In the Cabin with...
Lilly Nehrig: Team Leader, Group Scheduled Flights at Air Partner
In this edition of 'In the Cabin with...' we are excited to introduce Lilly Nehrig - Team Leader, Group Scheduled Flights at Air Partner. With over seven years of experience in the aviation industry, Lilly leads a dedicated team coordinating scheduled flight requests for a wide range of clients - from event agencies to sports teams - and manages groups of up to 400 passengers.
Can you tell us about your role at Air Partner?
As Team Leader of the Group Flights department at Air Partner, I lead a high-performing team responsible for managing scheduled flight requests for groups of 10 or more people. My focus is on driving long-term growth and strengthening our team to ensure we can handle increasingly complex and large-scale flight operations.
What kind of customers do you serve (industry, size of groups)?
I work with a diverse range of clients across various industries, including event agencies, consulting firms, sports teams (such as football and handball), direct sales clients, the automotive sector, and schools. We manage all types of scheduled flight requests for groups of 10 or more people, with no upper limit on group size. Currently, we are also handling projects with large groups of up to 300-400 passengers.
How long have you been working in aviation?
I’ve been working in the aviation industry for nearly seven and a half years. My career started with a three-year apprenticeship as a tourism clerk, where I quickly took on a wide range of tasks independently and had direct communication with customers. I was ‘thrown in at the deep end,’ so to speak, which, in hindsight, greatly shaped my approach to work. This early hands-on experience allowed me to learn a lot from the beginning, and I continue to benefit from it today.
What attracted you to a career in aviation?
What drew me to a career in aviation is the opportunity to give travellers "the best time of the year" – whether it’s through a holiday or a much-needed break, both of which are universally appreciated. I also find it exciting to support business travellers by helping them escape the daily grind and gain fresh perspectives. Above all, I’m fascinated by the limitless freedom aviation offers. The idea of falling asleep in one place and waking up in an entirely different, far-off destination is something I find truly captivating.
What would you describe as Air Partner's greatest strength in the area of scheduled flights?
Air Partner's greatest strength in scheduled flights lies in our extensive experience and our ability to meet the diverse needs of our clients. We are a highly cohesive, supportive team that always has each other's backs, and our customers truly benefit from this collaboration.
What advice would you give to companies that want to book or organise regular scheduled flights?
My advice to companies looking to book or organise regular scheduled flights is to share the initial details with us as early as possible. The sooner we can place the enquiry with the airlines, the better we can secure competitive group flight prices. It’s also important to work with a single flight partner – engaging multiple providers can complicate negotiations and potentially drive up costs.
Scheduled flights can typically be booked up to 330 days in advance, so I strongly recommend starting the planning process early. Airlines use dynamic yield management systems for group bookings, meaning prices can rise as more seats are sold. It's also worth noting that prices won’t decrease as more seats are booked. Instead, airlines assess current availability and prices, and this analysis sets the average price for group bookings.
What was the most extraordinary moment you experienced on a scheduled flight that really surprised or inspired you?
One extraordinary moment that truly surprised and inspired me wasn’t directly on a flight, but rather during our collaboration with an airline. We had a group that far exceeded the usual group capacity for the flight, but thanks to our strong relationship with the airline, we were able to find a solution. They arranged an aircraft change specifically for us, allowing us to fly the entire group. It was fascinating to witness the behind-the-scenes processes and see how creatively we were able to meet the customer's needs.
What trends do you see for the future of scheduled flight operations over the next 10 years?
The scheduled airline industry is set to see many exciting trends in the coming years, with sustainability taking a central role. I'm particularly eager to see the innovations that will emerge in this area, as we continue to move toward more sustainable practices in aviation.
Another key trend will be the growing personalisation of the flight experience. Airlines are already offering great options like tailored catering for dietary needs and more diverse entertainment programmes. I’m looking forward to seeing how these offerings evolve, particularly for event planners who organise bespoke trips for their clients. The future holds a lot of exciting developments in this area.
What do you think is the biggest mistake that airlines make when it comes to offering passengers the best possible experience?
In my opinion, airlines are increasingly losing sight of the traveller’s needs. One key issue is a lack of transparent communication, particularly when problems arise. Passenger feedback is sometimes not taken seriously, and necessary improvements aren’t made. For travellers, it’s not just about comfort and punctuality – it’s about the overall experience, starting from the moment they board the aircraft. Airlines should focus less on price and more on the value of their service, ensuring an unforgettable experience and a smooth start to their journey. Ultimately, customer care and personalisation are vital for fostering long-term loyalty.
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