January 2025, Edition

Jambo, and welcome to the January 2025 edition of KQ Jetsetter. As we kick off the year, we welcome you to yet another exciting edition packed with key?updates—from our 48th anniversary celebrations to the introduction of new e-menus,?designed to enhance your in-flight dining experience.?Additionally, catch the latest on our recent partnerships, exciting awards and recognitions received, as well as?frequency updates and travel information.

Thank you for staying in touch!

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CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Celebrating 48 Years of Soaring High

On 22nd January 2025, Kenya Airways celebrated 48 years of flying high—a milestone that reflects a legacy of excellence and a future of endless possibilities in connecting people, cultures, and markets.

To commemorate this significant achievement and express our gratitude to our customers for their continued support, we organised a trivia challenge and later on launched an exciting 24-hour flash sale with incredible deals. As part of the flash sale, our valued customers enjoyed up to 20% off bookings completed on 29th January 2025. These initiatives not only celebrate our shared journey but also reaffirm our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.

Introducing the New In-flight E-Menus

As part of our continuous efforts to improve and enhance customers' experiences, we recently introduced a world of flavors at 30,000 feet with our new E-Menus. From the comfort of your seat, customers will now be able to easily explore our carefully curated selection of dishes, showcasing the best of African authenticity and hospitality.

This innovative service not only allows travellers to savour a diverse range of culinary delights but also provides detailed lists to cater to various dietary preferences. We believe that this enhancement will transform in-flight dining into a more enjoyable and personalised experience for all our passengers.

Be Sure: Safeguard Your Personal Data

At Kenya Airways,?we're committed to ensuring your safety even as you interact with us at various touchpoints. Here are some smart travel tips for a safe and secure journey:

Before You Travel

• Book Safely:?Always reserve your tickets through our official?website, or trusted travel agencies.?Be cautious of suspicious links and always use secure payment methods.
• Protect Your Information:?Strengthen your security with robust passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible, and limit the personal data you share online.

At the Airport

• Stay Cyber-Secure:?Avoid using public Wi-Fi,?or protect your connection with a VPN.
• Charge Your Devices Safely:?Avoid public USB charging stations; instead, use your own charger or a reliable power bank.
• Turn Off Bluetooth:?Reduce the risk of unauthorised access by disabling Bluetooth when not in use.

After Your Trip

• Monitor Your Accounts:?Regularly review bank and credit card statements to spot any unauthorised transactions.
• Dispose of Your Boarding Passes Securely:?Shred physical copies and delete digital versions from your devices to prevent data theft.

By following these simple, effective travel security tips, you can enjoy a worry-free journey every time you fly with us. Travel with confidence, knowing that your personal information is protected. Remember, staying vigilant is key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

PARTNERSHIPS

Aviation Meets Education at Mangu High School

The 12th of January 2025 marked a historic moment as we relocated a decommissioned Boeing 737-700 NG aircraft from our headquarters to Mangu High School in Nairobi, Kenya. This iconic aircraft, officially handed over to the school in 2023, has a storied legacy, having logged over 56,000 flight hours and serving countless passengers across Africa and beyond. Now, it begins a new chapter as an extraordinary educational resource on the school’s campus, poised to inspire and empower the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and engineers.

The retired aircraft will redefine learning by providing students with hands-on exposure to the world of aviation. Students will have the unique opportunity to explore this impressive aviation engineering, tracing the flight path of countless journeys and deciphering the complex network of wires and systems. They will gain practical insights into various aspects of aviation, including aircraft maintenance procedures, emergency response protocols, cabin service practices, ground crew operations, avionics technology, and aircraft inspection techniques.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, our Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Hellen Mathuka, underscored the transformative potential of this initiative, highlighting how the aircraft will become a unique classroom, providing a hands-on resource to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in aviation, engineering, and technology.

This groundbreaking project was made possible through a collaborative effort involving Kenya Airways, the KCB Bank Group, Nation Media Group, Crown Paints Kenya PLC, and the Bonafide Group. It reflects our broader commitment to not just connecting people and cultures, but also investing in the future of the aviation industry. Through nurturing young talent and fostering innovation, we aim to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of aviation for generations to come.

KQ, Capital Club East Africa Partnership

On 22nd January 2025, we proudly formalised a strategic partnership with Capital Club East Africa through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This exciting collaboration is designed to bring added value to both Asante Rewards loyalty program members and Capital Club East Africa members, creating a win-win experience for all.

Representing Kenya Airways at the ceremony was our Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu, alongside our General Manager Digital, Brand and Marketing, Martin Gitonga, and our Marketing Manager for the Rest of the World, Clinton Muema. Their presence underscored the significance of this partnership in driving mutual growth and innovation.

Commenting on this, our Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, Julius Thairu, highlighted the impact of the partnership and how it reflects our commitment to delivering personalised value and enriching experiences for Asante Rewards members by leveraging the strengths of both organisations.

A key feature of the partnership is status matching, which allows Capital Club members to seamlessly enjoy the benefits of Asante Rewards. This initiative not only enhances member experiences but also fosters greater membership growth for both programs. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in expanding our network of value-driven collaborations, ensuring our members enjoy world-class experiences at every turn.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

KQ Shines at The Aviation Challenge 2024

On 15th January 2025, we?proudly took center stage at?The Aviation Challenge (TAC) 2024?awards, held in?Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Organised by the?SkyTeam Alliance, the event celebrated member airlines excelling in scaling?sustainability?initiatives across their operations.

Our efforts were recognised with two major awards:

• Best Scaled Catering Solution: By replacing single-use plastics with traditional African bread baskets and aluminum food containers in economy class, we’re set to reduce inflight plastic waste by an impressive 24 tonnes annually.
• Best Approach to Scaling SAF?(Sustainable Aviation Fuel): Partnering with a local producer, we’re spearheading Kenya’s first SAF production plant.?This groundbreaking initiative will provide affordable SAF, create jobs in Kwale County, and enhance Kenya’s tree cover by cultivating energy seed plants on degraded land.

Additionally, we received recognition in other categories including?Best Team Collaboration for the Sustainability Champions programme;?Best Climate Literacy for the multi-level sustainability training programs; and special recognition in?Scaling SAF, Best Catering Solution, and Airline Participation.

On the other hand our subsidiary, Jambojet, was also honoured with?the Best Collaboration in Customer Engagement award. Their innovative approach included embedding sustainability into their customer survey, hosting a sustainability quiz, distributing seedlings on Mazingira Day, organizing tree planting activities, and offering organic menu tastings.

This recognition reinforces our commitment to leading the way in sustainable aviation. As we celebrate this recognition, we remain committed to driving impactful, innovative practices in aviation.

KQ Recognised as a Top Employer in Kenya for 2025

Kenya Airways was recently awarded the?Top Employer Kenya 2025?certification?by the globally renowned?Top Employers Institute. This esteemed accolade highlights our steadfast commitment to implementing exceptional people strategies and fostering a workplace where employees thrive.

The?Top Employers Institute, with over 31 years of expertise, is a global authority in recognising organisations that prioritise employee well-being and development. Its rigorous certification process evaluates companies against the highest standards of human resource practices, making this recognition a true testament to our dedication.

Through this certification, we join a distinguished network of more than 2,200 organisations across 122 countries and regions, collectively impacting the lives of over 9 million employees worldwide. This achievement underscores our ongoing efforts to cultivate a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic workplace culture which ensures that they provide exceptional customer experience.

FREQUENCY & TRAVEL UPDATES

London

Fly to London Heathrow onboard the Dreamliner, offering you world-class amenities and unparalleled comfort. Enjoy spacious seating with extra legroom and the exceptional service that will make your journey unforgettable.

New York

Kenya Airways will operate two additional flights from Nairobi to New York. The additional flights will operate on Thursday and Saturday. Enjoy enhanced connectivity with more travel options and explore the city of New York with ease.

Jet Byte: Did You Know?

Why are most airplanes painted white?

Commercial airplanes are usually painted white to reflect sunlight and minimise heat absorption, which helps keep the aircraft cooler and reduces the risk of sun damage.

Additionally, the white colour makes it easier to spot any cracks or imperfections on the surface of the aircraft, ensuring safety during inspections. Moreover, white paint is generally less expensive and more readily available than other colours, making it a practical choice for airlines.

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Have you caught up with the latest?edition of?our in-flight magazine, Msafiri??Click here to read.

Editors: Alice Mwanza?&?Raymond Kigai.