It’s rare to find innovation in Business Class products in the past few years. Since the likes of Singapore Airlines’ new monocoque seats and Qatar Airways QSuites, many carriers are opting to customise off the shelf products, which naturally bring tried-and-tested comfort, but will never advance the passenger experience the same way that a truly…
Read MoreCOVID-19 has certainly kept airlines on their toes, and while many airlines are frantically trying to get their operations off the ground once again, there’s been an unusual, yet somewhat expected side effect. For years airlines have strived to become lifestyle brands, as relevant in the home as they are in the skies. The problem…
Read MoreWhile Finnair isn’t the first carrier to introduce a hygiene amenity kit, as of tomorrow passengers will be able to enjoy this simple complimentary addition to their passenger experience. While other airlines have brought a variety of kits out, what makes Finnair stand out is the fact that this kit is sustainable, with a focus…
Read MoreJune might have seen the opening of the Platinum Wing, but Finnair (just in time for Christmas) has unveiled the final phase of its non-Schengen lounge expansion with the opening of its new, larger, Business Class Lounge. The lounge – just like the Platinum Win – showcases contemporary Nordic design throughout and set on a range…
Read MoreFinnair has just released a limited edition range of amenity kits for passengers travelling in the airline’s long-haul business class cabin. Released just in time to celebrate Chinese New Year, the airline has taken its existing Marimekko kits which are currently in the airline’s navy colour and re-imagined them. With a new red and gold…
Read MoreWhile 2022 is already underway, it seems that airlines are starting to emerge from hibernation, and with it, bringing a wave of passenger experience improvements from new cabin classes to new amenities. But what are the emerging trends we expect to see through 2022? Premium Economy wars As well as seeing new premium economy products…
Read MoreFrom the embers of Norwegian’s long-haul ambitions comes a new LCC determined to pick up where the now much smaller airline left off. Today saw the grand reveal of the carrier’s new brand image and livery, which will be sure to get investors excited prior to the anticipated Spring 2022 launch. “We strongly believe that…
Read MoreFinnair has opened the doors to its latest lounge which has been renamed the ‘Platinum Wing’ which replaced the existing premium lounge which was the nicer of the two spaces found in Helsinki’s main terminal. The lounge has taken a radically different approach from its previous incarnation, which was previously filled with swathes of light…
Read MoreFinnair is moving away from its more clinical approach to Finnish design and adding depth, texture and warmth with new soft products to bring a new layer of richness and comfort. Timed to coincide with the launch of its new service between Helsinki and Los Angeles on March 31st, Finnair has celebrated its long-standing relationship…
Read MoreLet’s face it, airline cabins are becoming more and more familiar, the day of being surprised when walking onboard is almost over. The era of innovation that saw all-aisle access, private suites, and fully flat beds in business class – which first blossomed some twenty years ago – has seemingly settled into a plateau that…
Read MoreFinnair have impressed us with a new bolt-on package for their economy class passengers currently flying on Finnair flights between Helsinki and Barcelona, Biarritz, Geneva, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Nice, Paris, Reykjavik and Rome. It’s a really simple premise, but we love the idea of bundling options that passengers really want, similar to…
Read MoreHelsinki Airport has just opened a new 33,400sq m space which makes the airport as much of a destination as those that the passengers there are heading to. Named ‘Aukio’ the architecture, design and atmosphere are a testament to Finnish skills. “Aukio can rightfully be described as a display window for our country, as millions of…
Read MoreIt’s another month, another airline, another amenity kit. This time, Formia brought together a collaboration with Etro and Aeromexico, offering their business class passengers a stylish new kit bag filled with the usual perks befitting a premium passenger. “The style of Etro’s fashion lends itself perfectly to these amenity kits whose exterior is made of…
Read MoreTheDesignAir is pleased to announce the shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2019 and just like last couple of years, we’ve opened some of the categories to the public. The voting is now closed! Now is your chance to pick from our shortlisted categories for Best Design Airline, by region, across the globe. All it takes…
Read MoreThis week saw the announcement of a new, smart and sophisticated design flourish to Finnair’s business and economy cabins. Supporting the new fabrics and amenity kit designs in business class, is a new service concept, allowing passengers to eat on demand. Inspired by pure essentials, Nordic design and meaningful encounters, Finnair’s new service concept will offer a wider range of dining and…
Read MoreThe end of June saw Plaza Premium open its doors to a new Helsinki lounge, situated between gates 34 and 40 on the third floor of International Departures Terminal 2, the non-Schengen terminal of Helsinki Airport. The new lounge also features the brand’s new family-friendly feature – Playroom, which is a collaboration with Masterkidz, an international…
Read MoreIt has been 21 years in the making, but SAS has just revealed a bold new livery for its aircraft that refreshes the current version with more depth, modernity and colour. The brand new visual identity and new design for its aircraft exterior is a refreshing take on a classic Scandinavian design. It “highlights the…
Read MoreTheDesignAir is pleased to announce the shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2018 and just like last year, we’ve opened some of the categories to the public, so you can vote for the winners you feel are most worthy. Now is your chance to pick from our shortlisted categories for Best Design Airline, by region, across…
Read MoreFinnair have continued their long-standing relationship with Finnish design and textile company Marimekko with the introduction of their 11th A350, joining the fleet in late September. Titled ‘Kivet’, the aircraft isn’t the first aircraft to sport a special Marimekko design, however it is the first for the next generation Airbus aircraft. While the inside of…
Read MoreBelieve it or not, the 777 toilet may not be one of the most talked about parts of the passenger experience, but it hasn’t really changed since the 777 came to service decades ago. So step ahead 24 years and it’s about time that a company is offering a brand new concept to the aircraft’s…
Read MoreFinnair is launching three new food collaborations for its onboard meals. The collaborations, which intend to promote Finland’s healthy and hearty food culture, are done in cooperation with the ELO Foundation, an association dedicated to the promotion of Finnish food culture. Business class for long-haul flights leaving Helsinki For business class customers flying out of…
Read MoreWith the recent launch of Air Belgium, legacy carrier Brussels Airlines has had to make sure it keeps its product offering competitive. Not surprisingly, they turned to JPA Design, a London-headquartered company that has brought the likes of premium carriers Singapore Airlines and Finnair to life, as well as other mid-level carriers such as Hawaiian…
Read MoreTheDesignAir is pleased to announce the shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2017 and just like last year, we’ve opened some of the categories to the public, so you can vote for the winners. Now is your chance to pick from our shortlisted categories for Best Design Airline, by region, across the globe. All it takes…
Read MoreYesterday saw the opening of Brussels Airlines’ The Loft extension in Brussels International Airport. Brussels Airlines expanded the lounge to cater for it’s 1,500 daily passengers who use the existing facilities, providing an increased amount of space for up to 500 passengers at any time. The airline has taken a true ‘product placement’ approach to the…
Read MoreTheDesignAir is pleased to announce the 2017 Award winners as voted for by our esteemed judging panel and our readers. This year has seen a wave of improvements around the world in the field of passenger experience. From impressive new aircraft, new First Class Suites to the smallest details found in tableware and amenity kits.…
Read MoreMost airlines around the world naturally have to offer a variety of international cuisine which reflect the distinct route networks they fly. Japanese routes always stand out from a passenger experience perspective, as the dining experience is so different from traditional Western culture that not only new menus but new tableware has to be developed to…
Read MoreThere is a lot of global attention on the new presidency in the US right now. While many have watched with their head in their hands recently and others have had their head in the sand, we’ve compiled some additional more reasons it might be good to book a flight sometime soon to escape the…
Read MoreOur favourite Nordic Airline, Finnair has announced their A350 is ready for booking. The new aircraft, which will set a new benchmark in travel for the carrier, will be the first airline to operate the new aircraft to China, where Shanghai will be served with daily A350 service from 25th October 2015. Beijing follows with daily A350…
Read MoreIt has been a busy year for Business Class, with a staggering array of new products being launched as carriers fight for their most lucrative passenger base. Our list contains some surprises, with familiar names falling off and lesser-known carriers appearing. Generally speaking, the products scored lower this year, possibly because consumers’ expectations are rising. The judges looked, as always, at hard and soft product first— but the very highest…
Read MoreFlight: AY0077 Aircraft Type: A330-300 Class: Business Class Route: HEL-KIX Date: November 2014 http://www.finnair.com Best for: Affordable, one stop flights to a whole host of Asian destinations. Most likely to sit next to: Designers, Architects and super cool Asian-techie travellers. Business or pleasure: The flight times are perfect for business travellers, however, with no WiFi, this is the perfect place to unwind and recharge…
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