The past two years airlines have had to think a little differently to maintain brand love, generate revenues and shift old stock that have filled warehouses. As such we’ve seen a wave of upcycling across the globe, with inflight trolleys finding their ways into homes from Asia, all the way to Europe, but now all…
Read MoreHong Kong Airlines continues younger, fresh and local approach to amenity kits
Hong Kong Airlines, the more progressive of the two major carriers in Hong Kong, has just announced the second wave of its colourful, artistic amenity kits that highlights the city’s vibrant culture through a collaborative partnership with four local artists. The first of four Business Class amenity kits feature the distinctive designs of Lock Lai, founder…
Read MoreCathay has a fairly unique challenge, and is acting pro-actively, but it is it making the right choices to maintain its brand values?
Unlike other media-outlets focussing on the airline industry we make a point to never really comment on short-lived, political or click-bait style news. We focus our approach on the long-lasting customer experience advancements, but Hong Kong has created a unique global environment over the past couple of years, built on political unrest and now the…
Read MorePaperClip Design’s ‘Peacock’ concept could ruffle some feathers
with the rise of the all-aisle business class product, and now with doors, the benefits of First Class as a separate cabin class become more questionable. True exclusivity, privacy, space and dining are some of the only real benefits now, which doesn’t often equate to the price tag they come with. What if the needs of passengers looking for exclusivity, space or privacy could benefit from a space onboard that suits their needs, without the label of it being First Class? That’s what Paperclip Design in Hong Kong have considered in their latest concept, hot off the heels from their Butterfly seat design.
Read MoreCathay set sights on A321neo flights in August with new Business Class cabin
Cathay Pacific is about to see the commercial take-off of its latest arrival, the A321neo. With the pandemic hitting at a pivotal time for the carrier, commercially things have been bittersweet. While passenger numbers have been decimated for 18-months, the regrowth of the airline can now be expedited by the addition of a new narrow-body…
Read MoreHong Kong Airlines Leapfrogs Competition With Super Diamond Business Class Seat On Newly Delivered A350
Hong Kong Airlines just received its latest A350, and with it, the next evolution of its premium experience, unveiling a newly upgraded Business Class seat. This new seat rivals that of Cathay Pacific and here at TheDesignAir we actually prefer the Super Diamond product compared to Cathay Pacific’s due to its increased space and storage…
Read MoreHong Kong Airlines Launches New Tableware Range
Monday didn’t just see the launch of a new route to Los Angeles on the carrier’s A350, but also of a range of stylish new tableware for award-winning Hong Kong Airlines. The carrier picked a local company to help design their new range. The award-winning, local homeware design brand JIA Inc. and inflight experience specialists…
Read MoreHappy Chinese New Year, Qatar Airways style
In traditional Qatar Airways style, the airline doesn’t hold back when it comes to a celebration. In honour of the Chinese New Year, the airline has introduced an oriental inspired menu on board flights to popular Asia destinations between 11 and 12 February 2021. In Qatar Airways’ Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge, passengers will also…
Read MoreFinnair launches limited edition Marimekko amenity kits to celebrate Chinese New Year
Finnair 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 MoreAir France opens Jouin Manku designed lounge for CDG’s Schengen travellers
Air France has just opened an exciting new lounge space dedicated to Business Class travellers and Flying Blue Elite Plus members travelling through the airline’s short and medium-haul Schengen network. It’s no small affair, as this lounge is one of the airline’s largest, with a surface area of no less than 3,000 sq. m. catering to 570 seats…
Read MoreVirgin Atlantic sets out its approach to return to the skies
Last week saw the announcement of Virgin Atlantic’s return to service, with first flights taking wing on the 20th July to Orlando and Hong Kong, with New York (JFK) Los Angeles and Shanghai following suit the very next day. Following destinations will be announced in the following week for flights commencing at the start of…
Read MoreSWISS introduces new Premium Economy, officially launching April 2022
SWISS has now joined the ranks of its fellow Lufthansa Group airlines in offering Premium Economy, which will supplement its existing Economy, Business and First classes of travel from the fourth quarter of this year. Interestingly the airline has opted for a fixed-backshell seat which usually gets a bad rap for passenger comfort although it…
Read MorePhilippine Airlines Is Offering An Incredible Sale Right Now Across South East Asia And Australia
It’s no surprise that we are slightly enamoured with Philippine Airlines, especially in the last few years where the carrier has invested heavily in to its hard and soft product. The upgraded 777s and the brand-spanking-new A350s push the carrier well above its previous product offering, and is fast becoming an interesting alternative to the…
Read MoreLounging Around: Cathay Pacific ‘The Pier’ Business Class Lounge, Hong Kong
The flagship lounge for Cathay Pacific in Hong Kong International Airport is certainly worth a look if you are ever in Hong Kong. Situated near gate 61 at the far end of the airport, it might not be the first choice for most, however, its relative isolation means its a quiet haven for business class…
Read MoreUganda Airlines proves aircraft interiors don’t just have to come in shades of blue
Uganda Airlines might not be on everyones radar. But that’s because until last week, the carrier just operated a modest fleet of four Bombardier CRJ900’s. Resurrected from its predecessor that last flew in 2001, the latest incarnation spread its wings a little over a year ago, but seemingly has big plans. With aircraft bought by…
Read MoreBrussels Airlines reveals new identity, but is it on point?
Brands create identities to stand out, visually represent what they stand for and what they do. Simple brand images are the ones that work best, if we said golden arches, globally everyone would know we’re talking about McDonalds. A bitten apple, Apple. The list may be short, but iconic. Airlines also have to stand out…
Read MoreHong Kong Airlines Receives First A350
Last week saw not only the arrival of Hong Kong Airlines brand new lounge, but also their very first of 21 A350 aircraft. The airline is embracing the aircraft to support its international development, cherry-picking long-haul destinations that strategically support its future growth. The airline is putting emphasis on developing routes to North America and…
Read MoreAmerican Express Centurion Lounge Opens In Hong Kong International Airport
This week American Express announced the expansion of its signature airport lounge network, The Centurion Lounge, with two new locations in Hong Kong and Philadelphia International Airports. Hong Kong, which opened this week, marks the first Centurion lounge in Asia, and Philadelphia, opening in late October, marks the 8th U.S. location of this brand. “We are…
Read MoreTheDesignAir Awards 2019 voting has now closed!
TheDesignAir 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 MoreHong Kong Airlines Launches New Autus Lounge Ahead Of A350 Flights
Following the opening of the airport VIP lounge “Club Bauhinia” in 2014, Hong Kong Airlines has taken premium customer services to the next level by investing HK$35 million in the construction of “Club Autus”, a brand new VIP lounge located on the seventh floor of the Midfield Concourse at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Design…
Read MoreAmaala unveils new airport design, representing a desert mirage.
Amaala, a luxurious destination located along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, has just unveiled plans for a new international airport, with a design inspired by the optical illusion of a desert mirage which will act as a striking entry point to many International visitors. There’s good reason the terminal might look somewhat familiar, it’s been imagined…
Read MoreStarlux Airlines is certainly drawing some attention, but how will it compete in an already crowded Asian market?
Starlux Airlines, Taiwan’s latest startup is starting to turn heads. Originally a start-up that – like most – had a questionable future, seems to be full-steam ahead with a recent uniform and A321neo cabin launch. It hasn’t stopped there though, as there have been signature scents and even homeware products that the airline has launched…
Read MoreCathay opens latest lounge in Shanghai Pudong
While Cathay Pacific’s latest ethos might have shifted from ‘Life well travelled’ to ‘Move beyond’ it seems that the physical manifestation of the brand hasn’t taken a different tack just yet. The latest offering from the carrier will open tomorrow in Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport. The re-opening of their existing space in the new airline…
Read MorePlaza Premium Up Their Offering With New First Class Pay-For Lounge Concept
Plaza Premium certainly knows how to celebrate its 20th anniversary in style. The pay-for-lounge company has launched a brand new lounge concept. Plaza Premium First is the group’s step above their existing lounge offerings, with a lounge concept that is more akin to traditional First Class lounges. The launch lounge, designed by award-winning Hong Konger Kinney…
Read MoreCathay Pacific To Open ‘The Deck’ Lounge On 22nd March 2018
It will come as no surprise that Cathay’s ‘The Deck’ lounge, the latest major lounge to undergo a refurbishment at HKIA, features the carrier’s new signature lounge style brought to life by Ilse Crawford’s original concept. Located close to gate 16 in Terminal 1, The Deck, which opens its doors to passengers on 22 March,…
Read MorePlaza Premium opens new lounge in Dubai
Plaza Premium has just opened its doors in Dubai International Airport, allowing Emirates (and FlyDubai) passengers – not qualifying for its expansive lounges – a new place to relax and unwind before their next flight. It’s not a small lounge either. With space for over 300 guests it’s the largest independent pay-per-use airport lounge at…
Read MoreSAS reveals A350 interiors, which match the carrier’s bold, minimalist new livery
The first of SAS’s A350s has officially entered its fleet and starting in January, the carrier’s passengers will be able to take flight on one of the most advanced aircraft in the skies featuring the newest livery featuring super huge silver billboard titles across the fuselage. Inside, the carrier has opted for the same paired…
Read MoreDavid Caon does it again, this time with Qantas’ Singapore First Class lounge
On the 2nd December, just over 2 weeks away, we will see the grand opening of the new Qantas first class lounge in Singapore’s Changi International Airport. The lounge follows a wave of ground and inflight product improvements that are helping positioning the carrier as a true luxury, design-led proposition. In the meantime, select passengers…
Read MoreCathay Brings Yoga To Its ‘Life Well Travelled’ Philosophy
Long-haul Cathay passengers transiting through Hong Kong Airport may find the airline’s latest addition to their Pier Lounge a welcome haven to stretch and relax during their journey. Designed in partnership with The Pure Group, The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is a 700 square-foot area divided into two zones – The Body Sanctuary, which is…
Read MoreTheDesignAir Launches 2018 Awards Shortlist
TheDesignAir 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…
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