Announced in end of last yearLevel, the IAG Group's long-haul low-cost carrier, makes its debut at Paris Orly this Monday 2 July with the first flight to Montreal, served by three flights a week. The following day, another service will be launched to Orly Ouest-Pointe-à-Pitre, with four flights a week. At the beginning of September, two new services will be offered: Fort-de-France, with three, then five weekly flights from November onwards, as well as New York Newark with four frequencies per week.
All these flights will be operated in Brand new A330-200s. "We aim to offer our customers a new travel experiencesays Jean-François Morin, Managing Director of Level in France. Passengers can personalise their journey according to their budget and needs, with the addition of hold baggage, 'plus' seats or the pair &pay system, which allows in-flight purchases to be made from a smartphone, such as a meal, a drink or WiFi. Level makes it possible for customers who previously did not have this option to travel on long-haul routes."
As you will quickly realise, Level's flights start at just €200 return and are aimed primarily at leisure travellers, for whom the airline offers 293 seats in the economy cabin, with 31-inch (75 cm) seats and individual screens on the entertainment side. But, more interestingly for business travellers, the aircraft also have a premium cabin with 21 seats and 37-inch pitch. For this class, the commercial approach is different, since everything is included in the price of the ticket, i.e. two baggage items in the hold, a meal and priority boarding.
Launched in June 2017 in Barcelona El PratAccording to IAG management, the formula has been a success. "We are very satisfied with Level's results and are very confident about its future development."says Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG. Next year, the airline will receive two new A330-200s, enabling Level to position three aircraft in Paris and four in Barcelona. This augurs well for launch of new flights. Willie Walsh has drawn up a profile of future destinations: "either under-served metropolitan areas, or destinations where there is strong demand and which are already well served by other carriers, but at high fares."Until now, Level's services to Barcelona and Paris have focused on the American continent and the Caribbean, but Level could now also turn its attention to Asia.
As part of IAG's brand portfolio and frequent flyer programme, Level intends to develop connecting flights, in particular with Vueling, the group's other low-cost carrier, which focuses on short and medium-haul flights. Level is also in the process of developing its own range of low-cost flights in Europe, having recently set up a base in Austria, at the airport of Vienna Schwechat from where it will offer flights to 14 destinations in Europe from 17 July, starting with Palma and London Gatwick. Other routes will follow in August, notably to Paris and Milan. In the future, this new base could also see the launch of long-haul low-cost flights, with IAG management also looking at opportunities to launch Level in Italy and Germany.
At the same time as Level was taking off, IAG also announced its intention to acquire Norwegianthe Norwegian pioneer of long-haul low-cost flights, in which IAG has held a stake of just over 4 % since May. "We have not had any discussions with them since last May, and none are planned for this date.". Wait & see.
