Finnair to open direct service between Helsinki and Miami
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Air & Sea Air & Sea
- Published: 18 February 2014 18 February 2014
Next winter Finnair will begin operating nonstop scheduled services between Helsinki and Miami, Florida. The new seasonal flight, operated with Airbus A340 aircraft in a two-class Business and Economy cabin configuration, will commence from December 16, 2014 until March 21, 2015.
AY007 will leave Helsinki (HEL) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 09:55 for arrival in Miami (MIA) at 14:05 local time. AY008 departs Miami at 16:00 for arrival in Helsinki at 08:50 local time the next day. Starting from January 3, 2015, the service moves to three times weekly with an additional frequency on Saturdays. The flight lasts approximately 11 hours outbound while the return journey takes less than 10 hours. The timetable connects well with passengers transferring from other cities in Finland, Estonia and Sweden.
“Services to Miami with codeshare partners have always been popular, and the time is now right to offer a direct nonstop route in the winter season in addition to these services,” says Finnair CEO Pekka Vauramo. “Finns love Miami and southern Florida, and there is a sizeable Finnish expatriate community in the region. At the same time, this new direct route also gives us the opportunity to develop Finland and Lapland as exotic winter tourism destinations for Americans.”
The route between Helsinki and Miami International Airport will be included in the joint business on transatlantic traffic with oneworld alliance partners American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia. This gives customers the possibility to mix and match flights on the different carriers for the best pricing and scheduling. For example, an itinerary could include a nonstop flight to Miami in one direction, but a connecting flight through New York, Madrid or London in the other, if the timing is more convenient. Finnair’s cooperation with the other three carriers also means that Miami is yet another gateway to dozens more North American destinations.
Miami, with a population of more than 400,000 in a metro area of more than 5 million, is at the centre of the largest urban area in the southeastern United States. The region is famous for its beaches and leisure activities, as well as its top-tier entertainment, sporting and cultural attractions. Miami is also a major commercial and financial centre in the United States and widely seen as an economic and cultural gateway between North and South America.
Air France unveils its new Business Class seat
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- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Air & Sea Air & Sea
- Published: 04 February 2014 04 February 2014
Air France is continuing its move upmarket and unveiled today its new Business class seat, for a completely renewed travel experience. In total, 2,102 seats will be installed between June 2014 and summer 2016 on 44 Boeing 777 aircraft, the core of Air France’s long-haul fleet.
Every detail has been specially modelled to give the seat its unique design. The passenger is instantly enveloped in its graceful curves into a cocoon-like state of special care.
This real cocoon, with its particularly refined finishing touches (leather upholstery, topstitching) provides an ideal level of comfort and offers the prospect of a perfect sleep.
The new Air France Business class seat was developed around the concept of 3 « F » :
• Full flat - the seat converts to a fully flat bed - for crossing time zones without fatigue;
• Full access - direct access to the aisle, regardless of the seat’s location in the cabin;
• Full privacy - a protected area through the seat’s enveloping curves, providing a true bubble of privacy in the sky.
Specially designed for Air France, this seat was developed in collaboration with Zodiac Aerospace, a world leader in the manufacture of aircraft seats. Its unique design was specially created by designer Mark Collins of Design Investment, specialized in the world of high-end transportation and by the design and branding agency, Brandimage.
Seeking to offer the ultimate in comfort in the sky, Air France engaged customers, company employees, designers and ergonomic experts in the seat’s cooperative design effort.
A 16-inch (41 cm) high definition touch screen with more than 1,000 hours of entertainment
In the Business cabin, customers have a wide touch screen offering a high definition image. This 16-inch (41 cm) screen offers a unique onboard navigation experience similar to a tablet. With a completely redesigned user interface and available in 12 languages (French, English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian and Arabic), choosing an entertainment program from over 1,000 hours of entertainment has never been so easy and intuitive.
At a glance
• A seat that converts into a completely flat bed for maximum comfort;
• Direct aisle access for every passenger; • An enveloping structure of curves, providing a feeling of privacy;
• A seat that features all of the latest technology: a wide high definition touch screen, a touch screen handset, electrical outlet, USB port and new noise-reduction headphones;
• A padded headboard, an Air France signature feature;
• An adjustable soft leather headrest; • Space and multiple storage areas close at hand;
• A delicate-to-the-touch duvet, a XXL feather down pillow;
• High quality, down to the finishing: leather, choice fabrics, stitching
Best & Beyond, Air France’s long-haul ambition
Within the framework of its Transform 2015 plan, Air France is continuing to develop the move upmarket of its entire range of products and services called “Best & Beyond”. With an investment of over 500 million euros, this project aims to place Air France at the best possible level in terms of products and to make a difference with a caring attitude towards its customers.
United Airlines unveils new amenities for top customers at Newark Liberty International Airport
- Details
- Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
- Category: Air & Sea Air & Sea
- Published: 02 February 2014 02 February 2014
United Airlines earlier this week opened a new Global Services reception lobby for its top frequent flyers at the airline's New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. The new lobby offers personalized check-in and travel services to members of United's invitation-only Global Services program, and to customers traveling on long-haul international flights in United Global First.
Customers will access the new lobby via the Premier Access entry located at Door 4 of the Terminal C mid-level departures area. Adjacent to the C-2 security check-point, the reception area features four full-service check-in positions staffed by Global Services representatives wearing easily identifiable uniforms – gray suiting with gold ties or scarves. The reception area provides direct access to four newly constructed security lanes, which can be used either as TSA PreCheck lanes or standard lanes for customers who are not PreCheck-eligible, depending on demand. Customers using these lanes will have convenient access to the United Club in concourse C-3.
The decor of the new space closely mirrors the new United Club design concept that United introduced last year.
"United's new Global Services reception area at our New York hub will enable us to provide the high level of service our most loyal customers expect, while the expanded number of security lanes will expedite screening for all customers," said Jimmy Samartzis, United's vice president of customer experience. "This project is the latest step in our continued efforts to offer a more flyer-friendly premium travel experience for United customers."
Mercedes Flight-Connection Service
The airline also announced it will expand its tarmac transportation service, currently offered in Chicago and Houston, to Newark Liberty beginning today. United will offer the chauffeur service, using Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vehicles, to some Global Services members and United Global First customers who are connecting at Newark to a domestic or international flight. Where feasible, representatives will meet Global Services and United Global First customers with applicable itineraries who may have tight connections and will drive them across the tarmac to their connecting flights.
United offers the service to surprise and delight its top customers who may have a tight connection or who have a substantial distance to travel between connecting flights.
United launched the tarmac transportation service at its Chicago and Houston hubs in July 2013 and plans to add the service at other U.S. hubs later this year.
