Tag Archives: BA

Passengers will make sacrifices for in-flight Wi-Fi, finds study

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Passengers will make sacrifices for in-flight Wi-Fi, finds study

By Travolution
 

Passengers have such a strong desire for in-flight Wi-Fi they are even willing to give up some of the small comforts of flying, according to study conducted by Honeywell.

Many would be happy to trade a comfortable seat for a reliable laptop connection.

The poll of more than 3,000 travellers in the US, UK, and Singapore found that travellers want access to Wi-Fi every time they fly.

Almost nine out of 10 passengers surveyed said they were willing to give something up on their flight, with one-third of US passengers saying they would give up the ability to recline their seats, and 38% saying they would give up their preferred seat.

Forty two per cent of passengers would exchange peanuts for Wi-Fi, while nearly one-quarter would pass on the drinks.

More than half (55%) percent of US passengers said they mostly use in-flight connectivity for personal reasons, and just 22% say they use it mostly for professional reasons.

Passengers from both the UK and Singapore claimed more professional and less personal use.

A total of 86% of US passengers say every flight should give them the opportunity to check Twitter, update their fantasy football line-up, or send an email to a co-worker.

But around 90% of all respondents said they are frustrated with the connectivity when they fly, Wired.com reported.

– See more at: http://www.travolution.co.uk/articles/2013/09/06/7071/passengers-will-make-sacrifices-for-in-flight-wi-fi-finds-study.html#sthash.TR2UIDiv.dpuf

BA names first Dreamliner routes

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BA names first Dreamliner routes

By Phil Davies

BA names first Dreamliner routesBritish Airways is to start new Boeing 787 Dreamliner services to Toronto and Newark after receiving the first in a fleet of the new generation aircraft.

The Toronto service is due to start from Heathrow on September 1 replacing 767s and 747s on the route followed by Newark, currently served by 767s and 777s, on October 1.

The airline’s first 787 touched down at Heathrow yesterday following Thomson Airways becoming the first UK carrier to take delivery of the 787 earlier in the month.

The aircraft was welcomed to Heathrow by Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA parent company International Airlines Group.

He said: “The 787 is a tremendous, innovative aircraft which sets new standards for environmental performance and operating efficiency and I’m sure British Airways’ customers will love it,” said Walsh.

“The 787 will become a mainstay of the British Airways fleet over the next few years.”

BA will configure the 787 with 214 seats – 35 in Club World, 25 in World Traveller Plus and 154 in the World Traveller cabin.

The aircraft is the first of 24 Dreamliners BA has on order. Additionally, IAG recently announced that it will convert 18 options to firm orders for BA, subject to shareholder agreement.

Twelve of these will be extended range 787-10s, meaning that BA will operate the entire 787 family – the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.

Boeing vice president of European sales Todd Nelp said: “The delivery of the first of BA’s 787s is an exciting milestone for Boeing and British Airways.

“The 787 is the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient commercial jetliner in its class. Its improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and cleaner cabin air will offer BA’s passengers an unparalleled flying experience.”

Boeing vows to continue production of Dreamliner

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Boeing vows to continue production of Dreamliner

By Ian Taylor

 

Boeing vows to continue production of DreamlinerBoeing intends to deliver more than 60 Dreamliners to airlines this year despite the aircraft being grounded since mid-January by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

That may offer little comfort to Thomson Airways as it awaits delivery of its first 787 next month.

The FAA grounded the aircraft following a fire on a Japan Airlines 787 at Boston and an emergency landing by an All Nippon Airways (ANA) 787 in Japan.

Boeing has suspended deliveries while investigations proceed in the US and Japan, focused on the lithium-ion batteries used as part of the 787’s power system.

However, Boeing chairman and chief executive Jim McNerney said yesterday: “Production of the 787 continues as planned. We remain confident in the integrity of the programme and the safety of the aircraft.”

He told analysts: “We will get to the bottom of this and restore confidence.”

McNerney was speaking as Boeing presented full year results and guidance for 2013, with the company reporting 2012 was its second-best year ever for orders and deliveries.

However, he did so as the two Japanese carriers involved revealed they had repeatedly changed the 787 batteries which are the focus of investigation.

ANA said it had changed the batteries 10 times because of problems in advance of the emergency landing this month.

McNerney refused to comment on speculation the aircraft could be grounded for an extended period as investigators have so far failed to identify the cause of the problem.

He said: “We can’t predict the outcome. We are making progress. We have every expert in the world looking at this issue. Our plan is to continue production of the 787.

“I can’t talk about particulars of the investigation. But I am confident we will identify the root cause of these incidents. When we have the answer we will act on it.”

Thomson Airways, part of Tui Travel, is awaiting news of the investigation with special interest. It is set to be the first UK airline to operate the 787 and was due to take delivery of its first Dreamliner in late February.

Boeing declined to comment on deliveries to specific customers, but a February delivery appears highly unlikely.

McNerney said: “We are limited in what we can say. We deeply regret the impact on customers.”

Thomson has also declined to comment on the delivery date until it receives notification of any changes from Boeing.

However, McNerney revealed Boeing plans to increase production of the 787 from the current five a month to seven a month by mid-2013 and to 10 a month by the end of the year.