Retail News CRM

Tag: seat

  • Singapore Airlines Postpones Next-Gen First-Class Seat Debut to 2027 Amid Industry Constraints

    Singapore Airlines Postpones Next-Gen First-Class Seat Debut to 2027 Amid Industry Constraints

    Singapore Airlines has postponed the unveiling of its upgraded first and business class cabins on Airbus A350-900 aircraft until the first quarter of 2027, retreating from the original target date in the second quarter of 2026. The adjusted timeline comes as a response to the widespread supply chain issues plaguing the aviation industry, compounded by delays in the approval of one of the new seating designs, as was communicated by a company representative on Wednesday.

    Revamping the Flying Experience

    The change in the cabins is part of a broader revamp announced by Singapore Airlines in November 2024, a move targeted at rolling out newly designed long-haul products across a fleet of 41 Airbus A350-900 long-distance and extreme long-range aircraft. The new products were declared to be an entirely new innovation, boasting spacious layouts and ergonomics designed to cater to the diverse requirements of the airline’s passengers.

    Although the airline has yet to disclose the final designs of the revamped cabin classes, a preview of the new business class product released in 2024 hinted at seats equipped with privacy doors, bearing a resemblance to the Qsuite of Qatar Airways.

    Singapore Airlines had previously broadcast an investment of SGD1.1 billion (US$863 million) in this venture, with the refurbishment work delegated to the SIA Engineering Company in Singapore.

    Operational Delays and Future Expectations

    Singapore Airlines stated on Wednesday that the refurbished A350-900 aircraft are now predicted to commence operations in the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals. The company pledged to offer an update on the introduction of the upgraded A350-900 ultra-long-range aircraft when appropriate.

    Upon completion of the renovations, the company plans to equip 34 of the A350-900 long-haul aircraft with 42 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 192 economy seats. The seven A350-900ULR aircraft in the airline’s possession will be arranged with four first-class seats, 70 business class seats, and 58 premium economy seats.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the new timeline for the launch of the upgraded seats on Airbus A350-900 aircraft?
    The new launching date is set for the first quarter of 2027, a delay from the initial schedule of the second quarter of 2026.

    Why has the launch been delayed?
    The delay is due to industry-wide supply chain issues and a setback in the certification of one of the new seat designs.

    What will the new cabins look like?
    Details of the design remain undisclosed, but a teaser of the business class product showed seats with privacy doors, similar to those of Qatar Airways’ Qsuite.

  • Thai AirAsia Trims Seat Capacity by 30% Amid Soaring Fuel Prices and Slowing Travel Demand

    Thai AirAsia Trims Seat Capacity by 30% Amid Soaring Fuel Prices and Slowing Travel Demand

    In response to escalating aviation fuel costs and a decrease in mid-year travel demand, Thai AirAsia is set to curtail its overall seat capacity by about 30% for the months of May and June.

    Adapting to Market Changes

    The airline stated on Tuesday that it would meticulously adjust flight frequencies for domestic routes. Internationally, the airline has temporarily suspended and decreased frequencies, primarily on Indian routes, due to elevated operating costs.

    Phairat Pornpathananangoon, the CEO of the budget airline, reported that they are actively working on cost management strategies to counterbalance the sustained surge in aviation fuel prices and the expected mid-year travel downturn.

    Managing Seat Capacity and Flight Frequencies

    The airline is also focusing on effectively managing seat capacity to aptly meet the travel demand. Simultaneously, it is maintaining a balance by ensuring the fares reflect actual costs while remaining affordable for its customers.

    In the case of Thailand’s domestic network, the airline plans to reduce its flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport. During May and June, it will only maintain direct services from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai and Phuket.

    Meanwhile, for Don Mueang Airport, the airline intends to persist with its complete network across all destinations. The flight frequencies will be strategically adjusted to mirror actual passenger demand.

    Questions & Answers

    What measures is Thai AirAsia taking in response to the increase in aviation fuel prices and decreased mid-year travel demand?
    Thai AirAsia is reducing its overall seat capacity by approximately 30% for May and June. It is also adjusting flight frequencies for domestic routes and has temporarily suspended and decreased frequencies on certain international routes.

    How is Thai AirAsia managing its fares amid these changes?
    The airline is working to ensure that fares remain reflective of actual costs while still being reasonable for its customers.

    What changes will be made to Thai AirAsia’s domestic network?
    The airline plans to scale back its flight schedules at Suvarnabhumi Airport, retaining only direct services from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai and Phuket during May and June. However, it will continue to operate its full network at Don Mueang Airport, adjusting flight frequencies to match passenger demand.

  • AirAsia offers 5 million free seats to celebrate its rapid comeback

    AirAsia offers 5 million free seats to celebrate its rapid comeback

    Asia’s low-fare carrier, AirAsia, is reportedly offering five million free seats to its passengers to celebrate its rapid comeback. The airlines launched a sale on tickets on September 19. The customers can buy tickets with offers till September 25.

    The report further said that the offers will be valid if the travel dates lie between January 1, 2023, and October 28, 2023.

    The offer can be availed on the airline’s website and mobile application. It can be availed by clicking on the “Flights” icon on the app or website.

    “ We wish to thank our loyal passengers who have had our back through thick and thin with the biggest ever FREE Seats* campaign. Not only have we resumed many of our much-loved routes, but we’re also introducing new and exciting ones for greater value and choice,” Karen Chan, group chief commercial officer, AirAsia.

    “This extra special sale was also put together to celebrate our 21st birthday and the gradual reopening of borders worldwide. With all of that, we encourage everyone to take advantage of our Big sale and commitment to always make air travel accessible to everyone. As always, we expect the best value fares will be snapped up fast, which is why we urge value seekers to get in quick,” Chan added.

    The offer is available to travelers from several ASEAN countries like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

    Two months ago, AirAsia gave away free trips to passengers.

  • Audi Dealership Destroyed In The Beirut Explosion

    Audi Dealership Destroyed In The Beirut Explosion

    It’s been over a week since the explosion at the Beirut port in Lebanon, and the damage to the people, economy and the city at large is insurmountable. The extent of the destruction is devastatingly visible in the form of this Audi dealership that’s been reduced to rubble in the aftermath. The image shared by Hildegard Wortmann – Member of the Board of Management of Audi AG for Marketing and Sales, shows the completely destroyed dealership surrounded by towers on either side with shattered glass. She further revealed that while the employees at the dealership are safe, many of them have lost their homes. Not just Audi but most auto dealerships and other businesses in areas close to the port have been destroyed due to the blast.

    In a post on social media, Hildegard Wortmann wrote, “It is with great sorrow that I wish to express my deepest sympathy to our Audi team in Beirut and to everybody there who is suffering from this unbelievable tragedy. I have been in contact with Nabil Kettaneh, who is our Audi importer and partner in Beirut, immediately the morning after and so grateful to hear that everybody is safe while our dealership has been completely destroyed. Many of our team have lost their homes and their families have been impacted. Your grief is the grief of the whole Audi family worldwide. Our thoughts and compassion are with you and the victims’ families. May strength and confidence be with you!”

    In fact, images and videos which emerged on the internet further show massive destruction to homes and cars. A video of what appears to be a dealership parking lot in the city shows damaged Audi vehicles that were ready to be delivered to customers, adding millions to the overall damage. Not just Audi, but other automakers have suffered equal levels of destruction. Carmakers including Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Suzuki, Ford, Seat among others took to social media to show support for the city.

    The extent of damages as a result of the explosion has been estimated at about $10 billion so far and the number is only expected to go higher, according to a report by Bloomberg. As of August 11, the blast resulted in over 200 fatalities and 110 people are missing, with over 6000 injured. The explosion has also rendered over 200,000 people homeless or living with homes with shattered windows and doors. Beirut was also home to several refugees in the Middle-East that have once again been rendered homeless amidst the massive crisis.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Tigerair Taiwan announces Cebu-Taipei flights with seat sale

    Tigerair Taiwan announces Cebu-Taipei flights with seat sale

    Tigerair Taiwan said it would start flying between Cebu City and Taipei on Dec. 1. Taiwan’s only low-cost carrier said it would offer a 2-day seat sale for the new route starting Monday. Tigerair will use the new Mactan-Cebu International Airport and will compete with the Philippines’ largest carrier, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia in the Cebu-Taipei route.

    “Tigerair Taiwan’s presence in Cebu shall give Filipinos more access to fun, affordable, and memorable flights to Taipei. We look forward to this development before the year ends,” said Tigerair Taiwan spokesperson Bernard Hsu.

    Tigerair flight IT537 will depart Taipei for Cebu every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The return flight, IT538, will depart Cebu every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

  • Volkswagen’s Seat returns to profit; to launch third SUV in 2018

    Volkswagen’s Seat returns to profit; to launch third SUV in 2018

    Volkswagen’s Spanish division Seat reported on Thursday its first annual operating profit since 2007 and announced plans to launch a third sport-utility vehicle (SUV) in as many years in 2018 to try to build on its recovery.

    Seat said it made an operating profit of 143 million euros ($154 million) last year compared with a 7 million euro loss in 2015, helped by selling more models with higher specifications and integrating its R&D operations with parent Volkswagen (VW).

    “Seat is now preparing itself for development and growth,” chief executive Luca de Meo said in an emailed statement.

    The 2018 SUV, which follows the launch of the Ateca crossover in 2016 and its smaller sibling Arona later this year, “will boost brand image and will have a very big effect on our ability to generate margins,” the CEO said.

    “This car will bring new customers to us.”

    Seat’s third SUV model will be built at VW’s main Wolfsburg factory and use the German group’s cost-saving MQB modular platform that underpins VW’s top-selling Tiguan SUV.

    VW, which bought Seat in 1986 to increase its exposure to the then fast-growing Spanish market, has long battled to reverse losses caused by under-utilised capacity at Seat’s factory in Martorell near Barcelona.

  • Cebu Pacific-Visa tie up for exclusive international seat sale

    Cebu Pacific-Visa tie up for exclusive international seat sale

    Cebu Pacific (CEB) allies with Visa to offer all-inclusive seat sale fares to some of the most popular international destinations within its extensive flight network.

    The seat sale exclusive for Visa cardholders, started last January 16, 2017 and will be available until January 22 (or until seats last). Flights will be for travel from May 1 to September 30, 2017.

    Cardholders who wish to make the most out of this year can still catch the last few days of the sale and book flights from Manila to Hong Kong for as low as P1, 599. Seats from Cebu, Clark, Davao and Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore are also available at the same low fare.

    Those who want to visit Busan and Incheon from Manila can avail of flights for as low as P2, 099. Flights to Incheon from Cebu and Kalibo and flights to Singapore, Guangzhou and Xiamen from Manila are also up for grabs at the same all-in fare. Passengers can also fly from Manila to Beijing and Shanghai (P2, 599), Guam (P3, 099) or Sydney (P4, 199).

    All fares quoted are for one-way flights, and are inclusive of country-specific taxes, web admin fee and terminal fee. Baggage allowance, meals, travel insurance and other ancillaries may be added to the fare per the passenger’s preference.

    To avail of this exclusive seat sale, Visa cardholders only need to input the promotional code “VISA” through www.cebupacificair.com. Terms & conditions apply.

    CEB currently offers flights to a total of 37 domestic and 29 international destinations, operating an extensive network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA. Its 57-strong fleet is comprised of four Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500, and two ATR 72-600 aircraft. Between 2017 and 2021, CEB expects delivery of one more brand-new Airbus A330, 32 Airbus A321neo, and 14 ATR 72-600 aircraft.

    Lees ook:

  • Volvo recalls vehicles in US, Canada for seat belt problem

    Volvo recalls vehicles in US, Canada for seat belt problem

    Volvo is recalling about 79,000 cars and SUVs in the US and Canada because the front passenger seat belt may not hold people in a crash.

    The recall covers certain S60, S90, V60, XC60 and XC90 vehicles from the 2016 and 2017 model years.

    Volvo says in government documents that a buckle stud can come loose, allowing the buckle to separate from a bracket. If that happens, the belt may not hold the front passenger in a crash. The company said Wednesday it has no reports of injuries. It does not expect to find any loose studs but says it’s recalling the vehicles as a precaution.

    Dealers will replace the buckle if needed at no cost to owners starting December 12.

    Volvo began investigating the problem after getting reports of buckle failures starting in August. It traced the trouble to cars made from February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016