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.

With this in mind, ANA has strategically designed the cabin features in order to meet their unique needs while providing them with a once in a lifetime experience. This is only one of a few airlines to offer specific interiors for a dedicated route. The most noticeable other carrier to do this is British Airways with their LCY to JFK route.

Back in March 2017, ANA announced the special livery motif ‘Flying Honu’. At the time, the design ANA introduced was blue, an homage to the Hawaiian blue sky. Today, ANA is pleased to announce two more colors, green and orange. The emerald green is inspired by the ‘crystal clear waters of the Hawaiian ocean’ and orange is a reference to the Hawaiian sunset.

Inside, ANA has designed each cabin to accommodate a host of needs for passengers of all ages. For example, on the upper deck, ANA has introduced eight First Class suites, 56 Business Class seats, and 73 Premium Economy seats.

This marks the first time ANA has offered First Class on this resort route, and its aim is to provide passengers with a luxurious onboard experience. Each seat features its own door and provides passengers with the privacy they need to enjoy their personal space.

Continuing to cater for premium passengers, ANA’s Business Class has reconfigured its staggered seat product to include true ‘Honeymoon’ pairs of seats, allowing more passengers to sit next to each other while still keeping all seats with aisle access.

The Premium Economy cabin is the largest in the airline’s fleet. At 73 seats in a 2 x 3 x 2 configuration, more passengers can enjoy the opportunity to experience the premium features, situated in the back of the upper deck.

The main deck will be incredibly spacious, with only 383 Economy Class seats, which includes 60 couch seats. This is in comparison to Emirates’ 427. ANA is the first carrier in Japan to introduce a couch seat concept.

Each couch is comprised of three or four seats and passengers are able to lie on the seats by folding up the leg rests. In addition, passengers will receive a dedicated mattress that will provide them with further comfort. This new seat concept will especially enable passengers traveling with small children to have a more relaxed experience in the cabin.

The positioning of the couches at the back of the cabin will make non-family travellers happy, as it concentrates them in one area of the aircraft. While all classes will have access to bar counters, behind the couch area, ANA has created a multi-purpose room where new mothers will be able to tend to their babies and passengers will be able to change before arriving at their destination.

New Territory and Rockwell Collins have collaborated together to create a new regional business class seat for Aeromexico. The London based creative firm have taken Rockwell Collins existing MiQ module and added a new feeling of space and atmosphere to the short/mid-haul passenger experience. 

The new seats will be installed across Aeromexico’s new fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts, which have already started flying, bringing with them an extension of the carrier’s brand DNA. Lighting, a future-proof customisable design and added comfort are key features of the new seat, providing premium at-seat ambience and visual coherency throughout the business class cabin.

We love the LED lighting on the seats, which appear to be more akin to a BMW car interior than an aircraft seat. In comparison to the existing MiQ seats that Aeromexico already have on a variety of their aircraft, the upgraded MiQ seat is the re-balancing of the seat back zones – particularly the monitor bezel, magazine pockets and upper shroud which surrounds the IFE screen – all of which can be customised and replaced when necessary or in one with future cabin refreshes.

This plug and play approach to the seat design now means that the overall feeling and experience of the cabin can be refreshed to align with specific brand positioning requirements throughout the lifespan of the seats.

The new designs are a continuation of New Territory’s previous work for Aeromexico, helping to revamp their long-haul, Boeing 787-9 cabins through the design of seats, lighting on-board product and a new social space. 

Antonio Fernandez, SVP Product On Board commented, “Our fleet of Dreamliner interiors marked a turning point for the brand. Working with New Territory on the 737 MAX fleet has helped to strengthen that position and allowed us to continue to bring new experiences to our passengers. This collaboration has been fundamental in the development of our business class offering. The challenge was to embed Aeromexico’s brand values throughout our new fleet of short-haul aircrafts whilst ensuring a premium and seamless passenger experience and we’re delighted with the result.”

Philippine Airlines is upgrading its North American and European routes with the airline’s brand new A350. Starting with New York in July and followed by London, passengers on these long haul routes will experience an enhanced in-flight product. The tri-class A350-900 will feature 30 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats and 241 economy seats. 

As a major upgrade to the business class cabin, the seats are now in a 1-2-1 configuration providing every passenger with direct aisle access. These Vantage XL Seats have a pitch of 44 inches and a width of 23-24 inches. The seat reclines to fully-flat measuring 78 inches in length. It includes an air cushion to adjust seat firmness, a lumbar massage feature, additional storage for personal items and power ports.

The cabin follows the design footprint that LIFT Strategic Design created for their upgraded A330s. All seats on the Airbus A350 have personal TV screens with dual screen functionality. Passengers can pair their screens with their mobile device via the myPAL Player app to select content to be displayed on the screen or track the flight’s progress through the Flight Map. High-speed Wi-Fi is offered free for all passengers (subject to time and volume caps), with affordable renewal plans.

The premium economy class cabin has 24 seats on a 2-4-2 configuration. Seat pitch is at 38 inches and seat width is at 19 inches. Premium economy seats – which have a recline of 8 inches – are equipped with leg rest and footrest, additional front pockets for personal items, bottle holder, reading light and power ports.

Regular economy seats total 241 on a 3-3-3 configuration. Seat pitch is 33 inches, seat width is 18 inches and recline is 6 inches. Features include a 4-way headrest and USB power ports.

For those who can’t wait until July for the A350, the first of six A321Neos will join Philippine Airlines’ fleet in May. The aircraft, designed medium to long haul routes, features 12 flat bed seats in business class and 156 economy class seats. The seats are a welcome improvement, and offering a bed length of 78 inches offer an international Business Class standard.

The cabin, featuring a sea of blues, is brought to life by the large IFE screens featuring the myPALeSuite Personal system on all seats across all cabin classes. Wi-Fi Connection is free for all passengers (subject to time and volume caps) with affordable renewal plans.

The economy cabins have a 3-3 configuration made up of 156 seats with a pitch of 31-32 inches and a width of 18 inches as well as an incline of 5 inches.

The A350 Big Picture

The A321Neo Big Picture

Yes, that’s right, it’s not Air Canada, It’s actually WestJet’s impressive (If somewhat familiar looking) new business class cabin that will be rolled out in early 2019 on the airline’s new 787 Dreamliner fleet which will feature an updated and slick new livery.

“The introduction of Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art aircraft, is the dawn of a new era for WestJet and the next step in our transformation to a global network airline,” said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. “The updated livery is modern and dynamic while the interior is world-class, distinctly Canadian and uniquely WestJet. Both reflect WestJet’s transition from a regional airline in 1996 to a new era of connecting Canada with the world and bringing the world to Canada.”

The statement from Sims, outlines the airline’s goal to become a true competition to Air Canada who have also rolled out the same business class hard product on their long haul fleet albeit with a more residential feel.

This younger, and more nimble, low-cost carrier has adopted a more contemporary cabin design, brought to life by Priestmangoode. The most noticeable elements being the bulkheads which reflect the new Maple Leaf logo design, bringing it to life with brushed metal finishes and 3D effects.

Ben Rowan, a Director of PriestmanGoode and Design Lead for this project, said: “We set out to create a design tour of Canada on-board WestJet’s new fleet of Dreamliners, taking inspiration from the country’s stunning landscapes.

The cabins are certainly smart, and which a dark navy and green hue throughout the cabin, the corporate colours of the brand have been reflected with delicate precision. Drawing from Canadian themes, the cabin interior welcomes guests with a rich colour palette: a soothing alpine lake blue in Economy class; aurora‑inspired shades and tones in Premium Economy; and in Business Class, luxuriously rich earth tones inspired by the splendour of Canadian summers.

In total, the 10 new Dreamliners (with options for another 10) will for the first time for WestJet, feature 3 cabin classes, including a new true flatbed product which will be a true challenger to Air Canada’s product.

“Business Class will feature touchscreen service and on-demand dining that allows the traveller to define exactly how they like to fly. When it’s time to relax and fully unwind, lay-flat mattresses, bedding and turn-down service will offer WestJet guests the opportunity to enjoy a tranquil flight,” states the press release.

Premium Economy will offer comfort enhancements and service with an elevated guest experience. WestJet will also offer a premium menu, more space to move and relax. In a similar way to Virgin Atlantic’s Wonderwall, the airline will also offer a self-serve social area for people to be able to stretch their legs.

In Economy, guests will discover oversized, self-dimming windows, and leading-edge in-flight entertainment and connectivity with in-seat device charging (and a 3x3x3 seating arrangement).

But it’s not just the inside that impresses. The updated logo and livery was overseen by Ove Brand Design. Boeing and Teague, a Seattle-based design firm, implemented the design on the aircraft.

The font has been updated to the company’s corporate typeface Bliss, to give the WestJet wordmark a more uniform and current style, while retaining the Maple Leaf symbol in a more contemporary and bold look. The logo also now uses a single colour to soften the regional emphasis on “west” in order to give the airline a more international appearance.

In addition to the updated stylized Maple Leaf on the aircraft tail, another nod to WestJet’s heritage is in the form of the Canadian flag appearing at the front of the aircraft. The new livery will also marry both of Canada’s official languages with, “The Spirit of Canada” appearing on one side of the aircraft and the French translation, “L’esprit du Canada” on the other, both extending across the middle of the aircraft fuselage, mirroring the Qantas livery’s statement “Spirit of Australia.”

The new livery which we think is incredibly elegant and well balanced will gradually appear across WestJet’s entire fleet as new aircraft are delivered in 2018 and as aircraft are repainted in their normal cycle. The Boeing 737 MAX-8 will be the first aircraft in the new livery appearing in June.

Primera Air received their first of eight Airbus A3321neo’s featuring Acro Aircraft Seating Series 7 Premium Economy Class seats. Primera Air, a low cost alternative across the Atlantic is the launch customer for the Series 7. The first four rows will be installed with seat pairs in a 2 x 2 configuration and the remaining rows in a 3 x 3 configuration with Acro’s Series 6 Economy seats.

Having worked for Acro previously to support the design and development of the Superlight, Series 3 and Series 6 seat products, Acro invited Factorydesign to help define the architecture, packaging and design features of this new Series 7.  Clearly part of the Acro family, the Series 7 applies Acro’s DNA and unique approach to a new market sector, giving passengers maximum space and an exciting new comfort experience.

This is the first time Acro have had both Economy and Premium Economy seats in the same airline. Alan McInnes, Senior Vice President Sales of Acro said “This is an exciting first for us, where we have supplied both the Economy and Premium seats on the one aircraft. The achievement was possible through the investment in our staff and product development, we’re reaching new heights in our capabilities for comfort innovation.”

Primera Air is a fast growing low-cost carrier, with a recent expansion in London’s Stansted Airport. The fleet of 8 A321’s have enabled the carrier to soon commence flights across the Atlantic from London to the likes of New York, Boston, Washington and Toronto. The addition of these premium economy seats will be a welcome addition and enable Primera Air to offer a quality low-cost yet ‘premium’ product compared across the pond.

It’s true that when most livery redesigns are revealed, public reaction is usually mixed, with a hint of disappointment due to what can only be described as a world shortage of coloured paint. However, thankfully, this shortage hasn’t reached the Pacific yet where colour still seems to be in abundance. The latest carrier to rebrand is Air Tahiti Nui. We recently revealed their new brand image, but the carrier was shy on showcasing what this would mean for their livery.

The good news is that the livery’s essence has remained, and is fairly untouched, with the signature wave cheat line, red stripes and Tiare floral tail all still proudly displayed. However, much like Fiji Airways and Hawaiian both have adopted, the airline has opted to bring its cultural heritage to the foreground, adorning the rear half of the aircraft with a traditional pacific islander tattoos that adds a somewhat ‘Moana’esque’ tropical element to the aprons of CDG and LAX amongst others.

At the front end of the aircraft, the new typeface adds a sophisticated premium and elegant touch to the design. The tail design actually isn’t just a Disney interpretation of ‘Pacific Island’ each hieroglyph represents the flora and fauna of the islands. The Tiare is supported by manta rays, albatrosses, fishing hooks, waves and flora, all symbols of the famous French Polynesian islands.

Onboard each of the four dreamliners (named after the islands of Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa and Nuka Hiva, the airline has refreshed its cabins and introduced a new Premium Economy class.

In business class, the older lie flat business class seats have been replaced with fully flat Rockwell Collins Parallel Diamond seats which offer 16″ touchscreens. These seats aren’t the biggest lie flat seats in the skies, but they are going to be a welcome upgrade for most. Like Hawaiian, understanding that most passengers are premium leisure travellers, Air Tahiti Nui have opted for 2 x 2 x 2 configuration meaning that most passengers travelling as couples, can sit in close proximity to each other. For solo travellers, we recommend the middle pairs as both seats offer aisle access.

The airline has opted for details in the fabrics and finishing which reflect the islands natural colours, with each seat offering a wave of turquoise which lifts the cabin colour and design. We love the embossed leather headrests in each seat, which delivers the Tiare motif, subtly reinforcing the brand image for every passenger. In premium economy, the airline has opted for Zodiac Aerospace’s Z535 which offers passengers a 38″ seat pitch and a recline of 8″. The seats offer calf rests in the front row, large 13″ touch screens and are arranged in 5 rows of 2 x 3 x 2.

In economy, sadly passenger comfort is going to be a little tighter on width, due to the carrier opting for a 3 x 3 x 3 configuration using brand new Zodiac seats, meaning passengers used to the airline’s older A340 fleet will find things a little narrower and tighter than usual, with economy now only offering 31″ of legroom compared to the more spacious 33″ on the older fleet. However a brand new 11.8″ touchscreen IFE system and onboard WiFi will help distract passengers during their long-haul hops.

While passenger comfort might be tighter in economy, opting for this new fleet of aircraft will increase reliability, reduce delays, increase passenger comfort through higher air pressure and humidity, and for those in the premium cabins, offer increased comfort and entertainment. We salute the carrier for opting to celebrate and enhance their brand rather than push in an entirely new direction.

Tomorrow will see the launch of Hainan Airlines new ‘Rosy Clouds’ uniform. The fifth uniform for the airline, designed by Laurence Xu was revealed in Paris Couture Week last year, and took our breath away. In fact so much so it was awarded best new uniform at the DesignAir Awards 2017, beating the likes of Delta’s recently launched uniform by Zac Posen.

In the photo above you can see the evolution of the uniform from the very first (on the right) through to the latest Cheongsam uniform and its accompanying jacket. On the modern take of the traditional Chinese dress, clouds, waves, and mythical birds of prey feature within the airlines’ soft grey color palette and enable this fashion-forward look to pay homage to a rich past.

“Gently I take my leave, Just as gently I came here; Gently I wave my farewell, To the rosy clouds in the western sky.”

Inspired by a poetic theme of ‘Rosy clouds filling the sky’, the latest uniform collocates with clear-line stand-up -collar gray coat and double-sided cashmere overcoat, which brings out the oriental beauty of Hainan Airlines.

The uniforms themselves have been tested heavily to ensure they are suitable for use in the cabin. Hainan Airline reviewed over 1,000 design drafts and tested more than 100 samples of garments and accessories before reaching to the final version. Small adaptations were carefully considered when replacing the previous incarnation.

The Rosy Clouds are made as three-quarter sleeves instead of short sleeves, so that they can keep flight attendants warm in the cabin. Utilising light fabric construction techniques, the uniforms also reduce fuel consumption, making Hainan Airlines more environmentally friendly. 

The new uniform will certainly draw some attention in the airports over the coming months as its not only new and unique but effortlessly elegant. This is one we can’t wait to see in airports around the world.

Virgin Atlantic has unveiled brand new interiors for its fleet of A330- 200 aircraft. These ex-Air Berlin planes will be retrofitted throughout with the airline’s famous Premium Economy cabin, along with a refreshed new look and feel for Upper Class and updated look for Economy.

While all eyes will be firmly rooted in Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class cabin design for its A350s arriving in 2019, the A330-200s (brought on to help Virgin out with their 787’s struck by the same Trent engine issues many operators are currently dealing with) have utilised the existing hard product, but have been refreshed to include a new trim and finish to align the experience with the airlines signature Upper Class product.

All Upper Class suites will feature direct aisle access and exclusive to the A330-200s, an enhanced surface area for additional personal space. The seat fabric has been entirely upholstered with natural and soft Espresso leather, underlining the cabin’s distinctive Virgin Atlantic look. The airline has gone as far to label the seats into groups to help brand the experience beyond its existing layout including “Love Suites, Corner Suites and Freedom Suites”.

As part of the November roll out, the airline will roll out a new premium economy seat, similar to the one offered by Singapore Airlines. All 35 seats are set in a dedicated private cabin, and offer a 38” seat pitch, calf rest and bespoke food and drink offering.

At a price tag of £10m the airline has shown a commitment to ensure their passengers enjoy a similar ‘signature’ customer experience no matter what class they fly in. In economy, the existing seats will feature classic red and beige tones, along with brand new leather headrests. Each cabin will also see Black Cherry curtains and carpets, along with refreshed bathrooms, stylish mood lighting and wall finishes.

Ensuring the same standard for Virgin Atlantic, all flights will offer high speed WiFi, power in every seat and the latest onboard entertainment.

Daniel Kerzner, Vice President of Customer Experience at Virgin Atlantic, commented; “Earlier this year, we acquired A330-200s to maintain our flying programmeand were committed to refurbishing these aircraft to our high standards. We quickly gathered insights from our customers that have influenced the exciting product we’re launching later this year. In only a few months we’ve been able to source, design and manufacture new cabin interiors, which is a true testament to our teams and their focus on giving our customers a truly Virgin Atlantic experience. When life gives you lemons, we say – make sparkling lemonade!”

All of these upgrades run in tandem with a range of new initiatives including a new high tea designed by master pâtissière Eric Lanlard, a new partnership with Tia Maria offering exclusive cocktails in Upper Class and Premium Economy and the new happy sock partnership offering Upper Class passengers exclusive take-home socks. With a fast turn around like this on their A330-200s it should be amazing to see what Virgin Atlantic brings to the skies with its A350.

We recently showcased Gulf Air’s striking new brand image. Brought to life by design studio Tangerine and brand consultants Saffron, the new image for the carrier is certainly contemporary, encapsulating the very best of aviation design trends. Mixing heritage, sense of locale, modernity and simplicity are a sure fire recipe for a long-life brand that can impart a human component to ensure brand loyalty.

The bigger challenge for the airline, which goes beyond the brand positioning, is the delivery of what this image represents, a modern and progressive Bahrain. Even though we’ve travelled on Gulf Air not that long ago, we hope that the brand isn’t just skin deep and represents a deep-rooted desire to change the culture within the airline too.

When the airline was created in the early 1950s as one of the first commercial airlines in the Middle East it was seen an innovative trendsetter. The airline “spearheaded the Kingdom of Bahrain’s transformation into a top travel hub and set a high bar for luxury and glamour in the skies.”

In this recent rebrand, the roll of the airline’s new livery and brand identity fell to Saffron, while tangerine brought the cabin interiors to life.

Commissioned by experienced illustrator Martijn Rijven, whose considered craft and understanding of natural form helped bring the most iconic part of the brand – the falcon logo – to life. The logo features throughout the entire identity and holds the brand image together across the multitude of touch points.

The falcon was created to make a “timeless” design, that on closer inspection, reveals intricate feather details, creating shading and nuance. “The new livery also provides a more cost-effective solution for maintenance and upkeep, all while keeping the high impact of its predecessor. The small touches of gold have helped reclaim the colour’s rare and precious quality,” states Saffron. Metallic finishes always add drama on an apron, and the engines will shine in the sunlight.

At the heart of the new visual language is a brand new Gulf Air Sans, a distinct and ownable typeface which echoes the shape of the falcons claws, beak and wings. To add depth and texture, Saffron also incorporated shading which evokes finer details of the feather. The typeface is designed for Arabic and latin scripts and comes in three different weights, which was achieved using the experience of type foundry Letterjuice.

When it came to the aircraft’s interior, Saffron worked in partnership with international design consultancy tangerine to radically transform the customer experience inside Gulf Air’s aircraft, across the business and economy class cabins.

“We wanted to express opulence and sophistication, which for us, was all about detail,” says tangerine Creative Lead Daniel Flashman. “Every touch point visible to the passenger has been carefully considered, almost to the point of obsession so that the overall effect transforms the platform seat into a luxurious flying experience.”

Tangerine added raised privacy panels to the suites to divide the business class cabin on the B787, creating more private, intimate zones. The design studio worked closely with Boeing to ensure these were as high as possible whilst meeting tight line of sight visibility regulations for the crew.

The panels feature a 3D sculpted surface, inspired by the iterative geometric forms found in Bahraini architecture. When the cabin lighting strikes the surface, it casts shadows onto the textured surface, dappling the light to create an intimate and relaxing suite.

“The suites themselves,” Flashman continues, “are defined by a sweeping almond gold trim, that draws the eye, and subtly echoes the falcon wing tip developed by Saffron for the branding. As you get closer, finer details catch your attention, repeating visual elements, so that everything is tied together.”

Small strategic modifications allowed the tangerine team to make large improvements to the business class seat, without compromising the delivery schedule. The entrance way to the window seat is dramatically improved by incorporating a flip-down foot rest, which utilises a specially-sourced magnetic latch. This also significantly improves the bed space for the window side passenger.

The economy class cabin still features the same colour palette, reflecting “Bahrain’s artisans and the traditional sport of falconry,” says tangerine Head of Colour, Material and Finish, Emma Partridge. “We’ve given these influences a modern twist to reflect the contemporary Bahrain; its culture and the sights of the country.”

While the blueprint for a successful, dynamic and attractive airline has been clearly laid out by these two design agencies. Only time, and experience will tell if the airline can match the service and soft product to match the grand ambitions of the hard product and new brand image found on the 787. With stiff competition across their route network by the nearby ME3, it will be key to see how the airline can bring the important human touch to these striking interiors and fresh new brand image.

While many airlines in the world vie to be the biggest, there are a few smaller airlines that are certainly fighting to be the best. We take a look at 10 airlines that are doing something special in 2018 that – we think – might just be worth getting on board with.

1. Hong Kong Airlines

While the airline might have established itself in its local market, Hong Kong Airlines might not be the first name that springs to mind when thinking of flying long-haul into Asia. However, the airline has expanded pretty quickly over the past 12 months, launching routes to the likes of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Moscow, and soon to be announced, London. With fully-flat beds in business class, and route-specific gourmet menus from the likes of Chris Cosentino, this airline caters for a younger crowd than its legacy rival Cathay Pacific, and with cheaper fares too, this airline is certainly worth booking a flight with. If you can splash the cash, and opt for Business Class, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Club Autus lounge in Hongkers too.

2. Air Italy

Unless you’ve been devoid of an internet connection lately, you’ll probably heard of Qatar Airways new sister airline Air Italy. The airline, taking over from Meridiana is a new brand, and while it might have a questionable livery, the airline has decided to take all the best bits from the Qatar Airways model and bring them to life with a truly Italian twist. Think Qatar Airways flatbed seats, new routes to the likes of Miami, New York and Delhi and fresh pasta dishes a plenty. While Alitalia continues to remodel itself, this smaller, more dynamic airline could quickly rise up the ranks, with a powerhouse like Qatar Airways behind it.

3. Aigle Azur

Well known in the French market, this airline, which predominantly flew to destinations in Northern Africa with a short-haul fleet, however, enter Brazilian-American David Neeleman of Azul and JetBlue fame in late 2017, and next thing we know, the airline is expanding with three ex-Air Berlin A330 aircraft, and a new long-haul route network including Beijing and home town Sao Paulo (no surprises there!) The new A330s feature Air Berlin’s fully flat bed cabins, as well as ridiculously low fares. This is certainly an affordable way to fly long haul.

4. Oman Air

The smaller sibling to the Middle Eastern giants, this carrier certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. This boutique carrier offers an incredible product in all classes and the addition of the new 787-9, joining the fleet imminently, also offers a brand new First Class product. Unlike the other major players in the Gulf, Oman Air gives passengers more attention, a better product, and a brand new terminal in Muscat which elevates the passenger experience for those connecting through the region.

5. FlyDubai

Sticking in the Middle East, FlyDubai, with its recent strategic alliance with Emirates, has seen itself venture from a start-up Low Cost Carrier to a regional carrier with a very smart product. To ensure a better tie-up with the passenger experience with Emirates, the smaller carrier, utilising 737 Max aircraft, now offers passengers in business class fully-flat beds just like those found in JetBlue’s Mint cabin. Now if only they could sort out their somewhat questionable uniforms…

6. Fiji Airways

Now the chances are you probably think you would be unlikely to fly with Fiji Airways unless you were headed there on your honeymoon, however the carrier also offers pretty nifty one-stop connections across the pacific too. The inflight product certainly is boutique, and the business class cabin in neutral tones of white, cream and tan is super smart and the airline has won best livery with us in the past too, but the best news is the fact the airline has relaunched its lounge in Nadi, meaning any stop over is now in total comfort and the airline is a joy to fly from start to finish. With a recent partnership with BA, the airline also can form part of a round-the-world itinerary, which is certainly worth doing once in your lifetime.

7. Brussels Airlines

This smaller carrier of the Lufthansa family certainly is carving a niche for itself. Brussels Airlines has a long established route network in to Africa meaning its very important to the larger group. Also, riffing off it’s truly unique ‘Belgitude’ means aircraft are covered in Smurfs, Tintin characters and three other unique liveries. However, it’s not all just fun, the airline has announced it’s looking at its cabins and have got JPA on the case to redesign the long-haul passenger experience at the end of this year. But for those who can’t wait that long, the airline has also just expanded its lounge in Brussels Airport, meaning there is more space to stretch and unwind before the flight.

8. Virgin Atlantic

Most will be surprised to see this name on the list, not because of its innovation or quirky too cool for school brand, but because most people think it’s much bigger than it actually is. However, size isn’t everything and what Virgin Atlantic lacks in passenger numbers it makes up in passenger experience. While the airline has been strong for a long time and in need of a new injection of design, all eyes are turning to their new A350s which will join the fleet next year. The aircraft will feature new cabin products which are hotly anticipated to be heavily customised and market leaders. In the meantime, you could always top up your tan in the World’s only beachside departure lounge.

9. El Al

Once an airline to avoid due to its ageing fleet and archaic inflight product, El Al has drastically changed its image with the launch of its new 787 fleet. Featuring absolutely stunning cabins, the new fleet make sure that passengers in all classes get a world-class passenger experience.

10. La Compagnie

The one remaining bastion of the all-business-class era, La Compagnie based in Paris’ Orly airport has managed to not only weather the storm of its competition, but also announce an order of new A321neos which will mean that the current lie-flat seats will be replaced with fully flat seats. Not only do they offer a boutique product, their staff uniforms are truly Parisian and super cool. For those needing to make a quick hop across The Pond, this carrier should certainly be on your radar, offering cheaper tickets than the legacy carriers on the same routes.

There is good reason why Delta won both “Winner Best Design Airline North America 2017” and “Most Improved Airline” at our awards last year. The latest addition to their fleet, a retrofitted 777-200 is a prime example of how the airline is going above and beyond to offer a truly exceptional passenger experience.

At the front of the cabin, the new Delta One Suites come to life with their staggered 1 x 2 x 1 configuration featuring all aisle access and closing doors for added privacy. Unlike the A350, the 777-200 retains its centre set of overhead bins which means the ceiling will feel lower, especially in the centre seats, but thanks to the configuration there is still a sense of space.

The whole premium cabin features a myriad of textures featuring interpretations of the Delta symbol, which add depth through the clever lighting design of the cabin.

All of Delta’s 18 777-200’s will feature the new suites, as well as the new Delta Premium Select cabin. In the business class cabin, there are 7 rows featuring 28 seats, and immediately behind the airline’s new premium economy cabin takes centre stage in a 2 x 4 x 2 configuration.

The 48 ‘Premium Select’ seats are real premium economy seats, unlike the ‘economy plus’ that used to feature on the aircraft with a dedicated service that sets it apart from the rest of the cabin.

However, the most impressive news is in the back of the aircraft. To the delight of almost every economy passenger, the airline is the only one to opt to keep the 9-abreast cabin instead of the industry standard 10-abreast.

This means that the 220 seats in the back become a really attractive option for those looking for a price-sensitive purchase. Delta could even afford to charge a small premium against their competitors for a similar seat, knowing that there is more space per passenger to be had. However, only as long as the carrier truly markets the advantage of their cabin against their Northern American counterparts.

It seems that Delta have taken an active decision to bring their fleet, no matter what the age, up to a key international standard, and it will pay dividends, as no matter what cabin class passengers travel in, there are passenger experience benefits to be found.

July 2 will see Delta’s first retrofitted 777-200 enter into service. The plane will operate flights from Detroit to Beijing throughout July, alternatively swapped with the carrier’s A350, which offers a similar cabin configuration. Delta will announce at a later stage where it will deploy the new cabins.

As of July 1st, Air France passengers in their Premium Economy or Business Class cabins will experience brand new amenity kits. These funky and fresh designs will be available for 6 months on all long-haul flights.

In premium economy, the kits feature a sporty, young tie string bag, that wouldn’t be amiss on sister airline Joon. In blue, or light grey with a lime green string, these bags are designed to be practical keepsakes, perfect for packing smaller items on the way home.

Inside there are earplugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, a pair of socks, and an eye mask.

Sophisticated – naturally – the new Business Class ‘wallet’ kits are offered in four colors – red, navy blue, turquoise blue and aubergine. Made in a tactile material for a sleek effect and finished with a sleek and glossy flap, these are eye-catching keepsakes. Both on the strap and inside the case, the Air France motif adds the joy de vivre that is synonymous with the carrier, as we revealed in our exclusive interview with Véronique Jeanclerc back in May.

This new Business Kit will contain brand new touches for Air France such as a pen with the air france accent design, a cleansing gel for the hands, super cool branded micro-fiber wipe (perfect for glasses), and a pack of three handkerchiefs. These are still supported by the existing Clarins moisturiser, Clarins repair lip balm, complete dental hygiene kit, night mask, and earplugs.

Last week saw Iberia receive the latest addition to the fleet, a brand new Airbus A350-900. The aircraft is the first of 16 A350 XWB on order, becoming the 18th airline to operate the aircraft type.

The aircraft is configured in a premium three-class layout, with 348 seats, including 31 full lie-flat bed Business, 24 Premium Economy and 293 Economy seats. When it came to the business class cabin, Iberia put their trust in Mormedi to improve the user experience of the Business class seat, the Stelia Solstys 3.

Tasked with creating a clean visual look of the seat, Mormedi integrated elements such as padding, the exterior shape of the seat shell, armrests, magazine holder, reading lights and cocktail table, while also achieving a better experience for Iberia’s clients.

In relation to the materials and finishings, the redesign had to respect Iberia’s current look and feel and the aesthetic defined for the A350. This is a sensible move as it attempts to keep a cohesive passenger experience across the fleet, albeit with an improved product on the latest aircraft.

Mormedi decided to resolve three specific needs: modify the form of the seat shell for more privacy; increase the storage space; and evaluate the area to position a bottle on the cocktail table.

Concentrating on the details, the design team worked specifically on the CMF (colour, materials, finish) to create less of a utilitarian seat, instead, creating a more residential, homely product that will feel more comfortable and homely on the carrier’s long-haul flights that the aircraft will eventually fly.

Emirates has seen the successful launch of its new route to Santiago de Chile, Chile, a mammoth 20+ hour trip from its home hub in Dubai. Luckily the airline gives passengers a chance to stretch their legs in Sao Paulo, where the airline makes a stop over in both directions.

Luckily the route is getting Emirates latest business class product, and while not as impressive as the A380 that also flies daily on the Sao Paulo – Dubai route (with its all aisle access in business class, First Class cabin with onboard showers and onboard bar) it still offers a brand new Business Class cabin.

The newly refurbished two-class Boeing 777-200LR offers 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout, and 264 seats in Economy Class. While the Business Class seats are in the same design and shape of Emirates’ latest lie-flat seats, they are now two inches wider than the 2 x 3 x 2 business class cabin found on other Emirates 777s.

In a champagne coloured finish and diamond stitch pattern on a full leather cover, the seats match the look and feel of the other brand new 777 which features a first class cabin, but unfortunately a dreaded middle seat in the business class cabin.

In addition, the new Business Class cabin features a social area – unique to the Boeing 777-200LR fleet. The mini lounge area features snacks such as crisps, sandwiches and fruit, as well as beverages for customers to help themselves to during the flight.

The inaugural Boeing 777-200LR flight, which was welcomed at both Sao Paulo and Santiago airports with a water cannon salute.

Etihad Airways has been realigning itself to try and shake off a rather expensive partnership with the likes of Air Berlin and Alitalia recently, so a new partnership to bolster the passenger experience, and with Acqua Di Parma no less, is most certainly welcome. Unlike other carriers, who have different partners depending on the class of travel, Etihad has decided to bring the luxury brand to all three of its premium cabins and ground product, representing a true ‘premium’ partnership.

Starting in August, the airline will introduce a range of exclusive amenity bags and toiletries for its customers travelling in The Residence on its Airbus A380s, as well as on long-haul First Class and Business Class services. The iconic Italian brand will also feature in the airline’s flagship First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways’ association with Acqua Di Parma actually began back in 2014, when the airline started offering the brand’s luxury toiletries solely in The Residence. Founded in 1916 in the historic city of Parma, and part of the LVMH Group since 2001, Acqua Di Parma has worked closely with Etihad Airways to adapt its unique products to each stage of the guest experience, on the ground and in the air, using its signature Colonia, a perfume with a formula which has remained unchanged for 102 years.

Brought to life by Amenity company Buzz, the range does differ depending on the cabin, and this is where the upgrades occur, larger sized products and a larger range.

In The Residence, the airline’s revolutionary three-room cabin on Airbus A380 aircraft flying from Abu Dhabi to London, Paris, New York and Sydney, guests are provided with a bespoke range of fragrances and toiletries provided in their own private shower room, including a Colonia amenity kit. Colonia Pura is provided for men and Magnolia Nobile for women.

Yellow, the colour synonymous with the Italian brand, is used for all First Class bags, while smaller Business Class bags are offered in the same yellow, and also in black.

The First Class unisex cylinder bag contains a miniature bottle of Colonia, a 40ml body lotion and lip balm. First Class toiletries include Colonia hand wash and hand cream, and Colonia bathroom amenity kits feature shower gel, body lotion, hair shampoo, and hair conditioner. 

The Business Class unisex wallet bag, which can be buttoned to create a stylish and useful valet tray, contains a Colonia sampler and hand cream, which will also be dispensed in the Business Class washrooms.

Turkish Airlines has just received its new A321Neo aircraft. The aircraft, which will be deployed on its short and medium haul routes. The aircraft also features the Airbus Cabin Flex configuration, which has removed the usual door positions locating them over the wing, to allow for more passenger space and a more seamless cabin plan.

While that means more economy seats, it isn’t all bad, in fact, far from it. It’s the first narrow body aircraft to be WiFi enabled on Turkish’s expansive fleet, which signals the carriers determination to provide an excellent customer experience with a young, modern future-ready fleet.

As you can tell from the image above, all passengers will have access to massive personal TV screens, featuring the airline’s extensive IFE library. This bold proposition flies in the face of American carriers toying with the removal of IFE screens altogether in economy class.

The new economy seats are smart, leather covered and feature the embossed Turkish Airlines logo. The airline has also moved away from their traditional recliner business class seats (the only European carrier to offer these regional narrow body business class seats instead of the vacant middle seat), instead opting for the popular Rockwell Collins MiQ Business Class seats.

The seats offer maximum comfort, with a variety of seat controls, similar to those found on the existing fleet, but they have been adapted to offer a privacy screen to enhance passenger comfort and help create a sense of individual passenger zoning.

Interestingly the airline has opted to include this design element that the long-haul product currently lacks in comparison to its competitors. Perhaps this is a sign that privacy is important for Turkish Airlines passengers, and a new incarnation of the airline’s super comfortable – but not-so-private long-haul business class seats – will result in a more ‘enclosed suite’ concept.

In the A321 Neo’s business class cabin, a new colour has been introduced too. Instead of the famous red belts, a sandy gold accent distinguishes the business class cabin from the economy cabin, also separated by a hard divider, not just a curtain. While almost half of the 92 A321neo aircraft on order will feature 16 seats in business class and 174 in economy, the rest will feature a larger 20-seat business class cabin with just 162 in economy.

With the increasing investment in the fleet, and these new passenger cabins, its no wonder that Turkish Airlines’ Chairman İlker Aycı is happy with the outcome. “One of the most important components in reaching our 2023 targets is of course to constitute a sufficient and young fleet. Considering this fact, with the large-scale aircraft orders especially we have given in the past few years to adequately support our ever-expanding flight network, we aim to offer a comprehensive fleet capacity to our passengers all over the world. And in this context, we are delighted to add the newest member of the A320 family, A321neo to our fleet which stands for one of the youngest in the world.”

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 how it can be improved.

Thank you Yung Han for taking the time to speak with us. There was the much anticipated news recently that you will be once again commencing the world’s longest flight. It’s something like 18.5 hours, isn’t that correct?
Flights will cover a distance of approximately 9,000nm (16,700km), and travelling time will be up to 18hrs 45min.

You last flew this route on an A340-500 which was specially configured for the route and after a while just featured an all-business class cabin. Why did the route stop, was it due to fuel prices?
Singapore Airlines operated daily SIN-EWR operations on the A340-500s from 2004 to 2013. A full Business Class configuration, with 100 seats, was introduced in 2008 due to the popularity of the Singapore-Newark route amongst business travellers. The duration of the flights was about 19 hours. When we agreed to order more A380s and A350s, Airbus bought back our five A340-500s. This resulted in the cessation of the non-stop flights to Los Angeles and Newark, in the absence of replacement aircraft in our fleet with sufficient range and operating economics.

So, what made Singapore Airlines decide to recommence the route?
When we were previously operating the A340s, we were happy with the demand. However, economics was challenging, and we returned the aircraft to Airbus which resulted in the cessation of our non-stop flights. The new-generation A350-900ULR is a twin-engined aircraft that is much more efficient, enabling the ultra-long-range flights to be operated in a commercially viable manner.

Qantas 787-9 Business Class cabin, currently flying their ULH route between LHR and PER

This news follows shortly after Qantas launched their Perth – London route. They designed a specific product both on and off the ground for their ULH route. What learnings from this, and your previous experience on the route will you be drawing on?
We refrain from commenting on our competitors. But in general terms we compete by constantly enhancing the three main pillars of our brand promise: service excellence, product leadership and network connectivity. Competition in the airline business is not a new phenomenon. It keeps us on our toes and ensures that we are continuously upgrading our products and services to offer our customers the best travel experience, even in the face of recent challenges faced by the airline industry. We continue to listen to our customers and involve them in our product development processes to ensure that the new products and services exceed customer expectations.

“Competition in the airline business is not a new phenomenon. It keeps us on our toes and ensures that we are continuously upgrading our products and services to offer our customers the best travel experience, even in the face of recent challenges faced by the airline industry.” – Yung Han Ng, Vice President Product Innovation, Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is not new to operating long haul services as we have in the past, operated the A340-500s from Singapore to Newark. The comfort and well-being of our customers have always been a priority and as such, we are looking to enhance it further with the launch of the A350ULR flights. We will be sharing details on the enhancements in time to come.

So no news on whether these aircraft will offer any social spaces, or new ground experiences to help support these unusually long flights. What cabin products will we find on the Airbus A350 ULR on this route?
We have chosen to use a consistent seat product across our long-haul A350 fleet. Customers will be able to enjoy our award-winning Business Class and Premium Economy seats, as well as our latest in-flight entertainment system, myKrisWorld. The Premium Economy seats have been updated and now features a modified calf rest for more comfort and a larger table for a more sturdy dining experience, among other improvements. We are also working on new in-flight services for the ULR flights which we will share when ready.

Will this become the signature route for SIA? 
Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest-technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR. The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.

How have the new business class (both regional and long haul) been received? Have there been any adaptations as the products have come in to service?
The overall feedback about the new products, as well as about the other cabin products on the aircraft, has been extremely positive. We are very pleased with what our customers have been telling us about it.

What are the most important factors to your passengers regarding comfort?
SIA constantly stay abreast of the latest product developments and to review their suitability for different aircraft types. When choosing a new product, we remain focused on seat comfort and the overall in-flight experience of our customers. A wide variety of factors determine the final selection, but the key guiding principle for our team would be to maximise the living space and comfort of our passengers, as well as to provide the best holistic in-flight experience within an aircraft’s constraints.

Thank you Yung Han Ng for your time.

The Airbus A350-900ULR will commence flights between Singapore and Newark on October 11th, with flights to Los Angeles also penned in November. The aircraft will feature 67 business class all-aisle access seats and 94 premium economy seats in a 2 x 4 x 2 configuration making it one of the least densely populated aircraft in the skies.

Emirates has once again kept itself ahead of the curve by refreshing its premium offering with brand new luxury products in their First and Business Classes. The new products stem from collaborations with Byredo skincare, Bowers & Wilkins and no surprises that  Emirates’ longstanding partnership with Bulgari continues, now with refreshed amenity kits.

For First Class customers, the Byredo travel wellness range of skincare feature and exclusive range of allergen-free and Chamomile products created for especially for Emirates, paired with a faux leather notebook and branded pen. The collection by European luxury brand, Byredo, was first introduced in Emirates’ new fully enclosed suites on the Boeing 777 last year and is now being rolled out across the fleet.

We’ve always been impressed by Turkish Airlines’ partnership with Denon, whose headsets are incredible for a business class experience, however, Emirates has take their First Class passengers to a new level of sound excellence with Bowers and Wilkins. These Active Noise Cancelling E1 headphones were designed Bowers & Wilkins exclusively for Emirates using a unique hybrid noise cancellation technology optimised for the Emirates First Class cabins.

It’s not all First Class opulence though. Passengers in the carrier’s business class are also being treated to new look Bvlgari amenity kits. Emirates continues its longstanding partnership with Bvlgari for the latest designs of the airline’s exclusive kit bags. The new set of amenity kits for both First and Business Class feature Bvlgari’s fragrance – Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert (Green Tea) – and contain skincare essentials to keep customers feeling fresh and pampered throughout the flight.

The First Class kit bags, made from faux leather, come in eight designs with a new range of colours for men and women. Eight additional designs are available in Business Class – four for men and four for women. The amenity kits are available on long-haul overnight flights and designs are refreshed every nine months. The bags have been designed for multipurpose uses after the flight to store headphones, make up or jewelry.

In addition to the Bulgari amenity kits, First Class customers will also be given Hydra Active moisturising sleep suits on long haul overnight flights. Just like Etihad, Emirates has seen the benefit of commercialising parts of its inflight experience. Fans of the First Class experience can now purchase the Emirates sleep suits, First Class blanket or the Bowers & Wilkins PX headphones from the Emirates Official Stores.

LATAM Airlines Group today unveiled its plan to transform the cabins and travel experience of no less than two-thirds of its global fleet with a US$400 million investment. The company will revamp the interior of more than 200 aircraft over the next two years with passengers being able to fly the first renovated aircraft relatively quickly, before the end of 2018.

For passengers travelling on long-haul routes including the US and Europe, LATAM will transform the cabins of its Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft as well as apply the revamped design to new Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A350-1000s due for delivery over the coming years.

The airline opted for a heavily customised Thompson Vantage XL in their Premium cabin, with trim and finish from their existing cabin design partner Priestmangoode. The new Premium Business seat and service focuses on privacy and rest. Every seat will have direct aisle access and has opted for the rarer ‘honeymoon arrangement’ offering seating options for both individuals and couples as well as a fully-flat bed. Each passenger will also enjoy a huge 18” personal screen and have ample space for personal items.

On new aircraft, the new economy cabin will feature ergonomically designed Recaro seats, offering greater comfort, fast-charging USB power ports, larger 12” individual seat-back screens and a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system.

The airline hasn’t opted to add a true premium economy cabin. In a similar move to KLM’s economy comfort seats, passengers in economy will also have the option to upgrade to “LATAM+ Seats”, offering increased space, greater recline and premium services such as priority check-in and boarding. 

“As part of LATAM’s long-term vision, the transformation of our cabins will enable us to offer an industry-leading onboard experience with more options, flexibility and personalization to better serve each and every passenger,” said Claudia Sender, Vice President Clients, LATAM Airlines Group. “This means being able to serve leisure passengers who want to ‘travel lighter for less’ at the same time as customers travelling for business who want privacy to both rest and work, in addition to those who wish to be able to upgrade the services that they value the most.”

For passengers travelling on domestic flights and routes within Latin America, LATAM have also announced they will transform the cabins of over 150 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. These will feature Wi-Fi connectivity and greater in-flight entertainment options as well as new ergonomically designed Recaro seats, offering greater comfort and fast-charging USB power ports. The airline has also bought their LATAM+ seats to their short and medium-haul fleet giving passengers across the entire network the opportunity to purchase greater space, dedicated overhead bins and premium services such as priority check-in and boarding.

LATAM spent three years fine-tuning the design of its new cabins – consulting passengers and experts, carrying out seat trials and ergonomic tests as well as 360 evaluations involving customers, cabin crew and LATAM team members. To select its Premium Business seat, the airline group even simulated flights with sleep trials over a two-week period.

“Following on PAL’s A330 retrofit and new A321neo with fully flat beds in business class, the A350 program was about underlining the airline’s positioning as a full-service, global network carrier,” says Daniel Baron, owner of Lift Strategic Design. “So it was important to look beyond the usual color, material and finish, and communicate ‘the heart of the filipino’ in a brand new way.”

It is true that in many cabin design programs, mood lighting is often considered after the rest of the trim and finish is in place due to the still-siloed approach to the passenger experience. “In the case of the PAL A350, the robust lighting system gave us the ability to make mood lighting an integral part of the onboard experience, with distinct scenes designed around country, culture and brand. We aimed for a new level of differentiation, a new emotional connection,” says Baron.

Lift has worked with Philippine Airlines on a variety of projects for over a decade, which meant that Daniel has spent a large proportion of his time in the Philippines. “Thanks to those experiences, we understand well the character of the nation and the aspirations of the staff. We wanted to communicate the spirit of a nation that prides itself on hospitality, on generosity, on celebrating life.”

Over five million Filipinos work outside their country, many for years at a time, sending money home to support parents and send kids to school. “They may be flying in economy class, but in my mind their hard work and sacrifices make them super VIPs. A lot of time was spent developing lighting scenes that would instantly say, from the moment they board the aircraft, ‘you’re already home’.”

The themes – some of the most vibrant in the skies – include boarding/deplaning, Christmas, Sunrise, Flag colours, Fiesta and Celebration, featuring a mix of motion lighting themes and static colour washes. The level of detail is remarkable, including the sunset theme which concludes during the final meal service, where a slow transition from midnight blue culminates with the “sun” in orange rising slowly above overhead bins toward the ceiling. As it fades out, the cabin sidewalls become bathed in warm amber.

The process took longer than most people would believe, and Daniel spent a week with two members of the PAL team at Airbus Hamburg, where the company’s abstract designs were transformed into simulations in the lighting mockup. “I am thrilled with the results. Many are first-in-the-world mood lighting scenes, unique to PAL and unmistakably Filipino.”