Why branding airlines for Millennials and Gen Z’s is the wrong approach

The past few years has seen a few airlines decide to position themselves as a lifestyle brand, appealing to the younger, time-rich generation who are gap-year embracing, iPhone toting and generally bank-rolled by their parents. While airlines – like the big US 3 – see their passenger demographic age as fast as the airline does,…

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Swiss opens stunning new Alpine lounge in Zurich, to ease crowding and re-inject a true taste of Swiss culture

Today sees the opening of the latest Swiss lounge in Zurich, replacing the old First Class lounge in the A gates of Terminal 2, the new Alpine Lounge helps provide some respite to the Schengen departure swells due to the morning and evening flight banks. The airline has several lounges already across Zurich, and all…

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Aeromexico’s stylish new Etro amenity kit raises the question, do these kits now need to be reimagined?

It’s another month, another airline, another amenity kit. This time, Formia brought together a collaboration with Etro and Aeromexico, offering their business class passengers a stylish new kit bag filled with the usual perks befitting a premium passenger. “The style of Etro’s fashion lends itself perfectly to these amenity kits whose exterior is made of…

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ANA to open its new Okinawa lounge next week

All Nippon Airways is set to open its renovated lounge at Okinawa (Naha) Airport on September 3rd 2019. The newly revamped lounge, situated in Naha – one of Japan’s most southerly and tropical islands – is approximately 2.5 times larger and includes yet more seating space. The changes, which follow the new design palette recently…

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Japan Airlines’ new uniforms are true to form, but leaves us a little underwhelmed

Last week, Japan Airlines announced new designs for the company’s uniformed staff and which will be officially adopted in April 2020 in time for the Japanese Olympics. In early 2019, Japan Airlines reached out to customers and fans requesting comments and opinions on new designs for JAL`s uniformed representatives. Based on the responses, the company…

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Air Tahiti Nui launches new uniforms

Last month saw Air Tahiti Nui unveil its unique, French Polynesian-inspired crew uniforms. The uniforms complete the passenger experience which includes the previous introduction of the 787 to the airline’s fleet. Air Tahiti Nui’s crew debuted the new uniforms at an event on June 20, 2019 in Paris Le Bourget. The uniforms which refine the previous…

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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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ANA launches awesome new luxury cabins in collaboration with famed Japanese architect and British design team Acumen

We are in awe by the latest developments at ANA (All Nippon Airways). The airline has just announced its collaboration with famed architect Kengo Kuma and leading British designers Acumen to roll out a total of twelve completely redesigned Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in time for the Tokyo 2020 games. The first redesigned (premium-heavy) aircraft will…

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Turkish launches two new amenity kits, with Versace for Business Class and Mandarina Duck for Economy (You heard us right!)

Turkish Airlines has taken their position as a leading European carrier one step further this week with two small luxury additions, but showcase the airline’s never ending improvement to the hard and soft products available onboard. Turkish has just announced two new amenity kits for its long-haul routes, one in Business and amazingly, a fully-fledged…

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Oman Air Launch New Uniforms And New Masterbrand Called ‘State of Grace’

Yesterday saw the launch of Oman Air’s latest cabin crew uniform, which brings the airline’s brand image even closer to perfection. As part of the Oman Air brand evolution which saw the first major product enhancement through the introduction of its new First Class cabin last year on its newly delivered Boeing 787-9 with interiors by…

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Sichuan Airlines Unveil New Uniform Prior To Brand New A350 Arrival

Sichuan Airlines, based in Chengdu has launched a brand new bold uniform, designed to embrace both ‘enthusiasm and calmness’. The 7th incarnation of the uniform comes just in time for their new A350 which arrived today signalling a new era for the carrier including (what seem to be) all-aisle-access Zodiac Aerospace Cirrus business class seats.…

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Alitalia Surprise By Launching New Uniform, Replacing Ettore Bilotta’s Recent Threads

It seems like no one has told Alitalia that the airline is struggling financially, as they launch a new collection of uniforms by Alberta Ferretti, replacing the gorgeous, yet apparently uncomfortable outfits launched in 2016 by Ettore Bilotta. We are thrilled that the airline has boldly continued to invest in the product during a fairly…

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TheDesignAir Exclusive Interview With Véronique Jeanclerc, Chief Of The Architecture & Design Department, Air France

Air France has – for many years – been a bastion of design detail. From uniforms, the ever changing menu card designs, amenity kits, safety videos and now new CDG lounges featuring digital art installations, every design choice is carefully considered, which allows the carrier to exude a very French design aesthetic to the passenger…

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Oman Air First Airline To Receive ‘Air Rest’ Business Class Seats

Rockwell Collins used AIX as an opportunity to launch its brand new narrow body business class seat type dubbed ‘Air Rest.’ The seat is actually already flying, and can be found exclusively on Oman Air’s 737 MAX aircraft. Initial deliveries for a total of 30 aircraft recently began and will continue through 2022. This seat, which…

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A Closer Look At Schiphol’s New Terminal And ‘A’ Pier

Schiphol Airport has recently released the artists impressions for their new Pier A which will be open end of 2019. Eventually supported by the new terminal at Schiphol (opening in 2023) the airport will expand its capacity and the pair of architectural projects will enhance the airport and continue to position the airport as a…

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Swiss Opens New First Class Lounge in Zurich

Swiss opened the doors today to its stunning new First Class ‘Lounge A’ in Zurich. Designed as part of a curb-to-aircraft experience, the 650-square-metre lounge features check-in facilities, its own security checkpoint, an à la carte restaurant and a barista bar serving a wide range of Swiss grappas and further fruit brandies. As part of…

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Alaska Airlines Introduces New Uniforms By Luly Yang

Friday saw Alaska Airlines and fashion designer Luly Yang debut a modern, West Coast-inspired, custom-designed uniform collection. The collection features over 90 garments and accessories for the airline’s thousands of employees. The design, which has been more than two years in the making, will clad no less than 19,000 Alaska, Virgin America and Horizon Air employees,…

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Qantas Latest Carrier To Introduce Designer Bedding

On the tails of fellow oneworld carrier American, Qantas customers travelling in First are set for an even better night’s sleep with a new range of luxurious bedding products. The set has been created exclusively by Australia’s premium home and lifestyle brand, Sheridan for the airline’s A380 First class suites. The new bedding range (including…

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Finnair’s Latest Marimekko A350 Livery Bolsters Carrier’s Design-Led Ethos

Finnair have continued their long-standing relationship with Finnish design and textile company Marimekko with the introduction of their 11th A350, joining the fleet in late September. Titled ‘Kivet’, the aircraft isn’t the first aircraft to sport a special Marimekko design, however it is the first for the next generation Airbus aircraft. While the inside of…

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TAP Portugal Launches New Lisbon Lounge Designed By Miguel Arruda

Last week saw the opening of TAP Portugal’s brand-new business class lounge in Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport. The new lounge replaces the previous space and prepares the company for its increasing fleet of retrofitted fully-flat bed seats and new A330neo aircraft just around the corner. Covering an area of 850 square metres with space for…

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Trip Report: Turkish Airlines A321 & 737 Business Class April 2017

Flight: TK1984 & TK1981 Aircraft Type: A321 & 737-800 Class: Business Class Route: LHR-IST-LGW Date: April 2017 http://www.turkishairlines.com Turkish Airlines may be the most International airline, flying to more countries and destinations than any other carrier, both short and long-haul, but its not size that always counts. While the ME3 carriers get most of the attention, Turkish Airlines was certainly worth a…

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Qantas Launches Designer Amenity Kits Inspired By Australian Artists

Qantas has a long history of providing opportunities for Australian artists to connect with global audiences. Their latest initiative puts current Australian artists at the heart of their business passenger experience. Starting May 1st, a new range of amenity kits will be rolled out across international flights with new designs being rolled out each month. With artworks…

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Alessi Helps Bring Some Magic To Delta’s Serviceware

Two years in the making, the brand new collection of Alessi Serviceware for Delta’s multiple premium cabins has been revealed. One part of Delta’s multi-billion dollar investment into the passenger experience, the new range of designer flatware, cutlery and glasses will be unique to the airline. Appearing onboard 1st April 2017, the design process started…

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Japan Airlines To Open New Upgraded Lounge In Bangkok

JAL announced yesterday they will be opening a totally renovated Sakura Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport on March 1st. The new oneworld lounge will join fellow member Cathay Pacific’s designer lounge, opened in June 2015. “With the aim of creating a relaxed and comfortable environment to meet our customer requirements, JAL redesigned and upgraded…

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Latest SkyTeam Lounge To Open In Beijing

Following this year’s opening of SkyTeam‘s Hong Kong lounge, the alliance is about to launch a second greater-China lounge in Beijing Capital International Airport. The sixth worldwide lounge for the group will offer a “luxurious pre-flight experience complemented by high-end amenities” for First and Business Class passengers and Elite Plus members flying on any of the…

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Aeromexico Brings New Self-Serve Bar & All-Aisle Access To 787-9 Business Class

Aeromexico has taken delivery of it’s new 787-9 and with it, a brand new Clase Premier product designed for the long-haul routes the aircraft will fly. Adorned with the Quetzalcoatl one-off livery which we covered earlier this month, the aircraft will delight and surprise its passengers both outside and now inside too. With the airline currently offering…

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Qatar Airways Launches Giorgio Armani First Class Amenity Kits

If you are lucky enough to be one of just a select few flying on Qatar Airways A380 First Class, you are in for a treat. Partnering with Giorgio Armani, the airline has recently launched its newly designed range of luxurious Giorgio Armani Fragrances and Beauty amenity kits, available to First Class passengers on select A380 flights.…

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Iberia’s New Premium Economy Signals Closer Product Alignment At IAG

This week saw the announcement of Iberia’s new premium economy product that will be rolled out across 37 of the carrier’s long-haul fleet. Iberia will be the 7th oneworld carrier to introduce a real ‘premium’ economy product, and will mean the carrier can offer a more aligned product with sister carrier British Airways. There is…

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Etihad’s New Abu Dhabi First Class Lounge Revealed

On Monday Etihad finally opened to the doors to its much anticipated First Class Lounge and Spa in Abu Dhabi’s International Airport Terminal 3. The new flagship First Class Lounge & Spa “showcases the airline’s commitment to providing unparalleled and aspirational hospitality experiences,” state the airline’s press release. The lounge follows the residential and hotel influenced-design that…

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Honolulu Fashion Week Takes A Back Seat – Literally

When Hawaiian Airlines rejuvenated the cabin of its Boeing B717 aircraft earlier this year with modern, lightweight seats by PaulWylde, the carrier was left with an up cycling opportunity. Hawaiian’s innovative solution will be on display to the public starting Friday at Honolulu Fashion Week, when the stylish garments and accessories made from the seat fabric will…

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