British Airways marks 85 years of flying to Kuwait – New products for 2018 launched

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KUWAIT CITY, Nov 22: It has been 85 years now since British Airways’ first flight to the Middle East with its arrival in Kuwait in October 1932. As British Airways marks 85 years of flying to Kuwait, the airlines has announced the launch of new products in 2018 during the luncheon press conference hosted by British Airways at Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday.

“Our services in Kuwait are among one of the first regional operations to receive the new Club World sleep offering in 2018, following our £400 million investment in this cabin. We have a long legacy of flying to Kuwait and will continue to invest in our product and services to ensure our customers living there enjoy the best of British hospitality in the air and on the ground,” disclosed Robert Williams, British Airways’ Head of Sales — Asia Pacific and the Middle East to the media.

Over luncheon, Williams briefed the media about the airline’s £4.5 billion strategy and the exciting times ahead of 2018. Joining him during the press briefing was Anjulika Dutton, British Airways Commercial Manager Kuwait, Oman and the UAE.

After more than eight and a half decades, British Airways now operates 93 flights a week between its hub at London Heathrow and the Middle East during its winter schedule. Remaining a key market for the airline’s global network of more than 200 destinations, British Airways has confirmed its plans to roll out its new luxurious sleep proposition by spring 2018 and refurbished catering menus will be introduced to Kuwait during the year, among other investments.

Williams outlined that this commitment forms part of the airline’s multi-million-pound investment plans that focuses on excellence in the premium cabins and more choice and quality for all, announced earlier in the year by British Airways’ CEO Alex Cruz.

“We are set to roll out over the next five years 72 new aircraft and introduce new interiors on 128 aircraft within its existing fleet,” stated Williams.

Reiterating Alex Cruz’s comments shared at the recent World Travel Market in London, Williams highlighted that British Airways would continue to offer more low fares, ensuring that the airline remains competitive for customers in the global market. He added that there are plans to expand its route network to destinations customers wanted.

Williams announced the British Airways’ luxurious sleep proposition includes the airline’s partnership with The White Company to offer exclusively designed bedding within its premium cabin. Club World guests will be offered a large luxuriously soft pillow and white cotton pillowcase, a super-soft woven blanket with satin trim, a specially developed luxury duvet, as well as a padded mattress cover giving an extra layer of comfort.

Additionally, The White Company has also designed new Club World amenity kits that will come in elegantly designed bags which contain products from the retailer’s ‘Restore & Relax Spa Collection’, as well as a super-soft jersey eye-mask, offering a further touch of luxury in the sky.

Enhancing the customer dining experience, British Airways will roll out a new culinary boutique service, with display trolleys allowing customers to select dishes from a choice of freshly prepared starters and desserts served on beautiful new table settings.

“While significant investment is being made in our premium cabins, we are dedicated to ensuring that British Airways is for everyone. We recognise the need to create product options that cater to different travel budgets to stay ahead of the new competitive forces within the aviation industry,” pointed out Williams.

Among the new offerings to look forward to will be the upgraded service on long-haul on economy catering, fast Wi-Fi will be introduced across all cabins on both its short-haul and long-haul routes, and self-service check-in and biometric boarding gates will continue to be introduced at London Heathrow. Furthermore, British Airways’ is also developing options for a new Club World seat that offers direct aisle access by 2019.

“Back in 1932 our motto was ‘To Fly. To Serve’ and this is ethos is a living reality at British Airways. With a network of more than 200 destinations, we offer some of the best onward connections via London Heathrow to Europe and North America for our customers in Kuwait. We will be adding new routes to our network in 2018, widening the global access for residents in Kuwait and wider Middle East,” concluded Williams.

By Michelle Fe Santiago – Arab Times Staff

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