Premium economy: do we need a standard?
PREMIUM economy, the
middle ground between
business class and
standard economy, has
become a popular option
for travellers in the tough
economic climate.
However, the concept of
premium economy is hazy, with
every airline offering a different
take. It can therefore be tricky
for travel agents to advise their
clients on whether it really is
worth the extra money.
Options for this class of
travel are definitely on the
rise, with an increasing
number of airlines tapping
into the lucrative new tier
of service. A spokesperson
for Airbus says around 24
international carriers now offer
premium economy. But what
exactly is premium economy?
Unfortunately, there are no
universal guidelines. It can
range from just a bit more legroom
and a few extra perks for
a bit more money, to roomier
seats and greatly enhanced
service for quite a lot more
money.
One airline that has
undoubtedly made a bold
statement is Lufthansa. It
is planning to turn 10% of
its long-distance capacity
into premium economy this
year. Installation will be
carried out gradually and
will be completed during the
European summer of 2015.
According to Axel Simon,
director Southern Africa
for the Lufthansa Group,
premium economy class
is located within the cabin
as a clearly identifiable
separate compartment.
The seats are up to 3cm
wider than economy-class
seats. The backrest can be
reclined further and the seat
pitch is a significantly more
spacious 97cm. “As a result,
passengers have around oneand-a-half
times as much room
as economy class,” he says.
Air France, too, has invested
heavily in a new premiumeconomy
class. The first Air
France B777 equipped with
this class made its inaugural
flight to New York last month.
The seats have hard shells as
well as 40% more space than
economy-class seats. They
have 30cm TV screens and
footrests. Air France will equip
44 B777s with more than
1 100 premium-economy
seats. By the end of the
year, the new cabins will
be available on flights to
Singapore, Jakarta, TokyoHaneda,
Houston and
Shanghai. Douala, Dubai
and São Paulo will follow
early 2015.
Air France’s premiumeconomy
experience is not
restricted to wider seats
and more space. Travellers
also have access to priority
check-in and boarding, an
enhanced meal service, the
same baggage allowance as
business class and the option
of paid lounge access at ParisCharles
De Gaulle.
Other airlines, however,
are simply using the same
economy-class seat in their
premium-economy classes but
with more distance between
seats. The discrepancy
between standards could
therefore lead to confusion
and raises questions
whether airlines should adopt
benchmarks, at least across
members of an alliance.
Axel says a standard
would not be a good option.
“Healthy competition between
airline products prevents
complacency and encourages
innovations and changes
distinguishing one airline’s
product from another. All these
factors benefit the customer.”
A spokesperson for Air
Mauritius agrees, saying every
airline should be allowed
to position its own value
proposition and have its own
unique selling points. She says
that, although Air Mauritius
currently has no premiumeconomy
class, she foresees
an international surge in
demand for the product,
especially as corporate travel
policies increasingly dictate
the use of economy class
in an attempt to cut costs.
“Business travellers welcome
more leg space and other
benefits. By flying premium
economy they stick to policy.”
While passengers debate
whether premium economy is
worth the money, for airlines it
is a gold mine. According to a
recent article in the UK’s Daily
Mail, the most expensive oneway
premium economy ticket
costs £2 340 (R41 836) to
£1 000 (R17 878) more than
the cheapest economy option.
Yet, claims the report, the
premium extras don’t cost
anywhere near £1 000. And
whereas a business-class seat
uses three times as much
space as an economy one, a
premium economy seat takes
up only 50% more.
Axel admits premium
economy is indeed a lucrative
airline class. “Lufthansa
expects more than 1,5 million
passengers a year to use the
new premium economy.”
SAA considers reconfiguration
According to Tlali Tlali,
spokesperson (manager:
media relations) for SAA,
the airline cannot afford
to ignore the increased
appetite from passengers
to fly in premium-economy
cabins.
“SAA has given a great
deal of consideration to
this and has developed
proposals that speak to
the introduction of the
premium-economy cabin.
The realisation of this
is dependent on certain
factors to which we are
currently paying attention.
We intend introducing
this cabin soon and this
could lead to some of our
current wide-body fleet
being reconfigured in order
to have this realised as
soon as possible. Our
plans also include having
this additional cabin in our
new wide-body fleet that we
intend acquiring in the next
few years.
“We have to date received
seven new narrow-bodied
A320 aircraft and will take
the last delivery for this
year in few months. These
planes will not have a
premium-economy cabin
as none of our narrow-body
planes will operate with that
cabin.”
Premium cruising experiences – a new trend
THE popularity of cruising
has skyrocketed over
the past few years, as it
has become accessible
to everyone. However, a
possible downside of this
popularity is that some of
the glamour and exclusivity
of the cruising experience
could be lost. Cruise lines
have anticipated this and
have started introducing
exclusive services for
‘premium’ guests.
Tracey Krog, commercial
manager for Cruises
International, says guests
occupying suites on Royal
Caribbean International
or on Celebrity Cruises
can enjoy privileges
such as a private
lounge, priority boarding
and disembarkation,
complimentary snacks and
drinks and other extras.
She says Celebrity
Cruises will introduce a new
Suite Class experience in
April 2015. It will include
benefits such as private
dining or dining across
all speciality restaurants,
premium beverages,
unlimited Internet access
and a private bar with water,
sodas and beers. Guests
will also have access
to a VIP lounge and a
special welcome. A butler
service will be offered,
with butlers at the clients’
beck and call 24 hours a
day, offering services such
as unpacking luggage and
booking the best destination
experiences on land.
Suite Class will also
include a daily, in-suite, highend
afternoon tea service
and reserved theatre
seating. Amenities in the
staterooms will also be of
the highest quality, including
deluxe Bulgari bathroom
products, plush robes,
premium bedding and a
pillow menu.
According to Tracey, the
definition of ‘luxury’ is very
personal and it’s important
that travel agents know
their client. “They have to
understand what it means
to be a luxury client: wealth
and aspiration. Agents
need to offer super service
and the right cruise line
match, acknowledge that
value matters, consider
the all-inclusive appeal as
well as the profit potential.
Today’s luxury experience
can be let-your-hair-down
casual but excellent service
continues to be key to that
experience.”
Swiss improves kids’ experiences
SWISS is further expanding
the inflight entertainment for
its youngest passengers.
The airline is introducing
a new Logbook that offers
a host of information
about flying, colouring
opportunities and a feature
for young travellers to keep
record of every flight they
take and have it signed
by the captain. There will
also be special Logbook
competitions with small
prizes to win.
SWISS’s on-board fun
for children includes an
extensive range of cartoons,
kids’ movies and their own
music channel on its inflight
entertainment system on all
long-haul flights.
The children’s
entertainment in economy
class is just as extensive
as in business. On longhaul
flights, children aged
between two and nine
are automatically served
a child’s meal, which is
presented together with
a goody bag and a sweet
surprise.
Book Premier’s government rates
PREMIER Hotels & Resorts
has announced that travel
agents can now access
the hotel’s government
rates via GDSs without
special rate access codes.
The government rate code
'Government’ is available on
DBB or B&B either via GDS
or direct through the group’s
central reservations office.
Further news is the
introduction of two specials
for golf enthusiasts. Guests
visiting Cape Town can book
three nights at the Premier
Hotel Cape Manor and play
two rounds of golf at the
Metropolitan Golf Club. The
cost of R2 699pps includes
breakfast daily, and a free
shuttle to/from the golf
course. The booking code is
GOLFC and the offer is valid
until October 31.
The Premier Hotel Knysna
– The Moorings has a golf
special priced at
R2 830pps for three nights’
accommodation in a deluxe
room, three breakfasts at the
Salmon Restaurant and two
rounds of golf at the Knysna
Golf Club. The booking code
is GOLFK and the offer
expires on October 31.
KLM changes baggage policy
EFFECTIVE October 1, KLM
will change its baggage
policy for Flying Blue Ivory
members travelling to
European destinations on
an economy-class ticket.
Members will receive a
50% discount on the
standard fee for hold
baggage from this date.
Flying Blue Silver, Gold
and Platinum members,
as well as SkyTeam Elite
and Elite Plus members,
will not be charged for hold
baggage.
KLM has also begun
offering a 24/7 service
via LinkedIn. Customers
can approach KLM with
general and flight-related
queries on topics such
as seat reservations,
rebooking a ticket or making
arrangements for extra
baggage.
Book it!
Mauritius before the December rush
World Leisure Holidays (WLH) has launched specials for
Mauritius for travel before December 7. Specials to the fourstar
Ambre are based an all-inclusive seven-night stay, and
start from R18 980pps. Package prices for seven nights on
a half-board basis at La Pirogue start at R18 730, R20 175
at Sugar Beach, R21 665 at Long Beach and R28 385 at Le
Touessrok. Included are direct flights, return coach transfers,
all land and non-motorised water sports, daily entertainment
and all approximate levies, taxes and surcharges. Up to two
children under 12 years stay free of charge when sharing with
adults, except for the Ambre, which is a contemporary adults’
retreat. See Travelino for further information.
Construction of ‘the most luxurious ship’ begins
REGENT Seven Seas
Cruises has commenced
construction of the Seven
Seas Explorer, which is
scheduled to debut in
European summer 2016.
The ship is expected to
establish a new benchmark
for style and service and
perfectly complement the allinclusive
luxury experience
offered by the cruise line.
During the opening
ceremony of the
construction, Kunal S
Kamlani, president of
Regent Seven Seas Cruises,
said: “We’re one step closer
to fulfilling our dream of
building the most luxurious
ship in the world and giving
our guests another exciting
option to explore inspired
global destinations with
our special brand of allinclusive
luxury. Seven Seas
Explorer will surpass the
current standard in luxury
cruising, offering a new level
of grandeur throughout the
ship, from its lavish suites
to its elegant public spaces
and gourmet restaurants.”
At 54 000 gross-registered
tonnes and carrying only
750 guests, Seven Seas
Explorer will offer the highest
space and staff-to-guest
ratios in the cruise industry.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
will begin taking reservations
for the maiden voyage
and inaugural season early
in 2015.
SIA waves winter goodbye with specials
SINGAPORE Airlines is
offering early-bird specials
for flights ticketed before
August 31 for travel between
January 4 and March 20,
2015. All-inclusive fares for
flights from Johannesburg to
Singapore start from
R9 030, to Bangkok from
R9 080 and to Hong Kong
from R9 060.
The airline has also
released special all-inclusive
fares to Australia, which
start from R12 330 for
flights from Johannesburg to
Perth and from R12 860 for
flights to Sydney, Adelaide or
Melbourne.
‘Goodbye Winter’ fares
also apply for flights ticketed
before August 31 for travel
between August 21 and
December 4, with a blackout
period from September
15-21. All-inclusive flights
from Johannesburg to
Singapore start from
R9 330, flights to Bangkok
from R9 380 and flights to
Hong Kong from R9 360.
All-inclusive fares to Australia
over the same period are
priced at R12 630 to Perth
and R13 160 to Sydney,
Adelaide or Melbourne.
Book it!
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a special for its voyage from Cape Town to Singapore from
December 21, 2014 to January 18, 2015 (28 nights). Cruise fares start from US$16 189pp (R170 423).
Ports of call include: Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Richards Bay, Maputo, Nosy Be,
Zanzibar, Mombasa, Mahé, Malé, Colombo, Phuket, Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
Cruise fares include:
unlimited shore excursions;
luxury hotel package;
unlimited beverages, including fine wines and premium spirits;
pre-paid gratuities;
open bar and lounges plus in-suite bar set-up and mini-bar replenished daily;
24-hour room service and no additional charge for speciality restaurants;
dining at up to four gourmet restaurants.
The mind-reading business-class seat of the future
IF THE Immersive Business Class
Seat (pictured) makes its way into
aircraft cabins in the predicted five
years or so, flying business class will
be something of a sci-fi experience.
The lie-flat seat, which reads its
passengers’ every entertainment
requirement, was unveiled earlier this
year at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in
Hamburg, by Thales, a global leader
in aerospace technology. It was
developed in co-operation with BE
Aerospace and BMW Design Works,
renowned for its slick motor vehicles.
On occupying the seat, passengers
simply place their personal electronic
device on its side panel, and the
seat’s inbuilt computerised system
connects to the passengers’ social
profiles and Big Data, analysing
their tastes. Through this Near
Field Communication technology,
the system can then interpret the
type of on-screen entertainment the
passenger is likely to watch, the
message setting they are likely to
use, their preferred seat position
and cabin lighting, as well as meal
choices.
This inflight entertainment system
also makes use of eye-tracking
control. With a high-resolution infrared
camera, it monitors
eye movements to indicate
an associated cursor movement on
the screen display. Just by looking
at an icon on screen, passengers
can make a film begin to play. If they
fall asleep, losing eye contact with
the screen, the show will pause,
recommencing when they awaken. So
sophisticated is the eye tracking, the
developers say it could even test the
passenger’s eyesight!
Entertainment choices are
enhanced by surround-sound systems
located in the ultra-comfortable seat
headrests. Other features include a
connection
between
the on-screen
virtual landscape
panel to external aircraft cameras to
project take-off and landing videos in
real time.
The seat further integrates
a previously produced Thales
product, SmartPIMs, which enables
passengers to connect their
electronic devices to the seat for
wireless charging, music streaming,
watching movies, or looking at
personal documents on the seat’s
61cm ultra-high-definition display.
Peermont upgrades business services
THE five-star Peermont
D’oreale Grande hotel
at Emperors Palace in
Johannesburg, has recently
upgraded its Club Floor
Lounge and Aurelia’s
restaurant.
Located on the quiet top
floor at the D’oreale Grande,
the new deluxe Club Floor
and Lounge Business
Centre consist of plush
VIP rooms and concierge
services. Club Floor guests
enjoy work stations, a
meeting room, free WiFi,
local and international
newspapers and services
such as typing, scanning,
photocopying or faxing. The
exclusive hub also houses a
boutique library.
Additional Club Floor
benefits include early
check-in and late checkout,
24-hour refreshment of
rooms, robes and slippers
that may be taken home,
unlimited complimentary
coffee or tea, soft drinks
and juices, a canapé platter
on turndown, voucher
booklets with discounted
offers at all outlets across
the Emperors Palace
complex, casino play
vouchers and a car valet.
In addition, guest relations
and executive concierge
services are on hand for
entertainment and forward
travel arrangements.
“We have spared no
expense to ensure that our
elite corporate travellers
can enjoy an enhanced
stay and derive the
maximum pleasure from
business,” says Wayne Hill,
gm of hotels and resort
operations.
Phothocap: Air Mauritius expands long-haul fleet
Air Mauritius is expanding
and modernising its
long-haul fleet with
a Memorandum of
Understanding for four
A350-900s (pictured) and
will also be leasing two
more of the aircraft. The six
aircraft will be operated
on European, Asian and
Australian routes .
Earn commission on Qantas flights
Travel agents will
receive 10% commission
on all Qantas published
fares between August 1
and 31.
Agents will receive
Iata commission
automatically when they
issue Qantas tickets.
The GDSs have been
set to pay 10% for all
published fares, booked
and paid.
This applies to all
booking classes
across all cabins to
all destinations in
Australia and New
Zealand departing from
South Africa.
New business class on JNB-Hong Kong route
CATHAY Pacific will launch its new
business class product for South
African passengers when the
B777ER between Johannesburg
and Hong Kong goes daily from
September 2.
“This is an enhanced product
design made after consolidating
the feedback from our customers,”
said Frosti Lau, Cathay Pacific’s
country manager for South Africa.
Passengers are cocooned in their
own private area and the design
of the new business-class product
allows them to control the degree
of privacy and interaction they
prefer. They can move the seat
forward to converse with a travel
companion or move the seat back
for more privacy if they prefer to
enjoy their own space.
The product features Cathay’s
new generation fully flat bed,
which is just over 2m. The bed
extension increases its width by
16,5cm to provide additional hip
support, while the side storage
compartment offers extra knee
space for sleeping on the side.
Passengers can also choose to lift
up the armrest for more privacy
or down for more space for their
shoulders.
The side cabinet consists of a
headset and a vanity mirror and
has room for small items such as
glasses and gadgets. The cabinet
door also acts as a privacy divider
when it opens.
Passengers can also enjoy hours
of entertainment with touch-screen
personal TVs, with audio and
video on demand. The StudioCX
features over 100 movies, 500 TV
shows, 888 music CDs, 22 radio
channels and 70 games, in 10
different languages. They can also
watch movies or listen to music
on their smartphones or tablets
by plugging into the system and
making use of the noise-cancelling
headphones.
Lufthansa's new premium economy- what to expect
LUFTHANSA’S new premiumeconomy
cabin, which will operate
on flights from Frankfurt to
Johannesburg from April next year,
boasts 50% more personal space
than economy-class.
The new seats are up to 3cm
wider and provide greater privacy
as well as approximately 10cm
more room at the side, thanks
to a wide armrest and a centre
console between the seats. The
back rest can be reclined further
and the seat pitch is a more
spacious 97,5cm.
Touch screens for in-flight
entertainment are 28cm to 30cm,
depending on the aircraft type.
Around the seats are an electrical
socket and lots of storage space
for passengers’ belongings.
Meals are presented on menus
commensurate with the new travel
class and served on porcelain
tableware.
There are also additional
services for premium-economy
passengers, with a baggage
allowance of two items weighing
up to 23kg each.
For an extra €25 (R358),
passengers can also enjoy
the comfort of the Lufthansa
business lounges before
departure. The Welcome Lounge
can be used for €50 (R716).
Check-in and boarding
procedures as well as handluggage
regulations are the same
as in economy class.
