P&O Cruises names airline partners for upcoming winter season
P&O Cruises has named three charter airline partners for the upcoming winter season after deciding not to extend its deal with Maleth Aero following reports customers were holding off booking the line’s Caribbean cruises to avoid flying with the carrier.
Instead of continuing its partnership with Malta’s Maleth, P&O Cruises has confirmed Norse Atlantic Airways, Virgin Atlantic and existing partner Tui Airways will fly its passengers to the Caribbean this winter.
It comes after Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises, apologised for “flight issues” during the recent winter season in a video message posted in February.
Agents had flagged concerns about Maleth prior to Ludlow’s video post, with some going as far as saying booking levels were declining due to P&O Cruises’ charter arrangement with the airline.
To compound matters, a charter flight operated by Maleth Aero flying P&O Cruises guests back to Manchester on Christmas Eve was hit by "freak" turbulence, which resulted in 11 passengers suffering injuries.
On Wednesday (22 May) P&O Cruises confirmed that between November 2024 and March 2025, Norse Atlantic will operate a weekly Friday flight from Manchester to Barbados, as well as Saturday flights from Gatwick and Manchester to either Antigua or Barbados depending on the week.
Tui will operate Friday and Saturday flights to Barbados from Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester, as well as regional flights from Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow and Newcastle on select dates.
P&O Cruises said: “Both Tui Airways and Norse Atlantic have modern Boeing 787 Dreamliners with economy and premium economy cabins.”
Virgin Atlantic will operate an Airbus A350 whole plane charter in a three-class configuration from Heathrow every 14 days for Arvia’s guests joining in Barbados on a Friday.
Passengers flying with any of the three airline partners will be offered the choice of economy or premium economy. Those flying with Virgin Atlantic can also opt for a seat in the airline’s Upper cabin.
In-flight entertainment, meanwhile, is available on each of the airlines.
Ludlow said: “We recognise flights are a key part of the holiday experience, so I am delighted we are continuing our longstanding partnership with Tui Airways and introducing a bespoke in-flight proposition with Norse Atlantic, as well as fortnightly flights with Virgin Atlantic.
“This will ensure our guests have a consistent in-flight experience aligned across all three airlines matching the high-quality standard they would expect from P&O Cruises.
“The Caribbean is, and always has been, a dream destination and our newly refitted flagship Britannia and newest Excel class ship Arvia will once again be based in Barbados offering itineraries to spectacularly beautiful islands in the region.”
Earlier this year MSC Cruises’ sales director Steve Williams stressed the importance of “matching the quality of the cruise experience with the flight”, while Princess Cruises’ UK boss Eithne Williamson noted how airlift challenges can dampen customer demand. “We believe airlift can be a blocker for guests," she told TTG.
Bjorn Tore Larsen, founder and chief executive of Norse Atlantic Airways, said: "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences to our customers.
"Our modern aircraft and class leading product will provide passengers with a memorable and comfortable journey from the moment they step onboard.
"We look forward to welcoming P&O passengers throughout the season ahead and contributing to the success of their Caribbean vacation."
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