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  • News: Alaska Airlines upgrades in-flight entertainment

    Travellers flying on Alaska Airlines starting q4 will enjoy new aircraft seats that feature a private space-enhancing design and are equipped with power outlets.

    The airline is likewise nearing a choice on an enhanced in-flight entertainment system as a way to allow customers to observe movies, television shows and other programming streamed to any Wi-Fi-enabled device.

    The $100 million project to upgrade the cabins on all of Alaska’s Boeing 737-800, -900 and -900ER aircraft is anticipated to be finished by the tip of 2014.

    “Passengers have responded very favourably to the innovative and comfy Recaro seats on our 737-900ERs.

    “Two other features we all know they would like probably the most are power for his or her electronic devices and enhanced in-flight entertainment,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines’ vp of selling.

    “Upgrading our other Next Generation 737 aircraft with Recaro seats, together with adding seat power and a much better in-flight entertainment system, will complement our award-winning personal service and make flying more enjoyable for our customers.”

    Alaska Airlines became the North America launch customer for the most important cabin Recaro seat when the carrier took delivery of its first Boeing 737-900ER in November 2012.

    The seat’s slimmer design and site of the literature pocket on the top of the seatback enables Alaska to reconfigure its cabins while maintaining the similar passenger comfort standards and private space which are on its aircraft today.

    Six seats would be added to the airline’s 737-800s and nine seats to its 737-900s.

    Alaska would be the only U.S. airline to supply power outlets at every seat on its equipped aircraft, in order to include nearly three-quarters of the fleet.

    The outlets, supplying both 110-volt and USB power for tablets and smart phones, shall be conveniently located at the seatback in front of every passenger.

    The in-flight entertainment solution into consideration will allow programming to be streamed wirelessly from a server onboard the aircraft to any Wi-Fi-enabled device, including passengers’ own laptops, tablets and smart phones in addition to tablets provided by Alaska.

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  • DoubleTree by Hilton to open two new London hotels

    DoubleTree by Hilton has announced it’ll open two new hotels in London this summer under franchise agreements with Westmont Hospitality.

    The latest additions are DoubleTree by Hilton London – Hyde Park and DoubleTree by Hilton London – Ealing, either one of that are within the final stages of in depth refurbishments totalling £20 million, joining seven other DoubleTree by Hilton properties around the capital city.

    Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vp, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said: “London is a global class destination and DoubleTree by Hilton is becoming a main a part of its tourism offering.

    “These two new properties complement the strength of our long established Hilton Hotels & Resorts presence, whereby this year we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landmark London Hilton on Park Lane.

    “Building at the international exposure of 2012, we’re thrilled to be enhancing our presence in London with these two latest additions, whereby we can have 31 upscale hotels spread right around the city and its airports.” 

    Doubletree by Hilton London – Hyde Park, located on Bayswater Road, is situated opposite the Kensington Gardens, on the subject of the ever popular delights of Hyde Park, and is a brief walk from the Notting Hill and Queensway underground stations.

    The hotel’s refurbishment has created a spacious 24-hour fitness centre, in addition to 12 new guest rooms at the first floor, taking the entire collection of guest rooms to 228.

    Located very few minutes’ walk from London Ealing underground and overground station, the 189-room DoubleTree by Hilton London – Ealing offers spacious in-room work areas in addition to tech-friendly stations within the hotel’s public spaces, which also provide a calm setting for casual meetings.

    The bar and lounge area features seating with inbuilt power outlets, ideal for convenient laptop use. The restaurant, W5 Grill & Bar, specialises in dishes using locally sourced ingredients, and allows guests to unwind in a warm and contemporary dining room.

  • New Zealand and Seychelles Ministers discuss tourism

    The New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and MP for East Coast Bays, the Hon. Murray McCully, who’s in Seychelles for the AIMS (Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Seas) sub-regional grouping meeting, made time to name on Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister liable for Tourism and Culture. The hot Zealand Minister was accompanied by Ambassador James Kember, the recent Zealand Ambassador just accredited to Seychelles.

    The two Ministers discussed the tourism development in Seychelles and likewise the moves to diversify the islands’ tourism source markets. At the marketing front they discussed their Tourism Board’s presence at tourism trade fairs and the usage of events to advertise tourism through culture and those. Minister McCully said as he was leaving the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Offices on the national Cultural Center in Victoria that he would discuss the participation of latest Zealand on the annual Carnaval International de Victoria that’s staged in Seychelles the last weekend of April along with his Minister liable for Tourism.

    “This annual carnival is quite much a festival of color because it is a chance for countries, as they do in tourism trade fairs, to fly their flags to showcase their unique selling points but this time using culture and folk as their key assets. This Indian Ocean Carnival remains the sole carnival where the suitable and most known carnivals parade together followed by cultural troupes from the Community of countries,” Minister St.Ange of the Seychelles told the brand new Zealand Minister.

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  • News: Boeing overcomes Dreamliner debacle to record strong financials

    Boeing has reported first-quarter core earnings per share increased 24 per cent to $1.73, driven by strong performance around the company’s businesses.

    First-quarter 2013 results included the anticipated good thing about $0.19 per share for the 2012 research and development tax credit; first-quarter 2012 included a advantage of $0.11 per share regarding a favourable court judgment on satellite litigation.

    First-quarter core operating earnings increased 14 per cent to $1.9 billion from a similar period of the prior year when excluding the advantage of $131 million with regards to the favourable court judgment.

    First-quarter revenue was $18.9 billion, earnings from operations were $1.5 billion and earnings per share were $1.44.

    The company reaffirmed its 2013 financial and deliveries guidance.

    “Strong core operating performance fuelled by productivity gains and solid program execution drove higher company earnings and double-digit operating margins in both major businesses throughout the quarter,” said Boeing chairman, Jim McNerney.

    “Commercial Airplanes worked across the clock to unravel the 787 battery issue while also successfully increasing production rates at the 737 and 777 programs.

    “Defence, Space & Security continued to accomplish exceptionally well, meeting tough affordability goals while investing in future growth.”

    “Our first priority within the days ahead is to completely restore our customers’ 787 fleets to service and resume production deliveries.

    “Our outlook for the year is positive, and our financial and delivery guidance is reaffirmed as we remain involved in the profitable ramp up in commercial airplane production rates, disciplined execution of our development programs, and continued growth in core, adjacent and international defence and space markets.”

    Operating cash flow inside the quarter was $0.5 billion, reflecting inventory build at the 787 program offset by timing of receipts and expenditures.

    Cash and investments in marketable securities totalled $11.8 billion at quarter-end, down from $13.5 billion at first of the year, primarily because of the pay-down of maturing debt.

    Debt was $9.2 billion, down from $10.4 billion at year-end, a result of maturities.

    Total company backlog at year-end was a record $392 billion, up from $390 billion at first of the year, and included net orders for the quarter of $20 billion.

    Boeing Commercial Airplanes first-quarter revenue decreased to $10.7 billion on delivery mix and lower services revenue.

    First-quarter operating margin improved to 11.4 per cent, reflecting the delivery mix and lower R&D, partially offset by higher period costs.

    During the quarter, Commercial Airplanes delivered the primary 777 aircraft produced at a record production rate of 8.3-per-month and reached a four-year contract extension with the Society of pro Engineering Employees in Aerospace.

    In April, Commercial Airplanes delivered the primary 737 produced at a record production rate of 38-per-month.

    In April, approval was given by the Federal Aviation Administration for airlines to start the method of returning the 787 to service with an enhanced battery system.

    Commercial Airplanes booked 209 net orders in the course of the quarter.

    Backlog remains strong with greater than 4,400 airplanes worth a record $324 billion.

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  • News: IAG and British Airways select the A350

    After a radical selection process, International Airline Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as component to the airline’s on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy.

    IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots which may result in firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is able to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.

    The number of the A350-1000 follows British Airways’ decision in 2007 to purchase 12 Airbus A380s, the primary of so that it will be delivered this summer. Operating the A380 and A350 together delivers real value to the world’s leading airlines since it lets them match aircraft capacity to traffic demand on any route.
    “The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet. Its size and range might be a great fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there’s a chance to function a brand new range of destinations profitably. This may increasingly not just bring greater flexibility to our network but additionally more choice for our customer,” said Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive.

    Across all its aircraft families Airbus’ new angle ensures that aircraft share the very best commonality in airframes, on-board systems, cockpits and handling characteristics. This reduces significantly operating costs for airlines. Further, with only minimal additional training, pilots can transition between these aircraft more efficiently.

    “This is a crucial announcement from among the many world’s most valuable and influential airline brands,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A380 and the A350 are perfectly matched for greener long haul operations and demonstrate environmental leadership. We’re simply delighted that British Airways has chosen the A350 to spread its global wings and its iconic livery.”

    The A350-1000 is the most important member of the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family seating as much as 350 passengers in three classes, with a variety capability of 8,400 nautical miles (15,500 km). The A350 XWB Family includes the A350-900 and A350-800 seating 314 and 270 passengers respectively, offering airlines the power to check the aircraft to their network needs and thereby guaranteeing optimum revenue potential. In comparison with its nearest established competitor, the A350 XWB Family reduces fuel burn by 25 per cent.

    British Airways currently operates a complete of 112 A320 Family aircraft. It really is some of the world’s only airlines to function all members of the A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321). British Airways first became an Airbus operator in 1988, when it all started flying A320s. The airline added the A319s to its fleet in 1999 and the A321 in 2004.

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