by Lufthansa Flyer | May 25, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa |
Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa Group’s CEO, has not ruled out the possibility of subjecting pilots to random drug testing as part of a new policy in the wake of the Germanwings disaster in March.
In an interview with Germany’s FAZ, Spohr, himself a former Lufthansa pilot, explained that such a policy could help identify pilots who are on medications that may make them unfit to fly or otherwise identify medications that the pilots are on that they did not disclose as part of the medical evaluations. This would most likely include screening for alcohol and illegal drugs as well.
From what I gather from the interview and other sources, LH would not administer the drug test but would have an independent third party take care of the screening. It was suggested that this can be something that comes directly from the German government as a mandate for any of Germany’s airlines.
On many levels this makes common sense. Most employers already have policies in their employer-employee agreements that subject employees to random drug testing. If professional athletes and Olympians do it, shouldn’t an airline pilot?
Of course, there may be a very loud NO coming from the union that represents pilots who may construe this recommendation as an invasion of the pilot’s privacy.
I for one am in support of such a policy. If I, as a relatively benign portfolio manager am subject to random drug screening, a pilot should be subject to the same policy.
What are your thoughts? Yes or No for random drug screening for those we trust with our lives?
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 22, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Swiss, Uncategorized |
Beginning on October 1 Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian passengers will have a simplified three-tiered Economy fare choice for intra-European travel. The structure is loosely based on the current Germanwings concept that affords different ‘extras’ based on which of the 3 classes is booked.
The 3 Economy fare options will be ‘Light’, ‘Classic’, and ‘Flex’ and here is a breakdown of what the characteristics are for each of the 3:
LIGHT:
1 piece of carry-on luggage up t0 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Fares will be non-refundable and non-changeable.
For additional fees you can select your seat prior to check-in, check a bag (up to 50 kilograms / 23 pounds) or book seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead and exit row seating.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
CLASSIC:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry-on up to 8 kilograms / 17 pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional baggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for a fee, but are non-refundable.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
FLEX:
1 piece of luggage up to 23 kilograms / 50 pounds.
1 carry on up to 8 kilograms 17 / pounds.
Free seat selection at the time of booking.
For additional fees you will be able to check additional luggage or select seats with extra leg room such as bulkhead or exit row seating.
Fares can be rebooked for free and refundable for a fee.
Eligible for Award and Status miles.
50% Award Mile Bonus.
Regardless of which fare class is booked, Miles and More members will retain their status benefits so access to lounges, priority boarding, priority security etc. will not be affected. Star Alliance Gold members also will be able to use their benefits as well, including access to Senator lounges, priority check-in, etc. However, regardless of status level, passengers will be required to pay for a seat if they wish to choose a seat at booking under a ‘Light Fare’ and will need to pay if checking a bag.
Additionally, onboard catering will not be impacted by which fare class you select. All passengers in Economy will receive the same level of beverage and meal service.
Booking for these new fare classes will be open beginning June 23 for SWISS flights while Austrian and Lufthansa will open their booking systems for these new fares starting on July 28. Remember, these fares take effect for travel beginning on October 1, 2015.
by Lufthansa Flyer | May 20, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa |
Two brands that are near and dear to my heart have partnered on a project to develop the next generation of ultra-luxury cabin appointments for aircraft.
The partnership looks to explore what the boundaries may be in creating cabin interiors for VIP aircraft by combining talents from both design teams. The initial concepts that you’ll see below are still in prototype and design phase an it may be a while before they become reality. At the same time, do not expect these kind of concept cabins to find their way aboard your flight between Chicago and Munich.
These designs are geared for the VIP / Private aircraft demographic so you don’t have to worry about having enough miles to burn in your account in order to experience something like this. You’ll need to be a member of Billionaires Club to pull this off!
But for the rest of us, we can at least get an idea of what a few lucky people may be experiencing one day (all photos courtesy of Daimler):
