An airline in the UK has announced its plans to "revolutionize holiday flying" with family and couple seating.
Thomson Airways is the largest charter airline in the world, and it primarily operates flights to resorts. The new design is part of its five-year plan to add seating options for resort travelers from the UK to destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will have these seating "innovations"; Thomson Airways was the first British carrier to get the wide-body, twin-engine jet. The airline did not announce pricing for the different seating options -- as a charter airline, pricing can vary depending on vacation packages and group booking.
The "family booth" provides "social seating" for four to six people around a table, according to Thomson.
The "duo-seating" is actually a pod-style row of three seats. However, the middle seat can be transformed into a table for champagne.
There is mood lighting for a "more spacious and luxurious start to the holiday," according to Thomson.
Thomson also announced on-board amenities including a kids' club, where a crew member would help parents keep their kids entertained. They will also have crew available on some flights that can offer recommendations for activities at the flight's destination.
“Our overall goal is to make travel experiences special and, as the flight marks both the start and end of the holiday, we see it as an integral part of the whole holiday experience," said David Burling, managing director of TUI Travel PLC group in the UK and Ireland.
The airline also said that crew would have iPads to help them assist passengers, share destination info, and forward special requests to the team at the resort.