Johnsons Coaches of Henley-in-Arden has celebrated the third anniversary of its Luxury Traveller brand with the arrival of a fifth Irizar i8 integral tri-axle for use on the programme. It has been supplied by Irizar UK.
The combined fleet has now operated around 450 departures since Luxury Traveller tours commenced on 17 May 2021. An estimated 15,000 passengers have been carried. Each of the i8 integral quintet seats 43, and with the arrival of a fifth of those, 40% of Johnsons’ touring fleet is made up of Luxury Traveller coaches.
Tours Manager Barry Cobb says that customer feedback on the concept meant that adding a further coach “was the essential thing to do.” He adds that high-quality travel is matched by the hotels used. Additional legroom is provided on the coaches, along with a central servery.
“Every journey on our Luxury Traveller coaches, whether an upgrade or a full luxury tour, includes complimentary hot and cold drinks onboard,” adds Mr Cobb.
Johnsons says that growth of customer interest in high-quality touring is strong. Travellers “are being drawn to the enhanced onboard luxury facilities on offer,” a spokesperson says. In addition to enhanced seats and legroom and drinks service, that includes free wi-fi, USB charging, and a complementary gift bag.
When Luxury Traveller was launched in 2021, Johnsons Coaches Commercial Director John Johnson (pictured, left), said that the seating layout allows uniform space at each row, and that the trim level had been created with an aspiration of offering car-like comfort.
Mr Johnson noted at the same time that the coaches are specified for later upseating to maximise second-life utilisation. At least one is to PSVAR ready specification to allow easy later conversion to full compliance, while the two newest examples have Irizar’s rear-view camera system in lieu of mirrors.
