The weekly news roundup: All about airports and airlines with Wego’s revelation of the world’s most instagrammed airports, AirAsia’s new Red Lounge at klia2 and Garuda partnering Sabre for growth
SOCIAL MEDIA: And the most instagrammed airports in the world are …
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is an Instagram star. (Image credit: Wego/umarbintahir)
Most of us cannot resist wiping out our smartphones when transiting at or waiting for our flights at airports. I stop counting the number of times I have taken photos of the Orchid Garden at Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 2 or its amazing giant porcelain decorations.
So it is no surprise that Changi is one of the most instagrammed airports in the world, revealed travel site Wego during its “exploration” of airports around the world tagged most frequently by travellers on Instagram.
“We’ve seen an evolution in airports over recent years in terms of design, infrastructure and services, but combine that with more people travelling today than ever before, add a social media platform like Instagram, and you see which airports truly resonate with travellers,” said Dean Wicks, chief flights officer of Wego.
Here are some of the world’s most instagrammed airports, and why they are so popular according to Wego:
• Singapore’s Changi Airport: Supremely popular with instagrammers, regularly presenting travellers with innovative installations, rooftop sunflower gardens and annual festival celebrations for Christmas and Chinese New Year. “Possibly one of its most photographed features is the unique kinetic rain installation,” said Wicks.
• Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport: An Instagram star despite it not having an official Instagram channel. In 2012 it was named the most instagrammed location in the world. “Its most photographed area is the vaulted concourse, along with the intricately designed Buddhist pagoda. The airport’s designers have successfully incorporated local Thai culture into the overall experience which travellers are clearly impressed with,” noted Wicks.
Los Angeles International Airport: Came out second in the top 10 most instagrammed locations in the world. “The iconic LAX sign is a popular feature on Instagram, and it’s probable that the concentration of celebrities that pass through this airport contribute to the quantity of tags,” said Wicks.
• London’s Heathrow Airport: Trending are food images, particularly a good British breakfast, departure lounge drinks and lines of airline livery photographs.
• Sydney International Airport: Has a healthy amount of tagging on Instagram with focus on aircraft on the runway than within the terminal. Sydney’s stunning skyline, warm sunrises, the ‘G’day, Welcome Home’ sign upon arrival, and a few of the spectacularly designed Qantas first class lounge are also popular.
• Hamad International Airport, Doha: Enjoy strong presence on Instagram with Urs Fischer’s ‘Giant Teddy Bear’ as the most photographed, as well as the departure terminal and the giant moving walkway for transfer passengers between concourses A and E.
• Tokyo’s Haneda Airport: A big hit with passengers is the enormous narket place in Terminal 2 with its curvy designs and striking architecture. “The traditional Japanese-styled Edo-Koji shopping area in the international terminal and Japanese culinary delights in the departure lounge are also popular tag,” said Wicks.
• John F Kennedy Airport, New York: The canine restroom complete with mini fire hydrant is hugely popular with instagrammers.
AVIATION: AirAsia goes Red at klia2 with its 24-hour lounge
AirAsia has its own premium lounge at klia2. (Image credit: AirAsia)
The AirAsia group has opened its very own airport lounge – the AirAsia Premium Red Lounge at budget terminal klia2 in Sepang – in a move to draw in transit travellers to strengthen the airport’s position as Asia’s low cost hub.
The lounge, one of the world’s first for a low cost carrier, welcomes its first guests on September 2.
Located on the mezzanine level at klia2’s international departure hall the 24-hour lounge can accomoodate up to 110 guests. It has a Sun room overlooking the Skybridge and taxiway, and provides the usual lounge facilities like a buffet spread, wireless internet, workstations, and showers facilities.
Passengers who purchase the premium flatbed or premium flex seats have complimentary access to the lounge, while others are charged RM79 (US$19.30) per person.
“The AirAsia Premium Red Lounge, one of the first LCC airline lounges in the world, is our commitment in creating exceptional value for our guests through innovative products and differentiated services,” said Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, executive chairman for AirAsia and group CEO for AirAsia X.
TECHNOLOGY: Garuda Indonesia selects Sabre solutions to support its growth strategy
Garuda Indonesia on a growth path. (Image credit: Sabre)
Garuda Indonesia has signed with Sabre Airline Solutions’ Operations and Crew Technology Platform to improve its profitability and customer experience as it pushes international expansion.
Sabre’s suite of solutions enhances the airline’s aircraft tracking, disruption control and prevention, and crew management operations.
“Using more flexible, reliable and scalable technology, Garuda will improve crew and fleet utilisation and safety, drive operational efficiencies and introduce quicker schedule recovery – ensuring a better and more consistent traveller experience,” said Dasha Kuksenko, vice president and regional general manager for Sabre Airline Solutions, Asia Pacific.
Benny Butarbutar, Garuda’s vice president corporate communications added that Sabre’s technology would support the airlines’ growth plans.
“Sabre’s enterprise operations solutions will give us a far more sophisticated approach to managing our operations, crew and the impact of disruptions. This in turn will help us improve profitability and drive customer loyalty.”
Garuda recorded a 13.4% increase in available seat kilometres (ASK) in Q1, 2016. Last year it launched new routes to China, recorded capacity expansion to Saudi Arabia, and doubled its European operation including adding a strategic London Heathrow route through the Skyteam Alliance.
• Featured image credit: Wego/mega caesaria
