airline

Nobody can say jetBlue lacks either a sense of humor or creativity.  They recognise that many people don’t fly jetBlue and even though they’re expanding routes, passengers can’t always fly with them.  So they designed a series of products to assist those poor people who have to fly with another airline – in typical jetBlue […]

British Caledonian Airlines were around in the 70’s & 80’s. Originally the Scottish charter airline Caledonian airlines, at the time Britain’s second largest, wholly privately owned airline, took over British United Airways, at the time the largest independent British airline.  The takeover enabled Caledonian to become a scheduled airline and with time the merged entity […]

JetBlue Airways have launched an innovative new package – a $US599 “all you can fly” ticket for a month in an attempt to jump-start summer and also to increase trial of the airline.  What the ticket or pass allows you to do is get unlimited economy/coach travel to any of their 56 destinations between Sept […]

Whilst Qantas now is considered the business airline, it really wasn’t always that way in Australia.  Ansett was more orientated toward the business market, perhaps because it was one territory they could get inroads into against the national carrier. In the 90s they launched a series of intiatives aimed at increasing their share of this […]

Holiday Inn this month “launched” their brand “relaunch” which involves refreshing over 3,200 hotels by the end of 2010, new brand standards, touchpoints and of course a new logo & ads. Whilst Holiday Inn perhaps hasn’t grown as fast as other IHG brands in the last few years, there are over 1,000 Holiday Inn & […]

With the new Barcelona Airport T1 due to open in matter of days, I thought it worthwhile taking a look at what it will contain. Firstly to put some context on this, the terminal is designed to cater to 25 million passengers. To begin with, Star Alliance flights will move to the terminal, One World […]

A new self-chilling can could be a boon for airlines, airports and indeed any retail location. Currently, selling chilled drinks not only requires bulky refrigerators but also power outlets or a generator. This may be a thing of the past with the first self-chilling can created by Tempra Technology and Crown Holdings, which is apparently […]

OK I know this is a bit “out there” but one of the big issues for airlines (and heaps of other F&B outlets in captive areas) is rubbish. This is particularly so in relation to F&B packaging. So, that’s what makes some of this new edible food packaging ideas very interesting. Mange2 is actually an […]

As of June, travellers passing through Brussels, Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino airports can download three audiobooks for free. The service will be offered over Wifi at these airports for passengers on Oneworld airlines. People can download audiobooks to their laptops, smartphones and PDAs via the airline’s websites. There is a choice of 40 titles […]

Most airports smell fairly average. Nothing too bad but certainly nothing inviting or memorable. Despite how much airports are focussing on the traveller experience, few airports have even considered looking to scent. Only one I’m aware of doing it for revenue benefit (amongst other things of couse) is a little UK airport – East Midlands. […]

Scent is turning into the latest retail tool, particularly in the middle of difficult economic times. Anecdotally we know it works but what works? We know that the smell of freshly baked bread & freshly brewed coffee works when selling homes. We know the smell of leather works when selling cars. But what else? Gueguen […]

As if we needed any more proof that JetBlue is not your typical airline and Terminal 5 is not your typical aiport terminal, they launching a concert series at the airport. JetBlue have paired up with Superfly Productions & Bowery Presents (who also run the Manhattan Music venue called Terminal 5) to bring live music […]

The European Union Transport Committee has drafted a regulation which will ensure airlines don’t lose unused slots at airports because of the recession. Air carriers will be entitled to the same series of slots in summer 2010 as were allocated to them during summer 2009 regardless of their use in between. This certainly makes it […]

Whilst most airlines are increasing charges for overweight people, bags, pets and anything else they can think of, JetBlue is taking the opposite tack and incentivising people to bring their pets on holidays. JetBlue’s new JetPaw’s programme gives passengers an extra two TrueBlue points each way if you bring your four-legged friend with you.  You’ll […]

Its been a long time since we’ve really seen anything “different” in airline seating, but Delta’s new Staggered seating has the potential to create real change in economy cabins. Delta will soon have new seats in their coach or economy class cabin, collectively called “The Cozy Suite”. This seating configuration was designed by Thompson Solutions‘ […]

V Australia’s strategy of attracting passengers by boasting the widest seats of any carrier flying from Australia to LA seems to be working. In an interesting approach from what many saw to be a “foreign” airline in the beginning, V Australia have also presented themselves as contemporarily Australia – challenging Qantas’ positioning as the Spirit […]

Except when travelling internationally, I’ve taken to travelling only with carry-on luggage wherever possible. Even when flying international I’ve learnt the benefit of having a well stocked carry-on bag after having experienced the debarkle which was the Heathrow T5 opening. Some people have called me paranoid but it seems that the Air Transport Users Council […]

Blending social media with viral marketing, JetBlue’s new campaign is another in a long line of triumphs. Why? The subject matter is topical and the timing is brilliant.  That not only increases how often its spread but importantly how often its used in blogs online Humor – it always works but when times are tough, […]

JetBlue are arguably the best airline at using Twitter. Not only do they respond to & interact with followers but they’re also integrating twitter in another way. Yesterday, Digg founder Kevin Rose reported on his Twitter feed that on his flight yesterday, attendants suggested on the ground that the passengers tweet their arrival. According to […]

Whilst slankets have been around since 1998, they’re now becoming all the rage – no I’m not kidding here. In blogs around the world recently, they’re being touted as everything from the ultimate hotel ammenity (to replace the bathrobe) to being the perfect inflight accessory for international flights. Now I’m not too sure about their […]

Cairns announced last week that it will be the first airport terminal in Australia to fully operate with bar coded boarding passes (BCBP). These boarding passes replace the magnetic strip types – the move paving the way for greater use of web check-in, passengers printing their boarding passes from home or even on their mobile […]

Jetstar made the news again last week for refusing to allow a wheelchair-bound man to board a flight in Bangkok – after he’d already checked in and lodged his baggage. To make it even worse, he’d already flown with Jetstar from Darwin to Thailand via Singapore. Apparently the airline asked Mr McDonnell whether or not […]

In the current economic climate, you don’t really expect to see airlines upgrading their First Class offerings. The new design includes 23″ screens, fold-out tables for work, a full length bed and a touch screen remote. via: Wallpaper

Lonely Plant have cut staff numbers by around 10% in the face of declining sales. That in and of itself is sad but not really that newsworthy. What we did find interesting was the statement by Stephen Palmer, Lonely Planet CEO, that the global market for travel was not expected to pick up anytime soon. […]

Customer service is one of JetBlue’s hallmarks, so its interesting to see how they’ve integrated it into T5 (aside from in the design elements & facilities). One of the first thing which perhaps you notice is the number of Customer Information Desks. When airlines are typically reducing these, JetBlue seem to have increased them. Further, […]

Single serve wines are nothing new but the new range from Volute are interesting in that they come packaged in 187ml aluminium bottles.  They come in three varieties: Red, White and Rose and are made from grapes from the Bordeaux region.  The angle being pushed by Volute is that these can be drunk anywhere, including […]

Its not unusual today to have extra charges for services on airlines – many of which used to be free with the standard ticket. WestJet are being a little more scientific (and creative) than the average though and sent out a questionnaire to ask whether or not they’d pay an extra $10 charge for a […]

All the F&B at JetBlue‘s JFK Terminal 5 is operated by OTG. There are essentially 4 components to their F&B strategy. Full service restaurants/cafes showcasing some of NYC’s top chefs A gourmet food hall which enables passengers to mix & match menu items from 8 quick serve eateries A Gourmet Market which offers more than […]

JetBlue’s strategy is not news to most people – a low cost airline distinguishing itself by actually giving a damn about its customers, listening to them & talking to them. Saving money where they can but not compromising on the things which are really important to their passengers – which they know because yes, they […]

Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is thought to be among bidders for Australia’s Cairns and Mackay airports and an interest in Brisbane airport, which are to be sold off to pay for three new hospitals, say reports. Queensland premier Anna Bligh said that the airports will be privatised and will generate more […]