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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Believe it or not, the 777 toilet may not be one of the most talked about parts of the passenger experience, but it hasn’t really changed since the 777 came to service decades ago. So step ahead 24 years and it’s about time that a company is offering a brand new concept to the aircraft’s…
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So we don’t usually offer updates on hotels, but the new ‘Out Of The Blue’ jetty structure at Soneva Fushi, Maldives is so impressive, it’s almost like having a new hotel to write about. The two-storey overwater structure, (not as large as the one at Soneva Jani – but just as impressive) houses five brand new…
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Gulf Air, once the cream of the crop in the Middle East, sadly started to slip against the backdrop of the now globally-famous ‘ME Three’. Ageing hard products and a limited route network meant the carrier was very rarely the top of passengers preferences. However, things might be about to change. Gone the heavy golden…
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Qatar Airways has released a powerful video campaign in response to their closed airspace borders. Titled “No Borders, Only Horizons” the video subtly addresses their current situation with a strong, emotionally-based message. This latest campaign follows recent videos from Turkish Airlines featuring Morgan Freeman and Aeromexico that responded to the actions of the US. The…
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Finnair is launching three new food collaborations for its onboard meals. The collaborations, which intend to promote Finland’s healthy and hearty food culture, are done in cooperation with the ELO Foundation, an association dedicated to the promotion of Finnish food culture. Business class for long-haul flights leaving Helsinki For business class customers flying out of…
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Yesterday saw the reveal of Iberia’s first A340-600 retrofitted with a brand new premium economy cabin. Announced back in October last year, the new cabin brought it in line with their fellow IAG partner British Airways, now offering three similar cabins instead of just two. Starting in May, the new cabins will be found on flight…
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Qantas has a long history of providing opportunities for Australian artists to connect with global audiences. Their latest initiative puts current Australian artists at the heart of their business passenger experience. Starting May 1st, a new range of amenity kits will be rolled out across international flights with new designs being rolled out each month. With artworks…
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Next week sees the doors open to Qantas‘ latest lounge in Brisbane, Australia. The domestic lounge is the latest addition to a multi-million pound upgrade at the airport. The upgrade began in October 2016 with the opening of a new International Lounge and will be completed in the coming months with an upgraded Qantas Club and new Chairmans…
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JAL announced yesterday they will be opening a totally renovated Sakura Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport on March 1st. The new oneworld lounge will join fellow member Cathay Pacific’s designer lounge, opened in June 2015. “With the aim of creating a relaxed and comfortable environment to meet our customer requirements, JAL redesigned and upgraded…
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Royal Schiphol Group and KLM just awarded the contract for the redesign and extension of the existing international KLM Crown Lounge in Amsterdam. The ambitious project by Ballast Nedam and ULC Groep will include the addition of a whole new floor to the lounge and building an outdoor terrace all based on a new interior design. When…
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Following this year’s opening of SkyTeam‘s Hong Kong lounge, the alliance is about to launch a second greater-China lounge in Beijing Capital International Airport. The sixth worldwide lounge for the group will offer a “luxurious pre-flight experience complemented by high-end amenities” for First and Business Class passengers and Elite Plus members flying on any of the…
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TheDesignAir has had access to the full behind-the-scenes gallery of Aeromexico’s latest 787-9 aircraft which will eventually fly between Mexico City and the carrier’s worldwide destinations. Designed by New Territory, the new business cabin matches our expectations of a leading international airline. Check out our full gallery below or check out our previous story here. The colour palette…
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Crystal Cruises may not be the first airline we have covered to rethink branded jets for hospitality and cruise operators. In fact, we covered the Four Seasons jet a year and a half ago, but it seems Crystal cruises doesn’t want to be outdone, taking a 777 to a whole new dimension of comfort for…
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The aircraft that the new LATAM livery was truly “designed for” has been revealed in Toulouse yesterday. LATAM Airlines Group received its fourth Airbus A350 XWB but it is the first to bear the LATAM Airlines livery, alongside its smaller sibling the brand new A320 Neo. In December 2015, LATAM Airlines Group became the first airline…
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On Monday Etihad finally opened to the doors to its much anticipated First Class Lounge and Spa in Abu Dhabi’s International Airport Terminal 3. The new flagship First Class Lounge & Spa “showcases the airline’s commitment to providing unparalleled and aspirational hospitality experiences,” state the airline’s press release. The lounge follows the residential and hotel influenced-design that…
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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…
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Most people may not know, but the first Airline lounge was actually created by American Airlines back in 1939. Since then, lounges have come full circle to be some of the most opulent and premium branded spaces around the world. It’s no surprise then that the founder of the airside lounge has decided to invest…
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Flight: BA073 Aircraft Type: B787-9 Class: ‘First’ First Class Route: LHR-AUH-MCT Date: January 2016 http://www.ba.com We were curious last year to see how British Airways new First product on their 787-9 were going to reinvent the first class experience, but when we had the chance to experience the product first-hand (forgive the pun) we jumped at the chance to see why…
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Just last week, XiamenAir, a SkyTeam member, opened up its new ‘Flagship’ lounge in Xiamen Airport Terminal 3, for its premium customers, in a bid to become another formidable international player in the Chinese market. The new designer led lounge follows the recent international expansion plans, including the upcoming Cebu, Melbourne and Vancouver routes for…
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We all know the story of the ill-fated Eos, MaxJet and SilverJet, who sadly all ceased operations during the credit crunch a few years ago. The only surviver, L’Avion, was snapped up by British Airways, who turned the carrier around, rebranding it British Airways “OpenSkies”. The carrier since, has continued operations, flying between Paris (Orly) and…
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This month we delve into that quiet and revered airport sanctuary! TheDesignAir once again, with strategic print partner Airways magazine bring you the very best Top 10 Airport Lounges in the world 2015. As well as appearing online, they will appear in print in every monthly glossy issue of Airways magazine, available around the world. We are impressed with the…
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They’re back! TheDesignAir has partnered with our strategic print partner Airways magazine to bring you an updated and regular Top 10 lists for 2015. This year starting with our Top 10 International First Classes 2015. As well as appearing online, they will appear in print in every monthly issue of Airways magazine, available around the world.…
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Qatar Business Class Over the past few weeks, Qatar Airways have announced a variety of new and upgraded products to add to their fleet. As their fleet has continued to grow, the airline has constantly invested into their onboard product, with such a variety of different aircraft, the business class product can vary dramatically, but…
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Our TheDesignAir Top 10 lists have undergone a revamp in 2014, and to aid transparency, our top 10 airlines will now have their rating out of 100 shown, as voted for and calculated by our judging panel. What is interesting for our Top 10 International business classes 2014 is the wide ranging percentage scores within the top…
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Lufthansa have been working on a new premium economy product for the past few years and have just announced they are to be introduced into their long haul fleet. Seen globally as a huge success since the invention from Virgin Atlantic, in 1992, many airlines now offer a class between economy and business class, as…
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According to Flightglobal, Turkish Airlines is just finalising a deal to add 4 A380’s to its fleet as early as this summer. The International airline will be wet-leasing the aircraft from as of yet, an unnamed airline, according to the airline, Turkish plan on using the super-jumbos on services to China where slot availability is…
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Qatar Airways has announced the launch of a new daily all premium Business Class service from its hub in Doha to London Heathrow today. Mirroring the product currently run by British Airways from London City Airport. The new service will be the first of its kind in the Middle East, commencing from 15 May 2014,…
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Holy smokes, another safety video from Air New Zealand? Hell, why not? The previous, dubbed “Safety Old School Style” features America’s sweetheart comedienne Betty White and a cast of golden oldies. Past Air New Zealand safety video hits have included the Hobbit-themed ‘An Unexpected Briefing’, ‘Fit to Fly’ starring fitness guru Richard Simmons and more recently…
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In a roll out across the 777 fleet, and part of the ‘Best & Beyond’ service and product renovation project, Air France have finally caught up with their international competitors by offering fully flat seating in their business class cabins. The seating may look familiar, being adopted the world round for it’s successful mix of…
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