Aviation

Air India’s Business Class Ranked Among World’s Worst

Air India to Upgrade Fleet with Retrofit of 100 Planes, CEO Says

In a recent survey conducted by the UK-based agency Bounce, global airlines underwent a ranking based on crucial factors for business-class travelers. Tata-owned carrier Air India emerged with a score of 7.4 out of 10, securing the fourth position in the list of airlines with less favorable business-class offerings. The survey scrutinized aspects such as cabin and seat comfort, inflight service, entertainment, and amenities.

Air India’s business class faced notable criticism, particularly for its cabin seats, which received a score of 6/10. Other services, including in-flight entertainment, cuisine, airport experience, and beverages, were rated at 7/10. The airline is currently in the midst of a comprehensive upgrade across all aircraft types, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the overall passenger experience and signaling a ‘work in progress’ initiative.

The top three airlines identified with the least favorable business-class offerings were EgyptAir (5.71), Copa Airlines (6.71), and Kuwait Airways (7). Air India’s fourth-place ranking highlighted areas for improvement, specifically focusing on cabin seat comfort.

On the flip side, the survey also acknowledged airlines and airports that excelled in providing superior business-class services. Singapore Airlines claimed the top spot with an impressive score of 9.57/10, followed by Qatar Airways (9.43) and Oman Air (9.29). These airlines were recognized for exceptional cabin comfort, inflight amenities, and overall service.

Shifting the focus to airports, London’s Heathrow Airport secured the top position with a score of 7.60/10 in the business class services category. Qatar’s Hamad International Airport claimed the second position with a score of 7.09, and Germany’s Munich Airport secured the third spot with a score of 6.99.

As Air India continues its commitment to upgrades and enhancements, the survey highlights areas for improvement within the airline’s business-class offerings. The contrast with top-ranking airlines and airports underscores the competitive landscape and the significance of delivering a superior business-class experience in the global aviation industry.

Aviation

DOT Penalizes Lufthansa $4 Million for Stopping Jewish Passengers From Boarding

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a $4 million penalty on Lufthansa for discriminating against Jewish passengers traveling from New York City to Budapest via Frankfurt in May 2022. The incident marked the largest civil rights fine ever levied by the DOT against an airline.

The case stems from an incident where Lufthansa denied 128 Jewish passengers — most of whom were wearing traditional Orthodox Jewish attire — from boarding their connecting flight in Germany.

China Airlines eyes new aircraft order for 777X and A350-1000

The airline’s actions were based on the alleged misconduct of a few individuals during the first leg of the journey from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA). However, many of those passengers did not know each other or travel as a group. DOT investigators found that Lufthansa treated them as a single entity, barring them from their connecting flight to Budapest (BUD) for the actions of a few.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting passengers’ rights. “No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated,” he said. Buttigieg added that DOT’s increased enforcement efforts aim to ensure airlines treat all passengers with fairness and dignity.

This aircraft won’t need a runway

The investigation began after DOT received over 40 complaints from Jewish passengers affected by the incident. Despite some passengers failing to follow crew instructions on the first flight, lufthansa business lounge newark did not specifically identify any noncompliant individuals.

Instead, the airline placed a blanket hold on the tickets of over 100 passengers, preventing them from continuing their journey. lufthansa airways acknowledged that this approach could lead to excluding compliant passengers but deemed it impractical to address each case individually.