Kingfisher to offer industry-leading, in-flight services on Bangalore-London Heathrow route

Mumbai: Kingfisher Airlines, one of only six 5-Star airlines in the world, has announced that tickets are now on sale for services on the new Bangalore–London Heathrow airport route, which heralds the start of its international services. The daily, non-stop services become operational on 3 September 2008. 

In a company statement, the airline has said that it be the first service provider operating between India and UK to provide industry-leading in-flight entertainment, including live TV channels, such as BBC World, CNN International, Bloomberg and EuroSport/ESPN via satellite at every seat, as well as a total of 357 hours of programming on 36 channels.

Also on offer will be impeccable cuisine by London's famed Chutney Mary's restaurant. The service will also come with innovative offerings such as mood lighting, web chat and email, USB connectors and in-seat plug/chargers, which will be available throughout the aircraft.

The premium service, Kingfisher First, will even offer in-seat massagers, a bar and bartender, a jacket pressing service, and even spectacles cleaning.

Departure from Bangalore will be at 8.40 am and arrival at London Heathrow's Terminal 4 at 2.50 pm, local time. The return flight will depart Heathrow at 10.05 pm and arrive in Bangalore next day at 12.35 pm, local time.

The flights will operate with a brand new Airbus A330-200.

Vijay Mallya, chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd said, "I am delighted to announce the launch of Kingfisher Airlines' maiden international service between Bangalore and London's Heathrow airport. We will set new standards in international travel with the unique Kingfisher experience that has earned us a 5-star rating from Skytrax. Our customers are our guests, not passengers, and this is reflected in the unique levels of comfort and entertainment, including live television, and fine dining options on board together with the warmest Indian hospitality offered by a hand-picked and extensively trained crew".

Kingfisher Airlines commenced domestic operations in India in 2005 and has since merged with pioneering low cost carrier Air Deccan. The launch of the carrier's London service marks a new milestone for the company with service to additional international destinations to be announced in the near future.

The Airbus A330-200 that Kingfisher Airlines will deploy on the new route will have two classes of service with 30 seats in Kingfisher First and 187 seats in Kingfisher Class. Both cabins feature new and innovative product features and world-class service, the airline said.