For the first time in two decades, British Airways has refreshed its uniform, and in following tradition, had selected British designer of Saville Row fame – Ozwald Boateng to shape the new look for the 30,000 front line crew who are customer facing. The collection was shaped by Boateng shadowing various crew members from engineering…
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As 2022 draws to a close, we’ve seen the airline industry bounce back with a vengeance. The industry has proven itself as strong as ever, rebounding with new routes, new aircraft, new interiors and a sense of optimism once again. We have continued to see innovation, enhancements, and a renewed investment into the passenger experience.…
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For so many, the writing has been on the wall for First Class. After all, the gulf between First and Business Class was bridged by a wave of suites, fully flat beds and all-aisle access in the larger more affordable J class cabin. This means for many now, the upgrade to First Class simply meant…
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While TheDesignAir Awards 2022 public vote is due to end on the 6th 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 covid innovations, sustainable service ware to…
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I’ve been saying for a while that Etihad has been repositioning itself as the leader of boutique carriers. In fact, an impromptu conversation in my hotel bar last night with two Emirati ladies reaffirmed this belief, who excitingly dubbed the carrier as more ‘exclusive and chic’ than its larger, brasher, blingier, counterparts. It seems today…
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TheDesignAir is pleased to announce the launch of this year’s Awards after returning last year. We’ve once again released our shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2022 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 pick from our…
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Let’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…
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Passenger seat rules and regulations regarding ergonomics haven’t really changed in decades. However, as a race, human’s have continued to evolve, and we’re getting larger and taller. This means economy seats and cabins once comfortable for passengers in the 1960’s are no longer viable for today’s traveller. In fact the CDC says between 1960 and…
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Herringbone and forward-facing staggered business class seats? The catalogue available to airlines is now seemingly never-ending, and the latest Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg this week has revealed how the industry has never been more spoiled for choice. Two of the latest entrants in to the market have come from Safran dubbed ‘VUE’ and ‘Unity’.…
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With some 6000+ narrow-body and regional jets in the US alone, there is a huge market for ‘domestic First Class’ still, and competition is heating up at the front of the plane. Delta has just shown off its new First Class product, first announced in 2020, and the MiQ seats are starting to become commonplace…
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Most people will have flown on a Vantage product at some point if they’ve flown business class in the past decade, and the VantageXL is the flagship version, which has been adopted by the likes of Qantas, SAS, Delta and Philippine Airlines over the years. Understanding that passenger habits and needs have adapted in the…
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Etihad has been looking to find an ecological solution to its inflight service for some time. Over the past few years the airline has been at the forefront of experimental eco-flights with everything from zero-plastic long-haul journeys to new technologies to rid the world of vapour-trails. However, the latest developments will be a welcome addition…
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After many months of speculation, it seems that Norse Atlantic Airways is ready to disrupt the Transatlantic market. After checking the site this evening (28th April), TheDesignAir has revealed that Norse has now officially launched its booking engine and seems it will be commencing operations to JFK on 14th June. Now, its not news that…
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If you’ve been in Turkish Airlines‘ business class lounge in Istanbul over the past few days, then you might be forgiven for thinking that Batman had parked one of is many vehicles in the lounge. However, this futuristic new machine, dubbed ‘Hezarfen’ is actually a flight simulator with a difference. Combining modern technology with inspiration…
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It’s easier for designers to build passenger experiences for adults. It’s the core design language that makes up a brand and airline passenger experience. After all, we can all relate to how the design created will affect us. However, designers often forget children, which still make up a noticeable percentage of airline travellers. There are…
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Anyone who has visited South America will appreciate how strong the design culture is there. So it’s no surprise that the de-facto airline of the region LATAM has celebrated its cultural roots with two new amenity kits, which have sustainability at their heart. This new release reflects one of the emerging trends TheDesignAir predicted for…
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While 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…
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Delta is the latest airline to act upon its promises to become a more sustainable carrier in the future. While perhaps seen as small steps, by sheer volume, these amount to some substantial changes. Starting this month, the airline will refresh its onboard product offerings with artisan-made amenity kits, introduce recycled bedding, reusable and biodegradable…
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Air France has just released handsome new amenity kits for both Business Class and Premium Economy, however the most impressive story can be found in that they feature no less than 93% recycled materials. Unlike the materials used in Virgin Atlantic’s amenity kits, which clearly showcase its environmental credentials, Air France has taken a more…
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As 2021 draws to a close, we’ve all seen disruption and resilience in aviation in equal measure. The industry has proven itself as strong as ever, facing multiple lockdowns, border closures, new strains and an ever changing landscape. We’ve seen airlines open new routes, shift to cargo, and even through the thick of the hardest,…
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In yet another step to normality, Air France has revealed its latest premium menus, now reappearing on flights from November 2021 all the way through to February 2022. The carrier has followed its ongoing tradition by teaming up with talented French Michelin-starred chefs. This time Régis Marcon and Mathieu Viannay will cater to Air France’s…
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TheDesignAir is pleased to announce the recommencement of our Awards after taking a break last year. We’ve once again released our shortlist for the DesignAir Awards 2021 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 pick from…
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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…
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All attention this week might have been on JetBlue’s much anticipated entry in to the TransAtlantic race, but with it came a nifty little amenity for passengers in coach that we absolutely love. Developed in collaboration with JetBlue – Formia, the international guest amenity and hospitality specialist – the new kits are now available on the airline’s highly anticipated transatlantic…
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Lebanon’s national carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) has just revealed new amenities for their business class passengers, designed to match the new interiors that the A321neo’s have brought to the fleet. The airline partnered with Kaelis, an independent provider of onboard products, services and solutions, to create a new comfort set to make their business…
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TheDesignAir is pleased to announce the return of our annual awards in 2021. While we took the decision to postpone the awards in 2020 due to the impact the pandemic had on the aviation industry, we feel now is the right time for its return. We’re pleased to combine both 2020 and 2021’s advancements to…
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Turkish Airlines has once again renewed its collaboration with one of the country’s most distinguished painters, Devrim Erbil. The artist’s work will be found on the carrier’s short-haul Business Class amenity kits for short-haul flights produced by Galileo Watermark. Erbil, one of the most important living representatives of Turkish contemporary art, is deeply influenced by…
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“When I started this site back in 2012, I had no idea that I’d still be writing almost daily on the design developments across aviation, or that it would grow to become one of the top online aviation resources with thousands of subscribers, followers and countless emails and messages of support.” Jonny Clark, Founder TheDesignAir…
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Etihad has just partnered with DUBZ, powered by dnata, an off-airport solutions provider, making it easier for passengers to check in their bags, pick their seat, even upgrade and collect their boarding pass and luggage tags from their home within Abu Dhabi. A Covid-19 PCR test can also be arranged through the airline’s medical partner, LifeDx.…
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While we covered JetBlue’s fantastic new Mint product recently, the airline certainly kept our eyes at the front of the aircraft, as we thought that’s where the magic was going to happen. However, it seems when it comes to Economy Class travel, the airline has decided to firmly position itself as a challenger to the…
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