Prepare for Take-Off Amid Turbulence 08 12 15

INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION BY raconteur.net #0368 29 / 03 / 2016 AV I ATION FOR BUSINESS

PREPARE FOR TAKE-OFF BUSINESS ROUTES CONNECT TO AN SKY IS THE LIMIT 08 ARE OPENING UP 12 OFFICE IN THE SKY 15 WITH CABIN LUXURY 03 AMID TURBULENCE Affordable international airline More aircraft being are fitted Big airlines compete to be the Business air travel is at a key moment in its successful trajectory routes help boost UK exports with reliable internet access best in first and business class RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 03

AVIATION Getty Images FOR BUSINESS

DISTRIBUTED IN

RACONTEUR

PUBLISHING MANAGER HEAD OF PRODUCTION Rebecca Wetten Natalia Rosek

PRODUCTION EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Benjamin Chiou Sarah Allidina

MANAGING EDITOR DESIGN Peter Archer Samuele Motta Grant Chapman Kellie Jerrard Ready for take-off London City Airport handled a CONTRIBUTORS record 4.3 million amid turbulence passengers in 2015, up 18 per SIMON BROOKE TRISTAN McALLISTER cent on 2014 Award-winning freelance New York-based journalist Business air travel is at a key moment in its trajectory – journalist, who writes for and brand strategist, a number of international he is a contributing editor and passengers can benefit from the changes underway publications, he specialises of Monocle magazine in lifestyle trends, health, where he was formerly business and marketing. transport editor.

ELIZABETH ELEANOR ROSS MOSCROP Freelance journalist OVERVIEW baby-boomers (45 per cent compared Business travellers can now ac- ingly important. “While price is Specialist writer on business and author with a focus SIMON BROOKE with 26 per cent). cess private aviation quickly and always one factor, we’re seeing that on travel, business and aviation, she has a private Over half (57 per cent) of millen- more cheaply than ever before and, business travellers are increasing- pilot’s licence and co- humanitarian affairs, nials believe that technology can at the other end of the price scale, ly searching for the best-quality authored The 100 Greatest she writes for national hat is a crossroads in never replace face-to-face meetings they’re being courted by budget seat and wider customer experi- Women in Aviation. newspapers and magazines. the world of aviation to get business done. The idea that, airlines with special prices, pack- ence,” says Jon Harding, senior – an air near miss? although technology has made the ages and services. vice president, north, south and PAUL SILLERS JOHN WALTON Hopefully not, but options for communication with Another factor that business west Europe, at Qatar Airways. “I Freelance aero-industry International aviation W writer, he contributes to journalist, he specialises in how ever it’s described, business colleagues in other cities, countries travellers and senior managers are think seat quality will continue to The Independent, Business cabin design, airline food air travel is at a critical juncture. or even continents easier than ever, increasingly taking into account be a major differentiator.” Qatar’s Life, Quartz and Business and beverage, lounges, Falling fuel prices have given it a face-to-face meetings still have is the amount of work that execu- new business class seat, flying Traveler USA, and is the inflight connectivity, boost, with the strength of the UK great value, is supported by ex- tives can do while they travel. Ac- from December, is intended to feel author of International passenger safety, and and US economies providing addi- perts such as Cary cording to the US like a first class seat. Business Etiquette 20:20. industry diversity. tional stimulus. Recent findings Cooper, professor Travel Association “Business travellers have re- from the Business Travel magazine of organisational survey, business vealed a strong desire for experi- reveal that a third of business trav- psychology and travellers will in- ences to enhance their travel ex- el buyers have more to spend. Lon- health at Manchester tentionally arrive perience, such as access to airport don City Airport, where business Business School. early at the air- lounges, concierge services and travellers account for more than “Meeting face to port so they can upgrades,” says Errol McGlothan, half of all traffic, saw numbers in- face is especially enjoy business general manager at Priority Pass. crease by nearly a fifth to 4.3mil- important when lounge facilities, “They are also keen to extend the lion between 2014 and 2015. you don’t yet know with 42 per cent benefits from their business trips On the other hand, the slowdown the people you’re 33% reporting they see to improve the experience of travel in China, the eurozone’s continued going to be work- of business travel it as an opportu- with their families, for example us- stagnation and fears about a rise in ing with,” he says. buyers plan to spend nity to get some ing points to ensure they can book US interest rates are still causes for “This critical first more in the next three work done and 81 plane seats together for their fami- concern, and have prompted many meeting needs to years, up from 18 per per cent keen to lies when on holiday.” companies to keep a closer eye on be eyeball to eye- cent last year take advantage of The industry does, though, con- their business travel budgets and ball so that you get free wi-fi. tinue to face long-standing criti- Source: Business Travel 2016 look for better deals. Research by the personal inter- Providers are cisms. Delayed flights are still a Collinson Group, which owns busi- action. Technolo- raising their game. bugbear for 87 per cent of business ness lounge access service Prior- gy doesn’t easily As well as im- travellers, according to the most ity Pass, has found, for example, allow for that all important small proved connectivity, London City recent Travel Leaders Group sur- Although this publication is funded through advertising and that three-quarters of frequent talk, asking about family and hob- Airport is now offering a free vey, as are fees for changing flights sponsorship, all editorial is without bias and sponsored features are clearly labelled. For an upcoming schedule, partnership in- business travellers are choosing to bies, for instance.” shoe shine and a paid-for service (73 per cent) and seat (62 per cent). quiries or feedback, please call +44 (0)20 8616 7400 or e-mail fly economy. It’s also easier to overcome cul- called AirPortr, which allows pas- Greater competition and ev- [email protected] However, the case for business tural differences when you sit sengers to leave their luggage at ermore demanding passengers Raconteur is a leading publisher of special-interest content travel, including air travel, remains down in someone’s office and see the airport, go to their meetings mean business air travel is facing and research. Its publications and articles cover a wide range strong. According to a report by the where they live and work. “This and have it waiting for them in increased challenges. But this is of topics, including business, finance, sustainability, health- US Travel Association, for every dollar is particularly important when their hotel at the end of the day. one industry with innovation and care, lifestyle and technology. Raconteur special reports are invested in business travel, business- you’re dealing with different cul- On departure, they can have their agility at its core – and that means published exclusively in The Times and The Sunday Times as well es benefit from an average of $9.50 in tures, such as Japan and other luggage collected from their hotel business air travellers have more as online at raconteur.net increased revenue and $2.90 in new far-eastern countries. Once you’ve or office, visit clients and others, options than ever before. The information contained in this publication has been obtained from sources the Proprietors believe to be correct. profits. The most recent Travel Lead- established that initial contact and and pick it up at the airport before However, no legal liability can be accepted for any errors. No ers Group research found that mil- developed the personal chemistry, their flight. Share this article online via part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior lennials are nearly twice as likely to then it’s a lot easier to use Skype Airlines too are realising that Raconteur.net consent of the Publisher. © Raconteur Media want to travel more for business than and e-mail,” says Professor Cooper. adding value generally is increas-

BUSINESS CULTURE FINANCE HEALTHCARE LIFESTYLE SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGY INFOGRAPHICS http://raconteur.net/aviation-for-business-2016 RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 03

AVIATION Getty Images FOR BUSINESS

DISTRIBUTED IN

RACONTEUR

PUBLISHING MANAGER HEAD OF PRODUCTION Rebecca Wetten Natalia Rosek

PRODUCTION EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER Benjamin Chiou Sarah Allidina

BUSINESS CULTURE FINANCE HEALTHCARE LIFESTYLE SUSTAINABILITY TECHNOLOGY INFOGRAPHICS http://raconteur.net/aviation-for-business-2016 04 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29xx / 03xx / 2016 xxxx raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESSXXXX 052

01 COMMERCIAL FEATURE

High-tech airport is NOW YOU CAN SEARCH, COMPARE no flight of fancy AND BOOK YOUR PRIVATE FLIGHT The airport of the future will be a low-stress, high-tech terminal – a well-connected place to work, shop and relax IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES as well as catch a plane As the world of private aviation evolves, one industry pioneer is grabbing the attention of businesspeople and private jet operators alike with its revolutionary real-time booking system that provides accurate pricing in seconds

FUTURE AIRPORT Richard Wilks, aviation business els regularly will have noticed how ELEANOR ROSS development manager, Europe, Mid- passengers are now discouraged dle East and Africa, at NEC Display from using check-in desks unless Solutions, explains how it is often the they need to check in luggage. amien Fo packs his lap- journey to the terminal which caus- At London’s Gatwick Airport, a top into his bag each day es the most stress. Airports must spokesperson explains how the and boards the 30-min- understand how they can link bet- airport is innovating to bring more Dute airport express ter with road and rail systems to cut passengers in through their doors: Airport Changi Jewel train from downtown Singapore to down on passenger stress. “We will be opening the world’s nce regarded as the preserve Stratajet optimises private jet 01 Changi Airport. His vision? The gate of the future. largest self-service bag drop soon. of chief executives and door to door. Imagine that you Illustration of the 02 Voted the world’s best airport al- At the departure gate, a large screen Convenience is key for our passen- Jewel development movie stars, private jets are need to be in Zurich at 2.30pm for a

Sim Canetty-Clark O most every year by almost every or digital wall will enable passengers as 60 per cent check in online; at Changi Airport now available to a far wider clientele. meeting. In a matter of seconds, the organisation, Changi is successful gers to visualise data provided by the number checking in by mobile to expand leisure Meanwhile, operators are seeing system will find the most convenient because it has successfully bridged multiple stakeholders. is eight times greater than two and retail facilities at these expensive assets put to greater flight at the best price and then tell the gap between catering for locals, years ago.” one of Asia’s largest use as planes spend more time flying you exactly what time you need to business travellers and tourists. One of the main reasons for this, transportation hubs passengers and less time sitting on leave your home or office. Mr Fo frequently uses the airport says Mr Wilks, is that space in an 02 the ground or flying empty. Described as “the world’s most as somewhere to work, making use airport is at a premium. “The less Heston Blumenthal’s The private aviation sector has sophisticated price comparison restaurant, The of the comfortable seating areas space used for check-in desks, the undergone enormous changes site”, it takes advantage of what Whether used to Perfectionists’ Café, and fast wi-fi. The future airport automate end- more is freed up for retail,” he says. at Heathrow Terminal 2 over the last few years with new are called partial empty legs. Say, hopes it can do the same. In addition, the airport of the fu- 03 providers and new business models for example, you want to fly from Passengers are demanding more to-end baggage ture should see a rise in digitised Self-service challenging the traditional way of Barcelona to Paris. The sophisticated from their airports than ever be- handling systems and personalised services, ena- passport control booking flights. Stratajet technology can identify a fore. According to the International or complete menial bling passengers to change catering with biometric New industry players might have plane flying empty from, perhaps, Air Travel Association, 3.6 billion options or upgrading their seats be- technology at introduced online platforms, but Madrid to London. It will arrange people are expected to take to the tasks, robots will be fore self-boarding. Amsterdam’s with many of these, customers are for this plane to take a detour so it skies in 2016, expanding by an av- a feature of Alongside retail and passenger Schiphol Airport still required to wait, sometimes for can fly you from Barcelona to the erage of 5.3 per cent as China’s avia- the future efficiency comes the rise of tech- hours, while quotes are obtained French capital, creating efficiencies tion market grows rapidly. nological innovation at airports. manually from a number of that save the traveller money and and book a jet within two minutes – a So how will airports evolve to Everything from luggage to securi- based screening that assesses the acknowledged people were get- operators to finalise their booking. improve the operator’s profitability. process that used to take hours. deal with the need for more ef- ty can be automated with the right intent to do harm. Susan Baer, glob- ting lost at Schiphol. Now a robot Even then they can’t be sure until Stratajet was founded by Jonny Meanwhile for operators, it ficient operations to deal with “There are many systems oper- data. Rohit Gupta, a vice president al aviation business leader at Arup, roams Schiphol terminal with laser well into the booking process Nicol, an ex-military officer and pilot, provides free sales and customer more passengers, higher cost ating at an airport – catering, bag- at global IT company Cognizant, says: “We’ll require less equipment range-finding eyes and a map of the of exactly how much they’ll be who later flew private jets. “I realised relationship management software of land and a demand for better gage handling, security – the key is explains how biometric technol- and infrastructure around the airport interior. It’s hoped this trial expected to pay. that the system was working in the that integrates seamlessly and retail experiences? to standardise this data in order for ogy will play a large role in the screening point. Monitoring the will lead to better understanding of same way that travel agents used to automatically into their booking As more people fly, a smooth it to be visualised in one place. Up- future airport. behaviour of passengers through how robotics can be used as part of when you’d book a holiday before the systems to help them sell more airport experience for passengers dates such as ‘inbound flight is de- “Biometric technology will be CCTV cameras and other forms of future airport developments. introduction of the internet,” says Mr flights and reduce inefficiencies. is vital and a key concern for the layed but arriving in five minutes’ one of the most pertinent innova- sophisticated software will be crit- Airports will continue to double Nicol, offering another analogy. Delivered via an app or its website, airport of the future. Airport op- or ‘there are delays through pass- tions,” he says. “Currently there ical to this, with searches or screen- up as high-end research outlets. The world’s most “If aviation was like road travel, the Stratajet offering is completely erators are starting to employ export control at your destination’ are various biometric solutions ings of passengers if they act in an The quality of terminals is improv- sophisticated price then today we’d only have buses different from anything else available ternal companies to harvest and will keep passengers fully informed available, such as fingerprint, ret- abnormal or hostile way.” ing globally and will continue to do and limos. What Stratajet does is to in what is already a fast-moving and manipulate data to work out how for a more positive experience,” ina scanners, voiceprint and facial Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport so. In India, for example, it wasn’t comparison site convert some of those limos into innovative sector. Stratajet allows they can link different services to- says Mr Wilks. recognition systems. The same has recently kickstarted its Hap- uncommon to see a chai wallah taxis. So, just as a group can often operators to increase their revenue gether and provide a more relaxed Self-service will dominate the air- sensors can also provide health py Flow project, where biometrics handing out tea at an airport termi- travel more cheaply and conveniently with its online sales platform, while travel experience. port terminal too. Anyone who trav- data about travellers by scanning are used as the key identifier at all nal ten years ago. Latest research But now a pioneering player by taxi than by bus, we’re allowing the removal of the manual element their temperature, making it easy airport checkpoints, while Incheon shows passengers now demand appears to have finally solved these them to do the same by taking a drives down costs. to quarantine passengers coming Airport in Seoul is racing towards quality and varied shops, a diver- residual problems, bringing the private jet rather than buying a The company’s complex algorithms CURRENT AND EXPECTED CHECK-IN METHODS 2015 from infected territories.” the top of its class when it comes sity of restaurants, and bars in an SURVEY OF GLOBAL PASSENGER AIRLINES private aviation industry into the number of business class seats.” and search engine technology, which 2018 The reason why we screen at air- to airport tech. Incheon has intro- attractive environment. 21st century, and in doing so it has The sophisticated technology have taken over five years to develop these – the landing fee – involves 247 in the reliability of its software that ports may change as much as the duced a concept called U-Airport, Developers are looking at how to grabbed the attention of savvy behind Stratajet means that it’s the due to the huge number of variables different variables,” says Mr Nicol. if a customer finds a better price Desk way we screen. Airports could po- a facial recognition system that draw locals into the airport too, travellers who want to book quickly world’s first real-time online booking involved, allow customers to simply But the mind-boggling amounts of for the same aircraft from another tentially see a move towards risk- compares the photo stored in the like at Changi. At Munich Airport, and easily, and get the very best deal platform for customers, with the enter their postcode. The service data that are crunched from airports provider, the company will match it. radio-frequency identification chip there’s even a supermarket that Desktop/laptop when they fly by private jet. ability to provide an accurate price does all the rest, recommending the around the world by its complex Stratajet also believes the on an e-passport against the photo gets around Sunday trading hours. best airport for their location. algorithms are then translated into human touch is essential alongside 03 captured by the airport machine. At London’s Heathrow, there’s a Stratajet’s databases contain a very simple and intuitive interface sophisticated algorithms and Kiosk Airports may also find ways to growing trend of people who want detailed geographical information, for the client through Stratajet.com its user-friendly app, and so its integrate robotics into an airport. to use the airport as more than BOOKING ON STRATAJET including aircraft locations, or the Stratajet app. customer service team is on hand Schiphol Group Schiphol Whether used to automate end-to- somewhere to get on a plane. “We repositioning costs, drive times, All prices shown are 100 per cent 24 hours a day, seven days a week Smartphone end baggage handling systems or see lots of demand for hotels, places landing fees, airfield charges and accurate all of the time, so there to ensure the trip is safe, easy and HOW L ONG DOES IT T AKE TO BOOK Y OUR PRIV A TE JET? complete menial tasks, robots will where people can relax or unwind, opening hours, so it can identify the is no need for customers to seek smooth running. Tablet be a feature of the future. hold business meetings, and of most cost-effective airfields for a quotes. And Stratajet is so confident “This is a watershed moment in Robotic devices are currently be- course there’s a huge amount of ac- STRATAJET 2 MINS client’s trip and present them with the history of private aviation,” says ing trialled at Schiphol. As well as tivity linked to cargo and logistics the most convenient options. Mr Nicol. “From now on people Automatic having one of the most advanced built up around Heathrow,” accord- ONLINE BROKER The company’s software factors in will divide it into ‘pre-Stratajet’ 1-2 HOURS security checkpoints in the world, ing to a spokesperson. a staggering number of calculations and ‘post-Stratajet’. For business Other trials of the Spencer robot have TRADITIONAL BROKER in order to provide a quote. “For If a customer finds a better price travellers and jet operators alike, this 3- 4 HOURS been underway since November Share this article online via example, it has to consider 15 for the same aircraft from another is really a game-changer.” 0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 2015. KLM pumped a lot of money raconteur.net different elements when producing a Source: SITA 2015 into robotics research because it price for a customer and just one of provider, Stratajet will match it www.stratajet.com 04 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29xx / 03xx / 2016 xxxx raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESSXXXX 052

01 COMMERCIAL FEATURE

Sim Canetty-Clark O most every year by almost every or digital wall will enable passengers as 60 per cent check in online; at Changi Airport now available to a far wider clientele. meeting. In a matter of seconds, the organisation, Changi is successful gers to visualise data provided by the number checking in by mobile to expand leisure Meanwhile, operators are seeing system will find the most convenient because it has successfully bridged multiple stakeholders. is eight times greater than two and retail facilities at these expensive assets put to greater flight at the best price and then tell the gap between catering for locals, years ago.” one of Asia’s largest use as planes spend more time flying you exactly what time you need to business travellers and tourists. One of the main reasons for this, transportation hubs passengers and less time sitting on leave your home or office. Mr Fo frequently uses the airport says Mr Wilks, is that space in an 02 the ground or flying empty. Described as “the world’s most as somewhere to work, making use airport is at a premium. “The less Heston Blumenthal’s The private aviation sector has sophisticated price comparison restaurant, The of the comfortable seating areas space used for check-in desks, the undergone enormous changes site”, it takes advantage of what Whether used to Perfectionists’ Café, and fast wi-fi. The future airport automate end- more is freed up for retail,” he says. at Heathrow Terminal 2 over the last few years with new are called partial empty legs. Say, hopes it can do the same. In addition, the airport of the fu- 03 providers and new business models for example, you want to fly from Passengers are demanding more to-end baggage ture should see a rise in digitised Self-service challenging the traditional way of Barcelona to Paris. The sophisticated from their airports than ever be- handling systems and personalised services, ena- passport control booking flights. Stratajet technology can identify a fore. According to the International or complete menial bling passengers to change catering with biometric New industry players might have plane flying empty from, perhaps, Air Travel Association, 3.6 billion options or upgrading their seats be- technology at introduced online platforms, but Madrid to London. It will arrange people are expected to take to the tasks, robots will be fore self-boarding. Amsterdam’s with many of these, customers are for this plane to take a detour so it skies in 2016, expanding by an av- a feature of Alongside retail and passenger Schiphol Airport still required to wait, sometimes for can fly you from Barcelona to the erage of 5.3 per cent as China’s avia- the future efficiency comes the rise of tech- hours, while quotes are obtained French capital, creating efficiencies tion market grows rapidly. nological innovation at airports. manually from a number of that save the traveller money and and book a jet within two minutes – a So how will airports evolve to Everything from luggage to securi- based screening that assesses the acknowledged people were get- operators to finalise their booking. improve the operator’s profitability. process that used to take hours. deal with the need for more ef- ty can be automated with the right intent to do harm. Susan Baer, glob- ting lost at Schiphol. Now a robot Even then they can’t be sure until Stratajet was founded by Jonny Meanwhile for operators, it ficient operations to deal with “There are many systems oper- data. Rohit Gupta, a vice president al aviation business leader at Arup, roams Schiphol terminal with laser well into the booking process Nicol, an ex-military officer and pilot, provides free sales and customer more passengers, higher cost ating at an airport – catering, bag- at global IT company Cognizant, says: “We’ll require less equipment range-finding eyes and a map of the of exactly how much they’ll be who later flew private jets. “I realised relationship management software of land and a demand for better gage handling, security – the key is explains how biometric technol- and infrastructure around the airport interior. It’s hoped this trial expected to pay. that the system was working in the that integrates seamlessly and retail experiences? to standardise this data in order for ogy will play a large role in the screening point. Monitoring the will lead to better understanding of same way that travel agents used to automatically into their booking As more people fly, a smooth it to be visualised in one place. Up- future airport. behaviour of passengers through how robotics can be used as part of when you’d book a holiday before the systems to help them sell more airport experience for passengers dates such as ‘inbound flight is de- “Biometric technology will be CCTV cameras and other forms of future airport developments. introduction of the internet,” says Mr flights and reduce inefficiencies. is vital and a key concern for the layed but arriving in five minutes’ one of the most pertinent innova- sophisticated software will be crit- Airports will continue to double Nicol, offering another analogy. Delivered via an app or its website, airport of the future. Airport op- or ‘there are delays through pass- tions,” he says. “Currently there ical to this, with searches or screen- up as high-end research outlets. The world’s most “If aviation was like road travel, the Stratajet offering is completely erators are starting to employ export control at your destination’ are various biometric solutions ings of passengers if they act in an The quality of terminals is improv- sophisticated price then today we’d only have buses different from anything else available ternal companies to harvest and will keep passengers fully informed available, such as fingerprint, ret- abnormal or hostile way.” ing globally and will continue to do and limos. What Stratajet does is to in what is already a fast-moving and manipulate data to work out how for a more positive experience,” ina scanners, voiceprint and facial Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport so. In India, for example, it wasn’t comparison site convert some of those limos into innovative sector. Stratajet allows they can link different services to- says Mr Wilks. recognition systems. The same has recently kickstarted its Hap- uncommon to see a chai wallah taxis. So, just as a group can often operators to increase their revenue gether and provide a more relaxed Self-service will dominate the air- sensors can also provide health py Flow project, where biometrics handing out tea at an airport termi- travel more cheaply and conveniently with its online sales platform, while travel experience. port terminal too. Anyone who trav- data about travellers by scanning are used as the key identifier at all nal ten years ago. Latest research But now a pioneering player by taxi than by bus, we’re allowing the removal of the manual element their temperature, making it easy airport checkpoints, while Incheon shows passengers now demand appears to have finally solved these them to do the same by taking a drives down costs. to quarantine passengers coming Airport in Seoul is racing towards quality and varied shops, a diver- residual problems, bringing the private jet rather than buying a The company’s complex algorithms CURRENT AND EXPECTED CHECK-IN METHODS 2015 from infected territories.” the top of its class when it comes sity of restaurants, and bars in an SURVEY OF GLOBAL PASSENGER AIRLINES private aviation industry into the number of business class seats.” and search engine technology, which 2018 The reason why we screen at air- to airport tech. Incheon has intro- attractive environment. 21st century, and in doing so it has The sophisticated technology have taken over five years to develop these – the landing fee – involves 247 in the reliability of its software that ports may change as much as the duced a concept called U-Airport, Developers are looking at how to grabbed the attention of savvy behind Stratajet means that it’s the due to the huge number of variables different variables,” says Mr Nicol. if a customer finds a better price Desk way we screen. Airports could po- a facial recognition system that draw locals into the airport too, travellers who want to book quickly world’s first real-time online booking involved, allow customers to simply But the mind-boggling amounts of for the same aircraft from another tentially see a move towards risk- compares the photo stored in the like at Changi. At Munich Airport, and easily, and get the very best deal platform for customers, with the enter their postcode. The service data that are crunched from airports provider, the company will match it. radio-frequency identification chip there’s even a supermarket that Desktop/laptop when they fly by private jet. ability to provide an accurate price does all the rest, recommending the around the world by its complex Stratajet also believes the on an e-passport against the photo gets around Sunday trading hours. best airport for their location. algorithms are then translated into human touch is essential alongside 03 captured by the airport machine. At London’s Heathrow, there’s a Stratajet’s databases contain a very simple and intuitive interface sophisticated algorithms and Kiosk Airports may also find ways to growing trend of people who want detailed geographical information, for the client through Stratajet.com its user-friendly app, and so its integrate robotics into an airport. to use the airport as more than BOOKING ON STRATAJET including aircraft locations, or the Stratajet app. customer service team is on hand Schiphol Group Schiphol Whether used to automate end-to- somewhere to get on a plane. “We repositioning costs, drive times, All prices shown are 100 per cent 24 hours a day, seven days a week Smartphone end baggage handling systems or see lots of demand for hotels, places landing fees, airfield charges and accurate all of the time, so there to ensure the trip is safe, easy and HOW L ONG DOES IT T AKE TO BOOK Y OUR PRIV A TE JET? complete menial tasks, robots will where people can relax or unwind, opening hours, so it can identify the is no need for customers to seek smooth running. Tablet be a feature of the future. hold business meetings, and of most cost-effective airfields for a quotes. And Stratajet is so confident “This is a watershed moment in Robotic devices are currently be- course there’s a huge amount of ac- STRATAJET 2 MINS client’s trip and present them with the history of private aviation,” says ing trialled at Schiphol. As well as tivity linked to cargo and logistics the most convenient options. Mr Nicol. “From now on people Automatic having one of the most advanced built up around Heathrow,” accord- ONLINE BROKER The company’s software factors in will divide it into ‘pre-Stratajet’ 1-2 HOURS security checkpoints in the world, ing to a spokesperson. a staggering number of calculations and ‘post-Stratajet’. For business Other trials of the Spencer robot have TRADITIONAL BROKER in order to provide a quote. “For If a customer finds a better price travellers and jet operators alike, this 3- 4 HOURS been underway since November Share this article online via example, it has to consider 15 for the same aircraft from another is really a game-changer.” 0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 2015. KLM pumped a lot of money raconteur.net different elements when producing a Source: SITA 2015 into robotics research because it price for a customer and just one of provider, Stratajet will match it www.stratajet.com 06 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 07

ing “two ways to buy” and “two Ryanair’s new-found commitment ways to fly”. to up its game in the customer ser- Individual/family membership vice stakes. costs a one-time $17,500 initiation “If they went for it, I think they Giving business international lift-off fee with annual dues of $8,500; cor- would do very well in the market,” porate membership costs $29,500 says PrivateFly’s Mr Twidell, “be- initiation plus $14,500 annually. cause there’s a gap in that market Flying to an international business meeting by private jet may sound pricey, but there are ways and means, Members choose from “pay as you for that size of aircraft for football fly” fixed hourly rates for occupied teams, for conferences – and obvi- involving a number of different options, which could be worthwhile hours or there’s a “pre-purchase ously, with their buying power for programme” where, by putting aircraft and fuel discounts, Ryanair your money down in advance, you could run it very leanly.” can access additional guarantees Business jets are like time ma- and benefits. Celebrity customer chines, accelerating personal produc- endorsements come from the likes tivity by facilitating multiple face-

PRIVATE JETS Bringing new clarity and trans- NetJets of tennis icon Serena Williams and to-face meetings across geographic PAUL SILLERS parency to the sometimes inscru- golfer Rickie Fowler. borders within the working day. With table world of private aviation are Closer to home, and ruffling more new business models popping up, in- two driving forces – disruption and than a few feathers in the process, creased transparency and evermore reakfasting with angel in- technology. Ryanair has mooted the notion of providers entering this complex but vestors in Zurich, followed Branded a disruptor when it in- introducing a 60-seater Boeing 737- fascinating sector, the prospective by a lunchtime tour around troduced the fractional jet business 700 corporate jet service. A publici- customer is spoilt for choice. Byour factory in Turin, then model to Europe in 1996, Berkshire ty stunt to counter easyJet’s success a hop down to Cannes to attend a Hathaway-backed NetJets Europe among business travellers or is it Share this article online via red carpet gala that evening – it’s all is now a prevailing and mainstream really a viable and imminent propo- raconteur.net comfortably doable when you have force in the market, with a busi- sition? It would certainly align with your own private jet. Even arranging ness-centric client demographic. the logistics can be a doddle if you “Seventy per cent of our cus- understand the options and know tomers – we prefer to call them how to access them. owners – are chairmen and CEOs CHOOSING THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU But to the business jet newbie, of their own private companies,” there’s a perplexing array of choices: says Marine Eugène, NetJets Eu- outright ownership, charter, frac- rope head of sales. “These tend to tional ownership, be businesspeople plane-sharing who make exten- schemes, emp- sive use of their ty-leg flights – the share, meeting NetJets Europe, list seems daunt- clients during the sengers mobile phone connectivity. Our team knows your family, your Bringing new clarity a subsidiary of ing. and transparency week, but then NetJets has also developed an app assistant and we find our clientele NetJets Inc, says Some of these flying with fam- which provides access to on-board demand a personalisation of ser- Business jets are like 85 per cent of its options are estab- to the sometimes ily down to their wi-fi plus a vast selection of enter- vice. Human contact remains very customers are lished business inscrutable world of chalet in the South tainment and news content which prevalent and we do not want to re- time machines, ac- businesspeople models, some are private aviation are of France for the is uploaded to on-board servers just place that with an app, though it’s celerating personal upstarts taking weekend. Fifteen before take-off. popular with some of our tech-sav- inspiration from two driving forces per cent of NetJets’ “Your iPad automatically con- vy owners.” productivity by facil- the sharing-econ- – disruption and clientele comprise nects with the aircraft system,” But what if you’re not in the Net- itating multiple face- omy paradigms technology publically listed says Ms Eugène. “Suddenly you Jets league? Say you want to peruse to-face meetings CHARTERED FLIGHTS seats or install a gold-plated pioneered by Uber multinationals have hundreds of movies, and the a range of private flying options un- across geographic These offer the freedom to Jacuzzi? No problem – it’s your and Airbnb. The whose board mem- app even controls cabin temper- derpinned with the type of online select the appropriate aircraft jet. You can hire or employ thing is, there isn’t a best option, bers fly intensively through the ature and lighting. We’re imple- price-comparison technologies and borders within the for the number of passengers, your own personal pilots, only the option that’s best for you, week; the remaining 15 per cent are menting it in Europe, but it’s al- transparency we already use for working day the range of the flight and the flight attendants and on-board depending on a complex equation of celebrities.” ready live in the US.” food shopping, buying pet insur- level of service you require. chef. Downside is new jets factors, such as how soon you need But then, these days, most celebs However, will technology super- ance or booking cinema tickets? Some small private airports depreciate at 20 per cent in to fly, where you’re going, how fre- are business savvy or at least have sede the concierge-like personal That’s part of the mission ex-RAF Albans, had to be available on all can’t accommodate larger the first year and by 10 per cent quently you need to travel, wheth- business advisers operating in the experience that executive jet us- and ex-NetJets pilot Adam Twidell channels to its customers. “We’re aircraft and some smaller jets annually thereafter. When the er you’re flying solo or travelling background. It’s all a far cry from ers have become accustomed to? had in mind when he set up Private- not just a website, we’re not just an might not have the range you plane goes into the hangar for with an entourage and the level of the lingering fallacy that private “Of course we have an app to book; Fly, a global booking service for pri- app, we employ flight advisers who need, but charter providers maintenance, you’ll have to inflight service you require. Plus aviation’s customer base is dominat- everybody has an app to book. We vate jet charter which uses a unique have loved aviation since the age of can solve that equation for charter a jet to get airborne. there’s the not inconsiderable mat- ed by rock stars and royalty. see it as a bolt-on, it’s not a replace- online platform and apps to source five and they’ve just got such a deep you. After touchdown, you ter of your budget. It may no longer be the new kid on ment for human interaction,” says “a live global network of over 7,000 knowledge,” he says. “They’ll be walk away from it all – no EMPTY-LEG FLIGHTS On top of that, there are season- the block, but NetJets is still very Ms. Eugène. accredited aircraft, to pinpoint the able to tell customers if a fuel stop sleepless nights worrying These are flights that become al spikes in demand. For example, much a change-instigating presence “If you’re a NetJets owner, we have best available private aircraft at the will be required or if six sets of golf about volatile fuel prices, available when a chartered flight when it’s the week of the Monaco in the executive aviation market as it a 24/7 multilingual team that speaks most competitive, transparent mar- clubs can fit in a Citation Excel.” the latest maintenance has dropped its passengers off Grand Prix, private charter flights pioneers new technologies. your language, they know you per- ket price”. PrivateFly’s service advantage is requirements, insurance costs and is heading back to its home to the Riviera get snapped up faster Inside the cabin, for example, it sonally – on average our customers Mr Twidell realised at the incep- to combine the booking technolo- or aircraft parking fees at base or the airport for its next than you can say “Lewis Hamilton”. offers Gogo Text & Talk giving pas- have been with us eight to ten years. tion that his company, based in St gy and transparent choices with a the airport. chartered trip. These flights go human voice. “Often our custom- ahead regardless of whether ers will book online, but then they FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP passengers are on board, so BUSINESS AVIATION EUROPEAN FACTFILE might give us a call just before the This is a compelling option they’re made available at very flight to discuss the finer details of if you require private flight competitive rates via specialised the catering,” says Mr Twidell. on a regular and intensive online booking engines. Sharp- Another innovative and technol- There are 2,500 Private aircraft Pets can travel by private basis. Typically, owners own a eyed clientele have been known private aircraft range from jet with their owners ogy-driven initiative was Private- sixteenth of an aircraft within to travel in style for less than available for charter 2 to 250 seats in the cabin, rather than in Fly’s decision to open its service to a fleet comprising a range of a flight on a low-cost carrier, from around 700 a cage in the hold the scrutiny of the broader public different aircraft types, so you but you have to be quick off charter operators through its inclusion on online have access to other planes, the mark to bag a deal as more customer review site trustpilot. 52.4% not just the plane you partly and more people are becoming com, where prospective users of of the flights own. There’s flexibility to even aware of this option. You can land PrivateFly can surf through re- taken by change your destination mid- at 10 times more private aircraft views from customers who have flight, which would be a costlier airports on a private passengers SHARED FLIGHTS jet – 3,000 versus used the service. help them option on a chartered flight. These are the new upstarts, 300 for airlines Europe's private jet Mashing up business models, keep business courtesy of the sharing demand peak is another player in the sector is schedules that OUTRIGHT OWNERSHIP economy. The idea is that experienced in May, for New York-based Wheels Up, which can’t be met This suits uncompromising empty seats on chartered efficiently The most Europe’s busiest travel to the Cannes some commentators have dubbed high-net-worth individuals flights or flights on planes that popular route is Paris to Geneva, which Film Festival and using airport for private the Uber of the executive aviation scheduled with the passion to fly in an are owned outright are made costs £3,700 for a same-day return for jets is Paris Le Bourget, Monaco Grand Prix world. Operating a fleet of King aircraft that’s configured to available via social networks. a four-seater small jet 15 minutes is the airlines average check-in time with 51,186 Air 350i and Citation Excel and their precise specification. But do you really want to share before take-off. London City, however, flights in 2015 XLS aircraft, the service uses a Source: Want to redecorate the cabin your executive jet flight with a offers a 90-second membership club model, offer- NBAA 2015 with crocodile-skin covered total stranger? arrival-to-boarding pledge Source: PrivateFly.com 06 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 07

PRIVATE JETS Bringing new clarity and trans- NetJets of tennis icon Serena Williams and to-face meetings across geographic PAUL SILLERS parency to the sometimes inscru- golfer Rickie Fowler. borders within the working day. With table world of private aviation are Closer to home, and ruffling more new business models popping up, in- two driving forces – disruption and than a few feathers in the process, creased transparency and evermore reakfasting with angel in- technology. Ryanair has mooted the notion of providers entering this complex but vestors in Zurich, followed Branded a disruptor when it in- introducing a 60-seater Boeing 737- fascinating sector, the prospective by a lunchtime tour around troduced the fractional jet business 700 corporate jet service. A publici- customer is spoilt for choice. Byour factory in Turin, then model to Europe in 1996, Berkshire ty stunt to counter easyJet’s success a hop down to Cannes to attend a Hathaway-backed NetJets Europe among business travellers or is it Share this article online via red carpet gala that evening – it’s all is now a prevailing and mainstream really a viable and imminent propo- raconteur.net comfortably doable when you have force in the market, with a busi- sition? It would certainly align with your own private jet. Even arranging ness-centric client demographic. the logistics can be a doddle if you “Seventy per cent of our cus- understand the options and know tomers – we prefer to call them how to access them. owners – are chairmen and CEOs CHOOSING THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU But to the business jet newbie, of their own private companies,” there’s a perplexing array of choices: says Marine Eugène, NetJets Eu- outright ownership, charter, frac- rope head of sales. “These tend to tional ownership, be businesspeople plane-sharing who make exten- schemes, emp- sive use of their ty-leg flights – the share, meeting NetJets Europe, list seems daunt- clients during the sengers mobile phone connectivity. Our team knows your family, your Bringing new clarity a subsidiary of ing. and transparency week, but then NetJets has also developed an app assistant and we find our clientele NetJets Inc, says Some of these flying with fam- which provides access to on-board demand a personalisation of ser- Business jets are like 85 per cent of its options are estab- to the sometimes ily down to their wi-fi plus a vast selection of enter- vice. Human contact remains very customers are lished business inscrutable world of chalet in the South tainment and news content which prevalent and we do not want to re- time machines, ac- businesspeople models, some are private aviation are of France for the is uploaded to on-board servers just place that with an app, though it’s celerating personal upstarts taking weekend. Fifteen before take-off. popular with some of our tech-sav- inspiration from two driving forces per cent of NetJets’ “Your iPad automatically con- vy owners.” productivity by facil- the sharing-econ- – disruption and clientele comprise nects with the aircraft system,” But what if you’re not in the Net- itating multiple face- omy paradigms technology publically listed says Ms Eugène. “Suddenly you Jets league? Say you want to peruse to-face meetings CHARTERED FLIGHTS seats or install a gold-plated pioneered by Uber multinationals have hundreds of movies, and the a range of private flying options un- across geographic These offer the freedom to Jacuzzi? No problem – it’s your and Airbnb. The whose board mem- app even controls cabin temper- derpinned with the type of online select the appropriate aircraft jet. You can hire or employ thing is, there isn’t a best option, bers fly intensively through the ature and lighting. We’re imple- price-comparison technologies and borders within the for the number of passengers, your own personal pilots, only the option that’s best for you, week; the remaining 15 per cent are menting it in Europe, but it’s al- transparency we already use for working day the range of the flight and the flight attendants and on-board depending on a complex equation of celebrities.” ready live in the US.” food shopping, buying pet insur- level of service you require. chef. Downside is new jets factors, such as how soon you need But then, these days, most celebs However, will technology super- ance or booking cinema tickets? Some small private airports depreciate at 20 per cent in to fly, where you’re going, how fre- are business savvy or at least have sede the concierge-like personal That’s part of the mission ex-RAF Albans, had to be available on all can’t accommodate larger the first year and by 10 per cent quently you need to travel, wheth- business advisers operating in the experience that executive jet us- and ex-NetJets pilot Adam Twidell channels to its customers. “We’re aircraft and some smaller jets annually thereafter. When the er you’re flying solo or travelling background. It’s all a far cry from ers have become accustomed to? had in mind when he set up Private- not just a website, we’re not just an might not have the range you plane goes into the hangar for with an entourage and the level of the lingering fallacy that private “Of course we have an app to book; Fly, a global booking service for pri- app, we employ flight advisers who need, but charter providers maintenance, you’ll have to inflight service you require. Plus aviation’s customer base is dominat- everybody has an app to book. We vate jet charter which uses a unique have loved aviation since the age of can solve that equation for charter a jet to get airborne. there’s the not inconsiderable mat- ed by rock stars and royalty. see it as a bolt-on, it’s not a replace- online platform and apps to source five and they’ve just got such a deep you. After touchdown, you ter of your budget. It may no longer be the new kid on ment for human interaction,” says “a live global network of over 7,000 knowledge,” he says. “They’ll be walk away from it all – no EMPTY-LEG FLIGHTS On top of that, there are season- the block, but NetJets is still very Ms. Eugène. accredited aircraft, to pinpoint the able to tell customers if a fuel stop sleepless nights worrying These are flights that become al spikes in demand. For example, much a change-instigating presence “If you’re a NetJets owner, we have best available private aircraft at the will be required or if six sets of golf about volatile fuel prices, available when a chartered flight when it’s the week of the Monaco in the executive aviation market as it a 24/7 multilingual team that speaks most competitive, transparent mar- clubs can fit in a Citation Excel.” the latest maintenance has dropped its passengers off Grand Prix, private charter flights pioneers new technologies. your language, they know you per- ket price”. PrivateFly’s service advantage is requirements, insurance costs and is heading back to its home to the Riviera get snapped up faster Inside the cabin, for example, it sonally – on average our customers Mr Twidell realised at the incep- to combine the booking technolo- or aircraft parking fees at base or the airport for its next than you can say “Lewis Hamilton”. offers Gogo Text & Talk giving pas- have been with us eight to ten years. tion that his company, based in St gy and transparent choices with a the airport. chartered trip. These flights go human voice. “Often our custom- ahead regardless of whether ers will book online, but then they FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP passengers are on board, so BUSINESS AVIATION EUROPEAN FACTFILE might give us a call just before the This is a compelling option they’re made available at very flight to discuss the finer details of if you require private flight competitive rates via specialised the catering,” says Mr Twidell. on a regular and intensive online booking engines. Sharp- Another innovative and technol- There are 2,500 Private aircraft Pets can travel by private basis. Typically, owners own a eyed clientele have been known private aircraft range from jet with their owners ogy-driven initiative was Private- sixteenth of an aircraft within to travel in style for less than available for charter 2 to 250 seats in the cabin, rather than in Fly’s decision to open its service to a fleet comprising a range of a flight on a low-cost carrier, from around 700 a cage in the hold the scrutiny of the broader public different aircraft types, so you but you have to be quick off charter operators through its inclusion on online have access to other planes, the mark to bag a deal as more customer review site trustpilot. 52.4% not just the plane you partly and more people are becoming com, where prospective users of of the flights own. There’s flexibility to even aware of this option. You can land PrivateFly can surf through re- taken by change your destination mid- at 10 times more private aircraft views from customers who have flight, which would be a costlier airports on a private passengers SHARED FLIGHTS jet – 3,000 versus used the service. help them option on a chartered flight. These are the new upstarts, 300 for airlines Europe's private jet Mashing up business models, keep business courtesy of the sharing demand peak is another player in the sector is schedules that OUTRIGHT OWNERSHIP economy. The idea is that experienced in May, for New York-based Wheels Up, which can’t be met This suits uncompromising empty seats on chartered efficiently The most Europe’s busiest travel to the Cannes some commentators have dubbed high-net-worth individuals flights or flights on planes that popular route is Paris to Geneva, which Film Festival and using airport for private the Uber of the executive aviation scheduled with the passion to fly in an are owned outright are made costs £3,700 for a same-day return for jets is Paris Le Bourget, Monaco Grand Prix world. Operating a fleet of King aircraft that’s configured to available via social networks. a four-seater small jet 15 minutes is the airlines average check-in time with 51,186 Air 350i and Citation Excel and their precise specification. But do you really want to share before take-off. London City, however, flights in 2015 XLS aircraft, the service uses a Source: Want to redecorate the cabin your executive jet flight with a offers a 90-second membership club model, offer- NBAA 2015 with crocodile-skin covered total stranger? arrival-to-boarding pledge Source: PrivateFly.com 08 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 09 Business routes are opening up new markets for UK exports Affordable international airline routes can be the lifeblood of UK regional businesses eager to export and forge overseas links in their supply chain

GOING GLOBAL just in countless UK businesses, but tres such as Brno and Ostrava for less nity. A group of University of Glas- AIRLINE PASSENGER TRAFFIC GROWTH FORECAST 2014-2034 (%) 3.3 4.2 Former Soviet states to other PAUL SILLERS also across the UK’s numerous clusters AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES, BY REGIONAL FLOW international destinations than £80 is invaluable.” gow and Strathclyde University of local business communities and FORMER SOVIET STATES Established companies benefitting graduates formed a company called associations that help amplify their from the ubiquitous route networks of MindMate, which defines itself as f it wasn’t for the low-cost airline members’ voices at a more global level. 3.3 NORTH-EAST ASIA low-cost carriers is a compelling busi- “the fastest-growing platform in the EUROPE route networks, our business Located in the heart of southern NORTH AMERICA ness model, but what happens when $818-billion Alzheimer’s industry”. would be limited to operating England with Gatwick Airport at its a legacy carrier considers testing an With funding from Ignite Incubator, provincially,” says Ted McMul- centre, one such body is Gatwick Di- entirely new route and what kind of the UK’s startup accelerator network, I MIDDLE EAST len, managing director of McMullen amond, so called due to the shape of CHINA opportunities does that present to MindMate was part of a mission com- Facades, part of Lakesmere Group. its geographic borders. It encompass- 6.5 smaller, less entrenched businesses? prising nine UK startups that were His company designs, manufac- es more than 500 international busi- 6.5 Last year, United Airlines decid- flown by Ignite on a trip using Unit- tures and installs cladding for some of nesses, including the UK headquar- 3 2.9 ed to inaugurate service from New- ed Airlines’ new route. The objective the UK’s next generation of high-pro- ters of Unilever, Canon, Nestlé, Thales 2.4 castle International to New York’s of the trip was to prepare MindMate 5.9 1.5 file architectural landmarks, includ- and Novartis, fostering inter-trading 6.1 Newark Airport, initially running a and other startup companies for US 1.8 ing the Canary Wharf Crossrail Devel- opportunities for its members, en- 1.8 spring-autumn season from May un- market entry. While there, MindMate 5.4 opment and Manchester’s National couraging inward investment and 5.9 6.5 4.6 til September. also participated in mentoring ses- 4.9 Graphene Institute. promoting links throughout the UK, 5.9 To reach international markets, sions and demonstrated their family “Our relationship with easyJet Europe and beyond. 6.2 the North East relies heavily upon of apps to Microsoft and Foursquare. streamlines our team’s journey “One of my mantras is that an air- 8 air travel for connectivity. As David MindMate co-founder and manag- 5.4 4.7 9.9 through the airport,” says Mr Mc- port brings economic diversity,” says Laws, chief executive at Newcastle ing director Patrick Renner recalls: Mullen, referring Gatwick Diamond’s 3.5 4.3 International Airport, explains: “The “During the mentoring session with to fast-track secu- chief executive Jer- United States is a major market for Microsoft, we met one of our busi- 4.5 rity arrangements emy Taylor. “While 5.6 7.3 North-East exports and imports, so ness advisers who is currently help- and dedicated Gatwick is known 7.3 we have been seeking a US route for ing us with our expansion strategy 6 3 bag-drop desks the The routes are as a leisure airport, 5 a number of years. The route started in the US. We’re going to travel to airline offers via its 20 per cent of its last year and there was good demand New York again very soon and this indispensable 8.9 Plus Card. traffic is business 7.4 3.5 from businesses in the region, and becomes a lot easier when you have 4.1 But bypassing conduits for the travel. And just 5.9 AFRICA we were delighted by their response the opportunity to get a direct flight the choke-points skilled workforce because a desti- 9.9 to this service.” from Newcastle.” and hubbub of a that flies in from nation has a good Mr Laws hopes that United’s testing That’s a sentiment endorsed by busy terminal is climate, it doesn’t 7.7 6.3 of the waters will emulate the success Newcastle International Airport’s just one reason the Poland, and for mean there isn’t a CENTRAL AMERICA of a previous initiative that Emirates Mr Laws, who says: “The United Air- airline features accessing supply good business op- 6.7 took when it launched a Newcas- lines service to New York was a route prominently in Mr chains in Spain and portunity there.” SOUTH ASIA tle-Dubai service a few years back. we were determined to deliver for the McMullen’s logis- Companies within “The Emirates route has been hugely North East. We have been very pleased Germany Regional flights SOUTH AMERICA 4.6 tics strategy. The Gatwick Diamond’s successful in opening up business op- with the way in which the operation main incentives are ambit may favour Trans-regional flights portunities to the East via the Dubai has performed, and with the response easyJet’s route net- the proximity of hub and we expect United’s New York of the individuals and businesses who work and price point, enabling the their local airport and seek its con- route to be a similar catalyst to the have taken advantage of the service. 4.9 building specialist’s project leader- tinuing expansion. However, as Mr SOUTH-EAST ASIA OCEANIA West,” he says. “When Emirates first In the past few weeks, many people ship teams from its headquarters in Taylor points out: “We have Gat- World average arrived in the region in 2007, flown ex- have been asking us whether the Northern Ireland to commute to con- wick Airport on our doorstep, but ports from the airport stood at around service will return in 2016, so I am struction sites on the UK mainland. when the traffic’s right we also have REGIONAL SHARE OF ANNUAL TRAFFIC 7.1 £20 million. Since then, the value delighted to be able to confirm that The routes are also indispensable Heathrow on our doorstep and by SHARE OF REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES of exports flown from the airport is it will be back.” United’s Newcastle conduits for the skilled workforce having several airports with capac- £310 million, mostly generated via the to New York Newark service will run that flies in from Poland, and for ac- ity, you get more resilience in the Emirates service, which highlights the a second season this year, six times Asia-Pacific cessing supply chains in Spain and connectivity network.” TOP 10 FASTEST-GROWING ROUTES 2014-2034 2014 transformational effect a single long- weekly, starting in late-May. Germany. It’s a matrix of route con- One of the firms operating within CALCULATED IN ANNUAL ORIGIN AND DESTINATION TRAFFIC PER FLOW, 4.5 haul scheduled service can have.” South America nectivity that underpins the busi- the Gatwick Diamond community IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES 2034 Source: Boeing 2015 For one particular startup in the 41% Share this article online via ness’s viability. is Time 24, a manufacturer of elec- Middle East region, the Newcastle-New York raconteur.net On the flip-side of that busi- tromechanical assemblies, control Domestic India x5.8 route presented a unique opportu- ness-airline interface, Anthony Dru- panels and wiring harnesses for rail Africa ry, director and head of business at carriages, aircraft simulators and easyJet, says that over a fifth of easy- radiotherapy machines, based in Former Soviet China – US x4.1 CORRELATION BETWEEN GDP AND AIR TRAVEL GROWTH ANNUAL GDP GROWTH 2014-2034 (%) states 2004 ANNUAL CHANGE IN GLOBAL GDP AND AIR TRAFFIC IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES (RPKs) erica oviet s Jet passengers are travelling for busi- Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Time 24’s Am r S ta e e te th p s ness purposes – that’s more than 12 logistics matrix relies on skilled man- North America 10% 15% r o m Middle East - US x4.1 r r o RPKs (RH scale) u o million people and over 95 per cent of ufacturing capabilities in the Czech N E F them are repeat customers. Republic, accessed via the route net- Europe 2.5% 1.8% 2.4% Domestic China x3.8 GDP ( LH scale) “We’ve actively been targeting work of Ryanair which, in addition to 8% 12% business travellers for many years catering for the leisure traveller, flies 51% now; this is not new to us. We first to some of Europe’s lower-cost indus- India - US x3.8 6% 9% st ifiic went on to the global distribution trial zones, remote from the more con- ca a ac ri E P Domestic Asia e le - systems used by business travel ventionally attractive tourist hubs. m d ia x3.7 d s (emerging) A i A agents in 2007 and have successfully This has been a game-changer for n M i 4% 6% t grown our share of the managed cor- Time 24. “Ryanair is providing com- a 2014 L 3.4% 3.8% 4.3% India – Middle East porate travel sector,” says Mr Drury, petitive links into the heartland of x3.4 referencing the reach of the carrier’s Czech industry,” enthuses the firm’s Asia (advanced) 2% 3% route network. “We fly to more pri- managing director David Shore. “We – Asia (emerging) x3.1 mary airports on the top 100 Europe- are achieving excellent business ca L ri A an routes than any other carrier and growth with a model that combines Western Europe 0% 0% f T – China x3 A O our on-time performance is one of our UK site providing value-added 62% T the best in the industry.” manufactured systems, supported Domestic Brazil 4.5% 3.1% This symbiosis between business- by our Czech facility providing qual- 2.9 -2% -3% es and the airline networks they rely ity assembly work at a third of the 1992 1982 2012 1996 1986 1998 1994 1988 2014 1984 1990 1980 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 2010 2002 2006 2008 2004 upon to access customers and extend labour costs of the UK. Being able to 2000 geographic footprint is prevalent not fly there and back to industrial cen- Source: Sabre/Airbus 2034 Source: Airbus 2015 Source: IMF/ICAO/IATA 2014 Source: IHS Economics 2015 08 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 09 Business routes are opening up new markets for UK exports Affordable international airline routes can be the lifeblood of UK regional businesses eager to export and forge overseas links in their supply chain

GOING GLOBAL just in countless UK businesses, but tres such as Brno and Ostrava for less nity. A group of University of Glas- AIRLINE PASSENGER TRAFFIC GROWTH FORECAST 2014-2034 (%) 3.3 4.2 Former Soviet states to other PAUL SILLERS also across the UK’s numerous clusters AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES, BY REGIONAL FLOW international destinations than £80 is invaluable.” gow and Strathclyde University of local business communities and FORMER SOVIET STATES Established companies benefitting graduates formed a company called associations that help amplify their from the ubiquitous route networks of MindMate, which defines itself as f it wasn’t for the low-cost airline members’ voices at a more global level. 3.3 NORTH-EAST ASIA low-cost carriers is a compelling busi- “the fastest-growing platform in the EUROPE route networks, our business Located in the heart of southern NORTH AMERICA ness model, but what happens when $818-billion Alzheimer’s industry”. would be limited to operating England with Gatwick Airport at its a legacy carrier considers testing an With funding from Ignite Incubator, provincially,” says Ted McMul- centre, one such body is Gatwick Di- entirely new route and what kind of the UK’s startup accelerator network, I MIDDLE EAST len, managing director of McMullen amond, so called due to the shape of CHINA opportunities does that present to MindMate was part of a mission com- Facades, part of Lakesmere Group. its geographic borders. It encompass- 6.5 smaller, less entrenched businesses? prising nine UK startups that were His company designs, manufac- es more than 500 international busi- 6.5 Last year, United Airlines decid- flown by Ignite on a trip using Unit- tures and installs cladding for some of nesses, including the UK headquar- 3 2.9 ed to inaugurate service from New- ed Airlines’ new route. The objective the UK’s next generation of high-pro- ters of Unilever, Canon, Nestlé, Thales 2.4 castle International to New York’s of the trip was to prepare MindMate 5.9 1.5 file architectural landmarks, includ- and Novartis, fostering inter-trading 6.1 Newark Airport, initially running a and other startup companies for US 1.8 ing the Canary Wharf Crossrail Devel- opportunities for its members, en- 1.8 spring-autumn season from May un- market entry. While there, MindMate 5.4 opment and Manchester’s National couraging inward investment and 5.9 6.5 4.6 til September. also participated in mentoring ses- 4.9 Graphene Institute. promoting links throughout the UK, 5.9 To reach international markets, sions and demonstrated their family “Our relationship with easyJet Europe and beyond. 6.2 the North East relies heavily upon of apps to Microsoft and Foursquare. streamlines our team’s journey “One of my mantras is that an air- 8 air travel for connectivity. As David MindMate co-founder and manag- 5.4 4.7 9.9 through the airport,” says Mr Mc- port brings economic diversity,” says Laws, chief executive at Newcastle ing director Patrick Renner recalls: Mullen, referring Gatwick Diamond’s 3.5 4.3 International Airport, explains: “The “During the mentoring session with to fast-track secu- chief executive Jer- United States is a major market for Microsoft, we met one of our busi- 4.5 rity arrangements emy Taylor. “While 5.6 7.3 North-East exports and imports, so ness advisers who is currently help- and dedicated Gatwick is known 7.3 we have been seeking a US route for ing us with our expansion strategy 6 3 bag-drop desks the The routes are as a leisure airport, 5 a number of years. The route started in the US. We’re going to travel to airline offers via its 20 per cent of its last year and there was good demand New York again very soon and this indispensable 8.9 Plus Card. traffic is business 7.4 3.5 from businesses in the region, and becomes a lot easier when you have 4.1 But bypassing conduits for the travel. And just 5.9 AFRICA we were delighted by their response the opportunity to get a direct flight the choke-points skilled workforce because a desti- 9.9 to this service.” from Newcastle.” and hubbub of a that flies in from nation has a good Mr Laws hopes that United’s testing That’s a sentiment endorsed by busy terminal is climate, it doesn’t 7.7 6.3 of the waters will emulate the success Newcastle International Airport’s just one reason the Poland, and for mean there isn’t a CENTRAL AMERICA of a previous initiative that Emirates Mr Laws, who says: “The United Air- airline features accessing supply good business op- 6.7 took when it launched a Newcas- lines service to New York was a route prominently in Mr chains in Spain and portunity there.” SOUTH ASIA tle-Dubai service a few years back. we were determined to deliver for the McMullen’s logis- Companies within “The Emirates route has been hugely North East. We have been very pleased Germany Regional flights SOUTH AMERICA 4.6 tics strategy. The Gatwick Diamond’s successful in opening up business op- with the way in which the operation main incentives are ambit may favour Trans-regional flights portunities to the East via the Dubai has performed, and with the response easyJet’s route net- the proximity of hub and we expect United’s New York of the individuals and businesses who work and price point, enabling the their local airport and seek its con- route to be a similar catalyst to the have taken advantage of the service. 4.9 building specialist’s project leader- tinuing expansion. However, as Mr SOUTH-EAST ASIA OCEANIA West,” he says. “When Emirates first In the past few weeks, many people ship teams from its headquarters in Taylor points out: “We have Gat- World average arrived in the region in 2007, flown ex- have been asking us whether the Northern Ireland to commute to con- wick Airport on our doorstep, but ports from the airport stood at around service will return in 2016, so I am struction sites on the UK mainland. when the traffic’s right we also have REGIONAL SHARE OF ANNUAL TRAFFIC 7.1 £20 million. Since then, the value delighted to be able to confirm that The routes are also indispensable Heathrow on our doorstep and by SHARE OF REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES of exports flown from the airport is it will be back.” United’s Newcastle conduits for the skilled workforce having several airports with capac- £310 million, mostly generated via the to New York Newark service will run that flies in from Poland, and for ac- ity, you get more resilience in the Emirates service, which highlights the a second season this year, six times Asia-Pacific cessing supply chains in Spain and connectivity network.” TOP 10 FASTEST-GROWING ROUTES 2014-2034 2014 transformational effect a single long- weekly, starting in late-May. Germany. It’s a matrix of route con- One of the firms operating within CALCULATED IN ANNUAL ORIGIN AND DESTINATION TRAFFIC PER FLOW, 4.5 haul scheduled service can have.” South America nectivity that underpins the busi- the Gatwick Diamond community IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES 2034 Source: Boeing 2015 For one particular startup in the 41% Share this article online via ness’s viability. is Time 24, a manufacturer of elec- Middle East region, the Newcastle-New York raconteur.net On the flip-side of that busi- tromechanical assemblies, control Domestic India x5.8 route presented a unique opportu- ness-airline interface, Anthony Dru- panels and wiring harnesses for rail Africa ry, director and head of business at carriages, aircraft simulators and easyJet, says that over a fifth of easy- radiotherapy machines, based in Former Soviet China – US x4.1 CORRELATION BETWEEN GDP AND AIR TRAVEL GROWTH ANNUAL GDP GROWTH 2014-2034 (%) states 2004 ANNUAL CHANGE IN GLOBAL GDP AND AIR TRAFFIC IN REVENUE PASSENGER KILOMETRES (RPKs) erica oviet s Jet passengers are travelling for busi- Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Time 24’s Am r S ta e e te th p s ness purposes – that’s more than 12 logistics matrix relies on skilled man- North America 10% 15% r o m Middle East - US x4.1 r r o RPKs (RH scale) u o million people and over 95 per cent of ufacturing capabilities in the Czech N E F them are repeat customers. Republic, accessed via the route net- Europe 2.5% 1.8% 2.4% Domestic China x3.8 GDP ( LH scale) “We’ve actively been targeting work of Ryanair which, in addition to 8% 12% business travellers for many years catering for the leisure traveller, flies 51% now; this is not new to us. We first to some of Europe’s lower-cost indus- India - US x3.8 6% 9% st ifiic went on to the global distribution trial zones, remote from the more con- ca a ac ri E P Domestic Asia e le - systems used by business travel ventionally attractive tourist hubs. m d ia x3.7 d s (emerging) A i A agents in 2007 and have successfully This has been a game-changer for n M i 4% 6% t grown our share of the managed cor- Time 24. “Ryanair is providing com- a 2014 L 3.4% 3.8% 4.3% India – Middle East porate travel sector,” says Mr Drury, petitive links into the heartland of x3.4 referencing the reach of the carrier’s Czech industry,” enthuses the firm’s Asia (advanced) 2% 3% route network. “We fly to more pri- managing director David Shore. “We – Asia (emerging) x3.1 mary airports on the top 100 Europe- are achieving excellent business ca L ri A an routes than any other carrier and growth with a model that combines Western Europe 0% 0% f T – China x3 A O our on-time performance is one of our UK site providing value-added 62% T the best in the industry.” manufactured systems, supported Domestic Brazil 4.5% 3.1% This symbiosis between business- by our Czech facility providing qual- 2.9 -2% -3% es and the airline networks they rely ity assembly work at a third of the 1992 1982 2012 1996 1986 1998 1994 1988 2014 1984 1990 1980 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 2010 2002 2006 2008 2004 upon to access customers and extend labour costs of the UK. Being able to 2000 geographic footprint is prevalent not fly there and back to industrial cen- Source: Sabre/Airbus 2034 Source: Airbus 2015 Source: IMF/ICAO/IATA 2014 Source: IHS Economics 2015 10 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29xx / 03xx / 2016 xxxx raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESSXXXX 112

COMMERCIAL FEATURE Can supersonic ‘thump’ back in the skies? A second-wave of aviation could be quieter supersonic jets or slower and cramped airliners where virtual reality headsets distract passengers from their discomfort

01 Nasa SECOND WAVE aeroplanes you’ve undoubtedly TAKE-OFF FOR VERTICAL LANDINGS? TRISTAN McALLISTER noticed that things have become a bit more cramped and that a true luxury might actually be getting to n 1976 few things seemed more your destination as fast as possible. likely than a future with super- Unless, of course, you’re sitting in a sonic airliners. That’s the year premium cabin where showers, pri- I Concorde first flew commer- vate suites, on-board chefs and full cially. The jet could cruise at more cocktail lounges are finding their than two times the speed of sound way aloft. and was said to be the beginning of For those left to fight over the aviation’s second wave, fundamen- scraps in the aft, there is a long line at tally changing how travellers would the loo or a screaming, sleep-averse move around the planet. Just six toddler at the bulkhead. Fortunate- years earlier American manufactur- ly Boeing just announced a lavatory er Boeing rolled out its venerable 747, that cleans itself with UV light. Still, Tesla Motors and SpaceX chief now for the military, they had COMBINING ONLINE a subsonic jet that was also hailed by there doesn’t seem to be an easy rem- executive Elon Musk (pictured) a tough introduction a decade many as the future of air travel. edy for those cranky toddlers. is yet again provoking the ago with many reliability issues The two aeroplanes, birthed just The point is, as more of us get aerospace industry. In February and some fatal crashes. years from one and other, represent- packed into these spaces, it only he told an audience at Texas Many industry watchers think WITH PERSONAL SERVICE ed very different bets on the future gets increasingly uncomfortable. A&M University about his it will be some time before any of flight. One was a wager on speed And airlines don’t seem too con- thoughts on a vertical take-off such technology is applied to – the inside of Concorde was sur- cerned about the disappearance of and landing (VTOL) electric jet the commercial aviation sector, Why blending expert advice with online pricing is the winning prisingly cramped – and the other, leg-room. After all, less leg-room concept. While he was mum especially if the propulsion is to extreme passenger comfort and size executive of boutique transatlan- means more seats to sell. This pre- on specifics, he said: “I’m quite be electric. formula for the private jet charter industry MOST APPEALING AIRCRAFT 02 – think piano lounges, wide seats INNOVATIONS TO PASSENGERS tic airline La Compagnie, has a few sents some interesting challenges tempted to do something If the technology were to and plenty of space to stretch out for Qantas thoughts. “If we could imagine a for innovation when it comes to the about it.” This certainly turned take flight it would herald the long haul. In the end the subson- plane capable of carrying at least interiors of passenger planes and the heads of people who a new age in commercial ic bet paid off and today’s jets, while Aircraft that 100 passengers, in a full business it will surely be central to conver- wonder when we might see aviation. Eliminating the need use less fuel 86% markedly more advanced, are still class configuration, having at least a sations at April’s Aircraft Interiors a passenger aircraft that has for costly and space-hogging iterations of those like the 747 built 4,000 to 4,500 nautical mile range, Expo in Hamburg. little need for runways. runways will render many ver the past five years or like booking a taxi or a conventional nearly half a century ago. Aircraft that burning no more than three-and-a- At last year’s expo many of the cab- A VTOL has been in the sights airports obsolete or simply so, more than $100 million air ticket – there are many factors to release fewer 86% Simply put, Concorde couldn’t beat carbon emissions half tons of fuel per hour, while being in enhancements on display went of a few aerospace firms for allow passengers to hop on Ohas been invested in online take into account. With up to 50,000 the noise generated while harness- able to reach and keep a speed one- beyond the physical. Piggybacking some time. Makers such as a flight at places akin to a charter broker platforms with the charter planes to choose from, which ing its renowned speed. At superson- and-half-times the speed of sound, on the three-year European Com- Aircraft that Boeing and Bell Helicopter heliport. And quieter, electric idea being that you can book a private one suits your needs? Is the carrier ic speeds the jet produced a loud and are powered by 78% solving the issue mission-funded have teamed up to build propulsion would mean getting jet charter in the same way you are reliable? Who do you call if something eardrum-threatening sonic boom. non-fossil fuels of the sonic boom, virtual reality in military aircraft like the V-22 around noise restrictions at able to book a regular, scheduled goes wrong? Will your skis fit in the Such booms over land were banned and keeping main- aviation project, Osprey. The vehicle can take major global cities. Needless flight on Expedia. hold? What about owner release, by many governments in the 1970s, tenance costs sim- VR-HYPERSPACE, off and land vertically, and fly to say, Mr Musk is not likely Most of these companies have airport slots, parking, and so on? Quieter 66% which meant Concorde could only be aircraft ilar to a Boeing 737 A cramped flier many discussions like a conventional aeroplane. to be investing in airports gone bust. One particularly high James Leach, marketing director fully utilised over open water. or an Airbus A320, could slip on a at the 2015 event Still, while performing well anytime soon. profile example, backed by an at ACS, explains: “There are so many “If you can’t get past the boom, Source: Airbus there will undoubt- focused on how internationally renowned airline, variables when booking a private jet then the rest doesn’t matter when edly be a strong in- virtual reality you might distract reportedly lost more than $30 million to fly on your own schedule and most it comes to commercial transport nology programme in partnership If the noise tests are successful – 01 terest,” he says. headset and a passenger close in the venture and the rest have of the required information is not yet flying supersonic over land,” says with Lockheed Martin that would and the boom is in fact a thump – we Nasa announced In the aviation to his or her limit like cattle in the back of a wide- tivity, intelligent devices, sensors, made little impact compared with the digitised. Not only that, but in order in June 2015 that it Rich Wahls, senior technical advis- build a demonstration aircraft in- are likely see an all-new, sound-legal world, that’s a sky- suddenly be ‘sitting’ in terms of tolerat- body jet. But many wonder if this the capturing and meaningful would invest $2.3 investment ploughed into them. to guarantee their prices online, er for Nasa’s Advanced Air Vehicles corporating Mr Wahls’ research on supersonic passenger jet in the near million in research high, but expect- in first class ing space or a lack is true innovation. After all, there application of relevant data, and So why have these companies not aircraft operators need to build in Programme. Add to that the high reducing the sonic boom. term. Add to this multiple private- for commercial ed, order. La Com- thereof. was a time when sitting in your using new technologies to improve made more of a dent in the overall pricing contingencies. James Leach, marketing director, ACS cost of operations, as well as a dead- “This demonstrator is very specif- ly and publicly funded supersonic supersonic flight pagnie’s disruptive, According to seat and taking in what was actual- person-to-person customer service. charter market? “This means that while it is possible 02 ly crash, and there wasn’t an airline ically targeted at producing a low projects studying the potential for all-business class product from New some of the leading in-flight enter- ly around you was inspiring, if not The sum total being to individually Qantas in January Established private aircraft hire to book online, you’re actually more and become acquainted with the willing to keep the jet in the sky. boom and showing that we have alternative propulsion systems such 2015 became the York to Paris and London would sure- tainment companies, a cramped downright magical. customise personal spaces in a way business, Air Charter Service (ACS), likely to get a better price by speaking hundreds of models of planes that Teams at Nasa have spent decades the tools to make a design that will as hybrid or electric engines, and su- first airline to trial ly benefit from a quiet, cost-effective flier could slip on a virtual reality If virtual reality indeed becomes not yet seen.” believes the success of its strategy, to an adviser who will go directly to are available for charter. Mr Leach trying to get supersonic technology be quiet,” says Mr Wahls. Some of personic transport as a second-wave virtual reality enter- supersonic option for its fleet. headset and suddenly be “sitting” an acceptable way to distract the Mr Wylde argues that interior en- combining online pricing systems and the best operators and negotiate an believes such in-depth expertise is tainment, through past the boom, the rocket-worthy his colleagues are even keen to see aviation proposition starts to have But how these aircrafts actually in first class. Or be transported to a flier, that might leave aircraft in- hancements like these will become a partnership with award-winning personal service, may actual price.” the key to the gains in market share fuel costs and the CO2 emissions. the less menacing term “thump” re- real potential. Samsung move themselves cleanly, quietly digital beach, replete with sand, sun teriors to become highly efficient, even more critical as demographics be the answer. ACS has already invested in the company has experienced. In late-February the agency an- place “boom” when the jet is slated As for getting airlines interested, and swiftly through the sky is just and the soothing sound of waves, all lightweight and less than human. shift and more elderly fliers take to This new breed of online aircraft expanding the number of specialist “We are offering customers the nounced the Quiet Supersonic Tech- to begin test flight in 2020. Frantz Yvelin, founder and chief one part of the equation. Inside but forgetting about being jammed This is certainly a possibility if the the skies. “Airlines should build the chartering startups say they offer advisers throughout its global best of both worlds – top-level value engineering trends associated needs of all passengers – you and simplicity and convenience, with network of offices and at the start technology on the website that with lighter seats, tighter cabins and older – into their values, mission dozens claiming to be the “Uber of of 2015 pledged to invest £10 million tells them what is on the market, fire-retardant materials continue. and R&D strategies,” he says. the skies”. But hiring a plane is not over the next five years in its charter complemented by personal advice Some industry thought leaders, Some might say it’s sad if slower technology to continue its expansion. from our staff,” he says. “We have such as aircraft interiors specialist jets with shrinking cabin space are The first step in ensuring their found the ‘look online, buy after Paul Wylde, take a more civilised ap- the winners in the commercial avi- continued success was relaunching to speaking to us’ combination is proach when it comes to finding new ation race. But it also seems a valu- their websites. They have achieved a particularly popular with first-time ways to make the on-board experi- able lesson. Patience with the speed We are offering 15 per cent increase in new customers bookers, personal assistants and ence more efficient and humane. of your flight or simply the elderly customers the best since then, adding up to some 1,800 travel professionals, who want to be “The key may well be in profound- person holding up the aisle may be new customers last year, which in reassured that their every question ly important developments in the the only way forward. Regardless, of both worlds – top- the charter industry is a significant can be answered. ‘micro’ and unlocking the power of all bets are on the promise that a level technology on number. The sites now feature a state- “People love online shopping, but bespoke, intimate and localised ex- second wave of aviation will one the website that tells of-the-art pricing system and attract as is the case with cars, houses and periences,” says Mr Wylde, founder day get us there faster and more effi- 100,000 unique visitors every month. high-value items, they like to talk to of paulwylde, an aircraft interiors ciently, distracted or not. them what is on the ACS also has an extensive six- someone in the know before parting consultancy that has worked with market, complemented month specialist training programme with a large amount of money – and Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines and Share this article online via by personal advice from during which their customer advisers this is exactly what we offer.” British Airways. “These can be ac- raconteur.net study the legal, administrative and tivated through enhanced connec- our staff safety requirements of air travel, www.aircharter.co.uk 10 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29xx / 03xx / 2016 xxxx raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESSXXXX 112

01 Nasa SECOND WAVE aeroplanes you’ve undoubtedly TAKE-OFF FOR VERTICAL LANDINGS? TRISTAN McALLISTER noticed that things have become a bit more cramped and that a true luxury might actually be getting to n 1976 few things seemed more your destination as fast as possible. likely than a future with super- Unless, of course, you’re sitting in a sonic airliners. That’s the year premium cabin where showers, pri- I Concorde first flew commer- vate suites, on-board chefs and full cially. The jet could cruise at more cocktail lounges are finding their than two times the speed of sound way aloft. and was said to be the beginning of For those left to fight over the aviation’s second wave, fundamen- scraps in the aft, there is a long line at tally changing how travellers would the loo or a screaming, sleep-averse move around the planet. Just six toddler at the bulkhead. Fortunate- years earlier American manufactur- ly Boeing just announced a lavatory er Boeing rolled out its venerable 747, that cleans itself with UV light. Still, Tesla Motors and SpaceX chief now for the military, they had COMBINING ONLINE a subsonic jet that was also hailed by there doesn’t seem to be an easy rem- executive Elon Musk (pictured) a tough introduction a decade many as the future of air travel. edy for those cranky toddlers. is yet again provoking the ago with many reliability issues The two aeroplanes, birthed just The point is, as more of us get aerospace industry. In February and some fatal crashes. years from one and other, represent- packed into these spaces, it only he told an audience at Texas Many industry watchers think WITH PERSONAL SERVICE ed very different bets on the future gets increasingly uncomfortable. A&M University about his it will be some time before any of flight. One was a wager on speed And airlines don’t seem too con- thoughts on a vertical take-off such technology is applied to – the inside of Concorde was sur- cerned about the disappearance of and landing (VTOL) electric jet the commercial aviation sector, Why blending expert advice with online pricing is the winning prisingly cramped – and the other, leg-room. After all, less leg-room concept. While he was mum especially if the propulsion is to extreme passenger comfort and size executive of boutique transatlan- means more seats to sell. This pre- on specifics, he said: “I’m quite be electric. formula for the private jet charter industry MOST APPEALING AIRCRAFT 02 – think piano lounges, wide seats INNOVATIONS TO PASSENGERS tic airline La Compagnie, has a few sents some interesting challenges tempted to do something If the technology were to and plenty of space to stretch out for Qantas thoughts. “If we could imagine a for innovation when it comes to the about it.” This certainly turned take flight it would herald the long haul. In the end the subson- plane capable of carrying at least interiors of passenger planes and the heads of people who a new age in commercial ic bet paid off and today’s jets, while Aircraft that 100 passengers, in a full business it will surely be central to conver- wonder when we might see aviation. Eliminating the need use less fuel 86% markedly more advanced, are still class configuration, having at least a sations at April’s Aircraft Interiors a passenger aircraft that has for costly and space-hogging iterations of those like the 747 built 4,000 to 4,500 nautical mile range, Expo in Hamburg. little need for runways. runways will render many ver the past five years or like booking a taxi or a conventional nearly half a century ago. Aircraft that burning no more than three-and-a- At last year’s expo many of the cab- A VTOL has been in the sights airports obsolete or simply so, more than $100 million air ticket – there are many factors to release fewer 86% Simply put, Concorde couldn’t beat carbon emissions half tons of fuel per hour, while being in enhancements on display went of a few aerospace firms for allow passengers to hop on Ohas been invested in online take into account. With up to 50,000 the noise generated while harness- able to reach and keep a speed one- beyond the physical. Piggybacking some time. Makers such as a flight at places akin to a charter broker platforms with the charter planes to choose from, which ing its renowned speed. At superson- and-half-times the speed of sound, on the three-year European Com- Aircraft that Boeing and Bell Helicopter heliport. And quieter, electric idea being that you can book a private one suits your needs? Is the carrier ic speeds the jet produced a loud and are powered by 78% solving the issue mission-funded have teamed up to build propulsion would mean getting jet charter in the same way you are reliable? Who do you call if something eardrum-threatening sonic boom. non-fossil fuels of the sonic boom, virtual reality in military aircraft like the V-22 around noise restrictions at able to book a regular, scheduled goes wrong? Will your skis fit in the Such booms over land were banned and keeping main- aviation project, Osprey. The vehicle can take major global cities. Needless flight on Expedia. hold? What about owner release, by many governments in the 1970s, tenance costs sim- VR-HYPERSPACE, off and land vertically, and fly to say, Mr Musk is not likely Most of these companies have airport slots, parking, and so on? Quieter 66% which meant Concorde could only be aircraft ilar to a Boeing 737 A cramped flier many discussions like a conventional aeroplane. to be investing in airports gone bust. One particularly high James Leach, marketing director fully utilised over open water. or an Airbus A320, could slip on a at the 2015 event Still, while performing well anytime soon. profile example, backed by an at ACS, explains: “There are so many “If you can’t get past the boom, Source: Airbus there will undoubt- focused on how internationally renowned airline, variables when booking a private jet then the rest doesn’t matter when edly be a strong in- virtual reality you might distract reportedly lost more than $30 million to fly on your own schedule and most it comes to commercial transport nology programme in partnership If the noise tests are successful – 01 terest,” he says. headset and a passenger close in the venture and the rest have of the required information is not yet flying supersonic over land,” says with Lockheed Martin that would and the boom is in fact a thump – we Nasa announced In the aviation to his or her limit like cattle in the back of a wide- tivity, intelligent devices, sensors, made little impact compared with the digitised. Not only that, but in order in June 2015 that it Rich Wahls, senior technical advis- build a demonstration aircraft in- are likely see an all-new, sound-legal world, that’s a sky- suddenly be ‘sitting’ in terms of tolerat- body jet. But many wonder if this the capturing and meaningful would invest $2.3 investment ploughed into them. to guarantee their prices online, er for Nasa’s Advanced Air Vehicles corporating Mr Wahls’ research on supersonic passenger jet in the near million in research high, but expect- in first class ing space or a lack is true innovation. After all, there application of relevant data, and So why have these companies not aircraft operators need to build in Programme. Add to that the high reducing the sonic boom. term. Add to this multiple private- for commercial ed, order. La Com- thereof. was a time when sitting in your using new technologies to improve made more of a dent in the overall pricing contingencies. James Leach, marketing director, ACS cost of operations, as well as a dead- “This demonstrator is very specif- ly and publicly funded supersonic supersonic flight pagnie’s disruptive, According to seat and taking in what was actual- person-to-person customer service. charter market? “This means that while it is possible 02 ly crash, and there wasn’t an airline ically targeted at producing a low projects studying the potential for all-business class product from New some of the leading in-flight enter- ly around you was inspiring, if not The sum total being to individually Qantas in January Established private aircraft hire to book online, you’re actually more and become acquainted with the willing to keep the jet in the sky. boom and showing that we have alternative propulsion systems such 2015 became the York to Paris and London would sure- tainment companies, a cramped downright magical. customise personal spaces in a way business, Air Charter Service (ACS), likely to get a better price by speaking hundreds of models of planes that Teams at Nasa have spent decades the tools to make a design that will as hybrid or electric engines, and su- first airline to trial ly benefit from a quiet, cost-effective flier could slip on a virtual reality If virtual reality indeed becomes not yet seen.” believes the success of its strategy, to an adviser who will go directly to are available for charter. Mr Leach trying to get supersonic technology be quiet,” says Mr Wahls. Some of personic transport as a second-wave virtual reality enter- supersonic option for its fleet. headset and suddenly be “sitting” an acceptable way to distract the Mr Wylde argues that interior en- combining online pricing systems and the best operators and negotiate an believes such in-depth expertise is tainment, through past the boom, the rocket-worthy his colleagues are even keen to see aviation proposition starts to have But how these aircrafts actually in first class. Or be transported to a flier, that might leave aircraft in- hancements like these will become a partnership with award-winning personal service, may actual price.” the key to the gains in market share fuel costs and the CO2 emissions. the less menacing term “thump” re- real potential. Samsung move themselves cleanly, quietly digital beach, replete with sand, sun teriors to become highly efficient, even more critical as demographics be the answer. ACS has already invested in the company has experienced. In late-February the agency an- place “boom” when the jet is slated As for getting airlines interested, and swiftly through the sky is just and the soothing sound of waves, all lightweight and less than human. shift and more elderly fliers take to This new breed of online aircraft expanding the number of specialist “We are offering customers the nounced the Quiet Supersonic Tech- to begin test flight in 2020. Frantz Yvelin, founder and chief one part of the equation. Inside but forgetting about being jammed This is certainly a possibility if the the skies. “Airlines should build the chartering startups say they offer advisers throughout its global best of both worlds – top-level value engineering trends associated needs of all passengers – you and simplicity and convenience, with network of offices and at the start technology on the website that with lighter seats, tighter cabins and older – into their values, mission dozens claiming to be the “Uber of of 2015 pledged to invest £10 million tells them what is on the market, fire-retardant materials continue. and R&D strategies,” he says. the skies”. But hiring a plane is not over the next five years in its charter complemented by personal advice Some industry thought leaders, Some might say it’s sad if slower technology to continue its expansion. from our staff,” he says. “We have such as aircraft interiors specialist jets with shrinking cabin space are The first step in ensuring their found the ‘look online, buy after Paul Wylde, take a more civilised ap- the winners in the commercial avi- continued success was relaunching to speaking to us’ combination is proach when it comes to finding new ation race. But it also seems a valu- their websites. They have achieved a particularly popular with first-time ways to make the on-board experi- able lesson. Patience with the speed We are offering 15 per cent increase in new customers bookers, personal assistants and ence more efficient and humane. of your flight or simply the elderly customers the best since then, adding up to some 1,800 travel professionals, who want to be “The key may well be in profound- person holding up the aisle may be new customers last year, which in reassured that their every question ly important developments in the the only way forward. Regardless, of both worlds – top- the charter industry is a significant can be answered. ‘micro’ and unlocking the power of all bets are on the promise that a level technology on number. The sites now feature a state- “People love online shopping, but bespoke, intimate and localised ex- second wave of aviation will one the website that tells of-the-art pricing system and attract as is the case with cars, houses and periences,” says Mr Wylde, founder day get us there faster and more effi- 100,000 unique visitors every month. high-value items, they like to talk to of paulwylde, an aircraft interiors ciently, distracted or not. them what is on the ACS also has an extensive six- someone in the know before parting consultancy that has worked with market, complemented month specialist training programme with a large amount of money – and Air Canada, Hawaiian Airlines and Share this article online via by personal advice from during which their customer advisers this is exactly what we offer.” British Airways. “These can be ac- raconteur.net study the legal, administrative and tivated through enhanced connec- our staff safety requirements of air travel, www.aircharter.co.uk 12 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 13

data system, and a wireless local Mr Donahue adds: “It comes down network that provides on-board to cabin bandwidth management printing, additional internet access and training clients on exactly how and phone service. The manufactur- their wi-fi devices operate in regards Connect to a hi-tech er recently added Satcom Direct’s to auto-updates, background appli- router to its G550 and G450 aircraft. cations and so on. In one scenario Dassault, meanwhile, offerswe’ve seen an aircraft with one pas- OnAir’s inflight connectivity as a senger with three devices complain- office in the sky… feature on its business jets, which ing about internet speeds coming to enables passengers and crew to make a crawl. We discovered his iPad had and receive calls, text messages and been downloading the latest iOS and Turning a once unproductive journey into valuable office e-mails, via their mobile phones. had been consuming all of the avail- Embraer and Bombardier provide able bandwidth for the majority of time is becoming a reality as more aircraft are equipped connectivity as standard options on the flight. Conversely we see cus- their new aircraft. Most also offer tomer flights with ten-plus passen- with reliable internet access packages to retrofit their older types. gers where everyone is able to main- On-board internet can still be a rea- tain an outstanding experience.” sonably pricey proposition, depend- He stresses that if you’re planning ing on usage. Mr Donahue anticipates on chartering a private jet you should that as more aircraft transition to the ask whether there is internet availa- newer technologies over the next 12 to ble and, if so, what type of technolo- FLYING OFFICE calls or just answer and get replies to wide patchwork of multiple service 24 months, the cost will come down gy it uses, plus the hugely important ELIZABETH MOSCROP important e-mails are all the basics providers, including television and substantially. He cautions: “This does question, what is the charge? “This that we expect of any office.” other media. This hotchpotch of not always lead to lower operating helps set expectations as far as speed If you’re looking to add connectiv- providers is the main reason why costs, however, as passengers will and cost of use,” he says. hate to do this to you in March, ity to your business jet or to charter travellers sometimes experience soon have access to much larger band- There is a lot to take on board but remember the horrors of an aircraft with the capability on slow and inconsistent access mid- width, and therefore a much wider working through the maze of service Christmas shopping? The con- board, it may be air. Panasonic, bear in mind any extra equipment Business aircraft passengers now the-art cabin management systems range of activities and applications options on offer. Look on the bright Igested malls? Packed escalators, helpful to under- Gogo, Global Eagle added to an aircraft requires a Sup- have an expectation of on-board in- that seamlessly fuse the connection such as TV in flight.” side, though. If all goes to plan and side by side, carrying hordes of peo- stand that there and ViaSat Yonder plemental Type Certificate (STC) to ternet as it proliferates in carriers in to the outside world, with speakers That is a point worth noting, says you fly connected this Christmas, ple from floor to floor? Picturing that? are different levels all offer Ku, which ensure it meets strict safety require- the US, Middle East and Asia in par- added seamlessly into headliners, Mr Hardie: “It’s well worth getting you can swerve the malls altogether Bingo – you have captured what’s of satellite service Business aircraft has connection ments. In January the US Federal ticular. According to data provider large bulkhead monitors and dis- the IT department involved from the and do your shopping from the com- happening when several packets of offered via the speeds of around Aviation Administration certified Routehappy, some 36 per cent of creetly hidden tiny routers. get-go. Not just in terms of specifying fort of your aircraft seat. data are trying to reach your iPad at L-band and Ku and passengers now 1-2 Mbps. the manufacturer’s JetWave system available seat miles are now offered The major aircraft manufacturers hardware and determining what the peak time. To add to the fun now have Ka bandwidths. have an expectation The new kid on to fly on the Boeing 757. with connectivity. So the service has are all well up to speed, too. Gulf- aircraft will be used for, but also once Share this article online via your shoppers jostle through a tiny The bands refer to of on-board internet the block coming This certification paves the way for struggled to keep up. stream’s flagship G650 comes with it’s in use, to work with passengers on raconteur.net tunnel at the end of their journey. the radio frequen- online this year is its installation on several other air- Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat a broadband multilink high-speed how they can get the best out of it.” Bounce them around and hurl them cies used to deliver as it proliferates in satellite provider craft types which, Aviation, says: “Air- through the air at 500mph. data to and from carriers in the US, Inmarsat’s Global according to Hon- lines have previous- So can you imagine the added the satellite. L band Middle East and Asia Xpress Ka-band eywell Aerospace’s ly struggled to meet CASE STUDY: VITAL FOR BUSINESS complexity of getting these pack- uses the lowest fre- in particular service. In terms vice president of the expectations of ets of data to a tiny moving target quency. Inmarsat of speed and band- safety and connec- State-of-the-art modern-day pas- bouncing around at mach 0.65? The offers its 432kbps width, this is inter- tivity Jack Jacobs, sengers for reliable, in the air, and I’ve been able science of turning your aircraft cab- SwiftBroadband on net today after it’s should mostly cabin management efficient, high- to make other arrangements in into an extension of your office is the L-band service, as well as a light- trained for a marathon. However, it happen by the end systems seamlessly speed connectivity and get people to be where nothing short of a modern miracle. er version 200kbps SB200 service requires a special antenna to reach of this year. Busi- fuse the connection on board flights, they’re supposed to be, and Unsurprisingly what is happening for business aircraft. the finish line. That’s coming, too, ness jets coming to the outside due to the lack of saved lots of frustration at in the air reflects what’s happening Today’s chart topper is Ku-band, courtesy of Honeywell Aerospace. online include the available technol- the other end.” on the ground and service providers which is offered through a world- If you’re thinking of ordering one, Bombardier Global world, with speakers ogy. The entry into For Mr Peaford being able report that the most common inter- 5000, which has added seamlessly service of GX Avi- to get online also enables net usage is for e-mail, web browsing, already been fitted into headliners, ation this year will his team, which comprises news and social media, in particular and the Dassault mark an important specialists operating

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Dassault Falcon 900, since large bulkhead turning point.” remotely all over the world, Rockwell Collins offers a range of this is Honeywell’s monitors and Derek Donahue, to work with him in real integrated hardware and service own in-house jet. discreetly hidden regional director time. It has also helped him solutions to get internet on to an air- Mr Jacobs says Ka Eastern Europe, to deliver the news on time. craft. James Hardie, Europe, Middle will “provide pas- tiny routers Middle East and Af- Alan Peaford is a London- owns a small aircraft and become such a necessary “The Canadian radio station East and Africa director for informa- sengers with high- rica for Satcom Di- based communications sometimes flies himself to factor in his working life CBC actually got hold of tion management services, explains: speed, wireless rect, points out that consultant with a large team appointments. that wherever possible he me on an Emirates flight “It really becomes just like any other connectivity comparable to their although reception is vital to passen- worldwide, who manages “I find it important to be chooses a carrier he knows desperate for a comment,” office on the corporate network, or earthbound experience”. gers, it goes unnoticed in most scenari- communications strategies, able to stay in touch all the provides a good internet he says. “The phone rang on home office or even hotel wi-fi. Mr Hardie agrees. “Ka is impor- os, just as it does on the ground. “‘It just and develops content time with the huge amount connection. “I get incredibly the aircraft. Unfortunately “It increases the flexibility of tant. It will support more devices needs to work’ tends to be the mantra for clients in Europe, the of e-mails that come into frustrated when it doesn’t there was not a strong available work environments. This in simultaneous use at acceptable from business aviation passengers,” United States, Africa, the the business. It’s so useful work,” he says. enough signal to do a radio effectively increases the value of the connection speeds for many com- he says. Middle East and Asia. He to be able to spend eight Connectivity has helped piece, but I did it when we aircraft, as it is no longer an uncon- mon functions. This availability All three bandwidths can be beau- spends more than 40 hours hours catching up and being him in his working life on landed. They wouldn’t have nected environment. The options brings an equipped aircraft a step tifully integrated into business a month in the air and able to respond in real time,” many occasions. He explains: waited if they couldn’t have Interior of the to work collaboratively with people closer to the ground-based capa- aircraft cabins. Companies such as Dassault Falcon staying connected is vital he says. The ability to get “I’ve had incidences where got hold of me in the first on the ground, conduct conference 7X business jet bilities that we are all used to and Lufthansa Technik, Rockwell Col- for his business. He also online while airborne has plans have changed while I’m place.” makes this capacity available to lins and Honeywell collaborate with more people on board,” he says. interior designers to create state-of- CHANCE OF IN-FLIGHT WI-FI ON BUSIEST LONG-HAUL ROUTES

Dubai – New York

Los Angeles – Tokyo

London – Singapore

Hong Kong – San Francisco

New York – London

Bangkok – London

Los Angeles - London

Honolulu – Tokyo

Hong Kong - London

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Source: Routehappy 2016 12 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 13

Dubai – New York

Los Angeles – Tokyo

London – Singapore

Hong Kong – San Francisco

New York – London

Bangkok – London

Los Angeles - London

Honolulu – Tokyo

Hong Kong - London

0 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Source: Routehappy 2016 14RACONTEURAVIATIONxx FOR xx BUSINESS xxxx raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEURXXXX 2 RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 15

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

THE PERSONAL Sky is the limit with such classy luxury In a highly competitive market, the big airlines strive to be the best in first and business class luxury, TOUCH WITH innovating with imaginative design concepts

03 A CUSTOM CABIN DESIGN recliner and a sofa that converts into 01, 02 JOHN WALTON a bed. The apartment beds are per- New lie-flat

pendicular to the cabin’s single aisle, seating concept by Airways Etihad creating a space wider than it is long. Formation Design, FINISH with elevated usiness and first class cab- Local rival Emirates has promised to staggered beds to ins have always been at outdo Etihad’s products, but as yet make the most of Akira Mitsumasu, Japan Airlines vice the forefront of airline in- has not shown its hand. the cabin space Bdustrial design, aiming to Etihad’s 787-9 cabins, however, 03 president of marketing and strategy in Asia please customers’ eyes as much as are perhaps even more innovative Living room of their bodies. During a period of im- in their use of space, with a pair of The Residence by and the Oceania region, discusses emerging mense investment by airlines world- curved aisles and forwards-back- Etihad Airways wide, new concepts and design in- wards layout that enable extra 04 trends in air travel – and the personal touch spiration create more space as if by shoulder room through the use of Bar area for business class magic from the finite confines of the smart design. A forwards-back- passengers of airliner interior. wards layout optimises space in Qatar Airways Premium services, dating back to Etihad’s business class too, with a the days of Concorde, which flew in staggered effect offering direct aisle a two-two configuration using seats access for every passenger. that would now be substandard in In the 16 years since British Air- long-haul premium economy, have ways pioneered the fully flat bed rarely been innovative in their pas- in business class, many airlines senger experience have either tried to because conveni- trump its density or ith increasingly sophisticated aggregators to reduce customer- ence is all the attrac- market themselves use of analytics to personalise search cost by using data to identify the tion they needed. as more luxurious Wtravel experience, it is right product for the right customer This trend contin- First class is starting and spacious. The a carrier to demonstrate its dedi- reasonable to imagine that airlines will based on his or her search criteria and ues with some busi- to move beyond latter has been 04 cation to the palates of its first and focus on expanding their repertoire preference profile. This in turn could ness class trans- more successful business class customers, with air- of product and service offerings to drive travellers into becoming more atlantic offerings the seat-in-a-suite than the former, lines among the largest consumers customise value propositions, and make and more airline brand agnostic in their such as La Com- concept and Etihad with BA’s lack of Getty Images of the French fizz worldwide. Dom them more relevant and compelling. purchasing process. pagnie and British promises its ‘above direct aisle access Pérignon and Krug are de rigeur After all, it makes little sense Although airlines will continue Airways’ Airbus for every passen- in top-ranked first classes, while knowing what a customer wants, but to personalise and customise A318 London City- first class’ three- ger, increasingly more boutique options such as Sa- not having the capability to serve that products and services, the time and New York JFK ser- room The Residence the standard for lon on Japan Airlines and the Per- need. This, however, poses a challenge cost needed to produce different vices by no means is not just a halo airlines that want rier-Jouët Belle Époque Blanc de to airlines as they attempt to unbundle variations to suit different needs class-leading in ei- to attract the most Blancs on some Korean Air routes and rebundle their capabilities, often may become prohibitively expensive ther inflight cabin product valuable customer, push the boat out. by utilising external resources that and unaffordable. If I am to name just one thing that is or seating. now feeling long in New materials, too, enable real-feel suppliers and partners provide. As product life cycles become Almost ten years the tooth. wood flooring, as well as sweeping New and innovative value offerings shorter, many novel ideas and quintessentially Japan Airlines, that after the introduction of the first Direct aisle access is achieved in curves of plastic surfaces that draw by airlines could stretch beyond products quickly become imitable would be the just-for-you omotenashi, class suite, on Singapore Airlines’ a number of space-efficient ways. from the Eames legacy of modern- conventional air travel products to by other airlines too. Yet, at least for Japanese-style hospitality service and the world’s first Airbus A380, Initially, Virgin Atlantic achieved ism and mid-century design. With include non-air-related ancillary goods full-service airlines, it seems there much business and first class inno- its direct aisle access goal by an- the likes of Sekisui SPI creating rev- and services. is little choice but to invest to stay vation today comes from the large gling seats in a herringbone fash- olutionary thermoplastics that look With more options to choose from, ahead. This challenge brings me to network carriers, most recently and ion, facing towards the aisle. Later, almost like they change colours in consumers too face a new challenge think of the less imitable side of of the air travel experience and notably Etihad’s Airbus A380 and seatmaker Zodiac Aerospace cre- first class cabin is a new concept designed by Thompson Aero, For- increasingly mood-lit cabins, air- of finding the right product, and airline competencies and in particular endeavour to understand the wider Boeing 787-9 cabins. ated the Cirrus seat, facing away from US-based Formation Design mation would quite literally put the lines can use both light and shade making value comparisons across human service. value in context. First class is starting to move be- from the aisle. US Airways, now that literally raises the best seats best seats on a pedestal. to set the scene for luxury, chic or a wide array of different brands, It is important for airlines to To a business traveller, for yond the seat-in-a-suite concept American Airlines, launched Cir- above the rest, making the most In addition to aiming to become glamorous flying. products and channels. understand customer needs not example, air travel is just a part of his and the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s rus, but the seat was popularised of the three-dimensional space in luxury lifestyle brands themselves, Mood lighting also enables chang- A proliferation of alternatives and just in terms of air transport from or her value creation activity, which “above first class” three-room The by the Cathay Pacific/JPA Design the cabin that only Stelia’s Equi- airlines are increasing the number es in the intensity and blue-yellow options could prompt information point A to point B, but to zoom out could be something like closing a Residence is, Etihad promises, not customisation that American Air- nox 3D seats, as seen on Philippine of other marques with which they spectrum of light, which means multi-billion-dollar contract with just a halo product. The Residence is lines itself uses on its Boeing 777- Airlines, have done in the past. affiliate themselves. Designer la- lights that resemble the warm glow an investment partner abroad. positioned ahead of the innovative 300ER aircraft. Building on the concept “throne” bels such as Ferragamo and Bulgari of a tungsten lightbulb during the How an airline fits into the business and spacious first class apartments, One potential option for an airline seats in alternating rows that come or upmarket luggage-makers like evening, leading to more restful PERSONAL SERVICE AND KINDNESS traveller’s value creation activity which contain both a plush leather not convinced it needs a separate from the staggered Vantage seats Rimowa and Tumi, have long col- sleep and a softer, less jarring wake- depends on that person’s needs and laborated with airlines to produce up call in the morning. it often goes beyond just the trip. flight? There is no definite answer in addition to our regular curriculum airline amenity kits. Numerous air- Pulling all these innovations noticed an elderly lady near the check-in Although this may sound very to this question as different airlines for developing skillsets and service 01 02 lines now work with car companies together are the new breed of de- counter who appeared to be troubled. straightforward, people often fail have different approaches. mindsets, a heavy emphasis is to transport first, and occasionally sign house collaborations. All Hanako approached the lady and inquired to see that all value propositions In Japan Airlines, we deliver a truly placed on developing empathetic business, class passengers around Etihad’s latest seats were created whether she could help. The elderly lady are perceived and integrated top-class in-flight experience through intelligence, in other words the airports, with Lufthansa’s First by the Etihad Design Consorti- replied that she wanted to go to Yamagata differently by each unique individual. a combination of competencies from capability to detect customer needs Class Terminal in Frankfurt per- um, a group incorporating Acu- by shinkansen express bullet train, but To a traveller, the value of the air luxurious cabin interior to exquisite and to engage accordingly. haps the best known example. men, Factorydesign and Honour did not know the way to Tokyo station. transport service provided by his or cuisine, hospitable cabin attendants, It is through this awareness that The use of luxury furnishing Branding, for example. It’s rare Hanako said to the lady that she was on her airline of choice is hence uniquely best on-time performance and high our cabin crew are able to identify brands such as Poltrona Frau on these days to find a new business her way to Yamagata too and suggested experienced and determined. safety standards. opportunities to be more responsive carriers including Singapore Air- or first class seat being released they go together. Hanako then went with Perhaps all the unique context of all But, if I am to name just one to individual needs and to deliver lines and Etihad, luxury foods without a design partner to help the lady to Tokyo station and together individuals can be summed up with the thing that is quintessentially Japan the Japan Airlines experience like Ladurée patisserie on Etihad combine all the modern materi- they boarded a shinkansen to Yamagata. word “tomorrow” and it is precisely Airlines, that would be the just-for- effectively. Earlier, I used the word or Balik salmon on Cathay Pacific als, airline economics and cut- Later, the elderly lady’s family wrote to this every person’s tomorrow that you omotenashi, Japanese-style “quintessentially” because this is and Singapore Airlines, and even ting-edge manufacturing into new When a Japan Airlines domestic flight Japan Airlines to thank Hanako for her Japan Airlines strives to be a part of. hospitality service. indeed the premium omotenashi liquors in Absolut-branded bars on and exciting options. from Tokyo to Yamagata was cancelled, kindness. This episode illustrates the However, this elicits the question Just as no contracts can ever that can be experienced in all Japan Korean Air’s Airbus A380 are all Hanako – I’m using a pseudonym for her just-for-you omotenashi spirit in Japan of how realistic is the idea of be complete, manuals too cannot Airlines flights regardless of whether part of this trend. Share this article online via – an off-duty cabin crew member, who Airlines. It is more than just noticing a Champagne and wine, of course, personalising service on a one- prescribe all contingencies. This is why you are flying in first class, business Design Formation raconteur.net originally planned to board the flight, need – it is about responding actively. to-one basis to all customers on a in Japan Airlines cabin crew training, class or economy class. Design Formation have long been an opportunity for 14RACONTEURAVIATIONxx FOR xx BUSINESS xxxx raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEURXXXX 2 RACONTEUR 29 / 03 / 2016 raconteur.net AVIATION FOR BUSINESS 15

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

03 A CUSTOM CABIN DESIGN recliner and a sofa that converts into 01, 02 JOHN WALTON a bed. The apartment beds are per- New lie-flat

pendicular to the cabin’s single aisle, seating concept by Airways Etihad creating a space wider than it is long. Formation Design, FINISH with elevated usiness and first class cab- Local rival Emirates has promised to staggered beds to ins have always been at outdo Etihad’s products, but as yet make the most of Akira Mitsumasu, Japan Airlines vice the forefront of airline in- has not shown its hand. the cabin space Bdustrial design, aiming to Etihad’s 787-9 cabins, however, 03 president of marketing and strategy in Asia please customers’ eyes as much as are perhaps even more innovative Living room of their bodies. During a period of im- in their use of space, with a pair of The Residence by and the Oceania region, discusses emerging mense investment by airlines world- curved aisles and forwards-back- Etihad Airways wide, new concepts and design in- wards layout that enable extra 04 trends in air travel – and the personal touch spiration create more space as if by shoulder room through the use of Bar area for business class magic from the finite confines of the smart design. A forwards-back- passengers of airliner interior. wards layout optimises space in Qatar Airways Premium services, dating back to Etihad’s business class too, with a the days of Concorde, which flew in staggered effect offering direct aisle a two-two configuration using seats access for every passenger. that would now be substandard in In the 16 years since British Air- long-haul premium economy, have ways pioneered the fully flat bed rarely been innovative in their pas- in business class, many airlines senger experience have either tried to because conveni- trump its density or ith increasingly sophisticated aggregators to reduce customer- ence is all the attrac- market themselves use of analytics to personalise search cost by using data to identify the tion they needed. as more luxurious Wtravel experience, it is right product for the right customer This trend contin- First class is starting and spacious. The a carrier to demonstrate its dedi- reasonable to imagine that airlines will based on his or her search criteria and ues with some busi- to move beyond latter has been 04 cation to the palates of its first and focus on expanding their repertoire preference profile. This in turn could ness class trans- more successful business class customers, with air- of product and service offerings to drive travellers into becoming more atlantic offerings the seat-in-a-suite than the former, lines among the largest consumers customise value propositions, and make and more airline brand agnostic in their such as La Com- concept and Etihad with BA’s lack of Getty Images of the French fizz worldwide. Dom them more relevant and compelling. purchasing process. pagnie and British promises its ‘above direct aisle access Pérignon and Krug are de rigeur After all, it makes little sense Although airlines will continue Airways’ Airbus for every passen- in top-ranked first classes, while knowing what a customer wants, but to personalise and customise A318 London City- first class’ three- ger, increasingly more boutique options such as Sa- not having the capability to serve that products and services, the time and New York JFK ser- room The Residence the standard for lon on Japan Airlines and the Per- need. This, however, poses a challenge cost needed to produce different vices by no means is not just a halo airlines that want rier-Jouët Belle Époque Blanc de to airlines as they attempt to unbundle variations to suit different needs class-leading in ei- to attract the most Blancs on some Korean Air routes and rebundle their capabilities, often may become prohibitively expensive ther inflight cabin product valuable customer, push the boat out. by utilising external resources that and unaffordable. If I am to name just one thing that is or seating. now feeling long in New materials, too, enable real-feel suppliers and partners provide. As product life cycles become Almost ten years the tooth. wood flooring, as well as sweeping New and innovative value offerings shorter, many novel ideas and quintessentially Japan Airlines, that after the introduction of the first Direct aisle access is achieved in curves of plastic surfaces that draw by airlines could stretch beyond products quickly become imitable would be the just-for-you omotenashi, class suite, on Singapore Airlines’ a number of space-efficient ways. from the Eames legacy of modern- conventional air travel products to by other airlines too. Yet, at least for Japanese-style hospitality service and the world’s first Airbus A380, Initially, Virgin Atlantic achieved ism and mid-century design. With include non-air-related ancillary goods full-service airlines, it seems there much business and first class inno- its direct aisle access goal by an- the likes of Sekisui SPI creating rev- and services. is little choice but to invest to stay vation today comes from the large gling seats in a herringbone fash- olutionary thermoplastics that look With more options to choose from, ahead. This challenge brings me to network carriers, most recently and ion, facing towards the aisle. Later, almost like they change colours in consumers too face a new challenge think of the less imitable side of of the air travel experience and notably Etihad’s Airbus A380 and seatmaker Zodiac Aerospace cre- first class cabin is a new concept designed by Thompson Aero, For- increasingly mood-lit cabins, air- of finding the right product, and airline competencies and in particular endeavour to understand the wider Boeing 787-9 cabins. ated the Cirrus seat, facing away from US-based Formation Design mation would quite literally put the lines can use both light and shade making value comparisons across human service. value in context. First class is starting to move be- from the aisle. US Airways, now that literally raises the best seats best seats on a pedestal. to set the scene for luxury, chic or a wide array of different brands, It is important for airlines to To a business traveller, for yond the seat-in-a-suite concept American Airlines, launched Cir- above the rest, making the most In addition to aiming to become glamorous flying. products and channels. understand customer needs not example, air travel is just a part of his and the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s rus, but the seat was popularised of the three-dimensional space in luxury lifestyle brands themselves, Mood lighting also enables chang- A proliferation of alternatives and just in terms of air transport from or her value creation activity, which “above first class” three-room The by the Cathay Pacific/JPA Design the cabin that only Stelia’s Equi- airlines are increasing the number es in the intensity and blue-yellow options could prompt information point A to point B, but to zoom out could be something like closing a Residence is, Etihad promises, not customisation that American Air- nox 3D seats, as seen on Philippine of other marques with which they spectrum of light, which means multi-billion-dollar contract with just a halo product. The Residence is lines itself uses on its Boeing 777- Airlines, have done in the past. affiliate themselves. Designer la- lights that resemble the warm glow an investment partner abroad. positioned ahead of the innovative 300ER aircraft. Building on the concept “throne” bels such as Ferragamo and Bulgari of a tungsten lightbulb during the How an airline fits into the business and spacious first class apartments, One potential option for an airline seats in alternating rows that come or upmarket luggage-makers like evening, leading to more restful PERSONAL SERVICE AND KINDNESS traveller’s value creation activity which contain both a plush leather not convinced it needs a separate from the staggered Vantage seats Rimowa and Tumi, have long col- sleep and a softer, less jarring wake- depends on that person’s needs and laborated with airlines to produce up call in the morning. it often goes beyond just the trip. flight? There is no definite answer in addition to our regular curriculum airline amenity kits. Numerous air- Pulling all these innovations noticed an elderly lady near the check-in Although this may sound very to this question as different airlines for developing skillsets and service 01 02 lines now work with car companies together are the new breed of de- counter who appeared to be troubled. straightforward, people often fail have different approaches. mindsets, a heavy emphasis is to transport first, and occasionally sign house collaborations. All Hanako approached the lady and inquired to see that all value propositions In Japan Airlines, we deliver a truly placed on developing empathetic business, class passengers around Etihad’s latest seats were created whether she could help. The elderly lady are perceived and integrated top-class in-flight experience through intelligence, in other words the airports, with Lufthansa’s First by the Etihad Design Consorti- replied that she wanted to go to Yamagata differently by each unique individual. a combination of competencies from capability to detect customer needs Class Terminal in Frankfurt per- um, a group incorporating Acu- by shinkansen express bullet train, but To a traveller, the value of the air luxurious cabin interior to exquisite and to engage accordingly. haps the best known example. men, Factorydesign and Honour did not know the way to Tokyo station. transport service provided by his or cuisine, hospitable cabin attendants, It is through this awareness that The use of luxury furnishing Branding, for example. It’s rare Hanako said to the lady that she was on her airline of choice is hence uniquely best on-time performance and high our cabin crew are able to identify brands such as Poltrona Frau on these days to find a new business her way to Yamagata too and suggested experienced and determined. safety standards. opportunities to be more responsive carriers including Singapore Air- or first class seat being released they go together. Hanako then went with Perhaps all the unique context of all But, if I am to name just one to individual needs and to deliver lines and Etihad, luxury foods without a design partner to help the lady to Tokyo station and together individuals can be summed up with the thing that is quintessentially Japan the Japan Airlines experience like Ladurée patisserie on Etihad combine all the modern materi- they boarded a shinkansen to Yamagata. word “tomorrow” and it is precisely Airlines, that would be the just-for- effectively. Earlier, I used the word or Balik salmon on Cathay Pacific als, airline economics and cut- Later, the elderly lady’s family wrote to this every person’s tomorrow that you omotenashi, Japanese-style “quintessentially” because this is and Singapore Airlines, and even ting-edge manufacturing into new When a Japan Airlines domestic flight Japan Airlines to thank Hanako for her Japan Airlines strives to be a part of. hospitality service. indeed the premium omotenashi liquors in Absolut-branded bars on and exciting options. from Tokyo to Yamagata was cancelled, kindness. This episode illustrates the However, this elicits the question Just as no contracts can ever that can be experienced in all Japan Korean Air’s Airbus A380 are all Hanako – I’m using a pseudonym for her just-for-you omotenashi spirit in Japan of how realistic is the idea of be complete, manuals too cannot Airlines flights regardless of whether part of this trend. Share this article online via – an off-duty cabin crew member, who Airlines. It is more than just noticing a Champagne and wine, of course, personalising service on a one- prescribe all contingencies. This is why you are flying in first class, business Design Formation raconteur.net originally planned to board the flight, need – it is about responding actively. to-one basis to all customers on a in Japan Airlines cabin crew training, class or economy class. Design Formation have long been an opportunity for 16 AVIATION FOR BUSINESS raconteur.net 29 / 03 / 2016 RACONTEUR