Kingfisher Airlines, one of only six 5-Star airlines in the world, today announced that it would launch international service from India with the debut of daily non-stop flights between Bangalore and London-Heathrow on September 3, 2008.  Tickets are now on sale for the new route.

Kingfisher Airlines will be the first airline to operate between India and UK with 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 some 357 hours of programming on 36 channels.

Along with impeccable cuisine by London's famed Chutney Mary's restaurant, Kingfisher Airlines offers guests innovative product offerings including mood lighting, web chat and email, USB connectors and in-seat plug/chargers throughout the aircraft.   In Kingfisher First, pampered guests also enjoy in-seat massagers, a bar and bartender, a jacket pressing service, and even spectacles cleaning.

The flight from Bangalore will depart at 8.40 am and arrive 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 the next day at 12.35 pm, local time. The flights will be operated using a brand new Airbus A330-200, widely billed as the best A330 ever built for any airline.

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited 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”.

“At a time when many airlines are rolling back on their network, I feel that the carefully selected routes that Kingfisher Airlines will serve have great growth potential. International traffic demand in and out of India remains robust and the unique ties between Britain and India generate attractive additional opportunities. I believe that the Bangalore-London route is under served and the launch of Kingfisher's daily non stop service will exploit the latent potential that exists", added Dr. Mallya.

Kingfisher Airlines commenced domestic operations in India in 2005 and has since become the largest privately-owned airline in the country following its merger with 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 making the Kingfisher Experience a more natural and pleasurable travel experience.

The Kingfisher First cabin features:

• An in-seat massager
• Touch screen controls
• Mood lighting with starry sky
• In-seat chargers and USB connectors for every seat.
• Social area comprising a bar, staffed with a bartender and a break-out seating
• area fitted with 2 couches and bar stools
• Any time dining
• A chef on board each flight
• A 5-course meal featuring amongst other delicacies and fine cuisine:
  • Fresh-cut fruit
  • Low-cal meal options
  • A choice of the finest wines, spirits and liquor
  • Service for jacket ironing on-board
  • Spectacles cleaning
  • Shopping
  • Merino wool blankets
  • Noise cancellation headphones by BOSE
  • Seat Pitch: 78 inches
  • Seat Recline: 180 degrees Flat Bed
  • Seat Width: 20 to 24.54 inches
  • IFE screen: 17 inches

Kingfisher Class cabin features:

• In-seat chargers
• USB connectors
• Mood lighting
• Web chat & E-mail
• Business-Class-Like meals in Kingfisher Class
• Full size pillow and full-length blankets
• Full bar service
• Seat Pitch:   34 inches
• Seat Recline: 25 degrees
• Seat Width:  18 inches
• IFE screen:  10.6 inches

Sourced From: IPAN