The overall picture is looking good. Vaccination programmes are accelerating in general.
I’ve had 6/6 jam packed flights in all classes since leaving. There is no fear factor from passengers at all, unlike when this chaos first started.
I can definitely see things ramping up. Dubai hotels and restaurants packed out since December due to influx of British tourists. That’s proof of a successful system working together to attract pax over other destinations.
Offer discounts and perks and people come. Just wait until summer with far less restrictions around. That formula will be rolled out to many other destinations.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-55709110
easyJet bookings up 250% for summer since last January - before all the cancellations.
I can imagine EK collaborating with Gov to almost give away flights and hotels during the Expo. That’s what they are building up to.
With lockdowns continuing, that will bring a stop to this sooner than expected.
Other airlines reducing or stopping long haul is a good thing - it means there’s more capacity to pick up by those that do remain.
Bigger than expected stimulus approved to prop up businesses and individuals until the vaccine takes effect.
UK has already vaccinated more vulnerable ppl than were ever infected last year. That’s a statistic to put things in perspective.
Vaccines are successful against current mutations. Having had covid in the past, is giving long natural protection too.
Herd immunity at 70%.
EK Crew getting vaccinated, again supporting their plans to be the airline of choice in a recovery.
Whilst some like Australia will likely keep borders closed for the year, most will be opening from summer onwards.
Rumour is a 5% reduction in pay coming for all. Current and rejoiners.
EK should have been using this time off to cost-efficiently retrofit a better hard product for the future, as the 777 is just embarrassing now for a premium carrier.
It will now be ~20 years with the worlds worst long haul business class seat on the majority of the fleet. This is the time to invest those hefty cash reserves.
The new premium economy, while shiny finishes is pretty bog standard - nothing special as promised even after years of planning. It’ll be a winner, again if they retrofit.