NEW DELHI: With women already creating waves in the corporate segment and climbing the hierarchy ladder fast, the aviation industry is also doling out special services and offers to capture the women travel beans. Already placed at senior positions in different organisations, these jetsetters are a niche and decisionmaking segment that no airline can afford to lose.

Airline such as American airlines, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Singapore Airlines are coming up with various marketing strategies such as women-only website, special discounts and increased facilities onboard to woo the jet-set women.

"We recognise the growing women's market . Today, a corporate woman expects the whole business travel experience to be efficient and comfortable including no hassles," asserts Nisha Maharaj, regional manager, American Airlines. The airline has introduced a convenient online resource specifically designed for its female customers. Its content includes information on safety and security; saving time and money while travelling and stories and advice from other women travellers.

"This has helped us in improving the customer experience and provided with a tremendous opportunity to grow its revenue, market share, and customer loyalty," says Maharaj. The airline has also partnered with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and offer discount and special spa offers.

On board, Virgin Atlantic has designed its in-flight programme with special emphasis on women travellers. "We have chick flicks for our women travellers. It's very important to keep women in mind while designing the in-flight entertainment. We also offer chauffeur pick for women travelling first class," remarks Neha Lidder Ganju, marketing manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways.

According to a MasterCard's Asian Lifestyles Survey conducted recently in 13 Asian countries, almost 80% of women consider travel important for their lifestyles. It further states that these cosmopolitan women travellers are highly educated, tech savvy, posses high disposable income and increasingly adventurous.

Agrees an British Airways official: "The Lady Business Traveller today wants it all - speed, convenience , mobility, connectivity and comfort. She wants to ensure that her time spent away from the office is short and productive . We at British airways want their trip to be a wholesome experience. So, we offer them Molton Brown's exclusive range of custom-made spa treatments. After all every woman loves her spa time."

Singapore Airlines has also recognised the woman power and has different offers for women flying on their airways. "We partner with the organisers and offer them special fares. We do offer some facilities especially for our women travellers such as amenities kit, ladies sleeper suits. In addition the airways also provide a specially created Salvatore Ferragamo kitbag," says a Singapore airlines airways official.

Taken from the Economic Times