It’s a dogfight in the Indian skies for every passenger. In a market overflowing with choices, Swiss International Airlines is looking to
stand up and be counted. It’s betting big on India and the Indian travellers need to be pampered.
A measure of how India-centric its’ plans are, can be viewed from the fact that Swiss International has chosen to introduce its all-new Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the five flights a week to Zurich from Mumbai and Delhi.
The airline has also introduced a fully pneumatic comfort system in its business and first class seats. Designed by Lantal, a leading textile company, these one-of-a-kind seats can have their firmness adjusted to the personal preference of passengers and convert into a complete lie-flat two-metre bed.
“The system, a first of its kind anywhere in world, works from both management and customers’ point of view. There is no doubt, with other things being equal, passengers — especially on long-haul flights — will opt for the carrier that offers them an unprecedented seating experience,” says Marcel Biederman, head of sales and marketing, Swiss Airlines (intercontinental).
“Traditionally, aircraft seats have imbalance in firmness, but we at Lantal, in collaboration with Swiss Airlines, want passengers to feel well — not by making them aware of the new technology — but only by increasing comfort level,” says Roland von Ballmoos, V-P, pneumatic systems.
Besides, the airline offers adjustable sidewalls for as much individual privacy as desired and the biggest inflight entertainment screen (23”) for its first-class passengers. “We also offer passengers in first- and business-class a kit which has a toothbrush, ear plugs, sleeping mask, among other knick-knacks. The passengers can slip into complementary pajamas. Also, for our Indian passengers we have a range of Hindi movies to choose from,” says Bierderman.
And for those who want a familiar face to turn to at 35000 feet, the aircraft has three flight attendants from India on every flight. The airline has already hired 47 flight attendants. “In India, we still have a long way to go. I hope the new steps will help us attract more customers,” says Biederman.
Contrary to expectation, its been money well spent for Swiss. Thanks to the lighter seats, its fuel efficiency improved 13% and its overall costs are down 32%. “Since weight is a prime consideration in cost management, the light interior textiles save a lot of money for the airline,” says Biederman. Little wonder that with such innovation, Swiss has bagged the Skytrax 2009 World Airline Award for ‘Best Airline Europe’.
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