First Choice pitches in with better long haul legroom

Saturday, 20 Apr, 2004 0

Improved legroom and ‘widescreen’ TVs are being introduced to First Choice long haul flights from next summer.

Aircraft serving nine destinations covering Florida and the Caribbean in summer 2005 will offer passenger three inches more legroom than other major UK charter carriers, First Choice claims.

The First Choice Airways aircraft will provide 33 inches in standard class, against 30 inches offered by its main rivals Britannia, Thomas Cook and MyTravel. The pitch also improves on the 31 inches in Virgin Atlantic economy class, First Choice says. The leather seats are also two inches wider than competitors’ as First Choice has taken out a column of seats. The operator’s in-house airline will provide 36-inch seat pitch in its premium cabin.

Seven-inch ‘widescreen’ TVs are being installed in seat backs of all long haul aircraft, with 9-inch screen in the premium cabin. Up to 20 channels will be available in economy together with video games. Premium passengers get an additional 10 channels including interactive technology allowing them to play video games against each other.

First Choice Airways claims to be the first airline in Europe to install an enhanced interior provided by manufacturer Boeing.

The aircraft will serve Florida, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Cancun, Cozumel, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Margarita Island.

The long haul programme for summer 2005 goes on sale on 29 April with a Florida and Caribbean brochure including Cozumel and the Bahamas for the first time. Both will be available from Manchester in the operator’s Tropical brochure, with prices starting at £799 for 14-nights all-inclusive in Cozumel and £1,059 to the Bahamas for the same duration.

The First Choice Premier brochure includes both long and short haul with new destinations including Bahamas, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Goa, The Maldives and Kos.

Product director Tim Williamson said: “Research highlighted many areas where our customers wanted personal space, better meals included in the price and great in-flight entertainment.”

As a result First Choice had “redefined” the standard in comfort and entertainment, he said.

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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