TRIP REPORT: Finnair A321 Business Class November 2014

Flight: AY0832 Aircraft Type: A321 Class: Business Class Route: LHR-HEL 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: No Wi-Fi, or IFE on this shorter flights, but with a seat left open between your fellow passenger, there is…

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LOUNGING AROUND: Plaza Premium Heathrow Terminal 2

Back in October 2014 we were able to experience Plaza Premium‘s brand new lounge in Heathrow Terminal 2. The lounge itself was virtually empty as we arrived at 5am for one of the first fights out of the terminal that morning. Situated near the transfer desks the lounge is both impressive and spacious. Costing £38…

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TRIP REPORT: British Airways 747 Business Class October 2014

Flight: BA117 Aircraft Type: B747-400 Class: “Club World” Business Class Route: LHR-JFK Date: October 2014 http://www.ba.com Best for: UK based travellers who travel a lot, who can benefit from frequent flier perks. Most likely to sit next to: On this route, expect NY-LON travellers, who take the trip as much as they would a Taxi, nothing phases or surprises these über-travellers. Business…

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Aeromexico Delight With New London 787 Service

With the recent arrival (end of last year) of its first Boeing 787 up to a total of 19, Aeromexico become the first airline in Mexico and the number 14th around the world to operate the aircraft. Aeromexico are proud of their 787, which will now operate on the flagship London Heathrow route. With the new arrival…

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Cathay Pacific On Being The Best In Business Class

Originally by Dominique Afacan, one of our DesignAir judges for forbes.com. She talks business, beds and Boeing with Roberto Abbondio, Head of Sales and Marketing UK/IR for Cathay Pacific. Cathay just won Best Business Class in the Airline Ratings.com awards – how does the cabin differ to the previous offering? It is a brand new concept. The thing we are very…

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TRIP REPORT: Cathay Pacific Business Class December 2013

Flight: CX237 Aircraft Type: 777-300ER Class: Business Class Route: HKG-LHR Date: 1st December 2013 http://www.cathaypacific.co.uk Best for: Passengers wanting no-fuss elegant luxury, space and dining flying to and from Hong Kong. Most likely to sit next to: A mix of couples, suited business men and mainly passengers that keep themselves to themselves. Business or pleasure: Whilst there is no Wi-Fi on board, the…

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TRIP REPORT: Cathay Pacific Premium Economy November 2013

Flight: CX254 Aircraft Type: 777-300ER Class: Premium Economy Route: LHR-HKG Date: 30th November 2013 http://www.cathaypacific.co.uk Best for: Savvy frequent travellers who are happy with a great reclining chair but don’t want to spend their money on business class. Most likely to sit next to: On our flight, I was next to business travellers, one of which was a Boeing Engineer, and most…

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British Airways Launch New Look Travel Spas And Amenity Kits

British Airways, whose travel spas are run by well known brand Elemis, are undergoing a refurb and will have a new look, just in time for Christmas. The refurbished Terminal 5 spa will now offer state-of-the-art massage chairs, which will offer additional massage therapy, whilst the real therapists can focus on the passengers hands, feet…

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Virgin Atlantic Announce Inflight Entertainment As Soon As You Sit Down

“…and the killer is… [blank screen]” annoying when that happens isn’t it? Not any more! Virgin Atlantic today announced they have now switched on their inflight entertainment from gate to gate, meaning that a passenger can watch an estimated extra two hours per flight. Whilst other carriers around the world have already got this system…

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Little Red Is Riding – Good!

Well, It’s official, and whilst we are awaiting images of the actual product itself, the end of the month will bring the launch of Virgin Atlantic‘s newly nicknamed ‘Little Red’ domestic services. The 26 daily flights, whilst a smaller proposition compared to BA‘s offerings (if you include London City Airport flights) will offer an array…

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Congratulations Competition Winner!

Congratulations to Gail Farmer from Birmingham who successfully won the competition for a pair of champagne experience lounge passes to the No.1 Traveller Lounges. She told thedesignair.net she was going to be using them at the brand new Birmingham lounge. Everyone is a winner! The No.1 Traveller lounges are actually running a great promotion at…

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TRIP REPORT: Virgin America Main Cabin Express – November 2012

Virgin America Economy Class Report Flight: VX290 Aircraft Type: A320 Class: Economy Class (Main Cabin Express) Route: LAX – CUN Date: 06th November 2012 Best for: Cheap tickets to cool destinations, with less emphasis on cheap, more on chic. Most likely to sit next to: If you were me, slightly larger Americans laden with neck pillows, that didn’t get the memo that…

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TRIP REPORT: Virgin Atlantic Upper Class November 2012

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Report Flight: VS023 Aircraft Type: A340-600 Class: Upper Class (Premium Business Class) Route: LHR – LAX Date: 02nd November 2012 Best for: Someone at home on the red-carpet… or an extra from ‘Made in Chelsea’. Most likely to sit next to: Fashion designers, Graphic Designers, Fergie and anyone with a second home in the Hollywood hills. Business…

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COMPETITION TIME: Win Two VIP Champagne Passes To Any No.1 Traveller Lounge

Win Two exclusive lounge passes to start your trip with a bang! Here at Thedesignair we are very pleased to announce our very first of many upcoming competitions. We have partnered up with the fantastic No.1 Traveller group to provide a pair of ‘champagne experience’ lounge passes to use in any of the No.1 Traveller lounges. We…

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Small Re-Energised ‘bmi regional’ Could Become A Big Player

Sunday, 28th October 2012 marked a chapter in bmi‘s ever changing name and product, as it took flight as a new entity ‘bmi regional‘. Based on the existing bmi regional network, the airline; once an subsidiary of the main carrier bmi; was bought up by a consortium whilst the bmi brand was being broken down…

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Did Airbus Run Out of Blue Paint?

So Malaysia Airlines is the latest airline to get hold of their brand-spanking-new-shiny-flying-office-block of a plane, the A380. Malaysia have been keen to push their product offering forward with the launch of their new fleet of 6 mega planes. On board chef’s for first class passengers, lie flat seats for business passengers and Thales entertainment…

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I Don’t Believe It! Richard Wilson’s New Sculpture In Heathrow Terminal 2

No, not that Richard Wilson, but sculptor Richard Wilson has been commissioned to create a new sculpture to fill the hall of the brand new Terminal 2 at London’s Heathrow Airport. Aptly dubbed ‘Slipstream’, the sculpture will fill the length of terminal’s Covered Court, twisting across the atrium’s columns and physically integrating with the architecture.…

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