Continental outlines introduction of lie-flat seats
Continental Airlines will start rolling out its new business class lie-flat seat on flights from the UK in summer 2009.
The airline, which now operates three daily flights from London Heathrow to New York and two to Houston, said the installation will start in its Boeing 777 aircraft, which fly on the transatlantic routes.
The roll out will then move to its 757 aircraft, used from regional airports, then to its 767-400s, and will be fitted on its 787s, due to be delivered in 2010.
All of its fleet will have the new seat by the end of 2012 or early 2013, said senior director UK and Ireland Bob Schumacher at World Travel Market.
Meanwhile, the airline awaits approval from competition authorities in the US and Europe over its planned joint venture with United Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada.
Industry observers expect that the approval will be given shortly, but the recent change of US Government could delay the process.
Until the airlines get Anti Trust Immunity, they cannot begin discussing the details of any deal.
Schumacher said the switch from the Skyteam to the Star Alliance was on track for completion in autumn 2009.
“This will be the first time an airline has gone from one alliance to another,†he said. “We want to make sure that every care is taken to make the transition as smooth as possible for our customers.â€
He said Continental Airlines remains dedicated to working with the UK travel trade.
“We are the only US airline with a stand here at WTM, which demonstrates our commitment to the travel trade,†he said. “Around 70-75% of our business is done through the trade.â€
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025