Star Alliance Newsletter Switzerland ------

March 2017 - English Version

------

Air India joins carriers at Heathrow Terminal 2

Star Alliance member carrier has successfully moved all its operations at London Heathrow’s Airport from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2, the home of Star Alliance.

The national airline of India operates up to eight daily flights in and out of Heathrow with either Boeing 777 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft and has been serving London for nearly 70 years. At present it offers two daily flights to Delhi, one daily flight to Mumbai, four weekly flights to Ahmedabad and three weekly flights to Newark (New York).

“With 24 of our member airlines flying to Heathrow, the airport is served by more Star Alliance member carriers than any other airport in our worldwide network. Therefore our long term strategy for Heathrow has always been to locate all our members under the same roof. With Air India’s successful move to the Queen’s Terminal we have now accomplished this”, said Jeffrey Goh, CEO Star Alliance.

Compared to Terminal 4, the check-in layout and concept in Terminal 2 allows customers to take greater control of their journey. This has been made possible through a combination of increased automation and common check-in. Travellers who have not checked in online can use any of 81 multi-airline check-in kiosks available throughout Terminal 2. These also print boarding passes and bag tags. Once checked in, Air India passengers can drop off their bags at the shared counters in Zone D. Customers requiring additional support and assistance or travelling in First Class, Business Class or holding Star Alliance Gold status will also find the respective counters in Zone D.

Air India customers travelling in either First or Business Class or holding Star Alliance Gold status can make use of any of the four lounges in Terminal 2 operated by fellow Star Alliance member airlines , , and United.

Operating from a single terminal at Heathrow ensures that Star Alliance member carriers can offer approximately 12 million annual customers using the airport a vastly improved travel experience, including shorter connecting times. The latest technology is used throughout the terminal to give passengers more control of their journey.

------back to top------

Skytrax World Airline Awards for Aegean

Aegean was awarded as the “Best Regional Airline in Europe” 2016.

In 2016, Aegean transferred a total of 12.5 million passengers, 7% more passengers than in 2015. In addition, Aegean was named "Best Regional Airline in Europe" 2016 at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in a survey conducted among over 19.2 million passengers. This award has been received for the 6th successive consecutive year and 7th year in total since 2009. Furthermore, the magazine Manager Magazin awarded Aegean with the title “Best Economy class” in Europe.

Aegean operates out of Zurich and Geneva to Athens all year round and during the summer season also to Heraklion and Rhodes.

Aegean is up-to-date with the latest technologies and is constantly introducing new online services, which follow through all steps of the journey. The “Miles+Bonus” program is counting more than 800,000 members. Star Alliance Online Redemption is available since 2017, thus enabling members of Miles+Bonus to redeem their miles in the Star Alliance network.

------back to top------

Air Canada unveils new livery

At three events held simultaneously in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Air Canada unveiled a bold new livery inspired by Canada for its entire fleet, elegant new uniforms for its employees, and a taste of some of the new onboard menu offerings.

Air Canada's fleet of 300 mainline and regional aircraft are being repainted in a bold black and white design that highlights its iconic red maple leaf encircled ensign, or "rondelle," that returns to the tail of the flag carrier's fleet after an absence of 24 years. Reflecting Canada's vastness and contrasting seasons, with references to its wildlife and First Nations heritage, the new fleet livery was designed by international design firm Winkreative, headed by Canadian entrepreneur Tyler Brûlé. The first three aircrafts sporting this new livery will enter service immediately.

With the new livery providing a sleek, contemporary backdrop, Air Canada premiered elegant charcoal grey and black employee uniforms with red accents and accessories by Canadian designer Christopher Bates. The stylish uniforms combining urban chic and international flair complement the charcoal greys, natural tones and red accents featured in the new interior cabin design of Air Canada's international fleet. The airline's pilots, flight attendants, airport customer service agents and other uniformed personnel will start wearing their new uniforms later this year.

Air Canada's selection of Signature dishes, created by Chef David Hawksworth, showcases the finest Canadian ingredients from across the country available since it was launched in October 2015 for Air Canada's International Business Class customers. Air Canada's new sommelier, Véronique Rivest, will expertly pair the dishes and develop Air Canada's wine program.

------back to top------

Air China re-launch Zurich

After more than 17 years, will resume nonstop flights from Beijing to Zurich as of 7th June 2017. Flights will be operated by Airbus A330-200 with a two class configuration, 28 lie-flat business seats and 199 economy seats. Four weekly flights are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Departure Zurich at 13:30h Arrival Beijing at 05:20+1 ALL Departure Beijing at 02:35h Arrival Zurich at 07:25h TU,WE,FR Departure Beijing at 03:05h Arrival Zurich at 07:55h SUN

Zurich will be the 18th destination in Europe served by Air China. The new destination ideally supplements Air China’s well established tri-weekly service to Geneva. This means, a daily flight will be served from Switzerland to China.

Customers can enjoy the baggage check-through possibility when connecting in Beijing to 112 destinations in China and 35 cities throughout Asia and the Pacific. Business class passengers are entitled to book a free limousine service upon arrival and departure in Beijing and/or other cities in China.

------back to top------

Summer Flight Schedule 2017: increases their flight frequencies

Austrian Airlines is now offering more flights to Greece and Italy.

Austrian Airlines is offering its passengers an extensive range of flights to 135 destinations in 54 countries in the summer of 2017. The Austrian flag carrier is focusing on tourist destinations in its summer flight schedule and is expanding its European flight offering to Greece and Italy by 15 additional flights per week. In addition, there are now more flights to Tel Aviv, Cairo and Skopje.

Starting in the summer, Austrian Airlines will increase frequencies to Rhodes, Heraklion, Zakynthos, Chania, Athens and Kos in response to stronger demand. Twelve more flights will be offered each week compared to the summer of 2016, thus adding up to a total of 49 weekly flights to 17 destinations in Greece.

The airline is also expanding its North American portfolio in the summer of 2017. It will operate up to six direct weekly flights from Vienna to Los Angeles.

The Austrian Airlines summer flight schedule takes effect on March 26, 2017.

------back to top------

New mobile app

Brussels Airlines starts a year of digitalization with the launch of their mobile app.

As of February 1st 2017, the Brussels Airlines app allows travelers to book their tickets in just a few clicks, to check in and use the mobile boarding pass and to keep up with flight changes.The launch marks the beginning of the era of digital transformation for the Belgian airline to further improve their products and services for their clients.

As more and more travellers use online and mobile channels to plan their holidays and business trips and get in touch with travel companies on-the-go, Brussels Airlines declares 2017 the year of digital innovation, during which it will invest heavily in the improvement of its digital tools to service its customers even better.

The Brussels Airlines app can be downloaded for free in the App Store and on Google Play.

------back to top------

Rediscover the world: Lufthansa’s new destination Panama

There is a new destination for all your customers who are looking for a little warmth and sunshine now.

Panama - set in the midst of the jungle and surrounded by national parks, the metropolis is modern yet green. Some of the best highland coffee grows here, and the joy of life is simply infectious. Up for an adventure? There are now flights via Frankfurt 5 times a week.

------back to top------

New SAS City Lounge

SAS has opened a new lounge at Stockholm’s Central Station.

SAS is already offering their EuroBonus Diamond members access to the SAS City Lounge at Stureplan in Stockholm. Now they have opened a new SAS City Lounge at Stockholm's Central Station. The lounge is open to EuroBonus Diamond and Gold members and a guest, who would like to relax with a coffee, have a meeting in peace and quiet or just work a bit while waiting for a cab 24 hours before or after a trip on SAS.

Read more : http://www.flysas.com/en/ch/travel-info/at-the-airport/lounges/

------back to top------

Singapore Airlines to place US$13.8B order for Boeing Aircrafts

The order is supposed to drive additional Growth throughout the next decade.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has agreed to place firm orders with Boeing for 20 777-9s and 19 787-10s, for additional growth and fleet modernisation throughout the next decade.

SIA has today signed a letter of intent with the US airframe manufacturer comprising the 39 firm orders plus six options for each aircraft type, which if exercised will enlarge the deal to as many as 51 aircrafts. The 777-9s are due for delivery from the 2021/22 financial year and the 787-10s for delivery from the 2020/21 financial year.

The proposed order, which is valued at US$13.8 billion based on published list prices, includes flexibility for the SIA Group to substitute the 787-10 orders for other variants of the 787 family.

“This major order for widebody aircraft enables us to continue operating a modern and fuel- efficient fleet, providing the SIA Group with additional expansion opportunities to ensure that we retain our industry-leading position,” said SIA CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

“We are continuing to invest for the future of the SIA Group. This order is also another demonstration of our commitment to further growing the Singapore hub, as we will be able to offer even more travel options for our customers.”

The General Electric GE9X is the sole engine type for the 777-9s, which are intended primarily for use on long-haul routes. SIA has selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 to power the 787-10s, which are to be operated on medium-range routes.

SIA is a longstanding Boeing customer with more than 50 current-generation 777 aircraft in service. Subsidiaries SilkAir, and SIA Cargo are also operators of Boeing aircraft, with 737-800s, 787-8/9s and 747-400 Freighters in service, respectively.

This is the SIA Group’s first order for the newest 777 variant that is currently under development, the 777-9. SIA is already the launch customer for the 787-10, which is also currently in development, having placed an initial order in 2013 for 30 aircraft for delivery from the 2018/19 financial year.

In addition to the 30 previously-ordered 787-10s, SIA has outstanding orders with Airbus for five A380-800s and 57 A350-900s. SilkAir has outstanding orders with Boeing for 37 737 MAX 8s, while Scoot has orders with Boeing for eight 787-8/9s and has orders with Airbus for 39 A320neos.

------back to top------

SWISS to serve five new destinations in summer 2017

Swiss International Air Lines will be adding five new seasonal destinations to its network in the 2017 summer schedules. SWISS customers will be able to fly from Zurich to Bergen in , to Cork in Southern Ireland, to the North Sea island of Sylt, to Figari on Corsica, and to Niš in Southern Serbia. Bergen, Cork and Sylt will receive weekly service from June 2017 onwards and twice-weekly service during the peak holiday season of July and August. Figari (from July) and Niš (from April) will also be served by two weekly flights. SWISS plans to operate its new Bergen, Cork, Figari and Sylt services with its advanced new Bombardier C Series short- and medium-haul twinjet.

More information: https://www.swiss.com/en/various/new-destinations-in-europe

------back to top------

TAP Portugal: Expansion of the entire Network

The Portuguese airline is extending its route network and improving their range of offers to Africa.

The network of Portugal’s leading airline currently comprises 85 destinations in 34 countries worldwide. TAP Portugal is offering several non-stop daily flights from Switzerland to Lisbon or Porto. The summer timetable 2017 allows for daily flights connecting Zurich and Genève with Portugal’s capital city up to three times a day.

The TAP Portugal hub in Lisbon is a key European gateway at the crossroads of Africa, North and South America and connects Switzerland with such important business destinations as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Luanda, Boston, Abidjan and many others.

TAP Portugal is adding Abidjan, the largest city of Ivory Coast, to its destinations. Beginning on the 17th of July this year, the airline will now offer five weekly flights to this African destination during summer. The business capital of the Ivory Coast will now be closer to Lisbon and Europe, along with the new destinations previously announced – Toronto (Canada), Gran Canary and Alicante (Spain).

The direct connections between Lisbon and Abidjan will operate with A320 equipment. There will be capacity for 165 passengers, flying on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday through Saturday, departing from Lisbon at 5:25pm and returning from Abidjan at 11:00pm. During the IATA winter, the operation will be of four weekly frequencies. The inclusion of Abidjan in TAP Portugal’s network reinforces the airline’s strategic position in Africa. With this new route, TAP will fly to a total of 15 destinations in 10 African countries.

For more information about TAP Portugal and Victoria Program visit flytap.com and victoria.flytap.com .

------back to top------

Thai Airways now flies daily to Bangkok

Thai Airways will increase its services from Zurich to Bangkok during the summer.

In May/June and September 2017 Thai Airways will offer a daily flight instead of 5 flights a week with the following exceptions:

TG970/971 Wednesday – 14. & 21. June 2017 and 13. & 20. September 2017

The GDS has already been updated. Furthermore, Thai Airways and Thai Smile Airways are now offering a new destination with new routes:

Kotakinabalu (BKI) starting from the 26th of March 2017.

1.2.4.6. Bangkok 08.10 Kota Kinabalu 12.10 TG2421 3.5.7. Bangkok 13.40 Kota Kinabalu 17.20 TG2421 3.5.7. Kota Kinabalu 18.30 Bangkok 20.15 TG2422 1.2.4.6. Kota Kinabalu 13.00 Bangkok 15.05 TG2422