Here at TheDesignAir, we love a good app. Qantas recently announced their introduction of their new Apple Watch App, weeks before the must-have travel accessory goes on sale worldwide. Using the app, customers will receive notifications telling them of gate changes, what carousel from which to collect their baggage and up-to-the-minute information of their journey. Qantas Executive Manager…
Read MoreMany people may have heard about LATAM‘s merger over the past few years, and we are just on the cusp of a new combined brand being rolled out throughout South America. Being one of the largest airline groups in the world, chances are, if you are headed to a South American country anytime soon, the new merger will…
Read MoreThis month TheDesignAir takes a look at everything that airlines should be. Airlines we want to travel with, and are going above and beyond to create something truly unique in the sky. Our judges have voted and, interestingly, our top 10 all fit within just a 6 percent margin, and, yet again, we haven’t been able to just fit in 10…
Read MoreIt was announced at the end of last week that little known Sata International may be undergoing a rebrand. The airline, also known as ‘Sata Air Azores’ is changing it’s image to become ‘Azores Airlines’. Shockingly, this rebrand of the airline is being announced 4 years after the incumbent design was released. Globally speaking, this still…
Read MoreQantas have been very busy this year, revealing a whole host of lounges around the world. Qantas has already had a functioning Business Class lounge since June in Los Angeles, but December 2014 launched the all-new Qantas First Class Lounge for customers travelling from Los Angeles’ TBIT terminal. There are some nods to the original flagship…
Read MoreIt’s your lucky day if you are arriving into Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 and 3. The airport, which is still one of the busiest in the world, has been overhauled over the past few years to keep up with demand and refresh their international image. Delta Arrivals Lounge LHR Terminal 3 Whilst Terminal 3 already…
Read MoreFlight: AY0832 Aircraft Type: A321 Class: Business Class Route: LHR-HEL 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: No Wi-Fi, or IFE on this shorter flights, but with a seat left open between your fellow passenger, there is…
Read MoreFlight: CI791 Aircraft Type: B777-300ER Class: Premium Economy Class Route: TPE-HAN Date: November 2014 http://www.china-airlines.com Best for: Those looking for extra perks and comfort for those not wanting the heavy price tag. Most likely to sit next to: Savvy cool Trans-pacific travellers Business or pleasure: This airline is built for business. Great schedules, frequent services, good connections and wifi onboard, means for a logical…
Read MoreFlight: BA117 Aircraft Type: B747-400 Class: “Club World” Business Class Route: LHR-JFK Date: October 2014 http://www.ba.com Best for: UK based travellers who travel a lot, who can benefit from frequent flier perks. Most likely to sit next to: On this route, expect NY-LON travellers, who take the trip as much as they would a Taxi, nothing phases or surprises these über-travellers. Business…
Read MoreA little while ago, we announced China Airlines plans for their Next Generation 777-300ER, and spoke about the radical industry leading product they wanted to create. Last week the airline received their brand new 777-300ER, and we now take a closer look at the final product. We have to admit, we are blown away by…
Read MoreWe were lucky enough to be included in Skift’s SkiftForum in New York’s Times Center yesterday (October 9th 2014) that brought together some of the best leading minds in the Travel and Hospitality industry. Spending the day with like minded expert individuals, it was clear to see some of the emerging trends that will most…
Read MoreAir China, the second operator of the 747-8i passenger version, has just taken delivery of it’s new ‘Queen of the Skies’ with an interior designed by London based transport and hospitality design specialists, JPA Design. This is the same studio that brought one of the best seats to the skies, with the Singapore Airlines 777…
Read MoreLiveries around the world are the calling cards for hundreds of different airlines. For some they are the passengers only interaction with the brand image of the airline, so as they park up at the gates of airports globally, they need to be able to communicate the values and concepts that each airline brand stands for.…
Read MoreSo it isn’t often we think ourselves as that awkward L-shaped brick from classic computer game Tetris, but fundamentally that’s how aircraft seat designers see us. Unfortunately-shaped wedges that have to fit neatly into a rectangular shape. In a constant fight to give airline passengers more space, more comfort and a better quality experience, the…
Read MoreOriginally launched on the Haneda – Fukuoka route back in May, JAL have revamped their domestic cabins on their 777s to offer luxurious comfort to its guests. Since then the ball has started rolling to retrofit 77 aircraft, as the new cabin, dubbed ‘Sky Next’ finds its way to new destinations on the JAL network. Recently,…
Read MoreOur friends at Finnair have just announced the new interiors for their A350 fleet which will come into service mid 2015. The A350, which has been in the shadow of their newer cousin, the A330 Neo as of late, now can sit proud about the product they can offer onboard, thanks in part due to Finnish ‘Designer’ airline…
Read MorePlease read our first installment of our four part series here and second instalment here. Part 3 | Business Class. It’s possibly one of the hardest cabins to design. Customer expectations are high, margins are low and space is at a premium. Now with the advent of premium economy and the still-standing First Class sandwiching the most popular of premium cabins,…
Read MoreQantas have been busy over the past few months, opening new lounges around the world. The latest, in LAX’s TBIT terminal, opened yesterday in partnership with their good friends and One World carriers British Airways and Cathay Pacific. The new (and vast) space, designed by Woods Bagot, has been long awaited and compliments the terminal’s other spacious and…
Read MoreFlight: CI062 Aircraft Type: B747-400 Class: Business Class Route: FRA-TPE Date: May 2014 http://www.china-airlines.com Best for: Affordable business class travellers wanting excellent service and good connections across Asia. Most likely to sit next to: Local Taiwanese travellers, or connecting European flyers utilising the Skyteam partnership. Business or pleasure: Pleasure. Without wi-fi onboard, and a service concept that makes you feel like you are…
Read MoreSadly, 27th May 2014, graphic design legend Massimo Vignelli passed away at the age of 83. The Italian born designer is most famous for his work designing the New York Subway map & signage as well as the graphic design of the infamous American Airlines identity that only until recently was one of the most iconic aircraft liveries…
Read MoreOur TheDesignAir Top 10 lists have undergone a revamp in 2014, and to aid transparency, our top 10 airlines will now have their rating out of 100 shown, as voted for and calculated by our judging panel. This month we cover our top 10 premium economy classes. With airlines investing more into their new mid-cabin classes, competition is…
Read MoreWe love it when a partnership can learn from each other. It seems the new strategic partnership of Virgin Atlantic and Delta are helping each other out. The airlines recently announced that some Delta flights on key business routes (London to New York-JFK, London to Boston, and the new London to Seattle) are now utilising London Heathrow’s Terminal…
Read MoreChina Airlines, once the quieter of the Asian airline fraternity, has decided 2014 is the year it comes out and shows the world what it is made of. The airline, whose mainline long haul fleet currently features older 747’s and A340’s and newer A330s, has placed orders for brand new modern 777s and A350s, which…
Read MoreLATAM have just exclusively announced a brand new look for their short haul and long haul cabins, being rolled out on their Airbus A320 family aircraft and new 787-9 and A350 fleet. This is the first real sign of unification between the two airlines, who have been working together since 2012. Conceived by Priestmangoode, the new domestic…
Read MoreOur TheDesignAir Top 10 lists have undergone a revamp in 2014, and to aid transparency, our top 10 airlines will now have their rating out of 100 shown, as voted for and calculated by our judging panel. What is interesting for our Top 10 International business classes 2014 is the wide ranging percentage scores within the top…
Read MoreFlight: HA09 Aircraft Type: A330-200 Class: Economy (Extra legroom) Route: LAX-HNL Date: February 2014 http://www.hawaiianair.com Best for: Those wanting to start their Hawaiian holiday off with a little extra everything. Most likely to sit next to: With the mini cabin-extra legroom seats, savvy travellers who have done this trip before and know what an extra few inches can do. Business or pleasure: Business?…
Read MoreWe were lucky today to be given an exclusive tour of one Hawaiian Airlines‘ two new A330 aircraft, parked at the gate at Honolulu airport. Just a few weeks old the latest aircraft to join the fleet, Keoe, showcases the brand new interior that will soon be introduced to the entire A330 fleet. Set to…
Read MoreFlight: FJ811 Aircraft Type: A330-200 Class: Business Class Route: LAX-NAN Date: 6th February 2014 http://www.fijiairways.com Best for: Savvy passengers who can afford to spend a little more to start their holiday early, and fight off the jetlag. Most likely to sit next to: Anyone from a seasoned traveller top-to-toe in Linen luxury, to a marine biologist connecting on to Sydney. Business or…
Read MoreWe are pleased to announce our Top 10 Cool Airline Brands 2014, the list features the ‘coolest’ airlines found around the world, as voted by our judging panel. This year brought a variety of new entrants, due to their work in 2013 in improving their brand image. There were also a host of airlines that…
Read MoreIn a roll out across the 777 fleet, and part of the ‘Best & Beyond’ service and product renovation project, Air France have finally caught up with their international competitors by offering fully flat seating in their business class cabins. The seating may look familiar, being adopted the world round for it’s successful mix of…
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