The Week In Travel

American Airlines announced this week that it is scrapping first class seating on its international routes. The airline will instead place more focus on additional business class offerings, which are more popular with its customers. Explaining the reasoning behind the decision, CCO Vasu Raju stated ‘customers aren’t buying it’.

What travellers do want, however - according to a recent IATA study - is simplification and convenience. The findings show that in the aftermath of the pandemic, passengers want improved efficiency, and for digitalisation and biometrics to be used to speed up the airport journey.

Figures published this week by ACI Europe have revealed that European air traffic recovered to 88% of pre-Covid levels between July and September. The data shows the rebound was largely fuelled by leisure travel, with holiday destinations such as Greece, Portugal and Spain proving particularly popular. However, the continent’s largest markets have continued to recover at a slower pace, with air traffic levels in France, UK and Germany down 14%, 18% and 26% respectively compared to 2019 figures.

Staying in Europe, German airline Lufthansa has reached a deal with union UFO, agreeing to pay increases for around 19,000 cabin crew. The negotiations follow a series of strikes earlier in the year. Agreements have also been made with Lufthansa and unions representing its pilots and ground staff.

In sustainability news, Etihad Airways has formed a partnership with energy company, Cepsa, to develop and produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and explore other green power solutions such as hydrogen and electrification.

And finally, Virgin Atlantic has given a tongue-in-cheek slap on the wrist to its customers who have been taking its salt and pepper shakers home with them as a souvenir. The airline shared a photo on Twitter revealing a hidden inscription on the base which reads: ‘pinched from Virgin Atlantic’. The joke may not have the desired effect though, with plenty of customers taking to social media to comment on how the hidden message makes the shakers even more appealing.