Medway Travel enewsletter February 2010

Airline News

  

Changes to BMI shorthaul economy service

 

As from 27th January 2010, BMI is offering a new short haul product across all its UK and Ireland flights to and from London Heathrow.  Their aim is to increase consistency across their network by introducing a single Economy cabin, with an enhanced service for customers travelling on their new Flexible Economy fares.

The benefits of their new Flexible Economy fares are:
• Full flexibility and no change fees
• Use of BMI business lounges
• Guaranteed seating at the front of the aircraft
• Complimentary food and drink onboard, including a hot breakfast and a full bar
• Lower rate Air Passenger Duty (APD) charge


As a result of these changes the airline will no longer offer a separate Business Class cabin. 


Diamond Club changes

In addition, the following Diamond Club changes are being implemented.

• Gold, Silver and Blue Plus Diamond Club cardholders travelling in many lower economy fares will no longer benefit from complimentary food and drink, though a paid for menu will be available. Gold and Silver members can take advantage of the complimentary food and drink available in their Lounge pre flight.

• Blue Plus level will cease to exist. Those close to Silver will be upgraded

Diamond Club members will receive direct communications from the airline to explain these changes.

To reward their  loyal customers the airline is offering double points for all Company Rewards members and double destinations miles for all Diamond Club members, on all UK flights to and from London Heathrow and flights between London Heathrow - Dublin and Amsterdam from 27 January until 31 March 2010.( Conditions may apply)

 

Varsity Express to launch Oxford / Edinburgh route

Regional start-up carrier Varsity Express is to launch a daily weekday service between London Oxford and Edinburgh airports this March.

The new airline will fly the route with 18-seater BAE Jetstream 31 aircraft, offering “a business class style service”, with complimentary tea, coffee and water, plus “a small snack”. Further onboard refreshments will also be available for purchase.

From March 1 flight LNQ601 will depart Oxford at 0800 Monday-Friday, arriving in Edinburgh at 0930, with the return leg LNQ602 leaving Edinburgh at 1700, landing back in Oxford at 1830.


Varsity Express has said that the Oxford-Edinburgh route will be the first of a number of planned domestic routes over the coming year. London Oxford Airport is located around seven miles north of Oxford, and around 60 miles from central London.

 

Revolutionary product being launched by Air New Zealand

The airline has annouced the transformation of international air travel, when later this year they introduce their revolutionary, Kiwi designed lie-flat economy and ground breaking premium economy seats, together with enhanced comforts for those wanting the ultimate in luxurious Business Premier travel.

When they take delivery of their first new Boeing 777-300ER in November this year, they believe the product will redefine the long haul travel experience and set a benchmark for competitors to follow.

The 340 seat 777-300ER aircraft will be configured with 246 in Economy (including 66 seats creating 22 of the airline's innovative Skycouch combinations), 50 in Premium Economy and 44 in Business Premier. This new product will be available on their daily services from London to Los Angeles and Auckland (NZ1 and NZ2) from April 2011.

The innovative ‘Skycouch’, a specially designed row of three seats, has been engineered to create a lie-flat, flexible space all the way to the seat-back in front, providing a flat surface for passengers to relax and sleep. Twenty-two sets of Skycouch seats will be available, being the first 11 window rows in the Economy Class cabin.

For two adults travelling, purchasing the Skycouch will be based on buying two seats at standard prices with the third seat at approximately half price. Full airfare details will be announced when it goes on sale from late April.

Design ideas also extend to small but significant comfort innovations such as a slip on pillow will go over the winged headrest in Economy to eliminate the nuisance of pillows always falling down and removing the need for neck cushions, fully retractable armrests and space for small personal items.

 

New flights to Lithuania 

Latvian carrier Air Baltic is to launch a twice-weekly service between London and Vilnius from March 4, not long before Aer Lingus drops its flights between the two cities.

Air Baltic will operate the route on Thursdays and Saturdays, with the outbound leg departing London at 1315, arriving into Vilnius at 1800, and the return leg leaving at 1145, landing back into Gatwick at 1240.

The two hours 55 minutes flight will be plied with Boeing 737 aircraft.

Aer Lingus currently flies between the two cities, but will drop the route at the end of March as part of its cutbacks at Gatwick airport.  The only other carrier offering a direct service between London and Vilnius is Star 1, a Lithuanian carrier offering a five-times weekly service from Stansted.

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For further details on any of the above airlines, and more, just contact us.

 

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