Passenger comforts reach new heights
As business travel around the world recovers from the recession of the early 1990s, airlines are adding value to their services.
Passengers flying upper class on Virgin Atlantic can enjoy golf or a relaxing hydrotherapy bath at its refurbished Clubhouse lounge in Heathrow airport's Terminal 3.
There is a four-hole putting green with a sandbank and a ski simulator for exercise. Free facials, massages, reflexology and make-overs are available.
The business centre provides upgraded communications equipment, access to the Internet and financial news services.
Ansett Australia is attending to the gastronomic needs of premium passengers. All chefs on its Boeing 747 Spaceships have experience in top restaurants.
Meals are prepared to individual tastes and passengers can request them at any time.
British Airways is revamping its services for first and business class travellers, who represent more than a third of its total revenue.
The Club World service features a bistro-style meal service. In first class, passengers order from an a la carte menu.
New individual cabins in first class have seats that offer positions from armchair to horizontal bed. They also convert into a pair of seats, allowing for an intimate dinner or a business meeting.
In Club World, leg room is being extended and a new seat installed. It's called 'the cradle' because of its support.
Scandinavian Airlines is installing more comfortable seats and telephones in EuroClass on most of its fleet and on all Asian routes by August. EuroClass passengers flying to Copenhagen can also enjoy free limousine service to the airport and in-flight personal video players.
KLM has just introduced special benefits for its business class passengers departing from Hong Kong, including free door-to-door limousine service to and from Kai Tak airport.
