by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 17, 2014 | Eurowings, Featured, Lufthansa, Swiss |
Lufthansa today shared details of their most recent aircraft order that is geared to improve SWISS’ and Eurowings’ fleet. In all, Lufthansa placed an order for 25 Airbus A320 aircraft, comprised of 15 NEOs and 10 CEOs.
For those of you unfamiliar with the A320NEO, it is Airbus’ latest version of the A320 ‘enhanced’ series of aircraft. This aircraft has been under development since 2010 and features substantial improvements over previous A320 models. Specifically, the ‘NEO’ comes with sweeping ‘Sharklets’ instead of traditional wingtips as well as a new air purification system and cabin interior designed for greater luggage capacity.
Wondering what the NEO stands for? It is short hand for ‘New Engine Option‘ which is basically the descriptor being used by airbus to advertise the fact that the new engines will 15% more fuel efficient and reduce operating expenses by 8%. Operators will have the choice between the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or CFM International LEAP-1A engine to power their NEOs. This new-found efficiency will increase range by 500 miles and allow for 20 more passengers to be stowed on board. Test flights of the NEO should be starting shortly.
The Lufthansa Group has ordered 15 of these A320s that will enter service with SWISS beginning in 2019.
Airbus’ newest A320 is set to enter service in late 2015
The other half of the order involves the purchase of 10 A320CEO aircraft that will be used to replace the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft currently in use by Eurowings. The CEO, or Current Engine Option, version of the A320 is currently being delivered to airlines. Some of the newer CEO aircraft feature large sharklets instead of traditional wing tips to help improve stability and fuel economy. The CEO version is powered by the CFM International CFM56 engine. Eurowings will take delivery of these aircraft in 2016 and 2017.
At list prices, this order comes at a cost of 2.5 billion Euro and is in addition to the 240 aircraft that the Lufthansa Group currently has on order at a cost of 30 billion Euro that will be delivered by 2025.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 9, 2014 | Business Class, Fare Sale, Featured, Swiss |
It’s that time of year again! The time when airlines start offering fantastic Business Class fares to Europe for travel during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
SWISS has launched their Business Class fare sale to Europe with fares starting as low as $1899 for travel to Barcelona from New York.
Most of the fares for this sale are ranging in the low to mid $2000 level from the East Coast while fares from the West Coast range in the very low $3000 range. Great fares!
I sampled a few fares, and found that this deal is available for travel between November 22 and December 1 with very good availability from their USA gateways. The Business Fares are being booked as ‘P’ fares.
Please pay SPECIAL ATTENTION to who will be operating your flight. Most of the fares that I sampled had SWISS as the carrier for the transatlantic segments. However, there were pockets where United and Air Canada were options. My suggestion is to make sure you fly on SWISS to fully enjoy the experience.
SWISS is consistently recognized as having one of the best Business Class experiences in the industry. If you’re going to spend $2000-$3000 to travel, you may as well fly with one of the best!
by Lufthansa Flyer | Sep 7, 2014 | Contests, Featured, Swiss |
The Swiss national travel board, Switzerland Tourism, has put together a contest that will award its winner and their guest a customized trip to Switzerland based on the entrant’s preferences. As part of this contest, SWISS International Air Lines will be furnishing the airline tickets between the USA and Switzerland.
The contest is Facebook based. When submitting an entry, you’ll have 3 destination options that you can choose from: Mount Pilatus, Basel and Lake Lucerne. Once you select your destination, you’ll be asked if you preferred mode of transport is by Rail, Cable Car or Walking and then finally you’ll be asked your preference for accommodations: Historic Swiss hotels, Deluxe Hotel or Traditional Swiss Hotel. After selecting your preferences you’ll be ask to provide your contact details.
The contest runs until September 30. The winner will receive roundtrip Economy airfare between a SWISS gateway in the USA and Switzerland, 3 nights accommodation in the hotel selected as part of the contest as well as 2 8 day First Class Swiss Rail passes to help you get around.
The contest is open to legal residents of the USA and Canada.
