Airlines Archives

Cargo.one announces partnership with Turkish Cargo

By Satu DahlAir Cargo, Airlines, FeaturedNo Comments

Cargo.one and Turkish Cargo, the Turkish national carrier’s cargo division, have announced a partnership for digital air cargo bookings.

The companies say the combination of Turkish Cargo’s capacities and cargo.one’s seamless digital booking experience now offers freight forwarders worldwide a valuable new proposition. With 40 bookable airlines on board, cargo.one has now secured close to 50% of global air cargo capacity for instant booking on its platform.

According to cargo.one, customers worldwide can book capacities within weeks across Turkish Cargo’s extensive network of more than 340 destinations, 100 of direct cargo – including important centres of commerce in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Turkish Cargo has a fleet of 20 freighters that operates to more international direct cargo destinations than any other airline, and it plans to increase this from 100 to 120 by 2025.

Adnan Karaismailoğlu, Senior Vice President of Cargo Business Development and Organization at Turkish Cargo commented: “Turkish Cargo’s partnership with cargo.one will be expanding our digital footprint and improve sales capabilities. We, as Turkish Cargo, are firmly on a trajectory towards our target to become one of the top three air cargo brands in the world in line with the strategic vision.

“We believe that cargo.one will support us to drive this growth and further raise the bar for our customers, with enhanced innovation standards for delivering the best new digital alternatives to empower success.”

“We are delighted that with Turkish Cargo, yet another major cargo airline trusts in cargo.one as a core component of its digital strategy”, says Moritz Claussen, Founder and Co-CEO of cargo.one.

“This is great news for every freight forwarder – no other platform offers more airlines for live booking than cargo.one, making it not just the most user-friendly, but also the most useful platform out there.”

November 25, 2022

Condor chooses Inmarsat’s GX Aviation in-flight connectivity

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, IFECNo Comments

Condor has chosen Inmarsat’s high-speed GX Aviation in-flight broadband for its upcoming fleet of Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.

The German leisure carrier is renewing its long-haul fleet with 18 Airbus A330-900neos and passengers will be able to enjoy the award-winning service from later this year.

The aircraft will be delivered with GX Aviation as a linefit installation and will fly Condor’s international routes to the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. The first three A330-900neos are scheduled to enter service by the end of this year.

Inmarsat says GX Aviation offers reliable, consistent and high-speed connectivity that meets the rising passenger expectations. The solution will also unlock new ancillary revenue streams for the airline as passengers are able to purchase a connectivity package directly from their personal devices.

There is soaring demand for in-flight connectivity as passengers return to the skies after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Inmarsat’s 2022 Passenger Experience Survey, which surveyed 11,000 passengers worldwide, 77% said in-flight Wi-Fi is important to them when they travel. Wi-Fi allows them to stay connected with friends and family and supports a touch-free environment onboard the aircraft. 82% said quality Wi-Fi would lead them to rebook with that airline.

Niels Steenstrup, President of Inmarsat Aviation commented: “As we have witnessed over the past few months, demand for air travel has continued to increase significantly and with that, passenger expectations around a digital onboard experience have also evolved rapidly. Fast, reliable in-flight broadband is now integral to ensuring that airlines stay ahead of the curve in today’s climate and Inmarsat’s new partnership with Condor is testament to the important role that connectivity solutions play in the airline industry’s recovery and growth strategies. Inmarsat looks forward to rolling out GX Aviation on Condor’s Airbus A330-900neo aircraft as part of the airline’s efforts to renew its fleet and enhance its onboard experience.”

Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor, said: “As the German launch customer for the Airbus A330neo, Condor is focused on providing a superior passenger experience and cementing our status as a European frontrunner on long-haul flights. A key part of this strategy is the introduction of brand-new Economy, Premium Economy and Business cabins, which offer the highest levels of comfort and feature world-class technology such as Inmarsat’s GX Aviation to ensure passenger expectations for fast, consistent and reliable inflight broadband are met.

“The Airbus A330neos will become our first connected aircraft and we look forward to offering GX Aviation as standard across our long-haul flights by mid-2024, when our long-haul fleet renewal programme is expected to be completed, marking an important milestone in Condor’s history.”

GX Aviation is powered by Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, which currently consists of five Ka-band satellites and will be further enhanced with the addition of seven more satellites as part of Inmarsat’s fully-funded technology roadmap.

November 24, 2022

Celebrate the 51st UAE National Day with Emirates

Emirates celebrates 51st UAE National Day on board

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, IFEC, Interiors, LightingNo Comments

Emirates is marking the 51^st UAE National Day with a range of exciting activities that include new design motifs and lighting schemes in its aircraft cabins, traditional Arabic sweets served on board and an exclusive UAE commemoration watch for sale on EmiratesRED in the Emirates Lounges in Dubai.

UAE National Day marks the union of the seven emirates and is celebrated on 2 December. Joining the celebrations, Emirates gives passengers in all classes departing Dubai an Emirati-inspired sweet treat, Qahwa or coffee-flavoured milk chocolate in a giftbox adorned with Arabic calligraphy. Passengers visiting Emirates Lounges in Dubai can enjoy miniature date tarts laced with Arabic coffee cream, or a delicately whipped and creamy date mousse.

As passengers board aircraft in Dubai and disembark at their destination, colourful mood lighting representing the UAE flag illuminates the aircraft interior and in another subtle touch, Emirates’ multi-award-winning ice inflight entertainment system will bear the iconic Ghaf tree, a historic and cultural symbol of stability and peace in the UAE’s desert environment. The motif is also used as a design highlight throughout Emirates’ newest Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft interiors.

Emirates’ in-flight entertainment library offers content about the history and future of the UAE, highlights of food and drink beloved in the region, UAE arts and culture including many movies, podcasts and songs by Emirati artists, as well as travel guides exploring UAE attractions and hidden gems.

Passengers can also purchase a limited edition Zinvo Air Blade 50 years Anniversary Edition Automatic Watch on board all Emirates flights.

November 24, 2022

SAUDIA provides a special in-flight experience for children

By Satu DahlAirlines, Amenities, Catering, Featured, IFECNo Comments

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is keeping families happy on board with a special in-flight experience for children.

The carrier says that when the children are happy and satisfied, parents can also enjoy a relaxed time on board.

When boarding SAUDIA aircraft, children up to 12 years receive a bag printed with colourful SAUDIA cartoon characters containing a colouring book, crayons, a sleeping mask and headphones. SAUDIA says its kids’ amenity kit won the Canadian Pax magazine’s award for the best children’s offering on board.

SAUDIA’s in-flight entertainment programme offers selection of over 50 different games and various children’s channels, as well as Disney movies. The carrier’s fun, delicious and nutritious menu can be managed in advance through the online booking platform and parents travelling with small children can use baby baskets to provide a comfortable sleep for their little ones. SAUDIA’s cabin crew will assist passengers with bottle or food warming and are on hand to help with any other requests.

Established in 1945, SAUDIA has grown to become one of the Middle East’s largest airlines and has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 28 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.

November 22, 2022

Air Canada starts offering live TV on board

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, IFECNo Comments

Air Canada has launched live TV on board certain aircraft in its fleet and on domestic routes.

The carrier says it is the only Canadian carrier to offer customers the ability to cheer on their favourite sports teams by watching global sporting events in real time or watch live national news on board a flight.

John Moody, Senior Director – Product Design, at Air Canada said: “We are thrilled to launch live TV as the newest addition to our unparalleled onboard entertainment. Customers will be able to enjoy content from great Canadian channels in both English and French.

“Sports fans flying with us can enjoy the exhilaration of watching regular season, playoff and championship games in real time, while business news junkies will appreciate remaining connected to market trends and current events, right from their seat. As we continue elevating the customer experience, we look forward to expanding live TV to more flights, and bring even more leading content and features in 2023.”

According to Air Canada, live TV is now available on its domestic routes from coast to coast operated with a live TV-enabled aircraft – 40 Boeing 777s, Boeing 787s, Airbus A330s and Airbus A220s. Air Canada expects 50% of domestic flights operated by mainline aircraft to offer Air Live TV by the second of quarter 2023. The live TV is delivered through a satellite-connected, in-flight entertainment solution.

Live TV programming on Air Canada flights features:

TSN, TSN 2 and RDS delivering comprehensive live sports coverage for marquee sports events including soccer, hockey, basketball, football, baseball, golf, professional motor racing, and more
CTV News Channel delivering breaking news from communities across Canada and around the world as the country’s 24-hour all-news network
LCN, Quebec’s all-news station delivering news and rich programming from morning to night
BNN Bloomberg as Canada’s definitive source for business news, delivering breaking finance updates and live market coverage.

November 21, 2022

Recaro and Alaska Airlines 10-year partnership

Recaro Aircraft Seating and Alaska Airlines celebrate 10 years of partnership

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, SeatingNo Comments

Recaro Aircraft Seating and Alaska Airlines are celebrating a partnership which began with the selection of the CL4400 and the Crystal Cabin and Red Dot Award-winning BL3520 for Alaska Airlines’ Boeing fleet.

Throughout the years, Recaro has delivered nearly 20K pax for various cabin retrofit and linefit programmes, as well as the recent relaunch of Alaska’s Airbus fleet. Recaro says that, by the end of 2022, it will surpass a 50K pax milestone with their long-term customer.

“Our partnership with Alaska exemplifies our commitment to next-level customer relations and we have learned so much from one another over the years,” commented Sunitha Vegerla, General Manager at Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas. “With Alaska’s plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, it’s more important than ever for Recaro to be in lock-step with our partners.”

The companies have collaborated to develop unique seating options for passengers, including the design of the CL4710, which is used as a business class seat on Alaska aircraft, and the BL3530 high literature pocket, which increases living space for passengers and reduces seat weight by allowing for a slimmer seat design and maximises high-density layouts.

“Recaro and Alaska stand at the forefront of innovation as we work towards enhancing the passenger experience while navigating rising industry demands for lower environmental impacts,” said Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO at Recaro Aircraft Seating and Recaro Holding. “Our design engineers offer lightweight solutions while leading the way with seat quality and comfort that Alaska and their passengers have come to expect.”

“We stand for care at Alaska and a big part of how we demonstrate care is through our thoughtful, high quality product touches,” Sangita Woerner, SVP of Marketing and Guest Experience at Alaska Airlines. “Since 2012, Recaro has played a leading role in helping us deliver incredible comfort, convenient features and reliability for our guests. As we continue to deliver our new fuel-efficient 737 MAX fleet and begin to refresh our 737 NG interiors, we appreciative of the decade long partnership we’ve forged with Recaro.”

November 21, 2022

Etihad Airways and World Energy partner to demonstrate the future of Net-Zero aviation

Etihad signs historical net-zero aviation MoU with World Energy

By Satu DahlAirlines, Featured, SustainabilityNo Comments

UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has signed a historical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World Energy, a carbon-net-zero solutions provider, to establish a long-term strategic partnership to decarbonise flights through in-sector emissions reductions.

According to Etihad, it is the first commercial carrier to participate in World Energy’s recently launched service for airline and corporate climate leaders taking real action to achieve net-zero goals. “We are making long-term commitments with leaders to decarbonise transport,” said Gene Gebolys, CEO, World Energy.

“Our work with Etihad is strategic and rooted in purpose. It will drive innovation and accountability so we can scale sustainable fuels and make a real and impactful reduction toward effectively decarbonising aviation.”

The announcement follows the two companies powering the first net-zero flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via a Book & Claim system. Accomplished by displacing approximately 26,000 gallons of petroleum-based jet fuel through the use of net-zero equivalent gallons of World Energy’s SAF at Los Angeles International Airport, this resulted in the elimination of approximately 250 metric tons of carbon related to Etihad’s regular routing flight from Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi during COP27.

Feasible path to net-zero

Mariam Alqubaisi, Head of Sustainability & Business Excellence, Etihad Airways commented: “Our NetZero flight proved Book & Claim is the only feasible path to net-zero commercial aviation using current technology and is the transition framework required until the supply of sustainable aviation fuel reaches its maturity and availability. Net-zero commercial aviation is possible, but we have to be honest as an industry and say there are significant logistical challenges to using SAF at present.

“We are committed to using actual SAF on our flights from the U.S. and across the world when we can secure a sustainable and efficient supply at the airports we serve.”

The Etihad and World Energy Book & Claim MOU establishes a pending agreement between the two companies, which is the first-of-its-kind, long-term contract to supply an airline with the environmental attributes associated with SAF produced in Los Angeles, California. World Energy will deliver the physical SAF to Los Angeles International Airport, which will displace conventional fossil fuel required by aircraft flying out of the airport. Etihad will receive the emission reductions in the form of SAF certificates (SAFc) once World Energy blends the SAF and it achieves “drop-in” ASTM certification and will then be able to include their customers on the certificates. This will allow those customers to mitigate the emissions related to business flights.

November 17, 2022

STARLUX A350-900 Cabin Class Reveal Setting New Standards for Airlines Cabin

STARLUX unveils its A350-900 cabin

By Satu DahlAirlines, Design, Featured, InteriorsNo Comments

STARLUX Airlines, which took delivery of its A350-900 in late October, has now unveiled the aircraft’s interior design.

STARLUX says it is the first airline in Taiwan to offer First Class in addition to Business and Economy Class cabins. The carrier’s A350-900 integrates the most recent innovations in cabin design. As an example, the aircraft has electrical dimmable windows that block 99.99% of visible light and switch twice the speed of the previous generation.

STARLUX once again engaged innovative design firm BMW Designworks to design the A350’s cabin interior. The A350’s theme — “Glisten” — is a variation on the original STARLUX theme “Pure Tea”, and to enhance the theme, STARLUX says it is the first airline to install secant luminous welcome panels on the new A350, putting passengers at ease as they board the aircraft.

First class comfort

According to the airline, the aircraft’s First Class cabin is constructed behind a 60-inch high partition. In front of each seat, a personal wardrobe is provided to store luggage and personal items, with seats converting to fully lie-flat beds, allowing passengers to rest in their own private space.

To provide even more comfort, STARLUX has revealed that it also offers an innovative feature based on NASA’s neutral body posture specifications, where the seats can be placed in a “Zero G” mode to alleviate fatigue from sitting through a long-haul flight, and four-way adjustable armrests provide extra space for passengers to place their arms when the seat is in a fully flat position.

The Business Class cabin is constructed with a 48.5-inch partition and the lamps besides the seats are carefully designed to make the space look cozy. The seats are also wider than normal according to the carrier and provide more legroom. Business Class seats also offer the “Zero G” feature, which helps relieve pressure.

Premium Economy Class and Economy Class have a “Relaxed Elegance” theme to provide a relaxed atmosphere where passengers can recline in their seats and enjoy the premium service provided by STARLUX Airlines.

Premium Economy seating pitch is 40 inches with more legroom, and the seats are also specially designed with a leg rest and footrest bar, allowing passengers to causally stretch their legs without a problem.

In Economy Class, STARLUX has reduced the thickness of each seat and configured each seat into an S-shape that provides extra legroom.

The aircraft’s in-flight entertainment system in First Class seats is equipped with a 32-inch 4K screen, while Business Class can enjoy our 4K resolution with a 24-inch screen. Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers can also enjoy 4K resolution on a 15.6-inch screen or a 13-inch screen respectively. Bluetooth connectivity is available in all classes.

November 14, 2022

Air Canada Signature Class to feature amenity kits by Acqua di Parma

By Satu DahlAirlines, Amenities, FeaturedNo Comments

Air Canada has announced that, from this month, Air Canada Signature Class customers on all international flights will receive an elegant amenity kit from Acqua di Parma.

Designed to be functional and reusable amenity travel bags, the kits have elongated-shaped travel cases in Acqua di Parma’s signature yellow colour. Each kit contains luxury Acqua Di Parma bath and body products including Colonia hand cream and lip balm, an oversized eye mask, socks, dental kit, glasses cloth and 3M earplugs. The partnership between the carrier and Acqua di Parma was created by Buzz.

Guests in International Premium Economy and North America Signature Class overnight flights will also receive upgraded kits which will be provided in a functional, reusable amenity tote bag and contain an eye mask, socks and dental products. The black tote bag is made using 100% recycled material and is a useful post-flight accessory for packing personal items, shoes or shopping.

The new line of amenity kits and totes have been purposefully designed to significantly minimize single-use plastics including the elimination of plastic wrap.

“We’re delighted to present Acqua di Parma’s iconic, sophisticated and refined items to our global customers as part of Air Canada Signature Class, our end-to-end premium travel experience featuring exclusive products and services,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Senior Director – Product, at Air Canada.

Enrico Sorenti, Acqua di Parma International Sales Director said: “We are delighted to partner with a world-leading airline like Air Canada, renowned for their premium service and inflight experience. This is a collaboration of value that allows us to bring Italian warmth and refined lifestyle all over the world.”

November 14, 2022

SKY express announces collaboration with baby food company

By Satu DahlAirlines, Catering, FeaturedNo Comments

Greek carrier SKY express has announced a collaboration with leading baby food company, GERBER ® organic.

SKY express says it continues to consistently offer unique services that meet the needs of the modern traveller. The airline has revealed it will offer children delicious and healthy snacks from 12 November and for a one month period, all children aged two to five years old travelling on board the carrier will get GERBER ® organic treats such as organic cereal bites, and fruits and vegetables without added sugar, salt, preservatives and dyes.

November 11, 2022

Airlines

Feasible path to net-zero

First class comfort

Keep track of the latest inflight news