Big deals with ticket to fly high
As Australians take to the skies to travel the globe like never before, international airlines are upping the ante to make air travel a memorable experience, writes Sarah Nicholson
AUSTRALIANS have never spent more on international travel. TheAustralian Bureau of Statistics revealed that Aussies made a record 8.4 million jaunts abroad in the past financial year – compared to eight million journeys in 2011/12, and almost three times the number from10 years ago – with New Zealand, Indonesia, the US, Thailand and the UK the top-five destinations for short-term trips.
With so many Australians taking to the skies to see the world the competition for our travel dollar has never been stronger, and international airlines are working hard to get our business when we book flights to faraway lands.
The full-service carriers serving Australia have predicted 2014 will be a year for modifying customer experience, both on the ground and in the air, with some airlines also increasing capacity on existing runs Down Under.
Cathay Pacific is one airline that’s promised extra hops to Australia next year, boosting the number of flights per week from 70 to 74 by the end ofMarch.
“The main difference for Australian passengers from Adelaide, Cairns and Melbourne is that all flights will be nonstop from March, as they are into Sydney and Perth,’’ Cathay’s general manager for the southwest Pacific Dominic Perret said.
“Brisbane will have a daily nonstop service, as well as four flights a week that stop briefly in Cairns, and therewill be an overall increase in capacity (to Australia) of 6 per cent.
“Next year Cathay will add Newark inNewYork City from March 2014 (but) you’ll notice the introduction of more routes on our regional airline Dragonair than on Cathay Pacific, since Dragonair is focusing on new destinations around Asia. We have recently announced exciting (new) holiday destinations for Australians including the Maldives, Siam Reap in Cambodia, Yangon in Myanmar, and Danang in Vietnam.’’
Singapore Airlines is already the largest foreign carrier serving Australia so the focus will be on tweaking the passenger experience rather than offering more seats.
The carrier is striving to offer a “new benchmark in premium travel’’ next year with the installation of next generation economy, business and firstclass seats and an advanced inflight entertainment platform at a total cost of $580 million.
The next-generation cabins made their debut on the Singapore to Heathrow run, considered a key market for Australian customers, with the updated seats set to go into eight new 777-300ER aircraft and the A350s when delivered down the track.
The new economy positions – which offer more personal space and legroom– feature backrest cushions, side bolsters and sculptured headrests for extra support while businessclass seats recline to become the industry’s widest fully-flat bed.
Singapore Airlines will also invest $17 million on a worldwide redevelopment of airport lounges. “Many of our customers tell us that the moment they step on board a Singapore aircraft they feel an immediate sense of ‘home’,’’ the company’s vice president for products and services Tan Pee Teck said.
Qantas is also improving the pre-flight encounter, with a new Business Lounge to open in the updated LosAngeles International Airport terminal in the first half of 2014 and the First Lounge ready for business towards the end of next year.
The Flying Kangaroo will also open a new lounge inHong Kong during the first half of 2014, as part of the airline’s enhanced commitment to Asia, but the most obvious change will be the company’s new uniform designed byMartin Grant for its 12,600 employees.
It’s not just the full-service airlines that have big plans for next year, with low-cost carrier Jetstar introducing an innovative new aircraft on international runs to improve service. Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the budget airline was rolling the 787-800 Dreamliner into its fleet with stops at popular spots from Bali and Phuket to Singapore, Japan and Hawaii.
“The Dreamliner is a big deal for Australians because it takes long-haul travel to a new level and makes it possible for families to experience an aircraft that’s traditionally the domain of full-service carriers,’’ the Jetstar boss said.
“The first thing you notice when you step on board is the wowfactor, you get that space and natural light you don’t get on other aircraft, and the experience during the journey is so good because of the improved humidity and the different level of pressurisation.
“You have great entertainment and every seat has power so, whether you bring your own entertainment or you’re watching ours, you have lots of options to get you through a 10 or 11-hour flight.’’
But that’s only the start, and looking further afield there’s some big events on the horizon for world aviation.
South America’s TAM Airlines is set to join oneworld inMarch, Aeroflot will launch a low-cost carrier called Dobrolet to be based inMoscow and fly 737s to key Russian destinations 40 per cent cheaper than the full-service alternative, and Singapore Airlines has flagged its intention to establish a new carrier in India.
Jetstar will receive more 787800 Dreamliners and Air New Zealand will take delivery of the very first 787-900 to roll out of Boeing’s Everett factory near themiddle of the year, 500 Flying Nannies will be working on Etihad’s long-haul sectors by the beginning of 2014, and Doha’s Hamad International Airport will finally open after a three-year delay.
So hold on, it’s set to be a big year for flying.