Korean Air’s new lounges, but are they beautiful spaces in search of a common language?

Korean Air has launched the first phase of its lounge renewal at Seoul Incheon, introducing updated Miler Club and Prestige lounges alongside new Prestige Garden lounges. The designs are modern and premium, featuring diverse culinary options and wellness spaces. However, the lack of cohesive design across different projects highlights the need for a unifying creative direction.

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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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Air New Zealand reveals new nature-inspired aesthetic for Business Class lounges

Air New Zealand is reimagining its approach to premium travel with the upcoming Koru Lounge at Auckland International Airport. Set to open between 2026 and 2027, the new lounge will feature a warm, local aesthetic, increased seating, and distinct zones for various traveler needs, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to customer-focused design and New Zealand’s heritage.

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The great lounge glow up, Jersey welcomes new No1Lounge

Jersey Airport has welcomed a new No1 Lounge, transforming a long-standing lack of premium spaces. This compact lounge combines style and functionality with varied zones, a curated buffet, and a well-stocked bar. While it enhances Jersey’s offerings, competition in the pay-per-use lounge sector poses ongoing challenges for No1.

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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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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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Air France opens latest refreshed lounge in CDG’s 2E, Hall K

Navigating your way around CDG can be confusing at the best of times. Different Terminal numbers, different sub-terminals denoted by letters, and even different Halls, causing a myriad of confusion when it comes to locating a lounge that suits you. Thankfully, Air France has now updated all of its lounges, with Hall K the latest…

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Virgin Atlantic opens new Clubhouse in LAX’s TBIT terminal

Virgin Atlantic has finally unveiled its swanky new Clubhouse on the west coast of the USA. Its 6th Clubhouse globally, the new lounge features a new design aesthetic which has evolved beyond the original masterpiece in Heathrow. The LAX Clubhouse, located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, is a multi-sensory experience designed to soothe the…

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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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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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Delta raises the bar in JFK with the first of its new Delta One premium lounges

Delta Air Lines has introduced its first Delta One Lounge at JFK, exclusive for Delta One passengers and certain partners. Spanning over 39,000 square feet, it offers premium amenities including fine dining, spa-like services, and unique design elements inspired by Manhattan. Additional Delta One Lounges are planned to open at LAX and Boston Logan soon.

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Move over Virgin Atlantic, there’s a new type of ‘Clubhouse’ on the scene

January saw the launch of yet another lounge, The Chase Sapphire Lounge in New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) airport. The Chase Sapphire Lounge was also joined last week by a sister lounge in JFK, in partnership with Etihad Airways, both of which are run by The Club, an Airport Dimensions brand. This might sound complicated, but…

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Five airline lounge trends we hope to see in 2024

As we emerge into 2024 and airlines continue their post-pandemic growth with record profits seen by many, the race to invest into the passenger experience begins. While cabin programs can take several years to manifest, the quickest and easiest way to win over market share for the lucrative business class segment, is to reimagine the…

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Brussels Airlines new ‘African’ Sunrise Lounge in Brussels Airport is a quietly elegant addition

As from today, Brussels Airlines’ long-haul business class passengers travelling to Sub-Saharan Africa can enjoy a fully renovated Sunrise Lounge in the T-zone of Brussels Airport. With, among others, more seating, more sleeping comfort and a larger variety of quality food and drinks, the Belgian home carrier has responded to some of the apparent needs…

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Air France continues to elevate ground product with new SFO lounge

Air France has continued its lounge renovation programme with a brand new lounge located at gate A of the international terminal at San Francisco airport, in the United States. The upgrade isn’t just skin deep though; the lounge is larger, with new spaces and more services, including a new dining offering to keep passengers fed…

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Hot Hotel: The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon

On a visit to Tokyo soon after travel restrictions ended, we were keen to find out how the city had evolved. Where better than at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon which, despite officially opening in late 2020, had until that moment been denied a real launch. And while at the time of our stay there was…

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Hawaiian Airlines reveals outstanding new 787 interiors featuring Leihōkū Adient seats

Hawaiian Airlines has finally introduced an elevated standard of leisure travel, inspired by early Polynesian voyages, with the unveiling of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner interior and much anticipated new class of premium service – the Leihōkū Suites. Guests onboard Hawaiian’s 787 – entering service beginning early next year on select routes – will be immersed…

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ITA Airways unveils ‘The Hangar’, its third new lounge in Rome

Last week saw ITA Airways inaugurate its brand new Hangar Lounge. The lounge has been designed to put Italy front and centre, acting as an ‘ambassador of Italian excellence in the world’ working with some of Italy’s most iconic brands. Entirely ‘Made in Italy’, the Hangar has been designed by the branding agency Robilant Associati…

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Studio Spotlight: Viewport Studio

In the first of a series of TheDesignAir Studio Spotlights, we take a look at Viewport Studio, an award-winning multidisciplinary practice with a track record of more than 25 years of experience on projects completed internationally.  Based out of London and Singapore, Viewport Studio comprises a team of architects and designers across a mix of…

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AirJapan reveals more of its brand proposition including interiors and uniforms

AirJapan revealed its Landor livery and brand last year, but not much was known about the brand beyond the exterior. Last week, however the airline revealed the carrier’s interior image and uniforms that will go some way in building the inflight passenger experience. AirJapan will be the new medium-haul international brand, as part of ANA,…

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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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Condor introduces striking new interiors. And yes… stripes work.

Condor wowed us recently with a bold new brand image. Some of you might have already seen these bold stripey aircraft in the skies, which are certainly standing out on airport aprons. In fact, the intended purpose to generate interest and awareness of the brand is working, with many images popping up on social media,…

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LATAM further elevates ground product in Santiago, Chile

LATAM took a fairly surprising (and welcome) decision to completely revamp its still fairly modern signature ground product in Santiago de Chile, which only opened back in 2015. The brand-new LATAM Lounge has just opened its doors for its preferred passengers and LATAM’s partner airline members, including while waiting for their flight. The new space,…

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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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Air France opens Jouin Manku designed lounge for CDG’s Schengen travellers

Air France has just opened an exciting new lounge space dedicated to Business Class travellers and Flying Blue Elite Plus members travelling through the airline’s short and medium-haul Schengen network. It’s no small affair, as this lounge is one of the airline’s largest, with a surface area of no less than 3,000 sq. m. catering to 570 seats…

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Corsair receives new A330neo with brand new hard products

French leisure carrier Corsair, based in Paris Orly has just received the very first of 5 new A330neo aircraft which will modernise its fleet. Last year saw the retirement of its 747s which have now been replaced by an all Airbus A330 fleet. The airline has streamlined its network offering which once spanned the US…

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