Discover Lufthansa’s New Premium Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport

Lufthansa has introduced its latest premium lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B, which will be welcome to the many Star Alliance passengers departing from the airport including Lufthansa, LOT and TAP Portugal. Covering 600 square metres, the new lounge brings a new contemporary elegance, balancing functionality with a sleek aesthetic that feels fresh…

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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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Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic’s secret sauce. Its older Upper Class seats?

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…

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EXCLUSIVE: Norse launches bookings with unbelievable transatlantic fares

After many months of speculation, it seems that Norse Atlantic Airways is ready to disrupt the Transatlantic market. After checking the site this evening (28th April), TheDesignAir has revealed that Norse has now officially launched its booking engine and seems it will be commencing operations to JFK on 14th June. Now, its not news that…

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Exclusive: Minty Fresh, Acumen’s approach to JetBlue’s latest Business Class cabin

Acumen, the London based design studio, has been working with JetBlue for several years, reimagining the passenger experience. Back in 2016 they commenced work on the new A321neo cabin, but they have also worked on the new A321LR project which graced the news this week, thanks to its innovative business class cabin featuring the new…

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American Express opens 13th lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4

American Express has just opened its new lounge in JFK, and with more than 15,000 square feet behind its doors, the new space is the largest Centurion Lounge yet and the first with two floors to explore. Naturally, because of the current travel climate, it hasn’t opened quite as the designers had originally envisaged it,…

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LaGuardia’s transformation breathes new life (and light) in to the airport

Yesterday saw the opening of the brand-new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall at LaGuardia Airport, the biggest milestone to date in the airport’s ongoing $8 billion transformation into a 21st century airport. The project – one of the largest public private partnerships in aviation history – includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal…

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Hot Hotel openings in 2020 we’re excited about, including one with underwater bedrooms!

2020 sees a wave of new hotel openings across the globe, and we’re already aware of a few in 2021 that we’re even more excited about, but have to remain tight-lipped. But here’s a round-up of just a few that have caught our eye. Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort  Let’s start with a hotel we’re actually…

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Special Trip Report: Why Virgin Atlantic’s new A350 product highlights a magical shift in the carrier’s positioning

In the past Virgin Atlantic was seen as the coolest of underdogs – the carrier for those in the know, flown by the rich and famous across the Atlantic. Onboard massage therapists, inflight bars, even a business class lounge with a Jacuzzi used to be signature parts of the passenger experience. Times have changed however,…

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Yas Kween! JetBlue Celebrates Pride With Their Latest Aircraft, ‘Shantay Blue Stay’

JetBlue, like many other airlines, gets itself behind Pride each year, but yesterday it announced announced a series of special events, highlighting the airline’s continued support for various LGBTQ organisations throughout Pride Month. At the heart of these events, ‘The Official Airline of Fierce’ and RuPaul’s Drag Race named one of the fleet “Shantay Blue Stay”…

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La Compagnie already flying A321 neos with Collins Aerospace Diamond seats

Passengers between New York and Paris rejoice, there’s a new fully-flat bed option connecting the two cities. Well, La Compagnie might not be a new carrier, but their new A321 Neo can be seen as a quantum leap in passenger comfort in comparison to their ageing 757s that were previously operating the route. While that…

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United Opens New Club Lounge At LaGuardia Airport’s New Terminal B Eastern Concourse Next Week

LaGuardia is in the midst of a renovation project, and this Sunday United customers using New York-LaGuardia Airport will get to experience the brand new gates on the Terminal B Eastern Concourse. The new concourse area features ceilings up to 55-feet high and as a drastic contrast to the previous experience, feature plenty of natural light.…

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British Airways To Introduce Wave Of New Lounges, Headlined By New Club Lounge In JFK

Joining British Airways’ recently completely renovated First lounge in New York’s JFK Terminal 7, the airline has just opened its doors to its new Business Class lounge. No longer called a Galleries Lounge, the new Club Lounge features the airline’s latest ground services design palette (following Rome and Aberdeen). It now completes a £52 million investment,…

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Air Canada Opens New Lounge In LaGuardia

Air Canada passengers travelling from New York’s LaGuardia rejoice. The new lounge is now officially open. Opened at the start of December, this new space signals the opening of the new Eastern concourse at Terminal B. The new lounge, conveniently located after security near Air Canada’s gates features popular amenities, including refreshments and a business centre,…

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British Airways Opens Gilded Doors To First Class Lounge In JFK’s Terminal 7

While Norwegian may have recently taken the crown of flying more passengers across the Atlantic to New York area as a non-US carrier – a long-standing honour recently held by British Airways – the legacy carrier has just shown why sometimes its not just about size, but how you do it, that counts. British Airways…

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TheDesignAir Exclusive Interview With Singapore Airlines’ Yung Han Ng, Vice President Product Innovation

We took some time out of Singapore Airlines VP of Product Innovation’s day to explore what the A350-900ULR and their new business class means for an airline that continues to innovate. Yung Han Ng explains how the airline puts the passenger experience first, and instead of looking to competitors, looks to their own product, and…

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United Opens New Polaris Lounge In Newark Airport

United’s roll out of their Polaris product has been a little ‘relaxed’ shall we say, with the original premise being launched back in 2016. However, the airline will open the doors to its latest lounge in Newark on Monday June 4th, featuring daybeds, shower suites, private dining and more. On offer exclusively to the airline’s international premium…

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La Compagnie To Introduce New Fleet With Fully-Flat Beds

La Compagnie may only be three years old, but it’s taken a huge step forward in securing its future. The airline just announced an order for two A321neos which will join the fleet in 2019. The two Airbus aircraft will feature fully-flat seats, an upgrade on the current seats found on the fleet. Offering an…

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An Exclusive Look Inside Qatar Airways QSuite Product

In an exclusive media event at Heathrow yesterday, Qatar Airways showed off its Quite product on the only operating aircraft with the new seats. TheDesignAir was one of the very few media outlets allowed at this exclusive show around. Currently only available on the 777 aircraft, the QSuite – Qatar Airways’ latest business class product…

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A Closer Look At Hainan’s New Uniforms By Laurence Xu

Hainan Airlines is fast becoming an airline of International recognition. Garnered a 5-star rating from Skytrax might give the carrier the kudos it needs for many, but it’s ever-expanding route network is what is truly gaining attention from potential consumers across the globe. Today’s announcement of direct flights between Chengdu and New York is their…

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Blade’s Lounges And New Uniforms Celebrate The JetSet Era

You wouldn’t be blamed if you’d not heard of this design and detail driven aviation outfit. Founded in 2014, BLADE has since grown into the largest coordinator of short-distance aviation in the Northeast. Flyers can book helicopter and fixed wing flights through their app in mere seconds. The company was originally an East Coast company, focussing…

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Governor Cuomo Plans To Transform JFK International Airport For The 21st Century

Last week Governor Andrew M. Cuomo presented a vision plan to transform JFK International Airport into an airport equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century and “worthy of the State of New York”. Based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Airport Advisory Panel, the recently unveiled vision plan lays out a comprehensive, airport-wide framework…

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JFK T4 Rebrands With New Look

JFK’s International Air Terminal (Now known as JFK’s T4) plays host to the largest collection of airlines at JFK, with over 30 carriers under the one roof which has been standing since the 2001 $1.4bn redevelopment. After 15 years a brand refresh has brought a contemporary spin to the airport’s only non-airline owned terminal. Designed…

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OpenSkies Reinforce Presence In Orly With New 212 Lounge

Premium Trans-Atlantic carrier OpenSkies announced this week it has opened a new business lounge in Paris-Orly Airport in a bid to provide its premium passengers a more complete experience across the Atlantic. Situated in Terminal West, Hall 3, after security the boutique lounge is perfectly positioned only a few meters from its boarding gate. The new lounge…

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Virgin Atlantic & Delta’s NY-LON Lounge Brings Their Signature Style To London’s O2

You probably won’t know this, but Virgin Atlantic and Delta are the official airline partners of The O2. As part of their partnership, they are bringing a bit of style to the U.K.’s most well known entertainment venue this summer, with the launch of their permanent NY-LON Lounge Bar. Honouring the airlines’ important New York – London…

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Cathay Pacific Is Latest Airline To ReInvent First Class Menus

During the same week ANA announce their partnership with Noma in Japan, Cathay Pacific and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announce their first-ever international partnership for crafting unique inflight menus for the airline over the coming 12 months. The strategic partnership brings top chefs from various renowned Mandarin Oriental properties in Hong Kong, London, Paris, New…

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A Closer Look At China Southern’s New 777 Interior

Back in late February China Southern took delivery of its first 777-300ER. In March 2014 it started flying to Shanghai from Guangzhou and now is commencing flights to NYC. The new aircraft features the latest cabin designs for the carrier which in our estimation has lifted the carrier to a world class competitor. With a…

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JAL Introduce Choice Of Bedding In First Class Cabin

JAL has just announced an industry first, bringing even more comfort to the skies in their first class cabin. Originally the airline used tempur mattresses and pillows in their first class cabin, but after response from their passengers flying in their business class cabin, the airline has rolled out the already established ‘airweave’ mattress and…

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TheDesignAir’s Top 10 Airline Lounges 2013

This year there have been many new lounges appearing around the world. Each offering a unique level of luxury and identity that has meant a broad and interesting collection of spaces in a variety of spaces. Excellent spaces that didn’t make the list, but should still be commended, include Virgin America’s ‘The Loft‘ in LAX,…

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