December 9, 2015 – Such is the luxury of the First Apartments and Residence onboard Etihad Airways’ A380 fleet that it has created a problem: how to provide connecting flights with a comparable level of passenger experience. After all, if a Residence guest has just spent 12 hours in an environment that includes a double bed, private shower room and a butler, the transition to a narrow-body experience is unlikely to be a smooth one.
This is a scenario that only a tiny proportion of the world’s flyers will suffer, but for those pampered few, help is at hand. Etihad has partnered with Victor, an on-demand private jet charter company with bases in London, New York and California, to offer its Residence and First Apartment customers the convenience of chartering a seamless private aircraft connection to or from their international A380 flights.
Left: It’s a tricky transition from a private bedroom to a regular connecting flight
Victor provides real-time availability, with transaction fees, operator and aircraft details all disclosed, to offer customers transparency and control with no upfront commitments. The charter booking and flight management service can be accessed using smartphones, tablets and computers.
Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ SVP of marketing, said: “With the A380, Etihad Airways has designed innovative and luxurious interiors, products and services which match the sophisticated needs of the private jet customer. Our unique agreement with Victor will give those customers wanting the ultimate luxury private jet experience a simplified end-to-end journey, combining our magnificent A380 with a private jet by simply using their laptop, smartphone or tablet.
“Victor has revolutionized the private jet charter space by giving full control and transparency to the customer, so they can expedite their travel themselves by using the latest technology, at any time, removing the lengthier booking procedures and processes associated with many private jet bookings.”
Victor is the first jet charter company to disclose aircraft and crew specifics, and side-by-side comparisons of more than 7,000 jets at 40,000 airports worldwide via a network of 131 partner operators.
Clive Jackson, Victor’s CEO, said: “Discerning travelers will enjoy a truly seamless, door-to-door flying experience through our new partnership with Etihad Airways. Customers can quickly and easily book both The Residence or First Apartments and their connecting private jet charters, first or last leg, on the Victor app. Our 24-7 customer team, working closely with Etihad Airways’ VIP Concierge service, will have access to a wide range of key amenities and resources to ensure total comfort. This unique offering brings a new level of accessibility, control and choice to specialized ultra-luxury travel for executives, VIPs and seasoned travelers.”
The partnership features a bespoke technology integration which allows Etihad Airways guests to book The Residence, or First Apartments, together with private jet charter flights directly from the Victor mobile app.
Members of Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ frequent flyer program, will be provided with access to the Victor app, and an incentive offer of a Victor card with a value of US$1,500 as a discount towards their first private jet charter booked using the app.
