline also plans to put the new aircraft on its London Gatwick-Pittsburgh route, which starts on July 17. Initially, this service will be served by a Boeing 767.
US Airways’ new first-class cabin only has six seats, all in the same row, which the airline believes is enough to satisfy demand on the routes it serves.
The seat reclines 180 degrees into a bed and has a privacy screen, computer and data ports and satellite telephone.
The airline has also upgraded its Envoy business class, adding new seats and menus.
The new business seat has a 60in pitch and a 160-degree recline, while economy seats have been extended to a 34in pitch with six-way adjustable headrests and lumbar support.
Sony Passport systems have been installed in all three classes providing on-demand audio and visual entertainment.
Unlike most airlines, which only offer a limited range of entertainment in economy, US Airways is offering the same choice in all three cabins.
Passengers can stop, pause, or fast forward and rewind any of the films or programmes they are watching and can choose from over 100hrs of programming.
Passengers in Envoy and First Class, however, have the added benefit of noise reduction headsets.
On the starting blocks: the three-class product will be delivered on Airbus A330s