Jet2, known for its affordable flights and vacation packages, has revealed its entry into the VIP charter market by introducing a custom Boeing 737-800NG with a reduced seating capacity. The new aircraft will feature 76 seats instead of the standard 189, providing passengers with increased legroom and an upgraded onboard experience resembling a business class layout.
This exclusive aircraft will be exclusively available to Jet2’s charter clients and not to regular holiday flight passengers. Trevor Caplis, Jet2’s head of charter and airline sales, expressed optimism about the aircraft’s appeal to sports, music, entertainment, and specialized group customers. The company aims to offer a premium charter product along with the usual operational advantages and cost-effectiveness associated with Jet2.
Each seat on the bespoke aircraft will offer a minimum of 43 inches of legroom, enhanced comfort levels, and enhanced catering services tailored to individual customer preferences. This marks Jet2’s debut in offering an aircraft with such a configuration, a move driven by the increasing demand from its clientele seeking privacy, comfort, flexibility, and an elevated travel experience.
In a similar vein, budget airline Wizz Air recently introduced a ‘budget business class’ service called Wizz Class. This premium offering, available for booking during the reservation process, caters exclusively to passengers seated in the front row, with only four such seats available per flight. Wizz Class provides passengers with an empty middle seat for added space, complimentary snacks and refreshments, and priority boarding including a 10kg trolley bag allowance. Presently, this service is accessible on selected flights connecting various cities.
In the realm of aviation innovations, airlines are now offering economy-class bunk beds for passengers on ultra-long-haul flights. Air New Zealand, for instance, unveiled ‘Skynest’, a unique sleep pod concept for its 18-hour route between New York and Auckland. These individual pods come equipped with privacy curtains, fresh linens, and an amenity kit containing essentials like eye masks and earplugs. Additionally, the pods feature seatbelts to ensure undisturbed sleep during turbulence, as well as convenient amenities like lights and USB ports for relaxation or charging devices while on board.
