Every time we visit Tokyo we’re struck by how charmingly low-rise it is. By contrast with other Asia capitals, there’s been no crazy arms race to build the tallest tower. But that also means that, where you can get up high, you’re rewarded with unbroken views. That’s certainly the case at Andaz Tokyo, on the…
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China Airlines has now released a new menu and tableware to compliment its Japan routes. The airline will partner with Toutouan, a famous restaurant in Tokyo, to launch their “natural style” Japanese cuisine for Premium Business/Business Class on all Japanese routes. Brand new Japanese tableware will also complement the cuisine. “By bringing Japan’s signature banquet…
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Following ANA’s announcement that it was going to launch a new airline brand back in 2020, details have emerged today of how this brand will look. Dubbed ‘AirJapan’, ANA’s new carrier is “a new airline brand for medium-haul international routes.” Air Japan is actually just one part of ANA’s transformation of its business model to…
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ZIPAIR Tokyo, JAL’s low-cost subsidiary has just announced its new cabins that will feature on the carrier’s 787-8s. While the airline will start flying two Seoul and Bangkok as of May next year, little was known about the product it was going to offer. In comparison in the other fledgling carrier in the region –…
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It looks like ANA and Japan Airlines are both working hard to improve their passenger experience. While ANA lunched the Room, JAL has also recently launched the upgraded cabin interior of their international Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fleet, extending tangerine’s “Infused Essence” design strategy that was developed for JAL’s newly acquired domestic A350-900(359) aircraft, which launched in…
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2019 has already seen a wealth of new product launches and new aircraft deliveries. This means that passengers are starting to experience the latest wave in business class seats and cabins across the globe. While there are many more exciting products on the horizon from Emirates‘ Premium Economy product through to Lufthansa’s new 777 business…
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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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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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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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This week saw JAL receive the first of 8 Airbus A350’s which the airline is bringing online as a workhorse of its domestic operations. The state of the aircraft is actually the first Airbus plane the airline to join the fleet, which was purely Boeing prior to the addition of this wide-body. Although Mitsubishi will…
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ANA is in the process of making a series of comprehensive changes to the seats on domestic and international aircraft as part of its strategy to remain at the forefront of hospitality and passenger comfort for every type of flyer. The renovations will improve the Economy Class product while also increasing the number of Premium…
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While it hasn’t been launched yet, All Nippon Airways has produced a cute one-off in-flight safety video and a deplaning video specifically for its flights between Tokyo (both Haneda and Narita) and Honolulu. Expanding on the very specially branded route for the airline, it features three distinct characters (Lani, Kai and Lā) – modelled after the Airbus…
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Yes, that’s right, ANA’s first ‘Flying Honu’ is almost headed to the skies, with the airline’s first A380 rolling out of the printshop last week. Japan’s largest airline put on a big show in Hamburg as the behemoth revealed itself from its hangar. The new plane is Japan’s first Airbus A380 and sports a Hawaiian green…
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All Nippon Airways (ANA) is moving forward with a plan to “raise the bar on customer service” even higher. ANA is well known for an internationally-high standard excellence in hospitality, so there is no surprise that the airline wants to upgrade its domestic lounges at Itami, Fukuoka and Naha Airports, which will be redesigned in…
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After three years of the current incarnation, ANA is just about to release a brand new inflight safety video. Following the trend of departing from the standard dry information piece, the airline has injected an element of humour and locale by utilising the historic Japanese cultural form of Kabuki theatre. The video will be shown…
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A not-so-long time away on an airline far, far away, ANA brings a brand new menu on their Narita-Houston flights. While the airline has been courting the last frontier for the past few years with their Star Wars themed aircraft (forgive the cross-sci-fi reference) the carrier has just announced a range of space food that…
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ANA announced the features of Japan’s first Airbus A380, launching in spring 2019. This aircraft will be introduced on ANA’s Tokyo – Honolulu service, and each cabin is specially designed to meet the passenger’s needs on this very bespoke route. Honolulu is loved by many Japanese families, couples, newlyweds, and Hawaii is a popular destination for…
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ANA has recently opened its brand new ANA Suite Lounge and the renovation of the ANA domestic lounge at the Sapporo (New Chitose) airport, which celebrates the local landscape and culture. “The overall design concept of the new lounges is ‘Ichigo ichie’ which translates as ‘treasure every encounter as if it were once in a…
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Most airlines around the world naturally have to offer a variety of international cuisine which reflect the distinct route networks they fly. Japanese routes always stand out from a passenger experience perspective, as the dining experience is so different from traditional Western culture that not only new menus but new tableware has to be developed to…
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JAL today announced a new cabin enhancement for their 777-200ER fleet which would ‘raise the bar one class above in all cabin services” according to a press release from the carrier today. The brand new business class dubbed “JAL Sky Suite 777 (SS2)” will launch on the Tokyo Haneda – Bangkok route from July 2016.…
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ANA’s hunt for seven talented British chefs to take off on a unique trip to Japan to learn the secrets of the country’s legendary cuisine has taken another step forward. The chefs have now been whittled down to ANA’s seven ‘Samurai Chefs.’ The up-and-coming chefs from the UK, were whisked across to Japan for an immersive culinary…
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Japanese carrier ANA have been having some fun with their 787 recently, both playing Star Wars with some avid sci-fi aficionados and also launching their new Brussels flight with a 787 service. On October 17, 2015, the R2-D2 ANA JET Fan Appreciation Flight event was held at Haneda Airport. A total of 91 passengers were selected—42 chosen from…
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Ok, so we admit we aren’t the biggest sporting fans, but we do like it when an airline gets into the spirit of supporting their nations’ teams. Historically both Qantas and Air New Zealand show national pride in their sporting prowess, however, after Japan’s surprising victory over South Africa, ANA took over London’s Piccadilly Circus…
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“My parts are showing? Oh, my goodness.” Excellent news Jedis. Japan’s largest airline ANA announced that two more of its planes will be decorated with Star Wars characters as part of an agreement with The Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. BB-8, a brand new character from Star Wars: The Force Awakens scheduled for theatrical release in December 2015, will be displayed on the…
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Written for TheDesignAir by Adam Ralston | Perhaps taking note of EVA Air’s popular and recently expanded Hello Kitty-themed aircraft and service, or from ANA’s recent Star Wars-themed 787-9 announcement, Japan Air Lines have tossed their hat in the fantasy livery ring once again with their domestic Duffy the Disney Bear 737-800 livery. Playing a relatively minor role in…
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In next five years Polish flag carrier LOT plans to be twice as big an airline as it is now, which is good news as its still relatively unknown to the International market even though it has been flying for 86 years. Planning on carrying 10 million passengers a year by 2020, LOT plans to have…
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It’s not very often we see the photos of the inside of a terminal and stop in our tracks, but that is exactly what Toyko Narita have managed to do with their new Terminal 3 design, dedicated to low cost carriers. Serving Japan Vanilla Air, Jeju Air, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Airways and Spring Airlines, the new…
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We sense a disturbance in the air… and we love it! We all remember how cool it was when we learned R2-D2 could fly, and well, it’s happening again. All Nippon Airways announced today it will introduce a very special Star Wars livery, with the iconic (and only true link to all Star Wars movies) R2-D2, on its newest…
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It was announced this week that Japanese carrier ANA and Noma, critically acclaimed as one of the world’s “best restaurants,” have partnered to offer global travelers the ‘Inspiration of Japan’. Motivated by shared core values and a vision to provide their guests with world-class, genuine and heartfelt hospitality, the partnership is a celebration and amalgamation of…
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Back in March we announced a new wave of lounges at Haneda Airport for Japan Airlines. The airline has just announced and opened its brand new addition to its first class wing, which is the height of modernity and luxury. The crowning glory called ‘RED Suite’ is the new adult hideaway for JAL, which is basically somewhere for…
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