- PDF Free Download

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download ""

Jemimah Whitehead
5 years ago
Views:

Page 1 of 8 Click to view this email in a browser Perspective: Alitalia is Focused on the Customer Experience Maria Sacconi, Senior Vice President, Alitalia North America I would like to take this

We look forward to serving your needs in the year ahead.

1 Page 1 of 8 Click to view this in a browser Perspective: Alitalia is Focused on the Customer Experience Maria Sacconi, Senior Vice President, Alitalia North America I would like to take this opportunity to share several noteworthy enhancements Alitalia has made to improve the booking and travel experience for travel professionals and passengers. We look forward to serving your needs in the year ahead. February 2012 In This Issue: Perspective Product/Service/Network Partner News A look back at 2011 financials: Solid performance allows us to reinvest in ongoing and future service and route enhancements In 2011, the Alitalia Group transported 25 million passengers, up 5.5% from Revenues totaled 3,478 million, an increase of 7.9% over Despite continued challenges faced by the airline and the industry in general, we re pleased with such positive results and the flexibility they allow us in continuing to improve the flying experience. Operations improvements: Better on-time and reduced baggage complaints In 2011, we further improved flight regularity with a 99.8% rating and punctuality rate of 85.8% -- a 5.5 point improvement over 2010 and 36 points better than average achieved by Association of European Airlines member carriers. While we re still tabulating figures for Q and Q1 2012, we expect that trend to continue and look forward to making even more improvements. Fleet updates - New long-haul aircraft with leadingedge engines and advanced fuel efficiency We've invested heavily in our fleet since 2010, adding five A330 aircraft which accommodate 224 passengers and 11 crew members; five additional A330's will be added in With these aircraft come several enhancements: Completely renovated Magnifica Business Class with 28 seats per plane, featuring redesigned interiors and flat-bed seats

2 Page 2 of 8 New premium economy class, Classica Plus, with 21 seats per plane Renovated economy class Classica seating for 175 travelers per plane With a range of 13,400 Km and the latest generation engines that significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the new A330s exemplify the high standards we have set for fleet efficiency. In 2011, a total of 13 new aircraft entered the Alitalia fleet and 12 were phased out. As of December 31, 2011, the Alitalia fleet consists of a total of 152 aircraft with an average age of 8.3 years. By 2013, all 152 Alitalia aircraft will be new or reconfigured in order to maximize traveler comfort and convenience. Fleet refurbishments: B777 fleet retrofitted by yearend 2012 In December 2011, we began reconfiguring our Boeing B777 aircraft. The effort will be completed by July Reconfigured aircraft will accommodate 293 passengers and reflect the new three-cabin standard: Magnifica Business Class with flat-bed seating for 30 passengers Classic Plus Premium Economy with 24 seats Reengineered Classica Economy Class featuring 239 seats The flat-bed seats featured in Magnifica class will extend to a length of 76" when fully reclined. Comfort will be enhanced even further with wider seats and corridor Unmatched dining experience: Named "Best Airline Cuisine" For the second consecutive year, Alitalia has won the award for "Best Airline Cuisine" in Global Traveler's GT Reader Tested Survey. The award recognizes our efforts to improve the dining experience in Magnifica Business Class with outstanding wines and Italian regional culinary specialties, as well as accessories designed by famous Italian brands. Future plans include improving the dining experience for passengers traveling in Ottima (Business Class on mediumhaul flights), Classica Plus Premium Economy and Classica Economy Class. New routes: more than 50 additions in We are proud to have received the "Euro Annies 2011 award, for being the European carrier with the most new routes during 2010 and The award is from Airline Network News and Analysis ( a global industry portal which analyzes airline networks. In 2011 we opened 26 new routes, including four intercontinental, seven international and 15 national. Among our top new routes:

3 Page 3 of 8 Miami Milan Los Angeles Rome Rome - Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Amman, Vienna, Toulouse, Malaga Florence Amsterdam Lounge enhancements at multiple Italian airports In 2009, we unveiled the first of our renovated VIP lounges, Le Navi at Rome Fiumicino Terminal C. Since that time, we ve continued a major effort to redesign all its lounges, including several complete refurbishments: Alfieri lounge in Turin Bellini in Catania Canova, Borromini and Giotto lounges in Rome Fiumicino Parini and Manzoni in Milan Linate Freccia Alata and Freccia Alata Plus Club members, Magnifica and Business passengers, SkyTeam Elite Plus members can expect to enjoy many new amenities, including comfortable leather chairs, showers, and a selection of national and international newspapers. They can also take advantage of an exclusive work area offering comfortable seating, or enjoy refreshments and drinks from the bar. Alitalia s commitment to a better environment Alitalia has recently partnered with several companies dedicated to green initiatives. Among the most notable, Alitalia and the Solena Group are examining the feasibility of constructing a plant capable of converting municipal solid waste into fuel for the Alitalia fleet. The project would result in the reduced consumption of conventional jet fuel and could reduce CO2 emissions up to 96% while providing a stable supply of fuel. Enhanced travel agent Website: Upgraded features for ease and convenience Our dedicated travel agent website, is an online portal designed to meet the unique needs of travel agents. In a continued effort to make the site more user-friendly and a true onestop-shop, it was recently enhanced with expanded policy, procedure and operational information. It also provides several unique features, including an instant group fare quotation tool, the Italy Specialist training program, and frequent updates regarding agent promotions and incentives that run throughout the year. The newly enhanced group fare quotation tool provides instant quotes from Alitalia s gateways, and allows agents to complete the group booking from start to finish quickly and efficiently. The comprehensive Italy Specialist program, endorsed by the Italian Government Tourist Board, provides agents with resources that make it easier to sell Italian destinations. Our sincere thanks

4 Page 4 of 8 We re pleased to have made these improvements to our products, services and performance levels. The support of our Joint Venture partners, Delta and AirFrance-KLM has been key to our success. We re also grateful to our passengers and travel partners for helping us achieve these milestones, and we look forward to sharing even more positive news later in PRODUCT, SERVICE & NETWORK Delta News Delta Names Bob Somers Vice President - Global Sales Delta recently named Bob Somers vice president global sales, to recognize his outstanding contributions at the airline. Somers previous title was managing director global account sales. According to a memo to Delta s worldwide Sales team from Steve Sear, senior vice president global sales, Somers has been an essential force behind key achievements for Delta s Global Sales team in the past several years including building the world s best global sales force, successfully integrating sales functions across Delta s trans-atlantic joint venture, strengthening Delta s relationships with the airline s largest global corporate and agency partners. Somers joined Delta in 1983 as a sales representative and has worked his way up through the organization until taking his most recent role of Managing Director in February He has been active in the Association of Corporate Travel Executives and served on the Global Business Travel Association s Aviation Committee. Facility Improvements Continue at LaGuardia Delta s investment in New York continues with additional facility improvements at LaGuardia. Delta will invest $100 million to create an expanded main terminal at LaGuardia in Terminals C and D, where it will operate a total of 29 gates. A 600-foot connector bridge will be built to conveniently link the two terminals. Delta also will open a Sky Club lounge in Terminal C, in addition to the one in Terminal D. Additionally, with expansions in routes from New York, Delta will lead the industry in total number of domestic flights from all three major New York airports, with more than 400 daily departures from LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark combined. Delta will also offer the largest share of domestic seats from New York. Enhanced Schedule at LaGuardia Means More Opportunities for Customers Delta s enhanced LaGuardia schedule, which puts Delta in nearly all of the top 50 markets from LaGuardia, is the latest offering for Delta s business customers in New York. The new flights will provide Delta's customers with more choice and options when flying to New York's preferred airport for business travelers. Delta will operate 250 daily flights between LaGuardia and nearly 60 cities, more than any other carrier.

5 Page 5 of 8 In addition to key business markets, Delta is adding new all-jet service to key upstate New York markets, replacing smaller turboprop aircraft. The larger jet aircraft means up to 4 million additional seats will be available at LaGuardia without increasing congestion. Delta will also offer the largest share of domestic seats from New York; more than any other airline. The first schedules from LaGuardia begin March 25, 2012, with additional schedules beginning July 11, Delta Offers Wi-Fi Service on all Delta Shuttle Flights Wi-Fi available on all Shuttle flights from New York to Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Delta now offers in-flight Wi-Fi service on all Delta Shuttle flights between New York's LaGuardia Airport, Boston Logan and Washington National and on all Delta Shuttle flights between LaGuardia and Chicago O'Hare. Delta operates the world's largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet of aircraft and by this summer more than 800 Delta aircraft, including more than 250 two-class regional jets, will be equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi service. More than 550 mainline aircraft are already Wi-Fi -equipped. Delta is the first carrier to deploy Wi-Fi across its entire mainline and two-class regional fleet. When Wi-Fi installations on regional jets are complete, more than 400,000 Delta customers on more than 3,000 daily flights will have in-flight connectivity on a fleet that already makes up nearly half of the world's Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft. Delta and New York: Touch the Future of Travel at LGA's Marine Air Terminal Delta Shuttle customers at New York-LaGuardia s Marine Air Terminal can experience how commercial aviation will change in the future. Interactive digital screens that allow customers to Touch the Future of Travel are now in place at the terminal. The screens allow customers to select destinations they would most like to visit. Photographs, video and interesting facts about local hot spots are included as part of the exhibit. Travelers also can download information on customized itineraries and view them later. After supplying travel details, users can capture a custom quick-response code on the screen to download the information. Delta Expands Atlanta-Heathrow Service, Suspends Gatwick Delta is expanding its service between Atlanta and London-Heathrow, the preferred airport for business travelers flying to London, to twice daily flights, starting April 17. The second Heathrow flight will replace Delta s daily flight to London-Gatwick, which will no longer be served. This summer Delta will operate nine daily flights to London-Heathrow, including service from Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, New York-JFK and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Delta Begins Full Flat-bed Seat Installations on Boeing Aircraft Customers will experience new interiors on all 747s by October 2012 Airline offers more direct-aisle access in business cabin than any other U.S. carrier Delta is renovating its Boeing aircraft fleet to include full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin and new "slim line" seats offering more personal space and individual in-seat entertainment throughout the Economy cabin. As modifications are completed throughout 2012, customers will increasingly see the upgraded aircraft on

6 Page 6 of 8 various routes across the Pacific and Atlantic. Customers will experience the new interiors on each 747 flown by Delta by October, For more information and to read the full press release, click here. Security Update TSA Expands Pilot Screening Program to More Delta Markets The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary announced this week the expansion of TSA Pre Check. After success at the seven pilot locations, the passenger prescreening initiative is being added to 28 additional airports and three new airlines that will add lanes throughout the year. Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas and Minneapolis/St. Paul were among the pilot cities. Salt Lake City will begin serving customers on Tuesday, and a Washington-Reagan National airport lane is scheduled to open on March 20. The TSA also confirmed that Los Angeles and New York-LaGuardia airports will also open lanes to serve Delta customers. For Delta s frequent flying customers, the announcement translates into several new locations that will have expedited screening where passengers will not have to remove their shoes, belts, jackets or take liquids and laptops from their bags. U.S. citizens, as well as members of Customs and Border Protection s Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS) are eligible to participate in the pilot program. Individuals interested in signing up can apply via Global Entry at Information is also available on delta.com. To read the full TSA press release, click here. Partner News Air France Announces Summer 2012 Schedule Air France recently announced its schedule for summer 2012, which reflects stable capacity, a continued focus on emerging markets and the optimization of its fleet. The transatlantic routes of Air France will be adjusted in coordination with JV partners Delta, KLM and Alitalia, with a decrease of 6.5% in capacity compared to last summer for Air France-operated flights. Capacity will be redeployed on high growth areas, with an increase of +4.9% in Africa, +9.7% in Latin America, and +6.3% in Asia. KLM Announces Summer 2012 Schedule KLM recently announced its schedule for summer 2012, which reflects a focus on markets with high-growth potential. Highlights include: The total capacity to North America will remain virtually the same as last summer, with the Dallas/Fort Worth-Amsterdam route returning with five weekly flights, Toronto becoming twice-daily and Calgary becoming daily. In Denmark and Norway, additional daily flights will be added to and from Aalborg, Billund, Stavanger and Sandefjord/Torp. In Africa, KLM will launch its two newest destinations: Luanda, Angola on March 27, and Lusaka, Zambia on May 15. KLM Begins DFW Service on April 30, 2012 KLM returns to Dallas/Fort Worth for the summer 2012 season beginning on April 30, 2012, with nonstop service to Amsterdam five times a week through October 26,

7 Page 7 of The route will utilize an Airbus A that will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The state-of-the-art widebody aircraft will offer a total of 292 seats in two classes with 30 in World Business Class seats and 262 seats in Economy Class. Passengers will also have the option of sitting in the Economy Comfort zone, located in the front of the Economy cabin. As the only nonstop service between the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and the Netherlands, the flight will offer a critical link for both corporate and leisure travelers. Passengers will be able to make seamless connections at KLM's award-winning Amsterdam-Schiphol hub to destinations throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Air France KLM Awarded Business Airline of the Year Last month, Air France KLM was awarded Business Airline of the Year at the 17th annual Business Travel Awards in London. The Business Travel Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of the industry s leading companies which have performed outstandingly in their chosen field over the last 12 months. Each year categories are carefully chosen to reflect the range of areas and skills that lie at the heart of a successful travel organization. The independent panel of judges included experienced buyers, leading consultants and journalists from the Business Travel industry. For more information about the Business Travel Awards, click here. Alitalia Resumes Los Angeles and Chicago Nonstop to Rome On May 1, 2012, Alitalia will resume service between Los Angeles and Rome, followed by Chicago and Rome, which resumes on May 2, Alitalia Classica Plus Now Available on B777 Aircraft Alitalia has completed modifications on the first of ten B777 aircraft, and by this summer, the modification of the remaining aircraft is set to be completed. The newlyreconfigured aircraft are equipped with three class cabins, including the Classica Plus cabin, which is currently available on the A330 aircraft. Passengers traveling from the U.S. can enjoy a consistent product when traveling on Alitalia. Travel in Classica Plus offers a variety of benefits, including a private cabin with seats that are nearly 20 percent wider than regular economy. Classica Plus passengers also enjoy a dedicated check-in area, a welcome beverage onboard and in-seat entertainment and work station capabilities. Delta Expands Partnership with China Eastern, China Southern Delta recently announced expanded codeshare agreements with China Eastern and China Southern airlines, two of the largest carriers in the People's Republic of China, which will provide more options for customers traveling between the United States and China. The agreements, recently approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, will allow both Chinese carriers to place their codes and flight numbers on Delta-operated flights between Seattle and Beijing. In addition, China Eastern will place its code and flight numbers on Delta-operated flights between Detroit and Beijing. The airlines' agreement already allows China Eastern to codeshare on Delta's flight between Detroit and Shanghai; and allows Delta to codeshare on China Easternoperated flights from New York and Los Angeles to Shanghai as well as China Southern's service between Los Angeles and Guangzhou. SkyTeam Launches Go Africa Pass Discounted travel, greater flexibility throughout 36 countries in Africa SkyTeam has launched its new Go Africa Pass providing cost savings and flexibility on

8 Page 8 of 8 flights operated by Kenya Airways within Africa. The pass is available to business and leisure travelers flying with any of SkyTeam's 15 member airlines on an intercontinental round-trip to Africa or a Go Round the World ticket. Customers purchasing a Go Africa Pass can opt from a minimum of three to a maximum of 16 flight coupons. Fares are calculated based on the number of miles flown non-stop, offering discounts of up to 75% off standard fares, depending on the itinerary. Coupons have no minimum stay, open-jaw itineraries are permitted and passengers can stop in each city multiple times - giving them complete flexibility to plan their trips. The Go Africa Pass is available for sale now, for travel starting on or after March 1st. Delta, Air France-KLM and Alitalia Open Joint Sales Office in Toronto Delta, Air France-KLM, and Alitalia inaugurated a new joint sales office in Toronto this month. The Sales teams hosted travel agents and tourism representatives to an event at the new location. Fabien Pelous, Vice President Air France-KLM Canada and General Manager Sales Canada - JV, and John Caldwell, Managing Director National Account Sales & Specialty Sales for Delta, were in attendance and spoke to the guests about how changes in airline business have opened the way for alliances and joint ventures. Forward this message to a colleague If you no longer wish to receive these s, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe Delta Air Lines Sales 1030 Delta Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia US Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Hello, welcome to Virgin Atlantic Flightstore

Hello, welcome to Virgin Atlantic Flightstore Virgin Atlantic Flightstore acts as an extension of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. We are operated by one of the UK s best-known flight consolidators, which