Monday, April 14, 2014

No more cheap seats.

Skymark's first Airbus A380 superjumbo takes off on its maiden testing flight. Skymark Airlines will become the first A380 operator in Japan when it takes delivery of its first aircraft later this year and will fit out its superjumbos with premium economy and business seats only. Photo: Airbus

...Skymark (click here) popped up in 1998 after the Japanese domestic airline industry was deregulated and set about acquiring a fleet of Boeing 767s at first and now smaller 737-800s.

But it was squeezed by the low-cost revolution as Australia’s own Jetstar invented Jetstar Japan to serve domestic routes, while other LCCs like AirAsia also briefly got into the act domestically.

While it retains the all-economy 737s to go head-to-head with the LCCs, Skymark decided to go upmarket instead of downmarket on key routes.
It has just begin introducing Airbus A330-300 widebodies with a single class – all premium economy with 97 cms (38 inches) of space per row priced below the competing Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways business class offerings....

The Emirates have an A380 and this is what the inside looks like. The Japan jet may not have the same kind of configuration if it is all premium seats. But, they are big jets.

Stewardesses prepare Economy Class, which occupies the entire main lower deck

...In both configurations, (click here) First and Business are on the upper deck, while economy is on the main lower deck.
On the upper deck is the Onboard Lounge, where First and Business passengers can enjoy a drink. All of the airline's A380s are fitted with wifi.
In January 2013, Emirates opened Concourse A, the dedicated home of its A380 fleet and the world's first purpose-built facility for the aircraft at Dubai International.

Allegiant Air (click here) on the other hand is introducing a new "Giant Seat." I didn't now giants were allowed on jets.

Who knew?