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.
Read More
Saudia launched its new lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 on April 27, catering to its guests and SkyTeam partners. It combines modern luxury with Saudi hospitality, featuring premium mocktails, an international buffet, and bespoke Tea Ceremony bar
Read More
Cathay Pacific’s award-winning Aria Suite enhances the Business Class experience, combining innovative design and luxurious comfort. Features like customizable lighting, intuitive entertainment, and exquisite dining elevate the journey. The cabin’s aesthetics reflect a relaxing ambiance, showcasing Cathay’s commitment to passenger wellbeing, setting a new standard in premium travel.
Read More
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,…
Read More
After recently travelling on both Virgin Atlantic’s B787-9 and the A350 products to the US, I had the opportunity to experience both the brand-new and older Upper Class products in quick succession, and the differences were noticeable, but actually not in a way I had expected. Now this might seem a little controversial, but.. Out…
Read More
With today’s announcement, American Express opens yet another Centurion Lounge this year, at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Located in Terminal 3. This will be the brand’s first Centurion Lounge in Europe but American Express’ third Centurion Lounge to open this year. It’s no small lounge either. Spanning over 7,000 square feet (650 square meters), the…
Read More
Last week saw the announcement of Virgin Atlantic’s return to service, with first flights taking wing on the 20th July to Orlando and Hong Kong, with New York (JFK) Los Angeles and Shanghai following suit the very next day. Following destinations will be announced in the following week for flights commencing at the start of…
Read More
British Airways just celebrated its centenary year and as part of its new year’s resolutions (Happy New Year everyone!) the carrier has hinted at some much needed upgrades to its Heathrow lounge complexes. 2019 saw the carrier bring a host of new lounge designs to its network including San Francisco, Geneva, New York and Milan.…
Read More
Regular visitors to T3 at London’s Heathrow Airport might believe the terminal’s Aerotel has been operating for months thanks to the large signage outside arrivals, but the terminal has just welcomed its 2nd hotel in close proximity to Terminals 3 and 2. This new space allows guests to book in several hour blocks or overnight…
Read More
Flight: WY102 Aircraft Type: 787-9 Class: First Class Route: LHR-MCT Date: March 2019 http://www.omanair.com Oman Air has long been on our radar to offer a trip report. Its careful positioning as a boutique carrier based in the Middle East doesn’t mean it is one of the big and bold ME3, but it is certainly pushing the envelope when it comes…
Read More
BOAC is back! No, not really, but perhaps it should be. This simple yet stunning retrojet livery has been rolled out by British Airways to celebrate its centenary which it is enjoying this year. While the aircraft has been much-anticipated by avgeeks across the UK and further afield, the reveal wasn’t a disappointment. Large crowds…
Read More
Flight: GF2 Aircraft Type: 787-9 Class: Business Class (Flacon Gold) Route: LHR-BAH Date: October 2018 http://www.gulfair.com Gulf Air used to be one of the leading carriers in the Gulf region, however, bold upstarts like Emirates quickly stole the crown, with heavy investment in new aircraft and a fairly courageous growth plan, leaving Gulf Air with a lacklustre, dated product that…
Read More
SAS For many, the arrivals hall will be a large part of Christmas with many of us either travelling or having relatives or friends travelling to their loved ones. This timeless video by SAS, released not just for Christmas, showcases an often overlooked part of the passenger experience. “The Arrivals” campaign imagery and film are…
Read More
Heathrow has no less than forty-something lounges across the expansive airport, but the offering can vary substantially, so selecting the right lounge can be a bit of a challenge. For those fellow aviation nuts out there though, the airport does offer a range of lounges with excellent views of the runways and apron, making spotting…
Read More
Last year, when we found five good reasons to fly with Philippine Airlines from London, our top reason was their upgraded 777 fleet, however, just one year on comes the announcement of the airline’s decision to roll the A350 on the route. Commencing on the 28th October 2018, passengers are now able to purchase tickets…
Read More
Virgin Atlantic has recently partnered with Onefinestay to create a limited edition pop-up boutique bedroom in the corner of its award-winning Clubhouse in Heathrow Airport. Partnering with the New York based company, the British airline has reinforced its deep East Coast roots by bridging the pond with a US based partner. Available for rental through…
Read More
Qantas will finally welcome customers into a new spacious Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow Airport as of tomorrow, as the airline counts down to its non-stop 787 Dreamliner flights between London and Australia. Qantas has invested on one of its most prestigious routes, spending the past 12 months creating a dedicated lounge at Heathrow as…
Read More
Have you ever wondered what involvement the airline alliance has in the design language adopted by their airlines? With the rise the alliance-friendly terminal, such as Heathrow’s Terminal 2, we talk to Julie Murphy, Star Alliance’s Chair in the UK about design and customer experience. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us, can…
Read More
Flight: UL504 Aircraft Type: A330-300 Class: Business Class Route: LHR-CMB Date: September 2016 http://www.srilankan.com SriLankan Airlines has passed by our radar for far too long, and their new business class product has now been flying for a few years on their A330-300 aircraft. Featuring all-aisle access, WiFi and quite frankly, amazing cuisine, it was time to take this Oneworld…
Read More
Championing British design talent, Heathrow Airport today announced the globally renowned architectural practice, Grimshaw as their concept designers after a rigorous assessment from a shortlist of four of the UK’s top architects which also included Zaha Hadid, HOK and Benoy. “Grimshaw were successful in the competitive tender process not only for their visionary concept designs, which pushed…
Read More
British Airways have just refurbished the Club World Galleries South lounge in T5A, just a couple of weeks after they refurbished their First Lounge in T5. A new furniture layout has been created in the lounge to enhance individual seating and increase privacy through the use of screens and high backed chairs. As part of…
Read More
London seems to be gaining a lot of new lounges this year, with OneWorld carriers Cathay Pacific and Qantas both giving a facelift to their ground operations. The Australia carrier announced last week that the next location for its flagship global lounge will be at Heathrow airport with construction to begin in September 2016. While T3 in…
Read More
We were delighted to be invited to Vietnam Airlines inaugural Dreamliner launch from London Heathrow today. It gave us the opportunity to see the carrier’s new 787-9 up close and personal on stand at Terminal 4 before its flight back to Vietnam. On the outside, Vietnam Airlines’ 787 has a fantastic colour to it, and…
Read More
It’s time for next instalment of The Aviator: The podcast about all things flying. Hosted by Ted Kravitz and regular guest host Jonny Clark. This month we we unpick the findings of the Airports Commission, Mark Vanhoenacker takes us through his book Skyfaring – a journey with a pilot, plus, the month’s news on the airways –…
Read More
On 14th May Vietnam Airlines celebrated the completion of their 787-9 test flight. This is a big (and final) step in bringing the carrier into the international arena, as their new products on both their Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 will re-ignite interest in the carrier as they go above and beyond in delivering a passenger…
Read More
Good News for Heathrow Terminal 4 travellers. There’s another lounge in town, and this one is a Pay-for lounge, so anyone can get in. You may be forgiven thinking there was already a Plaza Premium lounge, but this latest haven is part of the company’s USD40 million global expansion plan and is actually its third lounge in London Heathrow. Unlike the departure lounge in T2,…
Read More
Finally! We are getting a brand new Clubhouse in Los Angeles Terminal 2. First suggested back in 2012 by TheDesignAir, the moving of the Air New Zealand lounge from LAX’s T2 which Virgin Atlantic used to use across to the TBIT terminal, left passengers in a bit of a quandary. However, the airline announced this week…
Read More
The latest carrier to embrace a residential concept for their lounge offering, Singapore Airlines has unveiled its brand new SilverKris Lounge at Heathrow, following the airline’s recent move into Heathrow’s Terminal 2. Designed by renowned architectural and interior design firm ONG&ONG, the new Heathrow SilverKris Lounge for First and Business Class customers is the third lounge to…
Read More
United Airlines won’t be beaten, and like Cathay Pacific, have introduced a brand new amenity kit. In a slightly less tactile, but still nicely packaged product, will be offering international premium-cabin customers a unique enhancement to their in-flight experience with specially designed amenity kits available through late spring. As part of a wider initiative to improve…
Read More
Flight: AY0077 Aircraft Type: A330-300 Class: Business Class Route: HEL-KIX 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: The flight times are perfect for business travellers, however, with no WiFi, this is the perfect place to unwind and recharge…
Read More