Industry source innovates at 50
Onboard Hospitality, the leading magazine for onboard caterers and product providers, is celebrating! First launched in 2002, it has just produced its 50th issue. Its team is flying in the face of the trend towards recession and austerity and has produced a bumper edition, ranked among its biggest and best yet. Now regularly referred to as the ‘go to resource’ of the industry, Onboard Hospitality prides itself on being the eyes and the ears of the sector, focusing on onboard news and comment from airlines, cruise and rail operators. Spawned originally from Hospitality Industry International, a publication on hotels and catering, Onboard Hospitality was launched a decade ago to reflect the growing importance of hospitality on the move and to give recognition to the specific role of the catering and hospitality industry with airlines, cruise ships and railways.
Now read in 73 countries, its genuinely international readership includes over 8,500 senior executives within the supply and onboard services industry for the airline, cruise and rail sectors. Editor, Jo Austin, said: “Our team prides itself on being close to all the leading players in the industry and we love to champion innovation and new products. From jams to pyjamas, peanuts to personal head- phones, if it goes onboard we’re interested in writing about it. Hardware or software, trolley wheels or wi-fi, we’ve got it covered, not to mention the catering kitchens of the world, onboard chefs, wines and cabin services. Ours is a vibrant and dynamic industry and the magazine’s incredible success reflects this.” Keen to continue innovating, the team has now launched monthly e-newsletter to keep the industry updated between issues and has appointed an additional team member – Alex Rogers – to head up a new dedicated Inflight Entertainment section within the each issue.
www.onboardhospitality.com
New appointment recognises IFE growth
Onboard Hospitality, the leading magazine for caterers and onboard product providers, is launching a regular new section dedicated to the inflight entertainment sector of the industry.
Technology has become ever more important to the consumer in recent years and its role onboard has become still more critical. In recognition of this the magazine has now appointed Alex Rogers as its inflight entertainment specialist.
Alex is gadget-mad, loves innovation and all kinds of technology and is standing by to hear all the latest IFE news. A regular jet-setter, Alex never fails to spend the first hour of every flight exploring the gadgetry within his seat, so flag up any innovations and he’ll be happy to check them out and spread the word.
Alex is new to the world of onboard hospitality but he’s not new to travel. He speaks fluent Italian and spent the last four years working for a tour operator specialising in Sicily. Now he’s swapped heli-tours over Etna and villas with personal chefs for headphones and connectivity, PEDS, iPads, handheld devices and on-demand content.
Alex says: “This is clearly a very exciting time for the inflight entertainment sector. The market is evolving so quickly with game-changing technology regularly breaking new ground. I am really looking forward to developing this section of the magazine and learning about new products and getting a debate going on where all this technology is taking us.”
Contact him with news, views and technology predictions at alex.rogers@bmipublishing.co.uk. He’ll also be with the Onboard Hospitality team at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, Hamburg, March 27-29. Do contact him in advance to make an appointment for him to visit your stand.
www.onboardhospitality.com
Airline Amenity Awards
It is sixty years since the first amenity bag was put onboard a BOAC flight featuring a bag designed by Elizabeth Arden. It is also sixty years since Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II of England. The industry has moved on a long way since 1952 and the awards recognised airlines and suppliers for the innovation, design, content, environmental impact as well as emotional impact of their amenity bags and children’s kits.
Guests came from afar afield as Hong Kong, Korea, Abu Dhabi and New York to be with us on the night and our European friends struggled through well-below freezing temperatures. Our thanks to Casa Vinicola Zonin for serving its Italian wines.
Congratulations to the winners:
Best First Class Female Amenity Bag/Kit: Gold: Oman Air supplier Helios • Silver: Saudi Arabian Airlines supplier Harmony • Bronze: Cathay Pacific Airways supplier Helios
Best First Class Male Amenity Bag/Kit: Gold: Saudi Arabian Airlines supplier Harmony • Silver: Qantas supplier buzz • Bronze: Oman Air supplier Helios
Best First Class Unisex Amenity Bag/Kit: Gold: Swiss International Airlines supplier Helios
• Silver: Thai Airways supplier FORMIA
• Bronze: Air India supplier FORMIA • Blue: Delta Airlines supplier WESSCO
Best Business Class Female Amenity Bag/Kit: Gold: KLM supplier Helios
• Silver: Air Astana supplier FORMIA • Bronze: Emirates supplier Harmony
Best Business Class Male Amenity Bag/Kit: Gold: Air Astana supplier FORMIA
• Silver: Emirates supplier Harmony
• Bronze: KLM supplier Helios
Best Business Class Unisex Amenity Bag/Kit:
Gold: Oman Air supplier Helios
• Silver: Saudi Arabian Airlines supplier Harmony
• Bronze: Lan Chile Airlines supplier Helios
• Blue: Qantas supplier buzz
Best Premium Economy Class Amenity Bag/Kit:
Gold: Air New Zealand supplier Watermark
Best Economy Class Amenity Bag/Kit:
Gold: Emirates supplier Harmony
• Silver: Turkish Airlines supplier FORMIA
• Bronze: Korean Air supplier FORMIA
Best Children’s Goody Bag: Gold: Lufthansa supplier Sky Chiefs
• Silver: Etihad Airways supplier Watermark
• Bronze: Air New Zealand supplier buzz
Best Ethically/Sustainable Amenity Bag/Kit:
Gold: TAP Portugal supplier Skysupply
• Silver: Aeromexico supplied by WESSCO
• Bronze: Austrian Airlines supplier FORMIA
The Best in-Flight Amenity:
Gold: SkyWork – ipad
• Gold: Etihad supplier Wessco
• Silver: American Airlines supplier WESSCO
The TravelPlus Readers Award for Most innovative Bag Design:
Gold: Thai Airways supplier FORMIA
• Silver: Air New Zealand supplier Watermark
• Bronze: Austrian Airlines supplier FORMIA
Supplier of the Year:Helios
Most Innovative Supplier of the Year: Buzz
deSter buys Helios
deSter Holding BV, a subsidiary of gategroup, has acquired Netherlands-based Helios, a global provider of onboard products and services for the airline, rail and hospitality industries for around CHF 27 million. Helios' product lines include disposable and re-usable onboard equipment, plastic, metal, china and glass service ware and passenger amenity kits, all highly complementary with those of deSter and Harmony. It is anticipated that the acquistion will provide synergies in marketing, manufacturing and supply chain solutions.
Helios' revenue for 2011 was over CHF 70 million and combined with deSter's and Harmony the annual revenue will exceed CHF 250 million.Said Jons Hensel, chairman of Helios: "Being reunited with deSter and Harmony within gategroup is like coming home. Everyone at Helios looks forward to taking our collective innovation, delivery and customer service capabilities to the next level." Hensel was instrumental in the development of deSter in an earlier form and he and his partners founded Helios as an independent company around 15 years ago."We are extremely excited to have Jons and his team join the company and accelerate the growth of deSter and Harmony in the coming years," said Andrew Gibson, gategroup ceo.
www.helios-mppd.nl
Virgin Atlantic invests in upper class
Virgin Atlantic is seeking to increase its share of the business traveller market through a programme of new product and service developments both on the ground and in the air. These will include a cutting edge Upper Class cabin including enhanced seating and a futuristic bar in addition to ‘fine dining’ onboard complete with customised menus.
Virgin recruited groups of its most frequent fliers to test the concepts, even allowing some to try out the beds with an overnight stay in the airline’s test facility.
The new Upper Class launch will commence on its London to New York JFK morning flight before extending to all the Heathrow fleet over the next three years and is supported by a new multi million pound Clubhouse at the John F Kennedy airport.
www.virgin-atlantic.com
gategroup Renews Agreement with AirBerlin
gategroup has renewed a long-term contract with AirBerlin to provide catering and provisioning services through its Gate Gourmet brand until the end of 2016, covering operations in over 10 European airports including Dusseldorf.
The value of the agreement is CHF 70 to 80 million per year and the airline is currently among Gategroup's top 10 customers in terms of annual revenue.
gategroup brand Performa also recently reached a long-term agreement with AirBerlin to design, build and manage its’ flagship lounge at the new Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, scheduled to open mid-year.
www.gategroupmember.com
Hong Kong Airlines all Club Class
Hong Kong Airlines has launched an all Club Class service flying daily non-stop between London Gatwick and Hong Kong.
The new service will be operated with a dedicated fleet of three brand new Airbus A330-200s featuring a unique all Club Class seating configuration. The two premium cabins: ‘Club Premier’ which includes 34 suites with fully flat 6’1” beds, and ‘Club Classic’ which features 82 cradle seats, are designed to deliver the airline’s exceptional signature service.
Gerard Clarke, gm UK for Hong Kong Airlines stated: “We have gained a reputation for outstanding service over the past five years and we look forward to extending this to our new flagship route…”
Guy Stephenson, cco, London Gatwick said: “We are very excited to welcome Hong Kong Airlines to Gatwick. This is a unique service which provides a real choice to business and premium leisure traffic to one of the world’s great cities.”
www.hongkongairlines.com/club
Atherton Partners Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines has partnered with Michelin star chef, Jason Atherton, to create an in-flight dining concept for customers on board its new flagship all Club Class service from London Gatwick to Hong Kong.
Atherton will create a signature menu for customers in Club Classic and Club Premier cabins reflecting the best culinary traditions of China, Europe and beyond, complemented by an expertly chosen wine list and a selection of fine Chinese teas.
“I’m looking forward to showcasing my concept for Hong Kong Airlines to give customers a truly memorable experience,” said Jason Atherton.
Atherton was the first British chef to complete a stage at Spain’s famous el Bulli restaurant and worked under Pierre Koffmann, Nico Ladenis, Marco Pierre White, and Gordon Ramsay, before opening his flagship restaurant in London.
>www.hongkongairlines.com/club
New contract win for SSP Spain in Valencia
SSP will operate three new outlets at Valencia Airport’s new terminal scheduled to open later this summer. The deal valued at approximately €7.5 million over eight years, sees the opening of Café & Te in the arrival hall, Burger King located airside and Café Ritazza in the check in hall.
Both Café & Te and Café Ritazza are well established in Spain whilst Burger King is expected to prove a success owing to its’ popularity among passengers at existing Spanish Airport outlets.
SSP is working closely with a number of local agencies to ensure that all outlets use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
Cellar in the Skies
Emirates has come top in a poll of over 60 entries for one of its First Class white wines. Winner of the Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky award, The 2006 Art Series Chardonnay from The Leeuwin Estate in the Margaret River region of Western Australia is made up entirely of Chardonnay grapes and is served in First Class on all the airline’s Asia Pacific routes.
Brazilian airline, TAM received the award for best red wine served in First Class. The Clos Canon 2008, is an elite Bordeaux consisting purely of Merlot grapes passing through fine oak barrels and is produced for TAM by Château Canon, part of the Chanel group. TAM also took the award as the airline with the most improved First Class wine cellar.
The annual award organised by Business Traveller magazine took place in London on February 6.
Air France customer service at Paris-CDG
OAir France is now offering its customers a range of personalised services at Paris-Charles de Gaulle including accompaniment by an Air France agent through the airport via priority access routes for departures, arrivals and flight connections.
Transfers between the airport and Paris by chauffeured car, minibus or motorcycle, the reservation of a hotel room for a few hours to freshen-up or have breakfast before going into the city and luggage collection or delivery to an address in the Paris area, will also be available.
Prices start at 200 Euros, plus taxes, for accompaniment of up to four passengers per agent. Flying Blue members can earn 400 bonus miles with every purchase.
Customers travelling with Air France or KLM can purchase the service by calling the special hotline +33 (0) 1 72 95 00 77* (open 7 days/week: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.).
For special requests, including receiving or assisting groups, Air France offers on-demand customised service and provides a personalised quote within 24 hours.
Detailed information is available on the Air France website: www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/guidevoyageur/aeroport/service_personnalise_aeroport.htm
Lumexis® introduces stand-alone wireless
Lumexis Corporation introduces WiPAX, a stand‐alone wireless delivery solution for Passenger Electronic Devices (PEDs) in narrow body aircrafts.
Lumexis ceo Doug Cline explained: “The new product was developed as the result of customer demand. Multiple carriers asked us to create a solution for short‐haul, narrowbody routes which may not justify in‐seat monitors.”
WiPAX, is differentiated from competitors’ wireless products in offering a solution already proven from end to end. The same Lumexis FTTS applications widely deployed in daily revenue service give airlines the opportunity for ancillary revenue in short‐haul, narrow body applications. Passenger devices include iPads, laptops, smartphones and other PEDs streaming movie content and diverse data from Lumexis servers and real‐time, off‐ aircraft Internet.
WiPAX simultaneously provides HDTV over fiber to big screens in First and Business cabins.
Picture; Simple and lightweight, the Lumexis® WiPAX™ system consists of WAPs (Wireless Access Points, left) Wireless Server Unit (WSU, center) and Firewall Router Unit (FRU, right)
www.lumexis.com
Chinese App launched at airports
Chinese passengers can read all signage at Schiphol in their own language - Mandarin thanks to the Chinese version of the 'Schiphol App' which navigates passengers through the airport and translates signposting into Mandarin using their smartphone camera.
Other features include information on product offers, flights, public transport, baggage and medical services along with departure lounge maps translated into Mandarin.
According to Otto Ambagtsheer, Director of the Business Area Consumers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: "We developed the app jointly with Aéroports de Paris and are the first airports in Europe to address Chinese passengers in their own language…we aim to offer the growing numbers of Chinese passengers a warm welcome"
The Chinese app, developed by M2Mobi and commissioned by Schiphol Group and Aéroports de Paris, can be downloaded by both iPhones and Android telephones.
New class for Cathay
Cathay Pacific Airways has launched a new Premium Economy class. This will be progressively introduced on long-haul flights from March 2012. At the same time, the airline will introduce a new Economy class seat on the majority of its long-haul aircraft.
Cathay Pacific chief executive John Slosar said: “Premium Economy will be a real upgrade over Economy, and passengers will get great value for a great product. The seat will have a generous recline and plenty of legroom, and passengers will also enjoy improved service and many other extras.
“Our new long-haul Economy class seat will also provide more space and comfort, particularly in the enhanced recline position. And with lots of extras - including the latest in in-flight touch-screen personal televisions and mobile device connectivity - those long flights will be even more interesting and enjoyable.”
The new Premium Economy product will feature a quieter, more spacious cabin than the existing Economy class. The seat pitch will be 38 inches, and the seat itself will be wider and have a bigger recline. It will have a large meal table, cocktail table, footrest, a 10.6-inch personal television, an in-seat power outlet, a multi-port connector for personal devices, and extra personal stowage space.
On the ground, passengers will enjoy priority check-in at dedicated counters and priority boarding before traditional Economy class passengers. There will also be an increase in baggage allowance.
www.cathaypacific.com
New JV in Brazilian Onboard Catering
The Brazilian EBX Group and the Newrest Group, a major player in the international catering market, have announced the creation of NRX-NEWREST, a joint venture company.
The company will operate in airline and railway catering, meals, remote site operations, onshore and offshore operational support, cleaning and hospitality sectors. NRX-NEWREST will provide its services to the Brazilian market.
"With NRX-NEWREST, we are going to take this booming market to another level in Brazil, providing quality and efficient services at an appropriate cost," said Eike Batista, president of the EBX Group.
"We are extremely pleased to be part of this venture with one of the largest private groups in Brazil, bringing the knowledge and experience gained in the 15 years of operations in the catering segment in 46 countries," said Oliver Sadran, ceo of Newrest.
"We will strive to become one of the major players in this market in Brazil. We will hire and train about 1,000 professionals over the next five years," said Aziz Ben Ammar, one of the founding partners of NRX-NEWREST.
www.ebx.com
www.newrest.eu
SSP wins contracts at San Diego
SSP America has won two 10-year concessions with San Diego International Airport. SSP’s new outlets will bring the familiar face of southern California to the travellers of San Diego by featuring locally owned brands.
“Wherever we operate we source the local legends, the best and brightest stars of the area – keeping jobs local and in-state wherever possible,” said Les Cappetta, president and ceo of SSP America. “We are very proud to be partnering with San Diego International Airport and to bring the best of California’s regional cuisine to the travellers at SAN.”
Nyle Marmion, manager of SAN Concession Development, commented: “The Airport Authority is excited about the line-up of concepts that SSP will bring to SAN. They contribute to our goal of capturing the spirit of the San Diego region while ensuring a diversity of local, regional and national concepts.”
The new brands include Vin De Syrah, which offers sprits, unique beers and wines by the glass. The award-winning local restaurants Pacifica Del Mar and Pacifica Breeze are the inspiration for the Pacifica San Diego Airport. Ryan Bros Coffee’s commitment to using the best fresh roasted beans, exotic teas and cocoa has won it a loyal local following.
The new bars and restaurants will be supported by investment in training and development of the local team to ensure that their skill sets are appropriate to deliver the new brands.
New Oman Air lounge at Bangkok
Oman Air has opened a new Business class lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The lounge can accommodate up to 40 passengers and is conveniently located on the second floor of the international terminal.
First and Business class passengers can use the business centre, equipped with free broadband and WiFi, scanner and photocopiers. The lounge also features a complimentary buffet of snacks comprising traditional Arabic cuisine and Oriental dishes. Guests can enjoy hot beverages, freshly squeezed juices, or select an apéritif from the bar.
Satellite television, newspapers and magazines (Omani, Thai and International) are also available. Passengers with longer connections who wish to relax can use the sleeper couches in a specially allocated ‘quiet area’.
Aaron Claxton, general manager of catering for Oman Air, said: “The opening of this new lounge is a testament of Oman Air’s continual drive in providing its passengers with a seamless travel experience offering 5-star services coupled with traditional Omani hospitality….The recent expansion of Oman Air flights into Thailand prompted the need for a dedicated lounge … emulating the superb lounge which opened at Muscat International airport in January of 2011.
“We have appointed Bangkok Air catering as our service partner to support this operation and in doing so believe we have a superb product offering which complements the high service standards they currently provide to us onboard.”
www.omanair.com
Themed menus from Alison Price on Air
The London-based elite in-flight catering business Alison Price On Air is launching a series of new themed menus. These are designed to cater for the increasing variety of their client nationalities.
The first themed menu has been created in conjunction with Tamarind, the Indian restaurant in Mayfair famed for its innovative food. The restaurant has held a Michelin star since 2001.
Under the new agreement Tamarind will prepare the Indian food in their dedicated kitchens and use packaging created by Alison Price on Air to keep the food fresh, and in position. Accompanying flash cards ensure the flight attendants present the food correctly.
“We chose to work with Tamarind as their aims and values are very similar to ours,” commented Daniel Hulme, director of Inflight Services at Alison Price on Air. “We have previously worked with them on a number of events and their attention to detail, focus on providing the best food possible and ensuring customer satisfaction mirror the qualities we strive for at Alison Price on Air.”
The new dishes, which include Padpi Chaat, a spiced chickpea dish, and Pudhina Lamb, tenderly spiced chops with a chilli yoghurt, will be available from the end of October to all private flights from the London area. Alison Price on Air is also researching bespoke Middle Eastern and Asian menus.
www.apoa.co.uk
Time for tea at BA
British Airways has partnered with Twinings as its exclusive global tea supplier across all flights and airport lounges.
Tea is Britain’s most popular drink, with over 165,000,000 cups being drunk in the UK every single day. Now British Airways is making sure that the very best tea can be enjoyed in the air too.
A specially selected Twinings English Breakfast blend was introduced across all British Airways flights and cabins in the New Year, bringing passengers a great tea blend that helps combat the effects altitude can have on palates.
First and Club (Business class) customers can enjoy a wide range of Twinings speciality, infusions and green teas both in British Airways lounges and in-flight.
Twinings Tetra Mesh Loose Tea range, presented in delicate silk pyramid bags, will be introduced into British Airways First Class cabins from April 2012. The range will include English Breakfast; Tutti Fruitti Earl Grey; Mint Humbug; Jasmine Pearls; Red Berry Fool; and Honeycomb Camomile.
Kate Thornton, British Airways’ head of product and service, says; “Tea is very much a signature beverage for our customers. British Airways prides itself on excellence in service and therefore it is crucial that we consistently deliver high-quality teas across our entire network. With its reputation for quality, Twinings is a natural choice for us.”
www.ba.com