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And if they weren’t?
The sheer depth of my hollow dread unnerved me. Enough for me to step away from it—leave it alone in a way I’d left nothing alone for as long as I could remember. I wasn’t ready to tackle what ifs. Especially the ever-growing one that demanded credentials as to my suitability as a father. Not yet.
What I could do was lay further bricks for the lockdown I had in mind.
‘Xenakis Aeronautics is expanding into Latin America—specifically Brazil and Argentina. But my marketing team are struggling to find traction for our newest marketing venture.’
Interest flickered in her gaze. ‘What’s the problem?’ she asked after a handful of seconds.
‘We beta-tested our new airline cabin six months ago, to rousing success, but the take-up fell sharply after three months.’
‘What does this new cabin deliver? How is it different from other airline cabins?’
Did she realise she’d leaned forward? That her eyes sparkled with interest and intelligence
? Clearly this was a subject she liked. Which begged the question of what had happened to stall her studies.
‘They’re like suites—one step up from first class, but not out of the realms of affordability for the successful individual.’
‘I’ve seen promotional stuff from other airlines. If your cabins are two-person berths only...’
She paused as I shook my head. ‘They range from two to six.’
Her eyes widened. ‘That’s...amazing. But I bet your team’s marketing plan was to target billionaires and oligarchs who have more money than they know what do with?’
She’d hit the nail right on the head. ‘Something like that.’
Her pert nose wrinkled in a grimace. ‘Which begs the question—why would this oligarch fly in a superclass suite on a premium airline when he could charter his own plane? It’ll most likely be for the bragging rights, which will lose their lustre after a handful of flights. I’m confident that’s why you’re experiencing a drop-off. You need to refine the suites. Since they can accommodate up to six, why not attract an entirely different demographic? Besides the luxury and exclusivity of having a suite to yourself on a commercial airline, the unique design also offers privacy.’
‘What would be your plan if you were in charge?’
She grew even more animated, her eyes sparkling brighter. ‘Oh, that’s simple. I’d push hard to attract young, successful millennial families. Believe me, there’s nothing worse than having an irate child kicking the back of your seat for hours on a long-haul flight. I can’t imagine what it’s like for harried parents having to apologise to disgruntled passengers. This will be a win-win for everyone. So why not market the suites to those who will welcome peace and quiet together with luxury and exclusivity? I’m assuming your suites are on the upper deck, like the others I’ve seen?’
I was a little put out that she knew more about my rivals’ products than mine. ‘Not only that, the Xen Suites come with premium sound insulation.’
She nodded enthusiastically. ‘Just think how much that would appeal to the parents with young families who can afford it. And if you have a loyalty programme in place, where passengers can aspire to use of the suites, then it will boost the uptake even further.’
‘The Xen Loyalty Programme is one of the best in the industry.’
‘But I bet there’s a steep points rise from, say, business class to superior class?’
I shrugged noncommittally.
She gave me a wry look. ‘On the basis that I’m right, I’d offer incentives for the target demographic to try the suites for a limited period. I’m confident you’ll see a sustained growth.’
‘Are you, now?’
About to respond, most likely with a tart rejoinder to my droll tone, she glanced out of the window, then performed a double take.
‘Why are we here?’
‘You wished to return to England, did you not?’ I replied.
‘I assume that’s your private jet?’
‘You assume correctly. We have three hours, give or take, before we land. A little longer after that to deliver you to your home. We can use that time for further discussions.’
Her enthralling green eyes widened. ‘You...you’re giving me a lift on your plane?’
