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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On a recent flight through Warsaw to Chicago i was able to experience LOT Polish Airlines business class product, and I have to say, apart from a slightly dated cabin, the product was near excellence. There will be a review of that on my site soon, as well as a full video trip report on…
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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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JAL has set the scene for its new flagship product which will start flying on the prestigious service between Tokyo and New York later this year. It’s been almost 20 years since the carrier last launched a flagship international product, and the new cabins reflect the recent regional cabins that have already started flying over…
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Now those with a good memory will notice that the announcement of Saudia’s new brand feels a little bit familiar. That’s for good reason. Saudia’s latest livery is actually a previous incarnation of the brand image from the 1980s. A time when futurism was based on a mix between brutalism and pixelated screen technology, which…
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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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It might have been a long time coming, infact, we’ve known about this rebrand for a while, but Eurowings Discover has finally broken free of its Eurowings shackles to become an airline in it’s own right. And yes, yet another airline in Lufthansa’s grand arsenal of airline brands. Pitched clearly as a competitor to rival…
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You will be forgiven for not knowing of this new Bermuda-based startup, but it’s certainly going to be getting a lot of attention in the coming months. The airline has been a long time in the making. Bermudair actually comes from Adam Scott—the same CEO who wanted to start Odyssey, the all-business class airline that…
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TheDesignAir often references how colourful, vibrant and culturally diverse the Pacific is, and why its given birth to some of the most vibrant and exciting airline brands, liveries and uniforms in the skies. We take a look at Air Tahiti, one of the bigger brands in the region, but often overlooked by its long-haul rival…
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I think most of us were surprised that when Vistara and Air India were going to merge, Air India was going to be the dominant brand, considering how considered and elegant Vistara’s brand image was in comparison to the crumbling image of a legacy carrier from yesteryear. But in hindsight, as Air India has been…
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It seems like Cathay has just opened the lid of the business class of its future 777 fleet today with a teaser video, which will replace the existing Super Diamond and Cirrus Business Class seat that is found across the long-haul widebodied fleet of today. Interestingly, there hasn’t been a lot of detail around the…
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We’re currently in an era of rebounded passenger volumes, overwhelming profit margins, and seemingly sustained growth in virtually all aspects of the aviation industry. While much of that profit has been realised by heavily streamlined operations post-COVID, it’s also been due to pared back passenger experiences over the past 12 months, with many airlines only…
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It’s mind-boggling to think that Qantas has been flying its A380s for almost two decades. These behemoth gentle giants almost saw an untimely end because of the turn of the 2020’s but thankfully airlines are bringing these flagship aircraft back on key routes across the globe. Qantas is one such carrier that is not only…
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As from today, Brussels Airlines’ long-haul business class passengers travelling to Sub-Saharan Africa can enjoy a fully renovated Sunrise Lounge in the T-zone of Brussels Airport. With, among others, more seating, more sleeping comfort and a larger variety of quality food and drinks, the Belgian home carrier has responded to some of the apparent needs…
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Air France has continued its lounge renovation programme with a brand new lounge located at gate A of the international terminal at San Francisco airport, in the United States. The upgrade isn’t just skin deep though; the lounge is larger, with new spaces and more services, including a new dining offering to keep passengers fed…
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It seems we’re seeing a resurgence of colour in the aviation industry. While early 2000’s saw a wave of cost effective ‘Eurowhite’ liveries which were anything but inspiring, this month has seen not just Riyadh Air launch a bold new colourful look, but now JetBlue joins the ranks of refreshingly striking all-over liveries. Somewhat reminiscent…
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AIX is back in full swing again this year, with swathes of innovation from humble amenities to brand new seats. While there’s more about all of that to come over the coming weeks and months on the site, TheDesignAir is pleased to announce that Air France revealed its brand new A350 cabins that will enter…
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Riyadh Air, the new Saudi Arabian airline, headed up by veteran CEO Tony Douglas has just unveiled the first of two liveries that will adorn the airline’s fleet on Instagram earlier today. The airline has certainly decided to stand out with a bold, metallic purple look that will draw attention as it touches down to…
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This week saw not only the partial-acquisition of ITA Airways by Lufthansa Group, but also the first of its 18 A330-900Neo aircraft which will form the backbone of its international fleet. The aircraft is the first to be fully realised with ITA Airways vision for the passenger experience, as the A350’s that are already flying…
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On a visit to Tokyo soon after travel restrictions ended, we were keen to find out how the city had evolved. Where better than at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon which, despite officially opening in late 2020, had until that moment been denied a real launch. And while at the time of our stay there was…
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Alaska Airlines has had a long-time relationship with the Alaskan Salmon, In fact, in 1932, the airline took its first flight between Anchorage and Bristol Bay, home of the world’s most extensive sockeye salmon run. Since then its constantly been a part of distributing salmon across the States, so celebrating this ironic Alaskan export makes…
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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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Hawaiian Airlines has finally introduced an elevated standard of leisure travel, inspired by early Polynesian voyages, with the unveiling of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner interior and much anticipated new class of premium service – the Leihōkū Suites. Guests onboard Hawaiian’s 787 – entering service beginning early next year on select routes – will be immersed…
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At the Arabian Travel Market at the end of May, flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, unveiled its latest premium business class seat, offering passengers added comfort, privacy and an exceptional onboard experience. It’s actually the third business class seat revealed by the carrier in almost as many years which vary from staggered recliner seats to fully…
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Etihad Airways used the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to reveal the details behind its new 787 fleet which will supplement the existing long-haul fleet later this year. Instead of opting to continue the heavily customised Business Class seats that the airline currently operates across its 787’s and returning A380’s, Etihad opted for customised off-the-shelf…
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Last week saw ITA Airways inaugurate its brand new Hangar Lounge. The lounge has been designed to put Italy front and centre, acting as an ‘ambassador of Italian excellence in the world’ working with some of Italy’s most iconic brands. Entirely ‘Made in Italy’, the Hangar has been designed by the branding agency Robilant Associati…
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British Airways has today premiered its new onboard safety video replacing the somewhat tired comedy-led video from quite a few years ago. It stars the airline’s colleagues, Britons going about their daily activities and some familiar faces, showcasing everything that makes Britain unique and truly original. It’s a perfect addition to the brand positioning, showcasing…
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Fastjet has just revealed a brand new uniform, representing “a modern and smart look that captures the airline’s brand identity, that will now be worn by its ground staff and aircrew across all its bases in Zimbabwe and South Africa,” states the airline’s press release. The new uniform shakes off the bright yellow threads that…
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you might not know that New York’s ‘hometown airline’ JetBlue has been operating across the Atlantic for almost two years, offering a value proposition to the full-service concept on the highly competitive route between JFK and London. Although it’s taken us a few months to sort a trip,…
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On the coattails of the latest interior refresh for the European carrier, SWISS has just reopened its Non-Schengen Lounge in Zurich Airport’s Terminal D. Extending over 650 square metres, the fully refurbished lounge offers travellers a comfortable retreat with appealing views of the airport’s apron activity and the Alps beyond. The additional lounge will be…
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