Global Traveler: How did you begin your professional relationship with Malév Hungarian Airlines?

S-P O’Mahony: I started in the airline industry with British Airways and was with that company 11 years. Among other roles, I was one of two people in their original alliances department; there are now more than 20. It was in this department, during alliance negotiations, that I learned about Malév Hungarian Airlines. From BA I moved to Hungary to work at the Embassy of Ireland and was subsequently recruited by Malév. I was excited to join the airline and happy to return to alliance negotiations. I enjoyed this opportunity and look forward to seeing it completed now that I am part of the Malév team and Malév has been invited to join Oneworld.

GT: Malév Hungarian Airlines plans to implement Oneworld alliance passenger benefits in early 2007. What positive attributes will this bring to Malév as an airline and to its passengers?
S-P OM: Even before joining Oneworld, Malév passengers receive benefits from bilateral relationships with members of the alliance including Finnair, Iberia, British Airways and American Airlines. When the alliance membership commences in April, additional benefits will include alliancewide e-ticketing, among others. We have had record success on our New York route this summer, due in part to our bilateral relationship with American, which enables us to serve 18 U.S. destinations through New York (JFK) to Budapest. We are now finalizing additional network links with American through Dallas and London (LGW) and on to Budapest.

We are also planning fully reciprocal frequent flyer benefits from day one of joining Oneworld. For example, American Airlines’ frequent flyers will be able to fly with Malév and earn AA Advantage miles. On the ground, top-tier customers will see the benefits of the alliance in the form of full reciprocal use of lounges throughout the entire alliance network. From lounges to frequent flyer programs and ticketing, the focus is on customer ease.

GT: Please take us through the experience of a passenger boarding Malév’s SkyClub business-class cabin in New York for a nonstop flight to Budapest and beyond.
S-P OM: From the minute you step onboard, old-fashioned hospitality, care and concern for each passenger, gives you the feeling of being in Hungary — especially with the great Hungarian food and wine served onboard.

Our in-seat power plugs and comfortable leather seats are comparable to many U.S. airlines. SkyClub passengers have a priority baggage system and a generous carry-on allowance of two pieces per person. Other exciting news on the horizon for Malév is that next April we will be adding a B767-300 to our fleet with updated features such as personal in-flight entertainment systems throughout the whole aircraft.

GT: What else is on the horizon as Malév looks ahead to 2007?
S-P OM: Before Malév’s affiliation with the Oneworld family, the alliance was missing a presence in the southeast corner of Europe. We offer the alliance and its customers excellent connections to this region. With Malév offering Oneworld alliance members routes into southeastern Europe we will continue to strengthen and grow our already extensive routes. Romania is a great example of our network expansion. We began with one route to Budapest and now operate five flights to this dynamic country. For example, we take you into the heart of Transylvania via a connecting flight from New York. This route is becoming more relevant as investment interest focuses on this part of the world. Varna, Bulgaria, is another great route for us as it is served only by Malév. Malév offers 23 routes via New York or London straight to Budapest giving the U.S. passenger nationwide coverage, while working with the biggest and best airlines in the industry.