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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Air France lets us geek out once again to celebrate it’s 90 year anniversary

Air France loves its history, so much so we spoke about it’s La Saga site quite a few moons ago. It’s been updated since, but has a great archive of imagery still over the years. However, this October will see the 90th anniversary year start its celebrations. However prior to the official anniversary the party…

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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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New Air France amenity kits showcase sustainability progress

Air France has just released handsome new amenity kits for both Business Class and Premium Economy, however the most impressive story can be found in that they feature no less than 93% recycled materials. Unlike the materials used in Virgin Atlantic’s amenity kits, which clearly showcase its environmental credentials, Air France has taken a more…

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Air France launches new menus, once again with Michelin-starred dishes

In yet another step to normality, Air France has revealed its latest premium menus, now reappearing on flights from November 2021 all the way through to February 2022. The carrier has followed its ongoing tradition by teaming up with talented French Michelin-starred chefs. This time Régis Marcon and Mathieu Viannay will cater to Air France’s…

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Air France introduces new A220-300 as backbone of medium-haul flying

Today saw Air France take delivery of its first Airbus A220-300, the company’s most modern aircraft in the fleet on its short and medium-haul network. The airline has been on a massive fleet renewal program since introducing the Airbus A350 on its long-haul network, and by 2025 it will have integrated the 60 A220-300s ordered…

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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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Air France latest airline to celebrate national pride with new safety video

Believe it or not, Air New Zealand opened Pandora’s box approximately ten years ago, when it started creating safety videos that were a little extraordinary. From Richard Simmons and Betty White giving a star studded cast, or Lord of the Rings epic safety videos celebrating New Zealand’s roots to the film franchise. Many carriers followed…

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A purr-fect new addition to CDG

Even in the midst of a pandemic, Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has continued to update its terminals in a bid to remain a competitive hub for international travellers in 2021 and beyond. The new departure lounge in Halle L of Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport has just opened to the public.…

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New lounge in Paris CDG underway for Air France, brought to life by Jouin Manku

Air France and Paris Aéroport are underway in constructing a new lounge in Charles De Gaulle’s 2F terminal, used for its Schengen departures. Due to be complete by the end of the year, the lounge will be brought to fruition by a brand new creative design studio, infamous for its work with Alain Ducasse, Van Cleef…

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Air France reimagines Business Class product, specifically for their leisure routes from Orly and Caribbean & Indian Ocean destinations

Air France has just announced two new Business Class product launches, both on the ground and in the skies, geared towards the leisure market. Launched in close proximity the airline has announced its latest Caribbean and Indian Ocean retrofit featuring an economy-heavy configuration with brand new Business Class cabin, paired with a new Paris Orly…

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Air France launches new A350 with brand-new Business Class and Premium Economy cabins

Last week Air France took delivery of its first Airbus A350 at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse France. The first of 28 A350-900s which will arrive by 2025. The new aircraft is equipped with 324 seats, with 34 in a brand-new Business cabin, 24 in a new Premium Economy cabin and 266 in Economy. Air…

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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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Air France Launches Special Versailles Themed Experience For La Premiere Passengers

Passengers checking in or transiting through Paris CDG might notice something different. As ambassadors of ‘French lifestyle and superior savoir-faire’, Air France and the Palace of Versailles share many values and help to promote France’s influence throughout the world. As a result, they have created a unique partnership to create and offer Air France’s La Première…

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Air France Injects French Flair In New Economy And Premium Economy Cabins

Today saw the launch of Air France’s new Economy and Premium Economy cabins, creating a ‘new’ travel experience on board its 15 Airbus A330s which will be refitted as from January 2019. We’ve always found Air France to offer a contemporary economy cabin product, however the traditional sea of blue and cream didn’t inject a sense…

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Air France Fully Opens CDG Terminal 2E Hall L Business Class Lounge With Beautiful New Design Touches

January saw the first part of Air France’s latest Business Class lounge open and having already welcomed more than 200,000 customers, the airline today presented its complete Business Class lounge located in Hall L of Terminal 2E at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.  While the lounge now covers a total of 3,200 sq. m. and a massive capacity…

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TheDesignAir Exclusive Interview With Véronique Jeanclerc, Chief Of The Architecture & Design Department, Air France

Air France has – for many years – been a bastion of design detail. From uniforms, the ever changing menu card designs, amenity kits, safety videos and now new CDG lounges featuring digital art installations, every design choice is carefully considered, which allows the carrier to exude a very French design aesthetic to the passenger…

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Air France Opens New Lounge Concept In CDG

Air France has quite successfully relaunched its lounge concept in CDG Airport, Hall L. Today saw a completely redesigned, much larger and totally renovated Business class space featuring innovative spaces including an open kitchen, private saunas and even a detox bar. Focussing on wellbeing, the airline has created a haven for its Business customers and Flying…

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Joon Delves A Little Deeper With Its Brand Image

Joon has recently pulled back the curtain on its brand image. The ‘younger’ sister carrier to Air France, Joon is actively targeting millennials, a similar concept to competitor IAG’s Level product. The difference between Joon and Level being the key addition of a true international and regional business class product. The airline has gone to…

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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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Corsair’s New Business Class Enters Service In September

September will see the introduction of an all-new Business Class seat and service in France’s long-haul leisure carrier Corsair. The new service will be in addition to the older recliner chairs, which will in effect now become a rather luxurious premium economy cabin. These new seats offer a lie-flat bed in a ‘couple-friendly’ 2 x…

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Airbus Reveals A380 Plus

It’s amazing what a winglet and a bit of a reshuffle in the cabin can do. Introducing the new Airbus A380plus. While the remodel includes a 4% reduction in fuel burn and a 13% decrease per seat, the aircraft manufacturer is touting no reduction in comfort, even though it is adding 80 extra seats. How…

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Trip Report: Air France 777-200 Business Class April 2016

Flight: AF456 Aircraft Type: B777-200 Class: Business Class Route: CDG-GRU Date: April 2016 http://www.airfrance.com Ever since our failed chance to experience Air France’s new business class last year, we’ve been keen for another opportunity to experience Air France’s latest and acclaimed new hard product, that has moved the carriers 2 x 3 x 2 seating to a 1 x 2…

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This Will Make You Hungry. Air France’s New Meals from the US

If you are lucky enough to fly with Air France in La Première (First Class) or Business Class from selected US cities in the next 12 months, you will be treated to a brand new menu from Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. In 2015, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants gave Daniel Boulud the ‘Diners Club Lifetime Achievement…

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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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Is Air Astana’s New Economy Sleeper Seat All It Appears?

You may have seen Air Astana stealing a few column inches in the news recently, due to its introduction of the ‘Air Astana Economy Sleeper’ service on their 757s. The new seat allows passengers to stretch out and enjoy three seats to themselves on selected international flights. The new product started on flights between Astana and London Heathrow, Frankfurt…

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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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Air France Reveal New Business Class Cabin

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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