British Airways
Its reputation as the world’s favourite airline may be a bit battered, but there’s no denying British Airways is the business, so to speak.
World Traveller Plus is its premier economy product and the airline was the first global commercial carrier to introduce a fourth class of travel back in 2000. Others have since followed suit.
The service is aimed at the cost-conscious business traveller who wants more space and privacy than in World Traveller. It features a separate cabin, wider seats built by German-based racing car seat designer Recaro, and the technology to work or relax. It follows extensive research which showed that customers wanted greater comfort and quality at an affordable price.
Highlights include in-seat power and telephones, giving passengers the opportunity to work; seat-back entertainment – an audio and video on-demand system is currently being rolled out across the long-haul fleet running over 200 entertainment choices, with 100 films and TV programmes, 70 CDs and 20 games as well as radio channels and audio books; opportunities to earn extra BA Miles and Executive Club points; plus online check-in, fast baggage drop and the advantage of electronic self-service check-in at major UK and European airports.
Research commissioned by British Airways has found that the typical World Traveller Plus passenger tends to be self-employed or work for small to medium-sized businesses. World Traveller Plus is available on all long-haul destinations on the British Airways network.
British Airways’ 90-year heritage in bringing glamour to the skies reached a milestone with its new first class cabin launched in February 2010. With a £100m price tag, the new cabin is the ultimate in luxury, drawing on the colours and fabrics of senior-ranking British naval officers’ uniforms, known as Naval Barathea.
Taking inspiration from the private jet industry, each customer will now have their own personal electronic window blind to enhance their ownership of the space and control the amount of light flooding their suite. This is a first for a commercial airliner. The lighting will gently change throughout the flight to reflect key times of the day. Breakfast lighting will be crisp and fresh, lunchtime will reflect soft midday sunshine and the warm feeling of candlelight will be used in the evening. Each customer will also have their own wardrobe, complete with space for shoes.
A Bose-inspired suite control unit makes moving the bed extremely smooth and simple, with three predefined positions: fully upright, taxi, takeoff and landing, and fully flat. The base of the unit glows green when the seat is in the correct position for takeoff and landing, enabling cabin crew to make an easy, visual check of the cabin once all the security procedures are complete.
The TV screen is more than doubling in size to 15 inches and each suite offers a USB charging point and RCA jack to enable passengers to view content from their MP3 player on the main screen.
British Airways’ heritage manifests itself through the use on menus of the ‘Care in the Air’ character designed by 20th-century cartoonist Cyril Kenneth Byrd, whose pen name was Fougasse. The airline’s coat of arms, awarded in 1975 with the legend ‘To fly to serve’, appears on the washbags by Anya Hindmarch.
Finally, if you download British Airways’ free travel app, you can check timetables, select your seat, check-in and even use your phone as a boarding pass.
bmi
This airline claims to fly a higher proportion of business travellers than any other. The convenience of paperless boarding has proved popular with business travellers, and mobile and online check-in is available up to 24 hours in advance, with the boarding pass delivered electronically to a mobile phone, PDA or as an MMS. Business travellers using the Heathrow Premium check-in zone also benefit from the 30-minute check-in guarantee to ensure they’ll catch their flight. In addition, bmi’s flexible business fares ensure priority seating on board with complimentary in-flight catering and access to bmi’s network of airport business lounges. Customers may also earn rewards by becoming a member of Diamond Club, the UK’s most generous frequent flyer programme.
Business class customers also get luxury on board kits created by Miller Harris, one of the finest fragrance houses in the world. The kit is available on all bmi long-haul routes and includes a balm, moisturiser and refreshing wipe scented with the signature fragrance Citron.
A chauffeur-driven car to the airport is offered on select business class fares, enabling customers to arrive in comfort and style at no extra cost.
bmi has a dedicated Groups Reservations Team exclusively at London Heathrow to help with travel arrangements for parties of seven or more, to ease check-in and take the stress out of travelling in groups. Benefits include private check-in, welcome signage with the group’s personalised message, assigned group on-board seating and advance check-in.
‘We strive to offer a level of service and product that meets and exceeds our customers’ expectations,’ says bmi’s David Rousham. ‘From providing convenient flight times and a 30-minute check-in promise for our business class customers at London Heathrow, to offering stylish lounges in which to rest, relax or work, British Midland International has a strong and proud heritage in business travel, and we remain committed to offering the best service to our customers.’
easyJet
While easyJet doesn’t have a business class, executive travellers can now take advantage of easyJet’s new flexible fare (www.easyjet.com/flexiblefare) which gives passengers unlimited flexibility to change their flight up to two hours before their scheduled departure time. Starting from as little as £99.99 one way (including taxes), the flexible fare has been designed to enable passengers to make unlimited date changes within a four-week timeframe – one week before and up to three weeks after the original booked travel date. Passengers booking an easyJet flexible fare will also benefit from extras such as automatic speedy boarding, no booking fees and a checked-in hold bag at no extra cost.
‘Our new flexible fare has been welcomed by travel management companies and business travellers who regularly use easyJet’s extensive European flight network,’ says Paul Simmons, UK general manager for easyJet. ‘It means that if circumstances do change, our business passengers aren’t committed to their original flight and can now easily amend their booking without any unnecessary hassle and cost.’
Virgin Atlantic Airways
With the vision of Richard Branson leading the way, flying business with Virgin Atlantic Airways is always going to be more colourful than other airlines. Its Upper Class service has won some prestigious design awards, including Wallpaper magazine’s ‘Most Life Enhancing Item’, and is on board all aircraft in the fleet, attracting high flyers and celebrities. Instead of extending from a seat into a bed, Virgin Atlantic’s seat provides passengers with a luxury leather armchair which then flips over into a separate bed with a mattress, duvets and sleeper suits. Tall execs take note: you won’t find a bigger bed in business class.
There’s a freedom menu which can be ordered at any time, a private bar area, a great amenity kit and if you need anything from lip balm to stain remover, no problem. Ice cream is