…
Air New Zealand (ANZ) tops the 2011 airlinetrends.com list of most innovative airlines in the world, having redesigned its long-haul inflight experience from scratch. Innovations include ‘Skycouches’ in Economy, ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ Spaceseats in Premium Economy, food and drinks ordering via the IFE system, and an inflight concierge hosts that wine tastings and kids storytelling in the galleys.
All Nippon Airways, which has seriously upgraded its long-haul product to court business travellers at a time its major competitor JAL is restructuring, comes in second place. In third place is Lufthansa, which has initiated a product revamp across its full fleet, including the world’s quietest First Class cabin.
"At airlinetrends.com we are continuously on the lookout for innovative products and services launched by airlines around the world as a response to industry and consumer trends," says Raymond Kollau, founder of airlinetrends.com. "We aimed to select airlines that have come up with interesting innovations in recent years, be it as part of a company culture of continuous innovation, a strategy to challenge the industry status quo, or as part of efforts to catch up after years of underinvestment."
The 11 airlines selected in the report provide an overview of what innovative products and services passengers are experiencing on airlines around the world.