BA introduces more efficient services
BRITISH Airways passengers
who have an Apple Watch,
can now keep track of their
flights with a glance to their
wrist, using the BA app.
Through the app and the
watch, they can check their
flight number, departure
time, on-time status, gate
status and even the weather
at their destination.
At selected airports,
passengers can also use
their watch to display their
mobile boarding passes for
scanning at security check
points and boarding gates.
BA passengers can also
use the app to check in
online, choose their seat,
download their mobile
boarding pass, get boarding
area WiFi passwords, and
trace their Avios points.
Business-class passengers
also have dedicated
speed-through channels at
Heathrow’s Terminal 5 while
the airline’s Club counters
enable speedy check-in at
many airports for businessclass
passengers who
haven’t already checked in
online.
And for speedy entry into
the US, BA’s businessclass-
only service from
London to New York enables
customers to clear US
customs and immigration at
Shannon Airport in Ireland,
enabling them to arrive
in the US as domestic
passengers.
Silverbirch expands
DUE to the success of
Silverbirch @ Birchwood since
it launched in September
2014, the Birchwood Hotel &
OR Tambo Conference Centre
has decided to add 80 more
rooms to the new offering
from November, says director,
Kevin Clarence.
Silverbirch @ Birchwood
caters for discerning
business travellers seeking
privacy, services and quality,
and is set in a tranquil
section of the Birchwood
grounds away from the bustle
of conference goers. It
currently has 153 rooms with
free WiFi, a business centre,
dedicated check-in area and
its own fine-dining restaurant
– The Grill at One Twenty.
What’s more, Birchwood’s
Recharge product is a great
offering for weary business
travellers landing at OR
Tambo International Airport
who need proper rest. For
R499, business travellers
can rest in a comfortable
Birchwood hotel room for
five hours, use the gym,
squash courts and pool,
get R100 off a Mangwanani
Spa treatment, access free
WiFi throughout the hotel
complex, and enjoy free
transfers to and from the
airport. There is also an
overnight option for R999.
KLM brings new business-class service to SA
KLM’S new World Business
Class service is expected
on the South African
route before the end of
the year. The new service
provides business-class
passengers departing South
Africa with priority check-in
and boarding as well as
priority bag pick-up at their
destination.
Features of the cabin
include a 190cm-long
sleeper seat that reclines
up to 175 degrees and is
equipped with a massage
unit, a privacy canopy,
personal entertainment
system and in-seat power.
Customers can also
enjoy a three-course meal
on board, extra baggage
allowance, access to KLM’s
Crown lounges and can also
earn up to 175% in Flying
Blue loyalty miles.
Economy-class passengers
travelling on KLM can
upgrade online to Economy
Comfort zone seats up to
48 hours before departure,
while passengers already
on board can also request
an Economy Comfort seat,
where available. These
seats have 10cm more
leg-room, up to double the
recline and are at the front
of the economy-class cabin
for quick disembarkation.
Meanwhile, KLM’s new
smartphone app anticipates
customers’ needs by
showing the most relevant
information for different
stages of the passenger’s
flight journey and the next
action to be taken, such
as time to check-in or have
their boarding pass ready.
Customers can also use
the app to book flights and
ancillary services, store
their travel details, check
in online and access their
boarding passes. “With this
app we have reached the
next level in anticipating our
customers’ needs, keeping
them one step ahead of
their journey,” says Tjalling
Smit, senior vp E-Commerce
Air France KLM.
Premier gets personal
PREMIER Hotels &
Resorts has adapted its
service offering to meet
clients’ need for individual
attention. Its kiosk in the
OR Tambo arrivals hall
provides a convenient
service for both corporate
and leisure customers.
Grant Sandham, Premier
Hotels & Resorts group
sales and marketing
manager, says the kiosk
offers great convenience
for guests arriving on
international flights. “It
provides our valued guests
with immediate contact
as they arrive in the
country before catching
our complimentary shuttle
to the Premier Hotel OR
Tambo Airport.”
The kiosk has a hotel
reservation and enquiry
facility, so guests can
make and change bookings
where required. The facility
also enables passengers
who have not yet arranged
accommodation to book at
any of the Premier Hotels
& Resorts properties
countrywide.
Passengers whose flights
have been delayed or those
with a long layover can also
use the kiosk to arrange a
day room at Premier Hotel
OR Tambo at a special rate,
or overnight accommodation
where necessary. “It’s a
great option for delayed
or layover passengers as
they can relax in a lovely
environment, enjoy free
WiFi, a meal, make use of
gym facilities and get a free
shuttle to and from
the hotel.”
