SmartBoarding Launched

Air France launched on 17 March its experimental automated boarding process called smartboarding; a world first. The personal smartboarding card, which uses three recent technologies - biometrics, RFID and thermal printing (reprints up to 500 times), enables passengers to board when they like through a special automated gate.

Another innovation introduced on 9 March 2009 was the mobile boarding pass that was expanded to the European network in the form of SMS, MMS or even e-mail if there is an internet connection on the phone. From now on the only document the customer needs to be holding is their paper ID.

This electronic boarding pass, which has a unique bar code containing all the information contained in a conventional boarding pass, is scanned at the boarding gate. It can be shown at baggage drop off points, security, lounges and at the tax-free shops at Amsterdam-Schiphol airport.

View the electronic boarding pass video and View the smartboarding video

Korean Air revamps premium cabins

Korean Air has announced upgrades to their premium cabin seating with the arrival the new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Three new 777’s are due for delivery in 2009, the first one in May and the airline will also install the new First and Business class seats in three of same model currently in the Korean fleet and hope to have half a dozen in service by end 2009.

Korean Air will also feature the new Kosmo Sleeper First and Prestige Business seats in the new Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 which are expected to join the fleet next year.

First class seats will be flat bed with more comfort thanks to 12cm extra seat width. Each one will have a huge 23 inch TV screen which will show off the their top AVOD entertainment system. Korean Air do really have a great range of entertainment on their aircraft and it is difficult get bored on a KE flight. Try it-you’ll love it.

Business class passengers get a flat bed for the first time and to allow passengers to really kick-back, relax and get a good night's sleep; the width and pitch are unchanged.

Economy passengers don’t see any change but Korean Air’s awarded economy seating is as comfortable as possible and affords plenty of legroom and a comfortable ride, even on their longest flights.

Air France-KLM sur le podium des « Most Admired Companies »

Le groupe Air France-KLM prend la deuxième place dans l’étude « The Most Admired Companies » (entreprises les plus admirées) du magazine Fortune.

Cette étude est le résultat d’une enquête menée auprès de cadres dirigeants, directeurs de sociétés sélectionnées et analystes financiers, afin d’identifier les entreprises qui jouissent, dans leurs secteurs, de la meilleure réputation.

 

L'étude a porté sur les 1 000 plus grandes entreprises américaines et les 500 plus grandes sociétés à travers le monde couvrant 64 secteurs industriels différents. Près de 15 000 cadres et analystes ont été interrogés sur neufs points d'appréciation:

1. Qualité du management
2. Qualité des produits et services offerts
3. Capacité d’innovation
4. Engagement à long terme dans la qualité
5. Solidité financière
6. Capacité à attirer, former et conserver du personnel qualifié
7. Responsabilité sociale et environnementale
8. Bonne gestion des actifs de l’entreprise
9. Efficacité de la stratégie globale d’entreprise

Voir les résultats sur le site de Fortune http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2009/industries/2.html

Air France/KLM wins prize at Business Travel Award

Air France/KLM has won the Best Short-Haul Travel Provider category at the 2009 Business Travel World Awards in London.

The Franco-Dutch airline beat off competitors including British Airways and Eurostar to win the prestigious trophy.

Christine Ourmieres of Air France/KLM said: “Receiving the award in such a challenging time for the industry has a greater value than at any other time as it shows that the industry recognises and endorses our work and achievements.

The Air France/KLM group, which also include newly acquired Belgian-carrier VLM, currently operates more than 1,000 flights per week from 21 UK airports.

Air France Retires Another A320-100

Following its last flight on 1st March 2009, Air France has retired from service another of its A320-100 : F-GGEC.

F-GGEC is msn 13, an A320-100, one of the oldest A320 produced.

It was initially delivered to the former French domestic Airline AIR INTER on 29September 1988. Configured in a single Y 172 seats, it was based at Paris-Orly Airport and operated on AF's French domestic network.

Air France is still operating 10 A320-100:

msn 2 F-GFKQ : The oldest (in age) A320 in service in the world.

msn 5 F-GFKA : The oldest A320 in Commercial service

msn 7 F-GFKB
msn 10 F-GGEA (ex Air Inter)
msn 12 F-GGEB (ex Ar Inter)
msn 14 F-GFKD
msn 16 F-GGEE (ex Air Inter)
msn 19 F-GFKE
msn 20 F-GFKF
msn 21 F-GFKG

All of them are due to be retired within the next two years.