United Airlines announced this week it was bringing new Global First and Business First amenity kits to the skies. Beginning Aug. 1, 2015, the airline will exclusively offer Soho House’s London based ‘Cowshed’ skin-care products onboard in newly redesigned amenity kits for premium-cabin customers on intercontinental flights. Also, a collection of Cowshed products will be available in many of the carrier’s United Club locations and other lounges.
This is a relatively ‘cool’ move for the inherently uncool carrier that has tackled constantly to improve its designer image against steep International and domestic competition.
“Soho House’s Cowshed skin-care products – which received very positive feedback from customers and flight attendants – will be a fresh addition to the products and services we offer premium-cabin customers on United Airlines,” said Tom O’Toole, United’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “This is another step in enhancing our customers’ experience in flight and on the ground.”
This is just the tip of a slow-moving design iceberg though, with the carrier also improving the passenger experience with a variety of other initiatives already underway to help elevate the carriers position in the market. Elsewhere, the carrier has lifted its airport experiences across the US. In New York, United is aligning its flights through Newark instead of JFK to offer passengers seamless connections, and hopefully reduce delays from an already congested JFK. This means passengers using the transcend p.s. Premium service will now have flat bed comfort from the West Coast across to Europe and beyond on United’s fleet.
This will please passengers in LAX even more, who are on the verge of receiving a brand new terminal experience. With a price tag of more than half a billion dollars, United’s LAX redevelopment project will refresh virtually all of its customer-facing space at the airport, offering more of the conveniences and premium amenities travelers value.
United’s new-look terminals and gate areas will “feature a modern design with relaxed and inviting spaces, including a variety of comfortable seating options and abundant charging stations for customers’ electronic devices.” United Club members will also enjoy the airline’s new, expanded Terminal 7 lounge where they can work or relax in style while taking in spectacular views of the airfield from the club’s outdoor terrace. In a similar move to competitors lounge offerings at LAX (such as Delta) located atop the terminal, the exclusive terrace offers United Club members outdoor space to enjoy the reliable LA microclimate.
But its not just improvements for business and first class passengers, economy (coach) passengers will also enjoy a wave of improvements, such as new baggage halls, check-in counters and improvements to terminals both at LAX and Houston’s all New Terminal C, due to be completed in 2017.
TheDesignAir 