Friday saw the announcement that KLM will finally introduce its own Premium Economy product, bringing the carrier in line with Air France, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, its strategic partners. Dubbed Premium Comfort Class, the product sits above its economy comfort product which is fundamentally an economy seat with a little more legroom, and below the…
Read MoreKLM Cityhopper’s first Embraer E2 joins fleet
KLM has just received its latest addition to the fleet, a brand new Embraer E2, which will become an important aircraft for the Dutch carrier as it looks to modernise its regional fleet. The new 195-E2 aircraft type is both quieter and more economical than its predecessor the Embraer 190. Seven new aircraft of this…
Read MoreAir France continues to refresh lounge footprint with brand new Munich space
Last week saw Air France unveil its fully redesigned lounge in Terminal 1 at Munich-Franz Josef Strauss international airport in Germany. While other airlines have been closing their ground products across the globe, Air France is one of the few carriers bucking the trend with upgraded and refreshed spaces. Dedicated to Air France, KLM and…
Read MoreKLM celebrates opening of their fully operational Crown Lounge in Amsterdam
Last week KLM officially opened its completely renovated non-Schengen Crown Lounge at Schiphol Airport. The lounge far outperforms the pervious incarnation, and celebrates new food and beverage concepts including it’s pay-for Blue restaurant. KLM’s non-Schengen Crown Lounge (the official name) is located between the E and F piers at Schiphol. The “KLM House” is identifiable…
Read MoreKLM’s latest masterpiece advertising campaign celebrates a centenary in the skies
You may not be aware, but KLM has just celebrated of 100 years of flying the skies. Launched October 7th 1919, the carrier has had a long life, growing its network and brand over the years. To celebrate this important milestone, the airline has adopted a range of brand activities including a brand new Delft…
Read MoreAir France unveils brand new lounge at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
Today saw the opening of the fully redesigned Air France lounge at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. In association with the Plaza Premium Group, the airline now offers its Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers a large, elegant and welcoming space, in an iteration of the new ground product design for Air France.…
Read MoreAir France introduces new A220-300 as backbone of medium-haul flying
Today saw Air France take delivery of its first Airbus A220-300, the company’s most modern aircraft in the fleet on its short and medium-haul network. The airline has been on a massive fleet renewal program since introducing the Airbus A350 on its long-haul network, and by 2025 it will have integrated the 60 A220-300s ordered…
Read MoreKLM Opens First Stage Of New Crown Lounge
Just shy of KLM’s centenary, the airline has opened the first stage of its brand new lounge in Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. The lounge now boasts a completely new setup, set over tiered layers, with a brand new ‘trendy’ ambience. The lounge features the latest technologies and innovations along with improved service and catering. While this…
Read MoreAir France reopens Washington Dulles lounge, featuring a refreshed, vibrant look and feel
Air France saw the opening of its refurbished lounge in Washington-Dulles International Airport today. The new lounge welcomes Air France La Première and Business customers on both Air France & KLM, and Flying Blue Elite Plus members in a completely revamped, more elegant and modern setting. The lounge, which spans 615 sq. m across two levels…
Read MoreKLM Introduces New Marcel Wanders Food Box Concept In Business Class On Cityhopper Flights
KLM has just announced a new dining concept for passengers travelling in their Euro Business Class cabin on the airline’s Embraer fleet. Starting 28 October 2018, the new, high quality meals are designed to be both more substantial and varied. This new concept provides larger meals with an emphasis on sustainable and seasonal elements. Until noon,…
Read MoreEmirates latest to invest in a measured design approach to hygiene
Emirates has taken a very pragmatic approach to hygiene in – perhaps – the most advanced myriad of sanitisation products to ensure a safer journey without impacting the passenger experience in a way so far removed from what we were once used to. The airline’s model shows potential blueprints for a mid-term approach to travelling…
Read MoreSkyTeam opens new branded lounge in Istanbul
SkyTeam has officially opened the doors to its seventh branded lounge with its signature distinct style including bright lively colours and never-ending curved features. Located in Istanbul’s new airport (IST), the facility is served by seven alliance members: Aeroflot, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia and TAROM. The lounge features a statement…
Read MoreWhy so blue? The dominance of the colour in the industry
Aviation is awash with blue. Approximately a decade ago, the skies were filled with blue liveries, interiors lined wall-to-wall with blue seats, carpets, and uniforms in every shade of navy. While design studios have gradually peeled airline brands away from such a strong design vertical, what caused such visual dominance in the industry?
Read MoreNorwegian’s snazzy threads might be disappearing, but they’ve got a second life, thanks to upcycling
Shock horror, Norwegian’s iconic threads – with the male’s plaid jackets – will be replaced next year. While we mourn one of the most iconic cabin crew jacket’s demise, the airline has made the loss bitter-sweet. The airline has announced it will combat textile waste by launching a new pilot project “Still Travelling with Norwegian.” Used…
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 MoreKLM To Introduce Brand New JAMCO Business Class Seats To Their 787-10s
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be the first airline to introduce JAMCO’s new Venture Business Class seats for eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft, which will start flying for the airline next year. The seats may not look that different from the current 787-9 aircraft that KLM flies, however there are some substantial benefits from opting…
Read MoreAeromexico’s stylish new Etro amenity kit raises the question, do these kits now need to be reimagined?
It’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 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…
Read MoreNew Star Alliance Lounge Opens In Amsterdam
Star Alliance customers travelling from Amsterdam Schiphol can look forward to a new lounge experience, competing with the new KLM Crown Lounge that is still in development. The new Star Alliance Lounge will welcome eligible First and Business Class passengers and Star Alliance Gold Card holders as well as eligible paid lounge members of the…
Read MoreAir France launches new A350 with brand-new Business Class and Premium Economy cabins
Last week Air France took delivery of its first Airbus A350 at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse France. The first of 28 A350-900s which will arrive by 2025. The new aircraft is equipped with 324 seats, with 34 in a brand-new Business cabin, 24 in a new Premium Economy cabin and 266 in Economy. Air…
Read MoreAir France Has Some Fantastic Business Class Deals Right Now!
When booking flights, it’s no secret that we are a fan of Air France. Their product, service and new CDG lounge all make for a great choice when flying long-haul from the UK. But September, globally usually means there are great deals to be had, and while Virgin and BA are offering fantastic fares, there…
Read MoreLATAM Impresses With New Cabin Interiors As Part Of US$400m Investment
LATAM Airlines Group today unveiled its plan to transform the cabins and travel experience of no less than two-thirds of its global fleet with a US$400 million investment. The company will revamp the interior of more than 200 aircraft over the next two years with passengers being able to fly the first renovated aircraft relatively…
Read MoreBallast Nedam And ULC Groep Redesign KLM Crown Lounge At Schiphol
Royal Schiphol Group and KLM just awarded the contract for the redesign and extension of the existing international KLM Crown Lounge in Amsterdam. The ambitious project by Ballast Nedam and ULC Groep will include the addition of a whole new floor to the lounge and building an outdoor terrace all based on a new interior design. When…
Read MoreAir France ‘Boost’ Becomes Joon
Air France’s latest venture, originally called Boost, and now officially titled Joon, is the carrier’s attempt to reduce operating costs and compete with the growth of younger, less expensive airlines now flying medium and long-haul routes around the world. The new carrier will mirror the likes of Air Asia X, Norwegian, Singapore Airlines’ Scoot Qantas’…
Read MoreAirlines Get Into The Olympic Spirit
KLM It may have happened a few weeks ago, but if you missed it, KLM recently revealed their “Orange Pride” aircraft. On one special 777-300ER, the well-known KLM Blue was replaced on half of the fuselage with the nations orange colour. The keel line running along the fuselage has also been adapted to reflect the nations…
Read MoreDelta Shifts Terminals In LAX, Offers Better Synergy With Partners
Delta recently announced it will be moving its operations to Terminal 2 and 3 in LAX from May 12th. It will be one of the largest terminal moves in the history of commercial aviation, but the benefits seem to outweigh the temporary inconveniences. The move is the start of a larger expansion and improvement plan for…
Read MoreGOL Lounge In Sao Paulo Guarulhos T2 Impresses With Designer Credentials
The first of three new GOL Lounges in Brazil has just opened in Guarulhos T2 showcasing the carrier’s new direction for their ground product. Available to all passengers on GOL as well as Air France, Delta and KLM codeshares flying from T2, the new lounge replaces the fairly depressing and basic previous incarnation. “The VIP lounge…
Read MoreLatest SkyTeam Lounge To Open In Beijing
Following this year’s opening of SkyTeam‘s Hong Kong lounge, the alliance is about to launch a second greater-China lounge in Beijing Capital International Airport. The sixth worldwide lounge for the group will offer a “luxurious pre-flight experience complemented by high-end amenities” for First and Business Class passengers and Elite Plus members flying on any of the…
Read MoreTrip Report: KLM 777-200 World Business Class October 2015
Flight: KL706 Aircraft Type: B777-200 Class: World Business Class (new version) Route: (LHR)-AMS-GIG Flight time: 11:14 Seat: 4D Date: October 2015 http://www.klm.com Best for: Travellers from across Europe connecting onto long-haul routes. The crowd: Mainly Dutch travellers and Brazilian passengers, older generation on a long-haul leisure route. Business or pleasure: Most passengers were relaxed and in couples. Rio is much more leisure oriented compared with…
Read MoreSkyTeam Launch Latest Designer Lounge In Dubai
This week saw the official opening of their latest designer lounge in Terminal 1 of Dubai International Airport, the first for SkyTeam in the Gulf region. Catering to Elite Plus, First and Business Class passengers of the ten SkyTeam airlines flying to the airport. The new space spans over 960 square metres and can seat up…
Read More