Competition seems to have intensified along the Indo-US sector, specifically in the premium end of the market that caters essentially to the corporate traveller. Air India has just begun flying non-stop between Mumbai and New York. Jet Airways too will begin flying on the same route from August 4 and even Kingfisher wants to emerge as a competitor by early next year.
Says V Thulasidas, CMD Air India, ?Our passengers in the first class will have the luxury of ordering exclusive ?convenio? service to have meals at a time of their convenience.?
With a seat configuration of 8 first class seats, 35 club-class and 195 economy-class seats, the B777-200s will be equipped with accent lighting or mood lighting enhancement facilities.
The Indian operators entering the premium end of the market will offer no heavy discounting on fares. Says an official from Jet Airways, ?Airlines like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific fly a major chunk of the premium segment . Of the 3.9 crore Indian nationals abroad, nearly 20% are settled in the US. Also, corporate travelers from the US visit Indian cities. We shall not do irrational pricing, since we want to tap the premium class traveler in a big way.?
Even Kingfisher, once it gets permission to fly to the US, plans to offer premium services and will charge fares like British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates without heavy discounting.