News and notes from around the interweb:
- Could it make sense for Cathay Pacific to remain in oneworld alongside China Southern, once the latter departs SkyTeam? Here’s an argument that a China Southern alliance would benefit Cathay providing domestic Chinese feed to Cathay’s long haul flights rather than creating nearby competition.
- British Airways CEO reveals something about their new first class seat: they will retrofit Boeing 777s with a first class seat that’s based on their current 787 first class seat. Fewer first class seats that aren’t much better than today is what I wrote that we should expect back in April and consistent with what we learned at their investor day.
- Cathay Pacific will not offer lounge access to passengers receiving complimentary upgrades, so-called ‘operational upgrades’). (HT: AmD950))
The Pier First Class Lounge, Hong Kong - Air France will reduce its Airbus A380 fleet to 5. No doubt it isn’t zero because Air France is part-owned by the government and it would be a huge blow to the struggling A380 program for Air France to want no part of the super jumbo, and there’s little aftermarket for the planes either. (HT: bodory) I love the A380 but hate the Air France A380 which still has angled seats in business class.
Air France A380 Business Class - Bali resort bans smartphones by the pool
- Effective December 1 Jet Airways will no longer offer lounge access to elites flying economy on the carrier. While the airline is in a tailspin it’s unclear how removing a crucial incentive for their most frequent flyers to choose the airline will make things better.
Lounge access for upgrades: many airlines operate this policy and I for one agree with it. Unless it’s a compensation package upgrades haven’t earned the privilege.
BA FIRST seats. Blah blah blah. Alex Cruz is full of hot air. Be beguiled by him at your embarrassment!
Air France A380 business seats are NOT flat, unless the scientific definition of “flat” has changed. I avoid AF after failing to get any rest on their horrid sloping seat (where you feel you’re about to slide out of it). They’ve ignored my threats to take them to court for knowingly mis-selling a misnamed product. Anyone else hate these seats?
To add to Jamesay, AF food even in business class is the worst airline food I have ever had. Can’t believe it is French food.
@James I’m surprised that AF still has the angled seats on the A380. I’ve never flown AF and was looking into them for a possible flight next year. I’ll keep that in mind.