Lufthansa places CFM56-5B engine order for Airbus A320ceo

By BA Staff

Lufthansa A320 with Sharklets. Image courtesy Airbus S.A.S.

Deutsche Lufthansa has selected CFM International’s CFM56-5B engine to power 30 firm Airbus A320ceo (current engine option) aircraft. The agreement is valued at more than $610 million U.S. at list price. The aircraft order was announced in June of this year.

Nico Buchholz, executive vice president, Fleet Management for Lufthansa Group said:

"Our choice of the CFM56-5B engine is a true continuation of our long-running relationship with CFM. We know from experience that the CFM56-B offers a world-class combination of economic efficiency, reliability, and time on wing. We pleased to introduce more of these engines into our fleet."

Lufthansa, which is part of the Lufthansa Aviation Group, currently operates a fleet 350 CFM56 engines powering Airbus A319/A320, long-range, four-engine A340-300, and Boeing 737 Classic aircraft. Overall, Lufthansa Aviation Group, which includes Germanwings, Austrian, and Swiss, operates more than 560 CFM56 engines.

Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM said:

“This is a fantastic vote of confidence for the entire CFM Team. Lufthansa is a long-time CFM customer and we are proud to continue this long relationship with them.”

Kevin McAllister vice president of sales for CFM parent company GE Aviation said:

“Lufthansa again chose the CFM56-5B after a very detailed technical evaluation. It is highly gratifying when an airline noted for its technical expertise recognizes the exceptional value that our product will bring to their fleet.”

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Boeing launches 777X program - images and video

by Devesh Agarwal

Boeing 777-9X. Boeing image.

The Dubai Airshow is known for releasing multi-billion dollar orders from the major Gulf carriers, and yesterday was no exception.

Boeing was the clear winner on day one of the show, and the star was the yet to be commenced Boeing 777X program which is an upgrade of the already ultra-popular Boeing 777 twin engine wide body jetliner which today commands 71% of the in-service fleet worldwide.

Video at the end of the story

Despite receiving a order for 34 777-9X from German carrier Lufthansa two months ago, Boeing formally launched the 777X program at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, in deference to its largest 777 customer, Dubai-based Emirates airline, whose CEO, Tim Clark, has been the biggest demander of the new aircraft. (Watch a video of Tim Clark talking about wide body aircraft including the 777X).

Reflecting customer faith in the yet to be developed aircraft, Boeing took in orders and commitments for a whopping 225 aircraft, racking up its tally to 259, making the 777X, the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by value.

Boeing image

Boeing received orders and commitments from Etihad Airways with 25 77X aircraft (17 777-9X and 8 777-8X), Qatar Airways with 50 777-9X; and Emirates with 150 777X (115 777-9X and 35 777-8X), with an option for 50 more. The combined value of the agreements is more than $95 billion at list prices.

The consistent large orders from the Gulf majors is not unexpected. As Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates, explained

"In recent years, much of the action in global aviation has shifted to the Middle East because countries like the U.A.E. and Qatar have tapped into our geographical advantage to build new air transport connections for the world,"

The 777X will build on the market leading 777 and will introduce new technologies in multiple places. A new composite wing similar to the 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 Jumbo will feature folding raked wingtips, allowing the new plane to fit into existing gates at airports. The new GE9X is touted as the most advanced commercial engine ever. Giving airlines what they desire most, lower seat-mile costs.

Mini-jumbo battle

Boeing 777-9X and 777-8X CGI. Boeing image.

The existing 777-300ER (77W) will be upgraded to the 777-9X with a list price of $377.2 million, an expected entry in to service (EIS) date of 2020, range of 8,200 nm (15,185 km), and passenger capacity of 406. The 777-200LR will be upgraded to the ultra-long-haul (ULH) 777-8X with a list price of $349.8 million, an EIS about 18 months after the -9X, range of 9,300 nm (17,220 km), and passenger capacity of 350 which is close to that of the existing 777-300ER.

The "mini-jumbo" segment is hotly contested, pitting the 777X against the A350 XWB from European major, Airbus.

While Boeing claims "the 777-8X competes directly with the A350-1000, while the 777-9X is in a class by itself", Airbus counters saying Boeing has driven up passenger numbers to justify operating economics using the ultra-dense 17 inch width seating, as practised by Emirates and Etihad, when compared to the wider 18 inch seat width used by Airbus to arrive at its 350 seat A350-1000, which is due to enter service in 2017.

Video of 777X

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Lufthansa to start charging fees for advance seat reservations

by Devesh Agarwal

German flag carrier Deutsche Lufthansa will start charging passengers fees for advance seat reservations (ASR). However, unlike fellow European carrier British Airways, Lufthansa will limit its fee to economy class as of now.

From November 26, 2013, for a fee of 10 euros Lufthansa passengers can reserve in advance, their preferred seat in economy class when booking flights on German and European routes. For emergency exit row seating, which offers more legroom, the fee is 20 euros on European routes and 60 euros on intercontinental flights. In the mid-price and flexible booking classes in Economy, advance seat reservations will be free.

HON Circle Members and Senators as well as companions travelling with them are exempt from the ASR fees. Initially these seat reservations can only be made from sales through the Lufthansa Service Center and at Lufthansa ticket counters, and at travel agencies. They will also be available on-line from spring 2014 for flights booked at the Lufthansa website.

Seats will be available free of charge during online check-in 23 hours in advance of the flight.

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Boeing drops 767-200ER and 767-400ER, launches 767-2CFX in latest pricing update

by Vinay Bhaskara

A 767-300F - Image Credit: Boeing

American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has released its latest aircraft pricing update, and there were several changes made. Firstly, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has dropped the 767-200ER and 767-400ER variants from its 767 product line. These aircraft can no longer be purchased by customers, though if a sizable enough order comes through for Boeing, they could easily re-start production, unlike the 757, whose production line has been retooled for the 737.

The 767-200ER was among the first 767 aircraft offered by Boeing, launching in 1982, the year its standard range cousin, the 767-200, entered service. Ethiopian Airlines was the launch customer for the type in December 1982. Over the years, the smaller 767-200ER was rapidly eclipsed by the larger 767-300 variant, which became the dominant variant in the overall program with 807 ordered (out of 1108 program wide) as of the June Boeing orders and deliveries (also O&D) spreadsheet. Overall, 121 767-200ERs were ordered and delivered, and 39 remain in passenger service. American Airlines is the largest operator with 12 in its fleet used on premium transcontinental routes within the US, though these aircraft will be retired quickly as American takes delivery of their replacement; the Airbus A321.

The 767-400ER was a bit more of an oddball, with only 2 operators (Delta Air Lines, and Continental Airlines - now United Airlines) ordering a total of 38 aircraft. Delta currently has 21 767-400ERs in its fleet, though some of these aircraft may be eventually replaced with the carrier's recent order for 10 additional Airbus A330-300s, while United has 16 frames remaining. The 767-400ER was designed to compete with the aforementioned A330-300, but largely failed to do so, with the A330-300 having won 635 orders over the course of its lifetime.

The 767 program itself had a seemingly bleak future as recently as 3 years ago, with orders slowing to a crawl (primarily existing 767 operators such as ANA and LAN ordering the 767-300ER as interim lift due to the 787 delays). But in February 2011, Boeing won a landmark aerial refueling tanker deal from the United States Air Force, worth nearly $30 billion over the contract's lifetime, with a design based around the 767 called the KC-46A. This made it possible for Boeing to extend the life cycle of the commercial variants of the 767, winning further orders, most notably for 46 767-300Fs from FedEx in 2011-12.

Interestingly, the commercial version of the KC-46A, the 767-2CFX has been added to the pricing table, though no price has been set for the aircraft yet. The table with updated prices from Boeing can be seen below. Interestingly, despite Lufthansa's order for 34 777X family (777-9) aircraft announced today, the type has not yet been formally launched. In all likelihood, formal launch will occur at this years Dubai Air Show, alongside a massive order from Emirates.

Aircraft	Price ($ million)
737
737-700	76.0
737-800	90.5
737-900ER	96.1
737 MAX 7	85.1
737 MAX 8	103.7
737 MAX 9	109.9
747
747-8i	356.9
747-8F	357.5
767
767-300ER	185.8
767-300F	188.0
767-2CFX	TBD
777
777-200ER	261.5
777-200LR	296.0
777-300ER	320.2
777F	300.5
787
787-8	211.8
787-9	249.5
787-10	288.7

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Lufthansa $19 billion order launches Boeing 777-9X. Carrier also orders 25 Airbus A350-900

German carrier also orders 25 Airbus A350-900 XWBs

by Devesh Agarwal

The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, at its meeting yesterday, has approved the purchase of 59 ultra-modern aircraft for the Group, comprising of 34 Boeing 777-9Xs and 25 Airbus A350-900s worth EUR 14 billion (approx $19 billion) at list prices, the largest ever jet order.

Computer generated image of Boeing 777-9X in Lufthansa livery

This order confirms indications made by the airline in March, it would finalise an order for its wide-body long range aircraft below the VLA (Very Large Aircraft) size, by the fourth quarter of this year. Lufthansa is currently the only airline to operate the passenger VLAs from both airframers, i.e. Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8i.

Computer generated image of Airbus A350-900 XWB in Lufthansa livery

The incoming aircraft from this order, which will commence delivery in 2016 with the A350, will replace the older 22 Boeing 747-400s and approximately 24 Airbus A340-300s which will be phased out by 2025. The Boeing 777-9X is expected to enter service by the end of the decade.

The 59 new aircraft will consume an average of just 2.9 litres of fuel per passenger and 100 kilometres flown. That is around 25 per cent less than aircraft available today and it will have a positive impact on the Group’s carbon footprint. Unit costs will sink by approximately 20 per cent compared with predecessor models.

The new aircraft will be operated by ultra-modern, powerful, low-noise engines – the Airbus A350 by the Rolls-Royce 'Trent XWB 84' engine and the Boeing 777-9X by General Electric's 'GE-9X' model. The noise footprint of the new models will be at least 30 per cent lower than today's aircraft.

Lufthansa's launch commitment to the 777-9X is not unexpected. As Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President and Head of Fleet, Lufthansa says

"Boeing and Lufthansa share more than 50 years of partnership and innovation and a tradition of launching new airplane models – starting with the original 737s and most recently, the efficient 747-8 Intercontinental," "Lufthansa is demonstrating its legacy of innovation and market leadership again with its selection of the 777X. We look forward to many years of partnership with Boeing, as we make air travel more efficient, comfortable and environmentally sustainable with airplanes such as the 777X."

In a release Airbus S.A.S. said

The Supervisory board of Lufthansa, Airbus’ biggest airline customer and operator, has decided to expand and modernise its long-haul fleet with a commitment for up to 55 A350-900 aircraft (25 firm and 30 options). Lufthansa also has the flexibility to convert some of the order to the larger A350-1000.

This landmark A350 order comes just six months after Lufthansa made the strategic decision to become an all-Airbus operator for its single-aisle fleet. So far in 2013, Airbus has won more firm orders from Lufthansa (125) in a single year than ever before. Taking all commitments (firm and options) into account the figure rises to 232 aircraft – one more than the 231 Airbus aircraft currently in operation with the Lufthansa Airline.

Lufthansa’s decision today underpins the Group’s status as Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, with to date 535 aircraft ordered and 397 currently in operation within the Group. The latter include: 282 A320 Family, 42 A330s, 63 A340s, and 10 A380s. Lufthansa has recently announced an order for 100 A320 Family aircraft to switch its Single-Aisle Fleet in the 150-230 size category entirely to Airbus.

Boeing in its release said

Boeing [NYSE:BA] welcomes Lufthansa's selection of the 777-9X for its future long-haul fleet.

The launch of the 777X family is targeted for later this year and entry into service around the end of the decade.

Earlier this year, the Lufthansa Group ordered six 777-300ERs for the fleet of Swiss International Airlines. Boeing will deliver the first of Lufthansa Cargo's five new 777 Freighters later this year.

Lufthansa today operates 93 Boeing airplanes within its group fleets.

In its release GE Aviation said

GE Aviation is excited with Lufthansa’s decision today to select GE9X-powered Boeing 777-9X aircraft. The engines for the 34 aircraft announced by Lufthansa are valued at more than $2.5 billion USD list price. This is the first selection for the new GE9X, which is part of the highly successful GE90 engine family.

The GE9X engine for Boeing's 777X aircraft will be in the 100,000 pounds thrust class with a 10 percent improvement in fuel burn over today's GE90-115B. Key features include: a 132" fan diameter; composite fan case and fourth-generation composite fan blades; next-generation 27:1 pressure ratio high-pressure compressor; a third-generation TAPS (twin annular pre-swirl) combustor for greater efficiency and low emissions; and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material in the combustor and turbine.

Images courtesy Deutsche Lufthansa AG

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Lufthansa receives International Five Star Diamond Award

By BA Staff

Photo Courtesy Lufthansa Group

At Lufthansa's First Class terminal at Frankfurt International Airport, Lufthansa received the International Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS). The academy honoured three accomplishments of Lufthansa's premium service portfolio: the Lufthansa First Class onboard its intercontinental fleet, the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and the Lufthansa First Class Lounge at New York’s JFK International Airport.

Joseph Cinque, President and CEO of the AAHS had this to say about Lufthansa:

"The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector via our International Star Diamond Award exclusively on Five Star establishments. Lufthansa’s unequaled commitment to its First Class services and onboard hospitality, its achievements and true quality is more than impressive and deserves the International Five Star Diamond Award."

Jens Bischof, Chief Commercial Officer at Lufthansa German Airlines added:

“Today marks another milestone for Lufthansa on our way to becoming the industry's leading airline for premium travel. Our customers are appreciating the numerous service upgrades we have invested in, both on board and on the ground, with the industry's leading organizations taking note of our accomplishments. Today, we are very excited to receive this award from the Academy which has evolved into an international powerhouse network that values the very highest quality and hospitality.” 

Lufthansa opened its First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport in 2005 and it is the only terminal of its kind. Lufthansa’s new First Class, onboard its long-haul fleet has repeatedly received highest ratings in customer surveys. The First Class is not only offering the widest seat in the industry but also encompasses a vast number of on board service initiatives featuring carefully selected wines and dishes created by top chefs, air humidification systems or noise absorbing interiors as well as a Porsche and Mercedes limousine services.

Lufthansa has had an extremely successful couple of months. Before the "International Star Diamond Award," they were awarded the title of “Europe’s Leading Airline” at the World Travel Awards. Two months earlier Lufthansa was voted “Best European Airline in the Middle East” during the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2013 in Dubai. Furthermore, earlier this summer, the carrier received the title of both “Best Western European Airline” and “Best Transatlantic Airline” at the World Airline Awards in Paris

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Airbus A380 airline-wise seating configurations compared

by Devesh Agarwal

Early next year Qatar Airways will become the eleventh operator of the Airbus A380 super-jumbo. We have researched and produce below an airline-wise A380 seat configuration infographic for comparison. Airbus had original projected the aircraft in a three class 555 seat configuration.

We have also reached some conclusions which are produced below the infographic. Study the infographic and see what conclusions you derive. Compare them with ours, and please post your thoughts and conclusions via a comment.

Airbus A380 seating configuration airline-wise deck-wise (U=Upper, L=Main/Lower), class-wise (CT = class total)

Qatar's CEO Mr. Akbar Al-Bakar has indicated a first class of eight seats and a business class of 52 seats, both on the upper deck. The economy class will have 457 seats, the most by any A380 operator till now.

The main deck (also called the lower deck) will be all economy class, but most likely, there will also be, a small section on the upper deck. The exact configuration has not been revealed as yet, but a study of the Emirates'A380 configuration of the same 517 seats leads us to expect about 30 economy class seats on the upper deck and 427 on the main deck.

With a total configured capacity of 517 seats, Qatar will have the densest A380, second only to Lufthansa which operates its A380s in a 526 seat configuration. However Emirates which also has a 517 seat configured A380 packs seven more economy class passengers on the main deck when compared to Lufthansa to take top spot in the "stuffed" ranking.

Korean Air operates the least dense A380 with 407 seats, just two less than launch operator Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines offers the widest business class seat

The dual configurations of the Singapore Airlines A380 also allows us to derive that for each of its "over the top" ultra-wide 1-2-1 business class seats, the airline loses 3.385 economy class seats. The airline adds 26 business class seats on the upper deck and loses 88 economy class seats. A similar deduction can be derived for Australia based Qantas as well.

The world's largest operator of A380s, Dubai based Emirates airline, sacrifices a full 28 seats to provide crew sleeping accommodation in the rear of the aircraft on its A380s configured for long distance flights (Dubai Australia and Dubai North America). That area is apparently so quiet, that pilots who are accustomed to a hum, are unable to sleep due to the silence. (Read story here).

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Routes Analysis: British Airways grows Hyderabad - London

by Vinay Bhaskara

British Airways wide-bodies on the ramp at their global hub at London Heathrow

From October 27th, London based full service carrier British Airways will be up-gauging its services between Hyderabad and its global hub at London Heathrow to daily flights utilizing Boeing 777-200ER aircraft configured in a 275 seat 3-class configuration (48J/24Y+/203Y), including flat beds in Club World. The flights are currently served with 3-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with 189 seats (24J/24Y+/141Y) 6 times per week, and an up-gauge was already planned to 6 weekly flights on the 777-200ER for IATA Winter 2013-14.

Said Christopher Fordyce, British Airways Regional Commercial Manager India:

For British Airways, Hyderabad is truly a key market in our South Asian network. We have witnessed tremendous growth in the market since 2008, resulting in concerted growth in the outbound business and leisure tourism.... Our customers from Hyderabad will now be able to enjoy daily service to the UK whilst enjoying British Airways' unmatched inflight services and flying experience,

British Airways is the only European carrier remaining with service to Hyderabad, where yields for long haul connections to Europe and North America are coming under increasing pressure from the MEB3 carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways (plus potentially an entrance from Turkish Airlines). Since the Global Financial Crisis in 2008-9, business traffic to and from Hyderabad has largely plateaued while leisure and VFR traffic has continued to grow. But such traffic is by and large, too low-yielding to sustain the European carriers with their ever increasing cost bases. KLM ended its short-lived Hyderabad services in 2008 after launching in 2005, while Lufthansa ended its Frankfurt - Hyderabad flights in 2011.

Hyderabad is still a massive demand center for services to North America. In 2011, Hyderabad had 481,748 passengers worth of origin and destination demand (O&D) demand to and from the United States. With 21 North American destinations served through its London Heathrow hub (plus Raleigh Durham through the joint venture partnership with American Airlines) - British Airways appears to be doing good business connecting passengers between Hyderabad and the US, and it has an advantage over the MEB3 who only serve 7-8 passenger destinations in North America. 

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Photos: Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i First Class

By Devesh Agarwal

In late April, on a business trip, I flew from Bangalore to Frankfurt aboard Lufthansa's newest Boeing 747-8i D-ABYH. She is named Thüringen after the state located in central Germany with its capital at Erfurt.

While the business class was packed, the First Class was strangely empty. As we were flying over Europe, a kind and cooperative cabin crew gave me a tour of the "Quietest First Class Cabin" in the sky, and it was quiet. Missing was the classic whoosh sound of the air rushing past the nose of the aircraft.

Eight seats. Six individual along the windows and one double in the centre.

The new 747-8i cabin shares many common aspects of the "Sky Interior" with the 737 and 787.

Uber comfortable seats with "share system" which moulds to the body convert in to beds with nice thick duvets.

The meal presentation with the red rose, the signature of Lufthansa's 'Senator' service

Some of the features of the Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i First Class.

• “The quietest First Class in the world”.
• Outer skin insulation: optimum protection against engine noise and other annoying sounds
• Sound-insulating curtains absorb noise from the on-board galley and the travel classes next to it
• Sound-deadening flooring: specially structured floor in the aisle, including the use of soundproofing foam
• “Best bed in class” – widest bed, with a width of 80 cm x 207cm length
• Exceptional seating comfort – upholstery, continuous adjustment mechanism and an endless number of sitting positions developed with external ergonomics experts
• Seat cushion moulds to every sitting/recumbent position, thanks to the “Shape System”
• Personal wardrobe
• Electrically powered window shades
• Washrooms in the Lufthansa First Class design

Can some of Lufthansa's competing airlines to give me a short ride in their first class for a comparison report?

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Trip Report: India and Europe Summer 2013 - Introduction

Introduction
United Club Newark
United Economy Class Newark to Hamburg
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Hamburg
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Hamburg to Istanbul
Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Economy Class Istanbul to Mumbai 
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Mumbai
Thai Airways Business Class Mumbai-Bangkok
Thai Airways First Class Lounge and Spa Bangkok
Thai Airways First Class Bangkok to Frankfurt
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt
Lufthansa Business Class Frankfurt to Zurich
*tentative*
Swiss Business Lounge Zurich
Air Canada Executive First Zurich to Toronto
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Toronto
Air Canada Business Class Toronto to Philadelphia
*tentative*
_________________________________________________________________________________

This post is meant to serve as an introduction to a trip I will be taking later this summer. The trip report will be updated as I actually do the flying.

So the genesis of this trip is that I am taking a trip to India in August of this year, and on the return I will be stopping over in Europe to visit with family.

Now within the parameters of a standard United Airlines award ticket, I booked the itinerary you see above, Economy Class going to India, and First Class on the return. My first step was finding award inventory in the India-US direction, which is incredibly difficult to do in the summer time, as this is a peak period for US origin travel to India. I eventually managed to find a one-stop from Newark via Munich to Mumbai on August 7th, but instead I opted for a more circuitous Newark-Hamburg-Istanbul-Mumbai routing. This routing would allow me to visit two new airports (Hamburg and Istanbul), and fly a new aircraft type (the Airbus A321 --  most of my short haul flying has been on United and American, neither of whom currently have A321s) in the spirit of a true aviation connoisseur.

The advantages of this routing are that I have a comfortable 4 hour layover in Hamburg (allowing me to shower in the lounge) as opposed to the hour long sprint I'd have to endure in Munich, as well as 4 hours to review the Turkish Airlines CIP lounge in Istanbul, considered by many to be the best business class lounge in the world. It also allows me to provide a review of Turkish Airlines' service offering in economy class on flights between India and the West. And the Istanbul-Mumbai sector is currently scheduled on a Boeing 777-300ER leased from Jet Airways.

Turkish Airlines Business Class (CIP) Lounge - Istanbul
Image Credit - One Mile at a Time

The return flights from Mumbai are also notable. On a first class award, I will have a business class flight overnight from Bangkok to Mumbai, and then I will be able to experience Thai Airways famed first class services in Bangkok- including a golf cart ride to the lounge, hour long complementary Thai massages, and a full service restaurant. Then I will be on to the highlight of my trip; First Class on the Thai Airways A380 between Bangkok and Frankfurt, my first time in international first class and my first time flying an A380. Then its a couple of hours of layover in Frankfurt and off to Zurich,.

Thai Airways Royal First Class on A380
Image Credit - Australian Business Traveler

Now its the flights home to the US that I am still unsure about. The only flight home I could find at the time of booking was the Air Canada itinerary displayed. However, what I am banking on is that Lufthansa tends to release its first class award inventory to United 14 days before departure; Lufthansa First Class and the First Class Terminal at Frankfurt would be  a perfect way to end this trip. Either way, I am excited for my journey!

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French air traffic controllers strike affects flights

Update on June 11th, 08h00 Paris local time

Several different unions representing French Air Traffic Control (ATC) under the French Civil Aviation Authority have called for industrial dispute from June 11 up to June 13, 2013. Controllers are striking over a plan to unify European airspace which will ensure greater efficiency and cope with the projected increase in traffic.

As a consequence, on request of French Civil Aviation, all airlines operating within or to France have to reduce their flight schedules by 50% for this period. This has caused a ripple impact across flights. Greater on medium and short haul flights (domestic France, intra-Europe, North Africa, etc.), and less on long haul flights.

Bangalore Aviation recommends passengers travelling to or from or within France to contact your airline immediately to determine the level of impact, if any. Many airlines are permitting changes to itineraries without fees.

Air France update page
SWISS update page
Lufthansa update page

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Lufthansa to lower take-off acceleration altitude globally to save fuel

Lufthansa is set to change its take-off procedure for all departures outside Germany, and implement one standard, worldwide.

As of 1 June 2013, the airline will lower the acceleration altitude, for using the climb thrust and for further accelerating by its aircraft that are taking off, from 1,500 feet (approx. 457 metres) to 1,000 feet (approx. 305 metres).

What does 1000-foot acceleration altitude mean?

Immediately after take off, an aircraft usually ascends at a constant speed with the flaps extended until it reaches a certain altitude. Modern aircraft generally do not use the maximum thrust available at this point, but rather a reduced level of take-off thrust. When the aircraft reaches an initial target altitude, the engines’ thrust is switched to climb thrust.

As the aircraft continues to take off, it has to accelerate so that the flaps can be retracted and it can climb to its cruising altitude at a higher speed.

As passengers we experience this flaps retraction, which leads to a momentary reduction of lift in the wing, by a sinking feeling.

Soon after that the aircraft starts speeding up and the nose is raised higher to continue the climb.

The altitude at which the speed increase begins is called the acceleration altitude.

By reducing the altitude from 1,500ft to 1,000ft above ground level (AGL), decreases the wind resistance when the flaps are retracted, thus lowering fuel consumption. Lufthansa expects that changing the procedure at Frankfurt alone would save around 2,200 tonnes of fuel per year and a reduction of around 7,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Globally, Lufthansa will save around 6,000 tonnes less kerosene, around 18,000 tonnes less CO2.

A reduction in the acceleration altitude from 1,500 feet to 1,000 feet is permitted under ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation "pronounced Eye-Kay-Oh") regulations and is standard practice at most German and international airports and is already used by many airlines as it leads to lower fuel consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Lufthansa has already notified the German aviation regulator the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), or "Federal Aviation Office" of the modified procedure, and has received approval. The German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development have already granted Lufthansa permission to change the procedure.

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As 787 Dreamliners return, passengers face economy class discomfort

As its much vaunted state of the art jetliner, the 787 Dreamliner returns to the skies, US airframer Boeing faces a dilemma. On the one hand Boeing has incorporated many improvements in the composite fuselage aircraft, which was meant to improve passenger comfort.

These include

• Windows that are about 30% bigger, allowing more natural light.
• Windows also feature an electronic dimming system
• Cabin pressure being maintained at a lower altitude of 6,000ft MSL rather than the traditional 8,000ft, thus reducing passenger fatigue.
• High cabin humidity reducing passenger dehydration
• The air-conditioning system is fed with air from scoops rather than engines, thus much cleaner
• The computer controlled LED lighting system that simulates the rise and ebb of natural light through the day, thus helping passengers better adjust to time zones.
• High ceilings, bigger over-head bins, and the cabin derived from the Boeing Sky Interior which gives passengers a bigger sense of space
• External to the cabin, the aircraft has an anti-turbulence system that makes for a smoother flight and much quieter engines.

Yet, despite all these improvements, with the exception of the two Japanese airlines All Nippon and Japan Airlines, all the other 787 operators have opted for the ultra-tight nine abreast 3-3-3 configuration in economy class that leaves the seats around a bone crushing 17" width. Fine for a short 737 flight, but extremely uncomfortable for the longer eight to twelve hour flights envisaged in the Dreamliner.

Even British Airways which recently revealed its 787 cabin layout has chosen the narrow 3-3-3 configuration for its World Traveller (economy) class.

One has to wait and see what configuration will "premium" carriers like Singapore Airlines choose.

So unless you are a zero sized petite Bollywood, Hollywood model, you might be well advised to leave the Dreamliner in your dreams. On the flip side, since most airlines have chosen not to have a first class in their 787s, if you have the big bucks or frequent flier miles to afford the Business Class, then the Dreamliner will truly live up to its name in its pampering.

Talking about frequent flier miles, I have just returned from one trip covering the US and Europe and had a chance to experience the new business class aboard Lufthansa's 747-8i's and the BusinessFirst "Pods" aboard Air Canada's 777s and 767s. They were both good experiences and I request you to please await my trip reports.

Unfortunately, I am going back to the US. Will be in the air when this publishes. While I am a charter member of Masochists-R-Us, but, after a long long time, I am flying Singapore Airlines, in their 777 economy class, considered the best in the world. Stay tuned for that trip report too.

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The Queen of Spices crowned in Lufthansa Star Chef Contest

Winning recipe to feature in Lufthansa flights and The Leela restaurants

Ms. Vandana Sethi was declared the Grand Prize winner of Lufthansa Star Chef Contest in the Grand Finale at The Leela, Mumbai yesterday where 12 aspiring chefs, selected from thousands of contestants across India, vied for top honours in a live cook-out.

Vandana won the battle of taste with her recipe for Khoye ki Subzi, which will feature in the celebrated Star Chef menu on-board Lufthansa’s India and at select restaurants at The Leela.

This contest began as a unique talent hunt on Lufthansa India Facebook page to find the best original Indian recipe. The 12 finalists emerged through a Facebook poll of the best recipes selected by the celebrated Star Chef jury comprising Master Chefs Kunal Kapur, Surender Mohan, and Thomas Brockenauer, all known for their culinary excellence and innovation. MasterChef Kunal Kapur explained

"Vandana’s innovative entrée was a clear winner as she stayed true to India’s culinary traditions,”

Ms. Sethi will fly to Frankfurt for a holiday and visit the LSG Sky Chefs facility in Germany. She also wins a coveted internship at the Leela Group for three months.

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Ground crew strike cripples Lufthansa

by Devesh Agarwal

German carrier Deutsche Lufthansa underwent an almost total shut-down when its ground crew went on strike early Monday over working conditions, causing the cancellation of almost all of the airline’s flights.

In a statement on its website, the carrier said "nearly all Lufthansa flights within Germany and Europe will be cancelled" and "massive flight cancellations and delays are to be expected for long-haul flights". The airline indicates that only about 32 of a total planned 1,720 flights are expected to operate.

The 24 hour strike, which was announced in advance, started around 04:00 CET (02:00 UTC) in Stuttgart and an hour later in other airports around Germany. This is the second wave of strikes by the Ver.di union over wages and working conditions for about 33,000 employees. In the first strike action about a month back, over 700 flights were affected.

One has to feel sorry, at least in part, for the European carriers. They are just about coping with the ferocious competition from global carriers, and now they face industrial action.

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INFOGRAPHIC: Airline-wise share of international passenger traffic, to and from India, 2011 to 2012

Based on a report in The Economic Times we have prepared this infographic showing the airlines' market share of international passenger traffic to and from India during fiscal 2011~2012.

The chart throws up some surprises. SriLankan Airlines and Oman Air feature on this list, but Singapore Airlines does not. Hard to accept? and where is AirAsia? Share your thoughts via a comment.

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Infographic: Airbus delivers 100th A380 superjumbo to Malaysia Airlines

Airbus matching milestones with Boeing, delivered its 100th A380 super-jumbo to national carrier Malaysia Airlines, the airline's sixth aircraft registration 9M-MNF.

Now in its sixth year of commercial service, the A380 is flying with nine world class airlines. To date, the worldwide fleet has carried some 36 million passengers in 100,000 flights.

The delivery to an Asian carrier is subtle in its signals. About 65% of current A380 capacity is to, from, or within the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 50,000 seats offered on nearly 500 flights every week. Europe has about 250 weekly services, and North America, 200.

Overall, A380s regularly operate at more than 30 airports globally on 65 scheduled routes with nine current airlines: Air France, China Southern, Emirates, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways International.

Airbus projects a demand of 1,700 VLA (Very Large Aircraft of 400 seats or more) over the next 20 years. Asia Pacific leads demand at 45%, the Middle East 23% and Europe 19%.

Airbus has also produced a neat little Infographic which is shared below.

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Lufthansa becomes first European airline operating A320 with Sharklets

German mainline carrier Deutsche Lufthansa has taken delivery of its first A320 equipped with new Sharklets, and becomes the first carrier in Europe to take benefit of the new fuel-saving wing-tip devices. The airline will receive 21 more A320 Family aircraft equipped with Sharklets until 2015.

Lufthansa A320 with Sharklets

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Lufthansa India launches Star Chef contest on its Facebook page, but read the terms carefully

by Devesh Agarwal

Lufthansa image.

German carrier Deutsche Lufthansa has launched an exclusive contest, for aspiring chefs, on its India page on Facebook.

Called the Star Chef Contest, the aim of the contest is to find Indian main course recipes for service aboard Lufthansa's First and Business class flights between India and Germany.

The winning recipe will be featured in business or first class in one menu cycle on-board all Lufthansa flights ex-India. The duration of each menu cycle is two months. The winning recipe will also be featured at these restaurants - Jamawar, The Leela Mumbai and Diya, The Leela Kempinski Gurgaon

The Grand Prize winner also wins a free trip to Germany to visit LSG Sky Chefs kitchen, including a three night hotel stay, and gets a prestigious three month internship at one of The Leela hotels to hone their culinary skills.

Weekly winners will also be chosen as ‘Chef's Pick of the Week’ to win a kitchen appliance worth Rs 5000 or more!

To participate, entrants must:

• Submit an original recipe for an Indian main course (vegetarian or non-vegetarian)
• Upload a picture so that the jury can view a presentation of the dish
• Submit recipes before March 31, 2013

The jury of Chefs Surender Mohan, Kunal Kapur, and Thomas Brockenauer, will select the 15 best recipes based on taste, presentation and innovation. The Lufthansa India Facebook fans will then vote on these 15 to decide the ‘Top 8’ recipes.

One of the contest requirements is that the recipe has to be original and another is that the ‘Top 8’ entrants will be required to attend a live cooking contest judged by the jury in the Grand Finals at The Leela in Mumbai on 25 April 2013. Lufthansa will provide air tickets.

There are some aspects of the terms and conditions of the contest you should read carefully. The one we found troubling was under clause 3.a.

Once the recipes are submitted, they become the property of Lufthansa and the Star Chef, and can be used/ altered in any form for any usage in future.

Effectively you transfer your intellectual property to Lufthansa and an unnamed Star Chef (we assume Mr. Kunal Kapur) just by entering the contest. We have asked the airline for its comments on this broad-ranging condition, and are awaiting their answer.

Also Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign citizens residing in India, need not bother participating; the contest is only open to Indian citizens who are resident in India.

Visit the Lufthansa India Facebook page and launch the Star Chef Contest application from there.

While you are on Facebook, do take the time to visit the Bangalore Aviation Facebook page and give us a "like".

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The best wines onboard your flight. 2012 Cellars in the Sky awardees.

Once again it is that time of the year to combine two passions, flying and wine.

The annual Business Traveller 'Cellars in the Sky' awards were presented for the year 2012. The awards have been running since 1985, recognising the best business and first class wines served by airlines worldwide. Over 75 carriers were contacted in the summer of 2012, with a total of 33 airlines entering.



In repeat of last year, Australian carrier Qantas, took home the greatest number of awards, winning the prizes for Best Overall Wine Cellar, Best First Class Sparkling (shared with Oman Air), Best Business Class Sparkling (shared with Singapore Airlines), and Best-Presented First Class Wine List. A surprise winner this year is the resurgent Malaysia Airlines which also picked up two prizes, for Best First Class Red and Best First Class Cellar.

Blind tastings took place in December 2012 at the Brigade Bar and Bistro, London, with four judges independently scoring the wines. The judges were:

• Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge and food and wine matching guru;
• Tim Atkin, Master of Wine and award-winning wine columnist;
• Sam Harrop, Master of Wine and international winemaking consultant;
• Peter McCombie, Master of Wine and top restaurant wine consultant.

The airlines that took part were: Aer Lingus, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Eva Air, Finnair, Garuda Indonesia, Iberia, Jetstar, KLM, Korean Air, LAN Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

The list of awardees:

FIRST CLASS

Best First Class Red

Malaysia Airlines – Schubert Marion's Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2010, Wairarapa, Martinborough, New Zealand
Emirates – Château Clinet, 2001, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
Lufthansa – Château Canon La Gaffelière, 2007, Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Best First Class White

British Airways – Vincent Girardin Puligny Montrachet Premier Cru le Champ Gain, 2007, Burgundy, France
Emirates – August Kesseler Lorcher Schlossberg Alte Reben Riesling Spätlese, 2010, Rheingau, Germany
American Airlines – Henri Darnat Meursault Clos de Domaine, 2010, Burgundy, France

Best First Class Sparkling

(JOINT) Oman Air AND Qantas – Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, 2000, France
(JOINT) Emirates AND Malaysia Airlines – Champagne Dom Pérignon, 2003, France
Cathay Pacific – Champagne Amour de Deutz Brut, 2002, France

Best First Class Fortified and Sweet

All Nippon Airways – W and J Graham's 30 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal
(JOINT) Oman Air – Dr Loosen Riesling Beerenauslese, 2006, Mosel, Germany
AND Qantas – Seppeltsfield Paramount Collection Rare Muscat, NV, Rutherglen, Australia
Air France – Château Guiraud, 2006, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France

Best First Class Cellar

Malaysia Airlines
Qantas
Lufthansa

Best-Presented First Class Wine List

Qantas
Cathay Pacific
Qatar Airways

BUSINESS CLASS

Best Business Class Red

TAM Airlines – Château Bel-Air-Ouÿ, 2007, Jean-Luc Thunevin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France
Singapore Airlines – Bodegas Roda Rioja Reserva DOCa, 2007, Spain
Cathay Pacific – Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir, 2010, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

Best Business Class White

Oman Air – Sancerre "La Porte du Caillou", 2010, Henri Bourgeois, Loire, France
Jetstar – Main Divide Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, New Zealand
(JOINT) Aer Lingus – Lawson's Dry Hills Riesling, 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand
AND Emirates – Metis Sauvignon Blanc, 2009, Trinity Hills/Pascal Jolivet, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Best Business Class Sparkling

(JOINT) Qantas AND Singapore Airlines – Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve, NV, France
Qatar Airways – Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée NV, France
(JOINT) Air France AND Cathay Pacific – Champagne Deutz Brut Classic, NV, France

Best Business Class Fortified and Sweet

KLM – The Stump Jump Sticky Chardonnay Riesling Semillon Pinot Gris, 2010, Adelaide Hills/McLaren Vale, Australia

Finnair – Niepoort Colheita, 1998, Douro, Portugal

Air New Zealand – Winter Solstice Glacier Wine, 2010, Reliance Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand

Best Business Class Cellar

Singapore Airlines
Qantas
Aer Lingus

Best-Presented Business Class Wine List

Air New Zealand
Finnair
LAN Airlines

OVERALL

Best Overall Wine Cellar

Qantas
Singapore Airlines
Qatar Airways

Best Airline Alliance

Oneworld

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