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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Brussels Airlines Redefines Its Identity with Boutique-Inspired Brand Refresh

Brussels Airlines is evolving its identity with a refined brand image that emphasizes emotional connection and personal touch. Collaborating with WeWantMore, the airline retains its core elements while enhancing visual sophistication. This rebranding focuses on creating a human, welcoming experience that reflects Belgian hospitality, presenting itself as a boutique airline in the sky.

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Trip Report: Saudia First Class 777-300ER, May 2025

Saudia Airlines, often overlooked, is evolving amid regional competition. With a focus on modernity and traditional hospitality, its First Class experience stands out for service excellence, including onboard chefs and trained butlers. While the hard product awaits updates, the airline positions itself as a serious contender against major Middle Eastern carriers.

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Studio Spotlight: PriestmanGoode

PriestmanGoode is revolutionizing aviation design by centering on human experiences and long-term strategies, addressing evolving passenger needs and sustainability. Their employee-owned structure promotes collaboration and innovation across multiple sectors. Projects like Riyadh Air and United’s Polaris demonstrate their holistic approach to creating cohesive, branded journeys while addressing industry challenges and nurturing future talent.

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Qantas opens new domestic lounge in Adelaide

Adelaide is highlighted as Qantas launches a new international route to Auckland and opens a Domestic Business Lounge. The lounge, designed with regional inspiration, focuses on local culture and cuisine, featuring a cooking station and bespoke furnishings. This initiative enhances travel options for South Australians and reflects Qantas’s commitment to customer experience.

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Cathay starts Hong Kong lounge renewal with reopening of The Bridge

Cathay Pacific has renovated The Bridge lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, introducing new features while retaining familiar elements. The redesign emphasizes a human-centric approach, enhancing comfort and atmosphere. The lounge includes a revamped Noodle Bar, The Nook for regional dishes, and a Food Hall with diverse menu options, all aimed at enriching passenger experiences.

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Exclusive! Riyadh Air excels with new cabins, confirms First Class and sets to fly high against its regional competition

Riyadh Air has unveiled its opulent new cabin interiors, featured in the flagship 787 aircraft. Combining traditional Saudi elements with modern design, the airline’s offerings include Business Elite seats with unique features, advanced technology, and an immersive audio experience. This launch sets a new global benchmark for luxury in air travel.

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Saudia launches new amenity kits by Elie Saab

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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Delta launches new Sky Club in the airline’s global Atlanta hub

Delta Air Lines has launched a new lounge in its Sky Club network at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Spanning over 24,000 square feet, it accommodates over 500 guests with a design reflecting Atlanta’s culture. The lounge prioritizes comfort and functionality, incorporating local art and enhanced facilities, and is part of Delta’s broader investment in the airport’s infrastructure.

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Air New Zealand’s culturally sensitive uniforms from Emilia Wickstead are detail rich, but will they stand out?

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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China Southern Airlines reveals new interiors by Tangerine featuring new Thompson VantageXL+ seats

As part of its ongoing fleet modernisation, China Southern Airlines is introducing new A350-900 and A321NX aircraft – two dual flagship models designed to elevate the passenger experience to unprecedented levels. These new aircraft will also herald a new interiors palette that will change the overall look, feel and brand image for the Chinese carrier. The airline has…

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Studio Spotlight: Thompson Aero Seating’s design, engineering and industrial design trinity

Thompson Aero Seating, based in Northern Ireland, specializes in premium aircraft seating, notably the Vantage seat series, known for its innovative designs and customization options. With a focus on collaboration between design and engineering teams, the company effectively anticipates market needs, leading to successful products like the new VantageNOVA, enhancing their competitive edge.

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Avianca launches new lounge in Miami partnered with TAP Air Portugal

Avianca has finally brought a much needed new lounge to Miami’s J concourse, giving more options to Star Alliance premium passengers flying from this popular US gateway. Partnering with TAP Air Portugal, this is Avianca’s 11th lounge globally, and with more than a dozen flights a day, Miami is a key international destination for the…

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Air France launches new La Premiere First Class product with one of the largest suites in the skies

Air France has launched a revamped First Class ‘La Première’ experience, enhancing its premium offerings with larger suites and upgraded seats on its Boeing 777 fleet. The new design features five windows per suite, private amenities, and advanced technology, aiming to compete with top airlines. Despite minor flaws in screen placement, the launch overall appears promising.

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Thompson Aero’s VantageNOVA First seating product delivers a solid Business Class Plus product that should be considered

Thompson Aero Seating is set to unveil the Vantage NOVA First at AIX 2025, focusing on an enhanced business-class experience. Its innovative ‘Star Configuration’ allows four passengers to socialise comfortably, complemented by custom-designed buddy seats and versatile varied-use options.

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Sonic video content is the new playground for airline branding

We all know that airlines across the globe face limited suppliers and supply chains when it comes to creating passenger experiences. They are increasingly being strained by demand, which is causing delays to airline and product launches the world over. From OEMs to seat manufacturers airlines are battling two fronts. One, the race to offer…

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SAS launches new fresh gender-inclusive uniform

SAS is introducing a new uniform for its 9,000 staff, blending Scandinavian traditions with modern design. The update aims to reflect a contemporary airline identity while emphasizing professionalism, safety, and inclusivity. Designed primarily in-house, the uniforms feature gender-neutral options and welcome personal expression, marking a significant cultural shift for SAS.

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Lufthansa launches refreshed lounge in Heathrow Terminal 2

Lufthansa is the latest airline to upgrade its lounge in Heathrow Terminal 2. Now reopen, the recently renovated lounge is situated in the main terminal area, making it the favourable Star Alliance lounge for the group’s airlines operating narrowbody aircraft into Heathrow. Heathrow’s A gates only accept narrow body aircraft, and airlines like Aegean, Brussels,…

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Etihad opens new U.S. pre-clearance lounge in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways is one of the few airlines that allows pre-clearance into the US, meaning that passengers arrive in the US without having to face lengthy queues at immigration. However, this has always meant that prior to departure from Abu Dhabi, passengers have had to face a smaller queue to pass immigration within the airport.…

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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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December sees Delta opening two new lounges in Boston and Charlotte

Delta has opened its first SkyClub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, featuring a 14,000-square-foot space that accommodates nearly 250 guests. The lounge incorporates Neoclassic design inspired by Queen Charlotte. Meanwhile, Delta’s new Boston Logan lounge aims to enhance the business class experience with exclusive dining and maritime-themed decor. Both lounges symbolise Delta’s commitment to improving ground experiences.

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TheDesignAir Award Winners, 2024

TheDesignAir announced the winners of its 12th annual awards, highlighting achievements in aviation design and passenger experience for 2024. Notable winners include Oman Air for Design Innovation, Cathay as Design Airline of the Year Asia, and Etihad Airways securing the top honour globally. The competition showcased rising startups and innovative designs.

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British Airways set to reveal new A380 First Class product

British Airways is revamping its A380 First Class with a new seat that blends modern design and heritage, inspired by Concorde. Set for a mid-2026 rollout, features include a spacious, flat bed, enhanced privacy, and advanced technology. This upgrade aims to improve passenger experience, while also addressing existing service shortcomings.

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Qantas hints at its future ‘lighter’ interior palette with launch of refreshed A330 cabins

Qantas has unveiled a redesigned Business and Economy Class cabin for its A330 fleet, enhancing comfort for the upcoming Project Sunrise experience. The refurbishment includes larger screens, USB-C charging, and mood lighting. This multimillion-dollar program will renew the fleet starting mid-2025, signaling a shift toward a modern, inviting travel experience.

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Studio Spotlight: LANTAL’s Revolutionary DEEP DYEING Technology; weaving together Airline Cabin Design

LANTAL’s DEEP DYEING technology revolutionizes airline design by allowing for customizable, unique carpets that enhance cabin aesthetics and branding. This innovative approach fosters distinct cabin zones, improving passenger flow and experience while promoting sustainability through efficient production. It empowers airlines to create immersive environments that resonate with their brand identity and values.

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Delta’s New Cabin Interiors: A Missed Opportunity for a Bold Brand Statement?

Delta Air Lines has just unveiled its cabin redesign, which will be applied across its entire fleet starting with the airline’s ageing 757s followed by its most modern A350s. The new design showcases a fresh, residential-inspired approach that blends luxury and comfort. The updated interiors feature premium materials, improved ergonomics, and advanced mood lighting to…

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VantageNOVA is Thompson Aero Seating’s entry into the market for wide-body herringbone seats

Thompson Aero Seating has officially launched its much-anticipated VantageNOVA (a seat i managed to experience at AIX earlier this year). It’s a premium herringbone seat designed for twin-aisle aircraft. As the latest addition to the successful Vantage seating family, the VantageNOVA aims to revolutionise passenger experience with an innovative blend of comfort, flexibility, and customisation,…

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LATAM continues to evolve its fleet with ‘suite’ upgrades to some of its 787’s

In order to continue improving its fleet and the onboard experience for passengers, LATAM announced that starting in September, it will begin a refurbishment process for 24 of its Boeing 787 aircraft, with a total investment of US$360m, completely upgrading the cabin interiors with new seats, onboard entertainment, and design enhancements. However instead of kitting…

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Discover Lufthansa’s New Premium Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport

Lufthansa has introduced its latest premium lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B, which will be welcome to the many Star Alliance passengers departing from the airport including Lufthansa, LOT and TAP Portugal. Covering 600 square metres, the new lounge brings a new contemporary elegance, balancing functionality with a sleek aesthetic that feels fresh…

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