Lufthansa Large on Luxury with A380s

Lufthansa set the future in motion in late 2001 when it ordered 15 A380s from Airbus. The German-based aviation firm has been a visionary of the airline industry from its inception in 1926. Lufthansa will have the largest fleet of A380s of any airline in Europe. The large A380s accommodate 550 passengers, which is 40 percent more than a Boeing 747's capacity. The spacious airbus will be deployed for point-to-point long routes as well as connecting passengers at central hubs. The A380s will be primarily used for the airline's long intercontinental flights from North America to Asia.

If you take an Airbus A340 and mount it onto a Boeing 747, the end result is an Airbus A380. The mammoth of an aircraft with a length of 239.5 feet, a wingspan of more than 260 feet, and a height just a shade taller than 79 feet flies approximately 9,200 miles between fuel refills.

Lufthansa is an airline that defers to its customers demands. The firm interviewed thousands of customers to determine how to design the cabins of the A380s.

All three sections of the spacious aircraft are being designed to be as comforting and accommodating as possible. However, the first-class passengers' quarters are truly special. These are "air suites" with luxury amenities on parity with those of world-class premier hotels. Each individual first-class seating section offers ample space and privacy to relax even during the longest flights. The amenities are topped off with a food and wine menu fit for a gourmand and an all-inclusive in-flight entertainment system that includes high-speed Internet access.

Lufthansa Means Business

Lufthansa is an airline with an array of appealing flight options. Many flyers in search of special accommodations enjoy flying Lufthansa Business Jet, as it is a smaller aircraft that luxuriantly accommodates passengers with more individual attention and super-size seating areas. The extra space gives travelers more flexibility and privacy.

Lufthansa's Airbus A319, which has a 48-seat business class, and its 44-seat business section on Boeing 737 are lined with the extraordinary roomy Lie-Flat Seats, out more than 6.5 feet. There is ample space with a reading lamp and a power connection for portable computers.

Customers flying in an Airbus aircraft A300 to A600 and on Business Jet flights have Mobile Media Players to personalize their in-flight entertainment. Passengers can choose from 65 video options, including 30 movies. Additionally, there are 25 TV programs, 10 music magazines, 100 CDs, various audio-books, radio programs, board games, games of skill, action and strategy, and language courses. It takes the doldrums out of those long-haul flights.

More Lufthansa

Did you know that Lufthansa Technik, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, redesigns commercial airplanes into VIP aircraft for private and commercial usage? Last year the firm announced a partnership with Andrew Winch Designs to redesign a Boeing 787, which normally seats more than 300 passengers, to a 30-to-50-passenger air palace with a forward lounge area, a movie theater, a conference area, a VIP master bedroom, and additional guest bedrooms. Other subsidiaries of the diverse aviation firm include Luthansa Systems, which is a leading IT service provider for the airline and aviation industry; Lufthansa Cargo, a leading airfreight delivery company; and LSG Sky Chefs, an in-flight service provider.

Get Lucky with Lufthansa!

Create your own Lufthansa experience by entering the "Discover your Moment" sweepstakes. The lucky winner will receive two first-class Lufthansa tickets to Munich, Germany and five-star hotel accommodations.

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More Luxury on Long-Distance Flights

The increasing demand by flyers for long-distance flights has commercial airlines with long-term business plans expanding their services to meet the needs of the marketplace. In a move that addresses the situation head on, Australia-based Qantas recently introduced the Qantas A380 into its flight plans. Flights on the gigantic Airbus A380 are currently departing from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles, with flights from Sydney to Singapore and to London on the runway for an early 2009 takeoff date.

Since the A380 transports 450 passengers, it addresses the influx of flyers quite tidily. However, there is a lot more than size that makes the Qantas A380 appealing to both the airline industry and its customers. The aircraft is up to 10 percent more fuel-efficient and its engines emit significantly less noise than comparable engines. It also is quieter inside the cabin as well. The reduction of interior cabin noise is just one of the upgrades and luxury amenities found in the Qantas A380.

All class would be the most appropriate term for describing the flight experience for long-distance flyers seated in any part of the spacious Airbus aircraft. There are 14 suites in First and 72 sky-bed seats in Business.

The First suites are multifaceted in functionality and offer the ultimate in privacy and in-flight options. The entertainment system as well as the lighting, seating, and arranging of the suite is done via a touch-screen pad. The suite can be changed into a working office, a bedroom with a fully flat bed, or a private lounge. There is a built-in five-way massage in the seat too. The VIP treatment is topped off with gourmet meals prepared under the direction of renowned Australian restaurateur Neil Perry.

International Business flyers enjoy the comfort of the sky-bed seat that converts into a fully-flat, 6 foot 6 inch bed and an excellent in-flight entertainment system enhanced by a private 12-inch viewing screen. The menu, also designed by Neil Perry, offers flexible dining options - including on-demand supper service and room service-style breakfast The A380 also features an onboard business lounge so you can move about and relax during the flight.

Premium economy is located on the upper deck and offers 32 ergonomically correct stylistic chairs by Recaro. In addition to more legroom, the seats offer additional recline, in-arm screens to enjoy audio & video on-demand and priority boarding and disembarkation. Qantas is an experienced commercial airliner with more than 87 years of flying out of the friendly skies of Australia. The company has been recognized for its excellent service in international business accommodations by various Australia-based publications. Sign up for Qantas' Red eMail and receive e-mails with info on current specials. Check out the benefits extended to members of the Qantas Club -- including access to special airport lounges.

The company reputed to be the world's leading long-distance airline just got better with the addition of flights aboard the Qantas A380.

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Private Jet Charter to Grow Despite Economic Uncertainty

With airlines cutting down on the total number of flights and available seats due to the rising cost of fuel, travelers will be looking for other ways to get to popular or remote destinations. Accordingly, for conventions or work retreats, charter jets will become an even more popular choice in 2009.

Another reason why the use of private jet charters will continue to rise is in response to current economic conditions. An increasing number of private jet owners and fractional jet owners will sell their planes or opt out of renewing their fractional commitments to reduce capital deployed. By eliminating the upfront cost and initial investment of full or fractional ownership, charter jet flyers will be able to preserve their cash and capital while at the same time maintaining their ability to fly onboard private jets.

With fewer options available to travel to popular or remote destinations as quickly as possible, the interest and usage of chartered jets will continue to rise, especially among those frequent business travelers who rely on dependable air travel.

With many major markets cutting seat availability by 10 to 15 percent, travelers and especially business people are looking for other ways to get to their final destination as quickly as possible without the headache or hassle of commercial connections.

Despite airlines being forced to cut down flights and available seats and cities being forced to back off plans of expanding airports or building new hotels or meeting venues due to less tourism related tax revenues, someone will be able to benefit from this downturn in the economy and I believe that in the immediate future chartered jets will be a viable and a more popular option for many business travelers around the country and around the world.

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The dependability of a jet card with the value of charter

Traveling by private jet is all about time: Optimizing your time, saving time, and enjoying the time you spend traveling. At Bombardier Skyjet we hear this from our clients every day, and that is why we have focused our efforts on making their travel experience as straightforward, enjoyable and cost-effective as possible - as a result, we hold one of the highest customer retention rates of any private jet charter company. We are not interested in jargon or getting over-complicated, we simply want to offer our clients a safe and pleasant travel experience, top value for their dollar and the highest level of service in the private jet industry.

The Skyjet Card membership provides guaranteed availability with an advance reservation, guaranteed hourly rates, no added charges for repositioning and the assurance that all network charter operators have successfully passed an on-site, third-party aviation audit. Flight costs are deducted from the customer's initial deposit, which may be replenished as funds are used. Skyjet Cards have no expiration date, and customers may exit the program and receive a refund for the unused portion of their cards.

On-Demand Charter is a great option for those who only want to fly privately once in awhile. We offer a comprehensive on-demand charter service that can find the best value and aircraft to fit your schedule.

Safety
Skyjet's aircraft and operator requirements go above and beyond competing programs. There are approximately 5,000 aircraft in the entire U.S. business jet fleet, but only 20% of those meet Skyjet's safety standards.

To be considered eligible for the Skyjet network, an operator must pass a stringent safety audit conducted by a top aviation auditor such as ARG/US or Wyvern. Skyjet is the only major national jet card program that requires an impartial third-party on-site audit. These audits go beyond what is required by the Federal Aviation Administration to earn an FAA Part 135 commercial operator certificate. Skyjet has developed additional crew requirements that all operators in the Skyjet Network must meet. These include minimum logged pilot hours and minimum requirements for logged hours aircraft type, as well as FAA approved annual recurrent simulator training and testing.

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