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Monday, April 25, 2016

4 Ways to Make Cheap Jet Airways Flight Booking

Jet Airways is an Indian airline, flying short, medium and long-haul air services to domestic and international destinations. It offers Economy and Premiere class service on most of its flights. On some of its long-haul services, it also offers First Class. It flies to the most international destinations after the national carrier, Air India. The booking for Jet Airways domestic and international tickets can be made, using different channels. Travellers can approach the retail travel agent, close to their place, or even use the services of online travel agencies (OTA). These offer numerous deals for the overall journey and not just Jet Airways flight booking.

Online Travel Agencies

Online travel agencies are aggregators of a large number of travel products. Their portfolio is not only diversified, but also deep, increasing the range of options for people. Not only can travellers find deals on flights, but also have a far greater choice of hotels, holiday packages, car rentals, buses and trains. Thus, they score over individual airlines in the sheer number of products being offered by them to customers. Even when passengers have to take only flights, these OTAs match the price offered by the carrier.

Promo Codes and Coupons

By providing coupons or promo codes for air services, OTAs are able to offer air ticket booking at lower fares, compared to the airline. It is noteworthy that the agencies are prevented by agreements from publishing a fare, lower than the one, being offered by the airline itself. If OTAs do so, this would be in breach of the agreement; however, these are free to use the promo code or coupons to offer better ticket prices than airlines. For this reason, passengers would find the agencies, asking for promo codes or coupon while reserving seats.

eWallet

Offers on tickets can also be utilised to use certain services. Many agencies offer the option of keeping the refund money in an eWallet and also offer incentives for using this facility. Since granting refunds entails some costs, an eWallet is beneficial for both customers as well as web-based travel companies as they are able to save these costs by using them.

Mobile Apps

People may get incentives, attached to the use of the mobile applications of OTAs. There could be standalone offers for downloading and using these mobile-based platforms. The use of mobiles for making reservations is increasing by the day. It is believed that the use of desktop or laptops for this purpose will decline in the future. Owing to this reason, online ventures are focussed on developing their mobile applications and providing incentives to their customers on using these on their hand-held gadget. Jet Airways flight booking can be cheaper if the mobile apps based on the Android, iOS or Windows platforms are used and the exclusive offers are availed.

OTAs provide the convenience of searching flight options and making reservations anytime and from anywhere. These have mobile-compatible websites, which have a good user-interface and easy navigation flow for quick booking. Passengers can also use these portals for seeking information on their travel requirements. These provide insights into the various policies, rules and regulations pertaining to airlines.

These are the four ways, by which people can make an economical air ticket reservation.

Thursday, April 21, 2016

5 Comfortable Travel Classes of Singapore Airlines

The flag carrier, Singapore Airlines is one of the leading flight operators in Southeast Asia. It has its primary hub at Singapore Changi Airport, from where it offers connectivity to over 55 international destinations. Codeshare agreements with Garuda Indonesia, SilkAir, Virgin Australia, JetBlue Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Vistara, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America allow it to extend its network. This airline operates three aircraft models, Airbus A380 (Super Jumbo), A330 and Boeing 777. All of these are equipped with modern features and amenities that ensure a comfortable journey. To fly with this airline, travellers can book flight tickets through various online travel agencies (OTAs) to fly in any of its classes. Here are the details, related to the same:

Suites

Providing the highest level of luxury and comfort among all classes, the Suites of the carrier are featured only aboard the Super Jumbo. All flyers are provided complete privacy by the sliding doors and window blinds of their individual cabin. These have a proper bed, large pillows and optimum quality linen, ensuring every traveller a comfortable flight. Flyers can keep themselves entertained by enjoying TV shows, movies and music on their own 23 inch LCD screen. A range of exquisite dishes from around the world are served on signature crockery and accompanied with Champagne, Burgundy or Bordeaux wines.

First

This class is divided into two categories – New and Other. Both are available on Boeing 777-300ERs of the carrier; the latter is also featured on 777-300s. Every passenger is offered seats that are 35 in wide and can be turned into 82-inch flat beds. Flyers can enjoy a range of over 60 dishes, prepared by chefs from the International Culinary Panel of the airline. For this, travellers have to select the dishes and make a request through the reservation office or agent, 24 hours prior to departure.

Business

New, Long Haul and Other are the three categories of the Business Class of Singapore Airlines. Available on 777-300ERs, New Business Class seats recline to 132 degrees for optimum comfort. Passengers can rejuvenate as each of the leather seats in the Long Haul option, available on A380s, 777-300s and 777-200s can be converted into the fully flat bed. In the Other Business cabin, the airline offers flat leather seats with adjustable headrests, seat control panel and fabric cushions. Tickets for these can be booked on A330-300, Boeing 777-300s and 777-200s.

Economy

The New Economy cabins are comfortable and feature ample personal space. Travellers in it can make use of the in-flight entertainment system on their 11.1-inch screen that supports HD vision. The Other Economy Class seats have a 10.6-inch display, via which flyers can enjoy from over 1000 audio-visual entertainment options. In both cabins, a selection of Asian and international dishes are offered as are a range of fine wines and other beverages.

Premium Economy

The carrier has introduced new Premium Economy seats for more comfort and convenience. It offers increased space with more width, pitch and a wide centre console. Each seat is fully upholstered in leather and equipped with a winged headrest, footrest and calfrest. Here, travellers can make use of the airline entertainment system, KrisWorld, on their 13.3-inch HD touchscreens and active noise-cancelling headphones.

These are the five classes that make the carrier one of the most sough-after in the world.

British Airways - Around a Century Old Legacy

The roots of British Airways (BA), one of the European civil aviation giants, date back to the post-World War I era, when four airlines joined hands to form Imperial Airways in 1924. Imperial Airways and some other carriers merged to form the current company in 1935. These two airline groups were nationalized in 1939 to form British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). BOAC was the first airline in the world to operate jet planes. A new commercial aviation firm by the name of British European Airways Corporation (BEA) was nationalised to operate flights on the European and domestic routes. In 1974, both BOAC and BEA were merged to form BA with their respective managements, being brought under a single management earlier in 1972.

British Airways became the first airline along with Air France to fly Concorde, the only supersonic commercial aircraft, in 1976. It flew this aircraft on the transatlantic route from Heathrow Airport in London to New York City. All through the 1980s, the Concorde was one of the hallmarks of the BA flights on this route and also its pride possession. The airline operated profitably for the most part of the 1990s.

The India Connection

India was to be one of the first destinations to be connected by the airlines from the United Kingdom in 1919. It was on 30th October, 1919 that the Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation recommended connecting India along with other territories of the British Empire to the UK by air. The routes on these colonies were to be developed by private airlines with the support of the Crown.

For the development of the routes to the Indian subcontinent, South Africa and Australia over the next 10 years, Imperial Airways was offered a subsidy of GBP 1 million in 1924. By 1925, the aerial survey of the Egypt to India route was completed. On 27th December, 1926, the first survey flight to the Indian subcontinent was operated, using a DH66 Hercules G-EBMX l, which landed first in Karachi and then in Delhi on January 6 and 8, 1927, respectively. Lady Irwin on 10th January named this aircraft, City of Delhi. The Cairo-Baghdad-Basra route was extended to India in January 1927.

BA still retains a significant presence in India, operating flights to five of its cities from the UK: New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. India is one of the biggest markets for BA in the Asia-Pacific region. The strength of its presence can be credited largely to its historical connection and a strong brand name, operating flights for the last 90 years.

The Heritage Centre

All these historical developments are well chronicled in the British Airways Heritage Centre. It has been in existence since the formation of the airline and is tasked with maintaining the records of predecessor companies. A number of artefacts are stored as collectibles that include posters, photographs and uniforms. In 2009, on the occasion of commemorating 90 years of operation, its page was launched as part of the official carrier website. People can even buy posters and photographs online through the website of the Heritage Centre.

A strong name in the aviation sector since 1972, the carrier was voted as the most preferred brand by Britons in 2016, further cementing its place in history.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Emirates Inflight Information, Communication and Entertainment

Emirates, one of the leading airlines in the world, offers services from its hub in Dubai to almost every part of the globe. With a fleet size of more than 230, it reaches over 150 destinations in six continents. As one of the top airlines in the Gulf region, it seeks to provide the best on-ground and in-flight services to passengers. Its in-flight entertainment system, popular by the acronym ICE, provides a range of audio-visual facilities that can keep flyers away from boredom during the flight.

News and External Views

ICE refers to information, communication and entertainment, and on Emirates flights, all three are offered. People can stay updated with the latest developments around the world with news and sports headlines via the BBC news feed. Travellers can read the news in other languages as well, such as Arabic, French and German. Besides news, aircraft feature external cameras, giving people outside views. Most aircraft offer views of what is in the front and below the aircraft, while the Airbus A380 also offers tail views, making them better than the ones offered by window seats. There is also an option to use its map feature to know the precise location, and get weather and flight information on the screen behind the seats.

TV Show

This Dubai-based carrier offers passengers a wide assortment of TV channels, popular shows, games and videos. It has an exhaustive list of about 2000 such provisions that are available on demand in different languages. The needs of the visually and the hearing challenged passengers have been kept in consideration while devising these entertainment solutions. For their benefit, the movies are shown with captions and audio descriptions. Travellers can check what programmes are being offered during the air journey, and if their favourite is not among them, they can contact the carrier. The staff will then see what the most frequently ordered ICE shows are, and will try to incorporate them.

On-Board Communication

Emirates also provides Wi-Fi and in-seat communication channels on its flights. Flyers can use up to 10 MB of data without paying any fee. For more data usage, of up to 500 MB, a meagre amount of USD 1 has to be paid. The Wi-Fi facility (GPRS or EDGE) is available on all A380s and most Boeing 777s and will be extended to the entire fleet in due course of time.

Using mobiles for receiving or making calls is also possible by purchasing an air ticket with this carrier. For this, the phone should have roaming facility and the service provider should have an agreement with either OnAir or Aeromobile. However, flyers must note that this is not a free service and is chargeable as per the international tariff of these service providers. Another feature on the flights is on-screen seat-to-seat messaging to fellow passengers. Instead of making hand gestures or speaking loud that often cause inconvenience to others, they can simply text, using the on-screen messaging and email services.

With these ICE provisions available right on the seats, travellers will not find the journeys long and be entertained throughout the flight.