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Airline News - Asia / Pacific

Airguide Online, March 17, 2008

Mar 17, 2008

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand also is planning to enlarge the premium economy cabin on its Boeing 747-400s and 777-200ERs. "Premium economy has been such a success for us. There is a market there in long-haul that will pay for a premium product," he said. When the carrier launched the cabin upgrade in 2004, it allocated just 23 upper deck seats on 747-400s but since has added 16 seats on the main deck. Mar 14, 2008

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand has turned its back on Boeing's catalog seat offering on the Boeing 787 and is designing its own seats. "We are not seeing anything in business and economy that materially moves the industry forward," he claimed. He revealed to this website that the carrier is developing its own seats with an innovation company from the US. The seats will be installed in both 787s and 777-300ERs that will be delivered from 2010 and will be refitted to the balance of the fleet. Mar 14, 2008

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is staying true to the philosophy that earned it awards last year and embracing more product upgrades designed to snare premium customers, rather than cost cuts, to combat soaring fuel prices. Air New Zealand is investing in 2008 more than NZ$55 million ($44.2 million) installing IFE throughout the Boeing 767s and Airbus A320s it uses on short-/medium-haul routes and increasing seat pitch in economy ahead of the wing to 35 in. Passengers paying the higher economy fares and the airline's Gold Elite members will have access to those seats and will be able to book them online later this year. Rollout starts in July and by November all aircraft will be refitted. Mar 14, 2008

Qantas Airways

Qantas will launch its first nonstop South American service, a thrice-weekly Sydney-Buenos Aires, on Nov. 24 aboard a 747-400. Mar 14, 2008

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will fly the A380 to Tokyo Narita on May 20, making the Japanese capital the fourth city to receive A380 commercial flights. Flight SQ636 will depart Changi at 12:40 a.m. and arrive at NRT at 8:30 a.m. local time. Return flight will take off at 1 p.m. local time. Service will continue daily thereafter. Mar 14, 2008

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will start flying its big fat jet on May 20, making it the third commercial destination for the Airbus A380 plane from the city-state. Singapore Air said on Wednesday that the daily scheduled flight will depart for the Japanese capital's Narita Airport, and return to Singapore on the same day. Singapore Air, the first airline to operate the superjumbo, launched A380 services to Sydney on October 25, and will start flying the aircraft to London from March 18. The airline said earlier that it has taken delivery of its third A380, and has firm orders for a further 16 with options on six more. Mar 12, 2008

Singapore Airlines, SilkAir

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir to replace current excess baggage charges with zonal levies, based on originating and disembarking points. Mar 11, 2008

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