ABTA 2004: First Choice claims new standards in long-haul service
ABTA Convention Special: First Choice claimed it would set new standards for long-haul flying next year and took a swipe at the levels of service offered by competitors.
For summer 2005, the operator is taking out 20 per cent of its seats to create an extra two inches of seat pitch for passengers, giving 33 inches in standard class and 36 inches in premium economy.
It is also enhancing its entertainment system, offering video on demand, with seven-inch screens in economy and nine-inch screens in premium economy.
“Long-haul charter used to be dirty words and they were basic and inflexible and we are changing perceptions,” said First Choice product director Tim Williamson.
“The increased level of service was pioneered by Virgin Atlantic, but they’vetaken their eye off the ball and we can capitalize on that.
“I can’t think of anyone else who is doing what we’re doing.”
Williamson added that American Airlines had innovations in economy, but criticized its level of service.
He added that First Choice standards would improve further from 2009, when it becomes the first UK operator to take delivery of six new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliners. The aircraft will have passenger cabins pressurized at a maximum altitude equivalent to 6,000 ft as opposed to 8,000 ft on today’s aircraft and consequently passengers would feel less fatigued and jet-lagged.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers will be travelling further and taking more exotic trips in future as the package holiday evolves, according to First Choice.
In a bullish market report, the operator said a quarter of its long haul holidays were taken by families and this would increase in the future.
“The death of the package holiday has been widely predicted and widely misunderstood,” said Williamson.
“An organized group expedition to Northern India is as much a package holiday as two weeks in the Maldives. While holidaymakers can now pull flight and accommodation prices together themselves, our industry is changing to offer extra value.”
Ginny McGrath
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