Qantas’ lounge network has long been a quiet expression of the airline’s national character – grounded, sophisticated, and unmistakably Australian. As the Flying Kangaroo prepares for its next great leap, the arrival of Project Sunrise and the opening of its new Auckland International Lounge mark the beginning of a more refined, residential era for its…
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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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Qantas has unveiled a redesigned Business and Economy Class cabin for its A330 fleet, enhancing comfort for the upcoming Project Sunrise experience. The refurbishment includes larger screens, USB-C charging, and mood lighting. This multimillion-dollar program will renew the fleet starting mid-2025, signaling a shift toward a modern, inviting travel experience.
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When Qantas revealed its new interiors for the brand new A321XLR, almost all of us were expecting to see a relatively revolutionary cabin. After all, the airline had been ‘bigging-up’ the arrival of its new fleet and its upgrade to the Qantas passenger experience, however, when the new cabins were revealed, we were left a…
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Last week Qantas launched its latest safety video, replacing the much loved centenary version. Following the virtually commonplace ‘tourism’ based approach to safety videos, the Qantas one doesn’t do anything that hasn’t been done before. But the full length version at close to 10 minutes doesn’t do much to win over the hearts and minds…
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It’s mind-boggling to think that Qantas has been flying its A380s for almost two decades. These behemoth gentle giants almost saw an untimely end because of the turn of the 2020’s but thankfully airlines are bringing these flagship aircraft back on key routes across the globe. Qantas is one such carrier that is not only…
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Today saw the official approval of Qantas’ long-awaited Project Sunrise, something that was postponed a few years due to COVID. With the announcement that the airline will order 12 A350-1000 aircraft capable of flying from Sydney direct to London and New York, which will see the longest and furthest flights in the world. But that…
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In the second of our Flygge series, we turn our eyes to Qantas. ‘Flygge’, a wordplay on Hygge – the Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment – is TheDesignAir’s name for this new emerging airline trend where brands are now becoming a part…
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This month saw Qantas and Air New Zealand both launch new safety videos. While both have taken different approaches, the premise of celebrating their national heritage and importance in their market is what ties them together. Qantas Qantas, who is celebrating its centenary – no mean feat in the current aviation climate – takes a…
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TheDesignAir is thrilled to announce the 2019 award winners as voted for by our esteemed judging panel and our readers. Year after year, we see more improvements and enhancements across the passenger experience, from narrow to wide bodies to lounges and airports around the globe. We showcase the 2019 winners here.
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On the 2nd December, just over 2 weeks away, we will see the grand opening of the new Qantas first class lounge in Singapore’s Changi International Airport. The lounge follows a wave of ground and inflight product improvements that are helping positioning the carrier as a true luxury, design-led proposition. In the meantime, select passengers…
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The airline industry has a history of records from fastest flight to longest flight, the highest to the biggest, there’s a list as long as an A340-600 of impressive stats and figures that celebrate the innovation and scientific advancements in the airline industry. For a sector celebrating a centenary this year its amazing how far…
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The first of Qantas’ upgraded A380s welcomed its first passengers yesterday on the London to Sydney route, delivering a radical new cabin enhancement for Australia’s national carrier’s largest aircraft. The multi-million dollar upgrade of their 12 superjumbo aircraft includes new seating across Business and larger Premium Economy cabins and a refresh of the aircraft’s First…
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Qantas is using virtual reality in the development of its new First Lounge at Singapore Changi Airport, which is set to open at the end of 2019. Industrial designer David Caon and his team have created an immersive virtual reality representation of the design concept, providing a better way for Qantas to preview and fine…
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Following the soft-opening of their Melbourne lounge earlier this year, Qantas has completed a major upgrade of its domestic lounges at the Airport, providing customers with more seats, an Asian spice bar and premium designs inspired by Melbourne’s landscape. The new Domestic Business Lounge and Qantas Club have been completely redesigned to use space more…
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Qantas is investing in its Melbourne lounges with a major upgrade program set to offer new designs, more seating and new dining options. The first phase of the new Business Lounge opens today, while the first phase of the new Qantas Club opened back in May. “Melbourne is one of the most frequented ports on our…
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Qantas, like British Airways, is synonymous with the Queen of the Skies. Most childhood memories of Qantas will involve sighting one of these majestic beasts. However, the airline has announced an order for six additional Boeing 787-9s to fly on its international network, bringing its fleet of Dreamliners to 14 by the end of 2020.…
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As we write this, the new Qantas QF9 Flight is airborne from Perth inbound to London Heathrow Airport, signalling a new era of direct flights between Australia and the UK, dramatically reducing the time to fly between Australia and London. While passengers connecting on to Sydney may not gain any extra time in flying this…
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Yesterday Qantas revealed a striking new special livery for a brand new 787-9 Dreamliner being delivered to the airline. Comprised of approximately 5,000 dots (get counting!), the new design is striking both from near and afar. The new livery features the work of the late Northern Territory artist and senior Anmatyerre woman, Emily Kame Kngwarreye.…
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Qantas will finally welcome customers into a new spacious Qantas London Lounge at Heathrow Airport as of tomorrow, as the airline counts down to its non-stop 787 Dreamliner flights between London and Australia. Qantas has invested on one of its most prestigious routes, spending the past 12 months creating a dedicated lounge at Heathrow as…
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Qantas has unveiled its first Boeing Dreamliner, the much anticipated aircraft that will “open up new routes and new levels of comfort for travellers.” The latest addition to the Qantas fleet, the 787-9 Dreamliner features next generation seating in Economy, a new Premium Economy and Business Class, with added space and a lower passenger count than…
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On the tails of fellow oneworld carrier American, Qantas customers travelling in First are set for an even better night’s sleep with a new range of luxurious bedding products. The set has been created exclusively by Australia’s premium home and lifestyle brand, Sheridan for the airline’s A380 First class suites. The new bedding range (including…
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This week saw Cathay, Qantas and British Airways launch a wave of new flights, adding options and increasing the oneworld global network. British Airways has added to its Gatwick leisure network by introducing Toronto and re-establishing Las Vegas in direct competition to Virgin Atlantic’s city pair. This now means BA serves Las Vegas from both…
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Qantas has unveiled a new range of inflight tableware by Australian Industrial Designer and lead designer of the Qantas 787 Dreamliner cabin interiors, David Caon. The range includes crockery by Noritake, cutlery and glassware. In a collaboration with Qantas’s long-standing Creative Director Food, Beverage & Service Neil Perry, David Caon has designed this new range…
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Fiji Airways, like Hawaiian Airlines, is one of the true designer Pacific airlines and the perfect one-stop carrier to connect Australasia to the west coast of the US (or perhaps just for a luxury holiday in Fiji). We’ve been great champions of the brand since its brand refresh a few years ago, however, as we…
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17 hours on an aircraft may daunt even the most seasoned of travellers, especially those in economy. But Qantas is doing all it can to re-assure passengers that they are trying to make the Kangaroo route as comfortable as possible. While Perth might not be as direct-a-route as flying via Dubai, they are making Perth…
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Today saw the opening of reservations on Qantas’ much anticipated London-Perth-Melbourne route which will commence service 24th March 2018. Touting the airline’s most advanced aircraft the 787-9, the airline is boasting increased comfort on a cabin interior that’s been ‘designed with long-haul in mind’. Launched on the same day, Qantas revealed its new heart-warming campaign…
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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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Today, Qantas revealed its next-generation Premium Economy seat, which will debut on the airline’s brand new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that start flying in October 2017. In comparison to Qantas’ other Premium Economy seats, these new seats are wider and offer more functional space overall. The new seat also has a unique recline motion that provides a…
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