Beginning on March 26, the following changes take effect:
Vienna – Hamburg will increase from 3x/day to 4x/day
Vienna – Milan Malpensa will increase from 4x/day to 6x/day
Vienna – Paris (CDG) will increase from 3x/day to 4x/day
Vienna – Stockholm will increase from 3x/day to 4x/day
Vienna – Zurich will increase from 4x/day to 7x/day
Expanding on their initial ban of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 aboard flights between the US and Europe, Lufthansa has now banned this ‘Smart Tinderbox’ from all flights on their timetable worldwide. The Lufthansa bans cover the phone being brought into the cabin and as well as being place in checked luggage.
The expansion of the ban comes after the FAA has made it a Federal crime to bring the phone aboard any flight operating to, from, or within the USA. Offenders are subject to civil penalties of up to approximately $180,000. Don’t even try to ship it via Air Mail, that’s been made a crime as well!
The ban applies to all Lufthansa Group Airlines and is effective immediately.
AUSTRIAN announced several major initiatives under yet another new plan, this time referred to as ‘Next Level Austrian’……
Beginning with the Summer 2018 timetable, Austrian will offer Premium Economy seating aboard their 777 and 767 long-haul aircraft. The retrofits will begin in the Winter of 2017 and should be completed by the end of Summer 2018. The seats will be similar to what we already see in Lufthansa’s Premium Economy. With the new seat will come improved leg room, better recline angles, and enhanced dining as compared to Economy. The 767 will have 18 Premium Economy seats installed and the 777 will have 24 Premium Economy Seats on board.
This comes at the expense of both Business and Economy seats: To make room for the Premium Economy cabin, Business and Economy class will both have a reduction in the number of overall seats. According to Austrian, the pricing will fall in between Economy and Business fares. I expect this to be very much like the Lufthansa Premium Economy product which has been very successful for the airline.
WiFi!
As part of the same announcement, OS has also indicated that their aircraft will begin an upgrade process that will see the installation of WiFi throughout the entire fleet. The first aircraft will be have Wifi available for passengers by mid-December of this year and the entire fleet will have connectivity by Summer 2017.
With the broadband system, passengers will be able to use their smart devices for any internet-based purpose including live streaming, email, etc. Per the existing policy using the service for phone calls will still not be allowed. Pricing is yet to be determined.
