JetBlue opens BlueHouse in JFK. Small, boutique, but is it enough to compete across the Atlantic?

JetBlue has launched BlueHouse, a new lounge at JFK’s Terminal 5, aiming to enhance its premium travel experience. The lounge offers a cozy, locally-inspired atmosphere with unique food and beverage options, contrasting traditional airline lounges. While it faces strong competition, BlueHouse marks a significant step in JetBlue’s commitment to seamless premium service.

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Innovation Award 2025 Call for Entries

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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Qantas upgrades Sydney Business Class lounges

Qantas’ lounge network has long been a quiet expression of the airline’s national character – grounded, sophisticated, and unmistakably Australian. As the Flying Kangaroo prepares for its next great leap, the arrival of Project Sunrise and the opening of its new Auckland International Lounge mark the beginning of a more refined, residential era for its…

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A New Gateway for San Diego: Light, Space and a Sense of Place

The new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport features a modern design emphasizing passenger experience, sustainability, and local identity. Created by Gensler, it combines spaciousness and intimacy with abundant natural light and local materials. Despite retaining traditional boarding bridges, the terminal sets a new standard for regional airports, prioritizing comfort and connection.

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Bigger, Brighter, Better: United’s Denver Lounge Redefines Scale

The lounge ecosystem in the Americas is evolving, marked by increased passenger volumes and significant investments in innovation. United Airlines has introduced its largest lounge, the United Club B West at Denver International Airport, featuring 33,000 square feet and 600 seats. Designed with local influences, it offers varied seating, a seasonal buffet, and enhanced amenities, setting a new standard for future developments.

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Western Sydney Airport now officially unveiled

Western Sydney International Airport, Australia’s first major airport in over 50 years, merges contemporary architecture with local culture. Designed collaboratively, it features an expansive terminal showcasing natural materials and a focus on passenger experience. With investments in local businesses and strong environmental commitments, it aims to serve the community while generating jobs.

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Singapore Changi’s Terminal 5 looks to set the global standard for airport terminals of the future

Singapore’s Changi Airport is redefining airport excellence with the upcoming Terminal 5, part of a massive Changi East development. Designed to welcome 50 million passengers annually, T5 integrates nature into its architecture while leveraging smart technology for efficiency. With a focus on sustainability and community, T5 aims to set new global benchmarks for modern airports.

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10 aviation advancements we’re looking forward to seeing in 2025

The aviation industry is set to soar in 2025 with a host of exciting developments. From innovative new routes to luxurious cabin upgrades, airlines are once again on track to forge brand new travel experiences. As the year comes to a close, we’re looking ahead to 2025 and what advancements we will see and hope…

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LOT opens its doors to its latest lounge in Chicago T5, and it’s a blessing for Star Alliance passengers

LOT Polish Airlines has launched a new business lounge at Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 5, marking its first investment in North America. Designed for passenger comfort, this stylish space features modern decor, relaxation and work areas, a dining section with Polish cuisine, and advanced technology, including automatic dimming windows and fast Wi-Fi.

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Innovation Award 2024 Call for Entries

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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New Delta One Lounge in LAX sets the bar for North American lounges

Delta is redefining the luxury airport lounge experience with the grand opening of its Delta One Lounge at LAX, supplementing the already impressive Sky Club situated just next door in Terminal 3. Designed to be a cut above the Sky Club, this exclusive space is designed to serve nearly 200 guests and offers a fully…

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Air France ups the ante with new First Class improvements across the passenger journey

In many regards, Air France is one of the best First Class experiences currently in the skies. Whilst the seats might not have all the bells and whistles of other more complete suites, the hard product is effortless and when paired with the soft touches, ground product and service, it’s no surprise when anyone mentions…

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Dubai’s DWC Al Maktoum gets a whole new look as it bids to become the world’s busiest airport

All eyes might have been on DXB the past few weeks as it struggled to deal with epic rains that hit the UAE. To be fair, we don’t think any airport globally could have dealt with such extreme weather conditions, but now all eyes are turning to its sister airport, situated a little closer to…

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Oneworld opens new lounge in Amsterdam… It’s time to play

Tomorrow marks the launch of oneworld’s second branded lounge, and the first in Europe, following quickly after the premier lounge launch in Seoul. The lounge is situated in the footprint of the older British Airways lounge, situated next to a brand new Aspire lounge which will open shortly too. In an emerging trend of managed…

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Foster + Partners reveal striking new airport designs for a new Polish mega airport

A Foster + Partners and Buro Happold consortium has won the competition to design the new CPK airport between Warsaw and Łódź. “The pivotal project will act as a symbolic gateway to Poland, a 21st century transport interchange which brings together air, rail and road, while reflecting the country’s national identity and providing exceptional passenger experience,”…

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A new sustainable, yet ultra-modern pier is coming to Zurich International Airport

June saw the announcement of a brand new pier at Zurich’s International Airport. After over 35 years in operation, Dock A has now reached the end of its life cycle and has to be replaced. In its place, will sit a brand new and stunning construction, brought to life by the teams at BIG, HOK…

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British Airways and American Airlines reveal new JFK Terminal 8 offering

American Airlines and British Airways have now announced greater detail surrounding their plans to co-locate operations at JFK’s Terminal 8 from December this year. Together the two airlines co-location should offer a more seamless customer experience while also supporting the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ambitious plan to transform JFK into a leading…

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Plaza Premium opens two new lounges in Toronto Pearson International Airport

Plaza Premium has continued its expansion in The Americas with two new lounges, open in Toronto’s main International Airport, YYZ. As well as a pre-departures ‘Concept’ lounge, situated in Terminal 1, the pay-for lounge company has created an impressive new Landmark lounge in the departures area of Terminal 3. The Concept lounge offers a convenient…

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Sky-high ambitions. Will airport roofs see greater utilisation post-Covid?

Throughout 2020, we’ve seen the great efforts airlines have made to quickly adapt the passenger experience from check-in all the way through to onboard. However, airports across the world have also had to play a part in enhancing social distancing and help space out the flow of passengers throughout terminals and gate areas. Luckily, both…

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London City Airport’s latest brand positioning might help it in a post-COVID world

Back in late 2017, London City Airport went through a new branding exercise that introduced a softer, lifestyle approach stripping away its hard-faced business image that reflected the city worker demographic looking to hop to and from Europe, New York and the rest of the UK. Brought to life by The Allotment, the new brand…

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Amaala unveils new airport design, representing a desert mirage.

Amaala, a luxurious destination located along Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, has just unveiled plans for a new international airport, with a design inspired by the optical illusion of a desert mirage which will act as a striking entry point to many International visitors. There’s good reason the terminal might look somewhat familiar, it’s been imagined…

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LaGuardia’s transformation breathes new life (and light) in to the airport

Yesterday saw the opening of the brand-new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport, the biggest milestone to date in the airport’s ongoing $8 billion transformation into a 21st century airport. The project – one of the largest public private partnerships in aviation history – includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal…

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Tampa International Airport becomes home to a series of art installations including a rather large, hungry flamingo

In the hunt to be instagram-friendly, airports are increasingly installing large-scale artworks to delight passengers and become memorable parts of the passenger experience. After all, Sacramento has its rabbit. Denver has its mustang and further afield, Doha has it’s well documented teddy bear/desk lamp combo. Perhaps in a less likely location, Tampa has announced it…

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Western Sydney Airport, a new mega hub for Australia reveals its terminal designs by Zaha Hadid and Cox Architecture

Last week saw Zaha Hadid Architects and Cox Architecture win the international design competition for the new Western Sydney Airport (WSA) and have been appointed as Master Architect for the project. The ZHA/COX team was selected from a broad field of forty national and international applicants that was narrowed to five selected design competitors. The…

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Doha’s Hamad International Airport expansion features indoor gardens and water features. A ‘growing’ trend?

Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport have just announced plans for the second expansion phase in Doha. HIA’s expansion project will include a fairly grand 10,000 square metre indoor tropical garden in a central concourse as well as a 268 square metre water feature which will be the focal point of the expansion project. The…

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Air Canada opens a new wave of lounges, based on a café culture concept

While the trend for airlines is to open a residential style lounge concept, Air Canada has leapfrogged its competition by creating a new lounge concept which focusses on time-sensitive travellers looking purely for a place to charge up their computers, phones and themselves. The opening of the Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson International Airport supports the existing…

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Air 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…

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Changi’s Jewel In The Crown Set To Open In Singapore Next Week

We can’t pretend that we are not excited, one of the most ambitious airport builds in South East Asia is almost complete. Jewel Changi Airport was unveiled yesterday, with Singaporean residents given a first sneak peek into the one-of-a-kind lifestyle destination. The massive 135,700 sqm complex, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, features a distinctive dome-shaped…

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Helsinki Opens ‘Aukio’, A New Atmospheric Extension To Its Terminal

Helsinki Airport has just opened a new 33,400sq m space which makes the airport as much of a destination as those that the passengers there are heading to. Named ‘Aukio’ the architecture, design and atmosphere are a testament to Finnish skills. “Aukio can rightfully be described as a display window for our country, as millions of…

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Air Canada Opens New Lounge In LaGuardia

Air Canada passengers travelling from New York’s LaGuardia rejoice. The new lounge is now officially open. Opened at the start of December, this new space signals the opening of the new Eastern concourse at Terminal B. The new lounge, conveniently located after security near Air Canada’s gates features popular amenities, including refreshments and a business centre,…

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