For an industry that loves to shout about First Class doors and ever more elaborate Business Class suites, some of the most interesting innovation is happening far more quietly. Premium Economy, once a clearly defined middle ground, is beginning to stretch in two directions at once. Some airlines are doubling down on the “economy” side…
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TheDesignAir was created to provide an independent, ad-free platform for in-depth analysis of travel and design, distinguishing itself from typical aviation sites. Like every year I seek help to support this platform and ensure the platform remains distraction-free.
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Emirates is enhancing its First Class sleep experience, creating a curated ritual that integrates luxury elements like scent, textile, and service. New sustainable loungewear, upgraded bedding, and sensory turndown service emphasize rest as a journey. The cohesive approach aligns with contemporary hospitality, prioritizing well-being and sensory comfort in luxury travel.
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TheDesignAir has announced the winners of its 13th annual awards, recognizing excellence in aviation design and passenger experience for 2025. Notable winners include ANA for Innovation, Air New Zealand for Best New Uniform, and JetBlue as Design Airline of the Year in North America, exemplifying industry advancements and commitment to passenger satisfaction.
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TheDesignAir Awards 2025 public vote has concluded, but design studios, airlines, and airports can still enter the Design Innovation Award by submitting innovations introduced in 2025. This award recognizes advancements in passenger experience, with a submission deadline extended to November 28th. Last year’s winner, OmanAir, transformed its First Class to an efficient Business Class ‘Studio’.
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From December 1st, 2025, LATAM will launch its newly reimagined Premium Business experience, celebrating South American culture through its aesthetics and service. This transformation emphasizes authenticity, warmth, and local identity while ensuring a sophisticated travel experience. LATAM positions itself as a cultural ambassador, reflecting the region’s essence and inviting global travelers to connect.
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The DesignAir Awards 2025 are now open for public voting in multiple categories, including Best Design Airline by region. Participants can vote until November 10th. Airlines are evaluated based on design aspects enhancing passenger experience rather than service metrics. Winners will be revealed in December 2025. Vote now!
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We’re on the home stretch to 2026 already, can you believe it? 2025 is seeing a great resurgence in the use of the site, and i’m thrilled to see it! it’s great to see so many of you still engaging with the site. This year our YouTube – now in it’s 4th full year –…
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Saudia has launched a new premium amenity kit collection in collaboration with ELIE SAAB, available exclusively in First and Business Class. The kits feature distinct designs for men and women, including luxurious bags and skincare products. This partnership aims to enhance the inflight experience, showcasing elegance and sophistication to travelers.
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Air New Zealand has launched a new uniform collection designed by Emilia Wickstead in partnership with tā moko artist Te Rangitu Netana, blending craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. The designs prioritize identity, inclusivity, and heritage, featuring handcrafted patterns and thoughtful motifs, marking a significant shift in the airline’s branding approach.
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As 2024 comes to a close, it’s great to see so many of you still engaging with the site, in fact, we’re getting more and more subscribers every year. This year our YouTube – now in it’s 3rd full year – celebrates its biggest year yet with more than 750k views and yet more ‘toilet…
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This year, TheDesignAir undertook 72 flights across every continent, totaling 139,736 miles and 13 days of flight time. The travels featured various airlines and experiences, including notable flights with Austrian Airlines and China Airlines. Check out our 2024 recap
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While TheDesignAir Awards 2024 public vote is due to end on the 11th November, there’s still a chance for design studios, airlines and airports to enter our Design Innovation Award which celebrates innovation in the passenger experience field that truly enhances the traveller journey. From new seats to game-changing passenger experience products, sustainable service ware…
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Yes, it’s that time of the year again! We are once again launching this year’s Awards after returning last year. We’ve created our shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2024 and just like every year, we’ve opened some of the categories to the public. It’s time for you to get involved! Now is your chance to…
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As we come up to awards season, we are about to announce this years nominees for some of the best advancements this year in cabin experience. We’ll be announcing the shortlist before the end of September, so get ready to start voting! Every time i work on TheDesignAir, I’m in awe of the following it…
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Over the decades, airlines across the globe have approached fashion designers to add a bit of creative flair into their brand. So it’s no surprise that start-up Riyadh Air –which plans on setting the bar high – has searched for a couturier to help create the carrier’s very first uniform. And in reality it didn’t…
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The never ending game of cat and mouse between the US3 carriers is playing dividends for the inflight and ground customer experience in the USA. A region that was once a decade behind the rest of the world when it came to cabin interiors, has fast become a hot-bed of creativity and world-standard hard products.…
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In a bid to keep things minty fresh, JetBlue is bringing a new range of NYC brands to the skies once again. As of next week, Mint guests will be supplied a brand new amenity range ‘tucked into a stylish and reusable foldable backpack’ for Transatlantic and a snapping, collectible pouch for domestic Mint, both…
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Air India has continued to evolve its new brand proposition which features new cabins and liveries, with a brand new uniform for the crew, which sits in line with the new brand palette. Created by Indian celebrity couturier, Manish Malhotra, the new uniforms set out to blendrich Indian heritage, contemporary style, elegance, and comfort. We…
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Aerolíneas Argentinas has just unveiled a brand new uniform for ground and flight service personnel designed by Benito Fernández and Ricky Sarkany. But the end result has been a little bit of a disaster in our view with ill-fitting suits and colours that seem to exude holiday camp hosts, rather than international glamour. Under the…
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While TheDesignAir Awards 2023 public vote is due to end on the 8th November, there’s still a chance for design studios, airlines and airports to enter our recently launched Design Innovation award which celebrates innovation in the passenger experience field that enhances the traveller journey. From new seats to game-changing passenger experience products, sustainable service…
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Aegean just completed its Neo-era rebranding by presenting the new uniforms, in collaboration with the renowned Greek brand Zeus+Dione. The new uniforms, which were designed by the creative direction of Marios Schwab, are in perfect harmony with Aegean’s “Neo-era vision” and image, incorporating core design touches that seamlessly connect with the larger passenger experience. As…
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Yes, it’s that time of the year again! We are once again launching this year’s Awards after returning last year. Like we do each year, we’ve created our shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2023 and just like every year, we’ve opened some of the categories to the public. It’s time for you to get involved!…
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It’s apparently amenity kit season, as a range of airlines including United, Thai Airways, Hawaiian and Brussels Airlines have all released new amenity kits in a bid to enhance the passenger experience. There are two key trends emerging in these kits now, something that we had been hoping airlines would embrace moving forward. One was…
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Air France loves its history, so much so we spoke about it’s La Saga site quite a few moons ago. It’s been updated since, but has a great archive of imagery still over the years. However, this October will see the 90th anniversary year start its celebrations. However prior to the official anniversary the party…
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Let’s be honest, we’ve been doing the same thing for almost a century. We get on an aircraft that has the same key features, a metal tube with a front and a back and seats in between. It’s been the formula that new aircraft have followed for decades. But as our understanding of aerodynamics increase,…
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After the announcement of Vistara and Air India’s merging, it seems the carrier has already started to step up its passenger experience offering. Partnering with the international travel and lifestyle brand TUMI, Air India seems to be putting the right foot forward in upgrading what has been a very tired, and unloved product for some…
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Now, Condor’s A330neo nautically business class might not be recent news, but social is finally buzzing around the airline’s decision to up-guage its front row of business class to a ‘Business Plus’ proposition. Dubbed ‘Prime Seats’, Condor’s front row of four seats are in effect ‘mini suites’ with a few hidden surprises that the airline…
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China Airlines has now released a new menu and tableware to compliment its Japan routes. The airline will partner with Toutouan, a famous restaurant in Tokyo, to launch their “natural style” Japanese cuisine for Premium Business/Business Class on all Japanese routes. Brand new Japanese tableware will also complement the cuisine. “By bringing Japan’s signature banquet…
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Yesterday saw the very first of no less than 120 retrofitted aircraft take off from Dubai to London Heathrow. As part of a US$2billion upgrade program, EK003 heralds the start of a huge investment from Emirates to bring all of their A380s back to the skies, and – eventually – featuring the latest cabin products…
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