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 10. Many airlines scored between 60 and 70%, and quite a few just missed out on the top 10 list. 5 of last years list have dropped down the list, signalling the ever changing product levels throughout the industry. Our top 10 really reflects airlines that have invested into their product, or who still are seen as innovators.

10. British Airways [ new entry ]

2013 saw British Airways launch its new 787 and A380 aircraft slowly being rolled out across the network, and with this, the newly improved ‘Club World’ seats. Whilst we aren’t the biggest fans of the back to front seating configuration of the cabin (because of climbing over your neighbour), the improved seats fit perfectly with the new look premium economy and first class cabins. Whatsmore, in the 787 cabin, the solo rear facing seats in the centre of the cabin are the epitome of privacy. The new fleet are just the touchstone of the improvements across the network, including new business class lounges and spas, and improving service levels including at seat drinks service (rather than from the trolley). Even more, the new IFE, with better resolution screens and improved seats make sure that BA keeps on top of its product, offering the best it possibly can. However, with many One World carriers now embracing the reverse herringbone seats with greater space per passenger, we question how long BA will keep hold of the more cumbersome seat layout they have.
www.ba.com

9. Virgin Australia [ new entry ]

Virgin Australia may be new to our list, but its product is long lasting (since the launch of its 777 fleet) and the alignment of the V Australia and Virgin Australia brands have brought together a more unified product. The Virgin Australia experience is one of three Virgin brands that are in our list, and is of great competition to Qantas. Their business class product includes an inflight bar and the infamous row 5, which is super private and intimate and super friendly cabin crew. On the ground, an ever improving product, with a great new lounge in Melbourne is testament to the investment the airline is making into their product. Virgin is seen around the world as a market leader, and their friendly cabin service, comfortable seat and added social extra of an inflight bar, means the offering is better better than ailing Qantas.
www.virginaustralia.com

8. Etihad [ +1 previously 9th ]

Etihad has featured for the last two years running for good reason. Their product is still an impressive forerunner in the airline industry. We love the staggered seating environment, their clean modern lines that really make the airline a contemporary business class which the worldly traveller will have come to expect in this day and age. Mix together fine dining, massage functions, a fully flat bed seat, and each one of these boxes are well and truly ticked. Whilst the ‘World’s Leading Airline 2013′ has an award list as long as it’s arm, the business class cabin itself hasn’t won any awards for the past couple of years, but we here think this cabin is consistently of award winning quality, and firmly deserves its place in our Top 10 list. Plus secretly we are huge fans of the ‘Humbug’ bedding, super chic!
www.etihad.com

7. Virgin America [ new entry ]

So whilst strictly speaking Virgin America‘s short haul aircraft aren’t the first thought when it comes to international travel, with their flights across the border to Mexico, they do fall into this category. The second of our Virgin brands to enter the list, this little upstart airline just oozes cool. So they don’t have flat beds, or a turn down service, but these international flights are short hops and they pack a punch. Big white leather recliners, AVOD that is full of hidden extras and both The Loft in LAX or the Virgin Clubhouse in San Fran as bases, mean that it’s never been cooler to fly to Mexico than now. The service is brilliant, the food excellent and the seats super comfortable, but what we love the most is the mood lighting, in seat messaging, and wifi onboard. If only all American carriers could follow the mantra of Virgin America.
www.virginamerica.com

6. Virgin Atlantic [ -3 previously 3rd ]

Virgin Atlantic recently won our Top 10 Cool Airline brands 2014. The airline was the first airline to introduce Premium Economy and first to introduce individual IFE screens to business class passengers. It has been an innovator since it first started, and whilst it hasn’t created anything really groundbreaking in the past few years, it’s still an airline of choice. Whether travelling on their slightly older Upper Class Suite or their newer one, expect privacy, and a fully flat bed with separate mattress side for a more comfortable sleep. Also extras such as PJs, amenity kits and now onboard wifi on the A330s mean the airline is offering more of a first class product, but manages to match the price of British Airways. They also feature higher on the list than their BA counterparts due to a few key reasons, no trolley service (bar the afternoon tea service) more friendly pro-active cabin crew, and that extra privacy. Whilst best for solo travellers, the ottomans still mean it is possible to dine with a partner. We will be doing a full A330 report in the next few weeks at TheDesignAir so stay tuned!
www.virginatlantic.com

4. Emirates [ new entry ]

Whilst Emirates have a varied product in their business class cabin, they do have an excellent business class product on their A380 fleet, which is quickly being rolled out on all the major international routes. The success of the airline is very much based on their use of the A380, and its comfort and space. The business class seat in its herringbone format is perfect for both solo travellers, and the dual seats in the centre of the cabin perfect for partners travelling together. Together with a roomy and well appointed bar, the upper deck of the A380 is a haven for international travellers, with mammoth amenity kits, and a huge IFE selection played on a huge IFE screen, there is a lot that Emirates offers. On the ground, chauffeur drive service and a gigantic lounge in Dubai make sure that the product is all encompassing. There are no surprises they feature highly on the list, although the older generation aircraft with lie-flat seats and the occasional dip in service levels has left the airline a few points short.
www.emirates.com

4. Qatar [ - previously 4th ]

Qatar’ hasn’t shifted place this year, scoring a very decent 90 out of 100. Here’s why. Chauffeur services, private terminals, award winning cuisine and service, it is a pure delight to fly with Qatar even before you board. And when you board, the new 787 seating are next generation and competitive with their Middle Eastern counterparts, but not only that, they’ve recently announced new seats to replace the older ones on the A330 fleet, and new flat beds for the A320 fleet. But the previous versions, which cover most of their fleet is still excellent. The new A380 which will launch on the London route this year will be the perfect reason to fly with Qatar.  Winning countless awards inclusive of Airline of the Year 2012 by Skytrax, it is no surprise that the name is on our list, but with the introduction of the new business class seat (pictured above) across the fleet or the improvement of the current seats would boost the airline to the top of the airlines.
www.qatarairways.com

3. Korean [ new entry ]

Korean have just a wonderful and elegant product. Light airy cabins, beautiful cabin crew and excellent food and drink, as well as great connections through Incheon make for a great connecting airline between Europe / North America and Asia. The flat bed ‘Prestige sleeper’ seats especially on the A380, that take up the entire top deck, are matched with a ‘Celestial Lounge’ which whilst super clean and modern in appearance, is the perfect place to soak up a martini and chill out with a good book or friends. The whole ethos of the ‘Korean Air’ product is to experience effortless luxury, and they produce it vast amounts. Our judges get excited when they get the opportunity to fly with Korean, as they epitomise the Asian luxury carriers at a fairly decent price point. For those in need of some retail therapy, it’s also the only airline to offer an onboard real life Duty-Free shop. The pristine cabin crew uniforms also won our Top 10 airline uniforms 2013.
www.koreanair.com

2. Cathay Pacific [ -1 previously 1st ]

Cathay Pacific has never failed to impress, and can hold its own against Singapore Airlines, or any of the Middle Eastern carriers, synonymous with lavishing luxury on guests. Last year Cathay even won our best international business class 2013, a testament to the new seats they have rolled out through their fleet. What Cathay Pacific has done over the past three years is really impressive in the form of lounges, cabin crew service and frequencies, making them an airline of choice, whilst ensuring their price point still remains competitive. We are huge fans of Cathay, and their design ethos. Simplicity, functionality and luxury all work in harmony to create a quiet environment which makes the passenger the most important element. See why we love Cathay Pacific in our trip report.
www.cathaypacific.com

1. Singapore Airlines [ +1 previously 2nd ]

This scoring of 100 from our judges is rare, and well deserved, showcasing how faultless we feel Singapore Airlines’ Business Class product is, and securing it first place on our list. Last year we stated that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, but Singapore Airlines have done just that. Designed by JPA, the new business class seat is even better (can it be possible) than the previous incarnation of the seat – which is more First Class than business class. But the cabin crew, and food are still the biggest selling point to fly with Singapore. Fine china, excellent and extensive menus, beautiful wine pairings and champagne until you are full (and a little giddy) are all reasons to take to the skies with what still is the best airline in the sky. Sadly, they are also perhaps some of the most expensive, as when we have looked at travel options, Singapore has never come up the cheapest option across our flight options. With a home in Changi airport too, the whole experience from booking your flight to arriving at your destination, is effortless, and is as close as it gets to the ‘JetSet’ yesteryear we all wish we lived in.
www.singaporeair.com

Cathay Pacific’s Regional Business Class Seat

It’s been a while, but we are continuing our comparison reports on some of the most popular and competitive routes in the world. In the midst of our recent travel planning we noticed the great variety of carriers travelling between Hong Kong and Bangkok. There are 9 main competitors that run the city pair, formed of Thai Airways, Emirates, Sri Lankan, Royal Jordanian, Kenya Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific and Orient Thai.

Example of Emirates Business Class ‘Aisle’ Seat

We have picked the most comfortable and business practical of the 9 carriers. We have already whittled this down to five, taking out Bangkok Airways, due to its connections through another airport, Royal Jordanian for its seat comfort, Kenya Airways for the inability to book this leg separately, and Orient Thai, as it’s an economy only carrier. That leaves Thai Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and Sri Lankan. To make it easy we have highlighted our winners from each category in bold.

The Breakdown

Hong Kong Airlines’ Fully Flat Business Class Seat

We have quite rightly placed Emirates at the top of the list here, as their onboard product is far superior to that of their rivals on this route. The only downside to Emirates’ product is the fact there is only one flight a day, which may detract certain business customers, but their very low price point also makes it a very appealing choice.

Thai Airways New Fully Flat Business Class, only on the 777

Considering this being the home routes of Cathay, Thai Airways and Hong Kong Airlines, with much larger frequencies, both Cathay and Thai offer fairly inferior products, to that of Sri Lankan, Hong Kong Airlines and Emirates, and in the case of Thai Airways, with the large variety of aircraft used on the city pair, the experience can vary quite a lot depending on which flight is booked. Cathay’s regional product is also not as good against their rival Hong Kong Airlines which has opted for a fully flat bed on the short hop.

Emirates Award Winning Business Class A380 Seat

Cathay would naturally win based on their Hong Kong Lounge offerings, but Emirates has actually managed to have their own branded lounge in both destinations, even though their home is back in Dubai. This is another very nice touch. This month’s comparison just shows that sometimes it is worth checking out non-home-town airlines when you are looking at a trip.

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. There have been some game-changing entries to the market last year, as one of the most innovative years ever in regards to passenger experience. Our team of judges have reviewed the very best products and whittled down their ‘Top 10′ to experience in 2015 and rate them out of 100. As always, we look at the entire package when judging each airline, but we place a heavier weighting on aesthetic and design – after all, that is our forté here at TheDesignAir. One thing is for sure as we enter 2015. The passenger experience at the front of the plane, has never been better.

10. Swiss [New Entry]

A decade ago, Swiss was one of the best “designer” airlines, in part due to the input of designer Tyler Brule, who took to the airline to create a wallpaper-esque skew to the aviation experience. This was one of the first carriers to embrace texture, color, tone and fabrication to create a unique First Class experience. Even now, its First Class provides one of the most comfortable and well-designed cabins, although its slightly older, more open style doesn’t really compare with the more recent First Class “suites.”

9. JAL [New Entry]

This new entry is due to the product developments continuing with the carrier, which is constantly improving its First Class offering. JAL’s best products are found on its 777s. The fairly utilitarian cube-like suite may not have the luxurious and soft finishes found in its competitors, but the overtly Japanese style is what we really like about the First Class cabin. It is filled with gadgets and technology, but the opulent comfort expected of First Class still remains. JAL really has turned itself around to become one of the best Asian carriers.

8. Qantas [-2]

The airline that brought us our Top Airline Lounge 2012, Qantas, whose design was headed up by Marc Newson before his defecting to Apple, has a First Class product to be proud of. We love the natural color palette and the sense of space and serenity. Having one design source for its entire experience has paid dividends for the airline, with colors, textures and fabrications all working in harmony, from check-in to lounge to airline cabin. The A380s’ First Class cabins are the best in the fleet, offering much more space and larger TV screens, and we can’t forget to mention the award winning First Class lounge, which is out of this world.

7. Qatar Airways [New Entry]

Qatar Airways beat Etihad to the post with its new A380 First Class product and, while it is excessively luxurious, it does not feature the privacy or innovation of its competitor, which places the carrier lower on this list. That said, the super-huge seats and quality finishes, along with the A380 bar, make the First Class one of the best out there and, mixed with excellent dining options along with ground services, ensure that Qatar is still one of the best all-round First Class experiences in the skies. We love the deep color palette and designer touches employed on these (slightly delayed) aircraft.

6. Emirates [New Entry]

Appearing on our list for the first time—due to the amount of A380 First Class suites now available on Emirates’ network, which has increased its consistency of product—the airline was one of the first carriers to offer privacy sliding doors and more luxurious amenities than their competitors. While there is a wealth of walnut trim and polished gold finishes, the suites have a tongue-in-cheek bling feel that we now embrace when traveling with Emirates. After all, we all need a bit of over-the-top luxury in our lives from time to time.

5. Air France [New Entry]

Air France launched its brand-new 777 First Class cabins this year — called “Designer Suites” — which stay true to their name. With its softer touches, such as drape curtains for privacy and coloring that suits the super-Chic Parisian set, this cabin is one of the most feminine we have seen.

There is a touch of “living room” in it, making it definitely less airplane, more private residence. Another example of PriestmanGoode’s excellent cabin design, it excels above their previous projects, offering something truly unique and refined in appearance.

4. British Airways [+3]

Now that British Airways has rolled out its A380s, the new, larger First Class cabin is a designer’s dream. Plush finishes, neutral colors and automated window blinds all combine to create a thoughtful, well-executed environment that warrants the cost of the tickets.

These semiprivate “pseudo suites” are all angled away from the aisle (apart from on the A380 center seats) to provide a little extra privacy and a view out of the windows. Next year will also be interesting, with the announcement of new First Class suites for their 787 aircraft.

3. Cathay Pacific [-1]

Cathay’s latest First Class offering is sheer beauty. Following the spectacular refurbishment of its First Class Lounge at The Wing at Hong Kong International Airport, designers Foster & Partners extended the sophisticated, contemporary style into the First Class cabin to create a seamless design experience. The airline obviously prides itself with its connection to art and culture and has decorated the cabins with hand-crafted sculptural artworks created by Maria Lobo and Linda Leviton.

It’s the cabin finish we love, light and airy, grounded by deep red carpets, and cool, calm grays and whites, perfect for enjoying the amazing food offerings and a cabin service that is second to none.

2. Singapore Airlines [-1]

Designed in association with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the attention to detail here is superb, and shows great research into the seating habits of travelers in such products. This is a truly luxurious cabin with exceptional detailing and fabrication. Mix in the excellence of Singapore Airlines’ service and product, and there is all the reason for this being the top of our picks last time.

1. Etihad [+2]

Etihad has taken the top spot this year, moving up two places from its last appearance in the list, and for good reason. In case you have been living under a rock for the last 12 months, Etihad has revealed and launched its award-winning A380 and 787 interiors, which have revolutionized modern-day air travel. The aircraft, from top to tail, have been treated to a designer makeover, rebuilding them from the ground up with revolutionary new design concepts.

At TheDesignAir, it was impossible to ignore this “game changer” and nowhere has the change been more apparent than in the First Class “Apartments” on the A380. Situated on the top deck – with an aviation-first: single aisle on a widebody – the suites have been turned 90 degrees to offer full-length beds, and space that is unparalleled in the skies. The new designs represent the height of luxury, including: chilled mini-bars; fold-down, full-size beds; large, comfortable recliner chairs; swivel TVs; and vanity mirrors to make sure you arrive looking like a million dollars.

As well as The Residence (a private 3-room suite for two people), the A380 also boasts a warm and inviting lounge, separate shower areas, and all the service and quality in product we have come to expect of this relatively young carrier.

Six years in the making, this whole Etihad product has really been carefully considered, and the time and money spent developing this hotel-in-the-sky has been worth it. Every element, even down to the dappled lighting, has been created specifically for Etihad, making it one of the most customized Airbus types ever conceived. While still relatively new to service (commencing late December 2014), the product has been one of the most sought-after airline tickets.

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 standard of lounges being opened around the world. This arena seems to be where the battle is now seen between carriers. Lounges around the world have become more than just a place to relax or work before a flight. The last couple of years have seen these previously uninspiring vacuous spaces become areas of luxury and comfort, with a large emphasis on branding spaces. In a bid to win over consumers, airlines have invested heavily into premium products, and this is increasingly evident in their airport experiences. Many of the latest openings scored highly, indicating an increasing trend in airlines offering a more premium, more aesthetically and ergonomically considered space for far more well travelled passengers  Our team of judges have reviewed the very best products and whittled down their ‘Top 10′ to experience in 2015 and rate them out of 100. As always, we look at the entire package when judging each product, but we place a heavier weighting on aesthetic and design – after all, that is our forté here at TheDesignAir. Check out our last ranking here.

8. [Joint] British Airways Concorde Lounge, LHR [-4]

Having been rolled out two years ago, British Airways’ new First Class product supplies a real reason to fly First Class with BA. Reserved for First Class passengers only (no frequent flying economy passengers here), the best bit about the lounge is its fine dining restaurant. The menu is fairly extensive and both the food and the wine are truly at the top of their game. If you need some time to relax, BA offers ‘Cabana’ style rooms, with comfortable day beds and en-suite facilities. Obviously, flying First Class means that you have access to the Elemis spa, which is part of the larger lounge concept at Terminal 5. Forgot to book the Opera in New York? Don’t forget to check out the Quintessentially concierge, available only here at the Concorde Room, a lounge living up to its name, where time really does tend to go faster than you think.

8. [Joint] Qatar Airways Lounge, DOH [New Entry]

A sweeping staircase over a tranquility pond is just the introduction to Qatar Airways’ latest flagship lounge. A fantastically spacious lounge, covering two levels and 10,000 square meters, it is almost the size of ten Olympic-sized swimming pools and can play host to up to 1,000 guests at a time. Housing both the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge and the First Class Al Safwa lounge, this is the home to a wealth of amenities, including a Formula 1 simulator, a hotel, a spa and even squash courts. The design is the height of modernity and offers a luxurious start to any journey with Qatar Airways.

8. [Joint] Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, LHR [New Entry]

The original and most acclaimed luxury lounge in the world, Virgin Atlantic’s flagship lounge at London Heathrow has earned its place in our top 10 this year due to its continued and applauded brand partnership. Constantly reinventing itself, and bringing new technology and current trends to its most treasured passengers, Virgin Atlantic hasn’t allowed its lounge to become tired over the years. Continually trained mixologists, a luxury spa and hairdressers, mixed with a design that is inherently Virgin, contribute to keeping this product one of the very best and one of the original blueprints for the luxury lounge concept. Whilst the airline has had a recent injection from Delta, Virgin Atlantic has shown it truly has one of the best ground products that money can buy.

7. GVK Lounge, BOM [New Entry]

This brand new opulent and breathtaking pay-for lounge is spread across an area of some 30,000 sq. The GVK Lounge has the capacity to accommodate 440 guests and hosts some of the most innovative facilities and latest technologies in the form of Concierge Services, a Smoking Zone, luxury catering, a fully serviced bar, a Luxury Spa, a Shower Area, a Relaxation Area, a Library and a Business Centre. The only pay-for lounge featuring in our Top 10 list, it has a design element that epitomises the very pinnacle of modern Indian design.

6. JAL First Class Lounge, HND [New Entry]

As yet another new development this year, Japan Airlines opened this brand new addition to its first class wing in Tokyo Haneda this month, which, in our judges’ eyes, is both the height of modernity and luxury. Its crowning glory, called ‘RED Suite’, is JAL’s new adult hideaway; basically a space where the adults can get comfortable and forget about the airport for a couple of hours, whilst enjoying really comfortable and unique surroundings. Designed more for today’s Phileas Foggs than for super modern travelers, the lounge fuses classic ‘Gentleman’s club’ chic with a contemporary twist. The lounge is the epitome of luxurious design. Expect bowler hat lights, your own shoe-shine butler, table football, a champagne room and vintage navigation maps adorning the walls.

5. China Airlines Lounge, TPE [New Entry]

Having been open only a few months as part of China Airlines’ next Generation program, the lounge is the latest in a line of developments for the carrier. Situated in Taipei, this new lounge is the brainchild of Ray Chen, who had been employed to redesign the entire passenger experience. The luxurious and warm design aesthetic was inspired by the Song Dynasty, with the conceptual use of a “southern china style garden.” The well designed VIP lounge houses 222 seats, including a dedicated VIP zone for the airline’s most esteemed flyers, a large lounge area, an Internet and office zone, a quiet rest area with day beds, and a large dining area with an impressive tea bar. Additionally, China Airlines has included essential amenities such as showers, a breast-feeding room, and, naturally, free fast Wi-Fi access over the entire lounge area.

4. Cathay Pacific Lounges, HKG [-3]

Since the launch of The Bridge, Cathay Pacific has dominated Hong Kong International airport. Last year’s winner operates five effortlessly designed lounges located into every nook and cranny of the gargantuan airport. Among The Bridge, The Cabin, The Wing, The Pier and The Arrivals lounges, it is The Bridge that has now become the main attraction. Split into two sections connected by a walkway, on entering, the hardest decision you have to make is ‘left or right’, as each wing offers a slightly different experience. Cathay has managed to infuse a sense of unity in its design, whilst offering every traveler something to fall in love with. But it’s not just the clean lines, marble finishes, artworks, textures and soft furnishings that make these lounges sing to us. It’s the service level, whereby every staff member has evoked feelings of sheer delight every time we have visited.

2. [Joint] Qantas Lounge, HKG [new entry]

Also having opened this year, one of Qantas’ latest worldwide lounges has brought yet another luxury design element to Hong Kong International Airport. Designed in collaboration with SUMU design and CAON studio, the lounge has a distinct and contemporary eclectic design style, paying its respects to Hong Kong’s unique culture and varied design aesthetic. Situated in one of the best airports in the world, this Qantas lounge lives up to its host’s reputation, offering a variety of zones, from dining to relaxation, to work and entertainment. Among the elements that we love are the open ceiling, luxurious and varied seating styles, and the long bar, which provides a central focal point in the space. This design is so complex and complete that even a frequent traveler will discover something new at each visit

2. [Joint] Finnair Premium Lounge, HEL [new entry]

Having opened this year, Finnair is one of many carriers to have appeared on our list for the first time, and for good reason. Finnair has always paved its way as a designer airline, and the carrier’s latest lounge matches the new inflight experience, offering passengers a true example of Scandinavian design excellence. The Premium lounge, next to the current business class one, features three distinct areas, all bathed in mood lighting and soft finishes. The ultra-white lounge is also home to a children’s play area, a wall of Apple Mac computers, a staffed bar and even a sauna for those wanting to add a real Finnish touch to their flights.

1. Qantas First Class Lounge, SYD [+1]

Qantas is on a roll; having opened a handful of lounges in 2014 alone, the airline seems to have managed to successfully develop a winning formula. Although the lounges have been created by a collection of different designers, the original flagship lounge, designed by its Creative Director Marc Newson and architect firm Sébastien Segers Architecte DPLG, the lounge has really shown itself to be the ultimate template to follow. Although it is a few years old now, the lounge has refused to age, and still offers a contemporary haven in Sydney Airport. Whilst it features an impressive square footage, offering swathes of personal space, the area is compartmentalised to provide more intimate areas. For those seeking the ultimate hedonistic experience; if you have the time, there is a spa that can offer a 50 minute long full body massage surrounded by a living wall of lush green foliage. After the massage, why not visit the restaurant, with a menu created by Neil Perry (of Rockpool restaurant fame), serving fine Australian cuisine on tables designed to look like helipads and a wine list that any Michelin-starred restaurant would be proud of.

There are also a library, a business centre (naturally), and a sweeping panorama of the airport. What really contributes to set this lounge apart is the feeling that it was designed from the ground up, a space that wasn’t ever meant to be anything even resembling what it now is. The wooden veneers, clean white seating, splashes of red and living walls offer a calming, contemporary environment that doesn’t challenge the eye, but naturally provides a sense of relaxation and luxury. That is a difficult blend to master, but this lounge just seems to do so effortlessly.

Now that Qantas is operating the longest in the skies from Sydney, there is good reason to rest up and enjoy the lounge for as long as possible before boarding. With other lounges also scoring high in our list, there seems to be a trend for Qantas to have really managed to cement its on-the-ground offering as one of the best in the world.

We were delighted this month to be invited to experience Cathay’s latest airside lounge, situated in Tokyo Haneda, which we reported on late last year. Situated airside in Tokyo Haneda’s International Terminal, the brand new space, on the very highest passenger floor commands unparalleled views of not just Haneda Airport, but Tokyo’s dramatic and iconic skyline.

On entering the lounge it is obvious to see a dramatic change in direction for Cathay’s lounges, in part due to the introduction of Studioisle’s interior design signature style. It’s also very evident how large the lounge is considering its schedule operated from Tokyo’s more appealing of airports. With only three flights a day, there is no problem finding a space to claim as your own. Measuring in at 990 square metres, it is one of the largest Cathay Pacific lounges outside Hong Kong, with capacity for 189 people including a standing occasional bar area that can cater for approximately 40 people.

The general impression of the lounge is that of space, light, and warmth. Split into a variety of areas with differing personalities, there is a real feel of a grown-up ‘Soho House’ vibe to the space. Inside the lounge is a sultry bar area, a large comfortable relaxing area, a dining environment and centrally located a stand-up bar and bistro area for a quicker pop-in and out experience. Helping tie the whole space together are key retro-inspired furniture pieces effortlessly mixing with the warm and rich finishes and textures employed throughout the lounge.

Supporting the lounges main areas is both a well appointed business centre featuring macs and printers, as well as washrooms that unfortunately don’t feature showers (although considering the usual 3-4 hour flight to Hong Kong, there is probably little need for a shower – and those that need them can head downstairs to the newly opened JAL lounge, accessible to fliers too)

In our recent conversation with Toby Smith, head of product for Cathay Pacific, we learnt about the introduction of a new Iconic noodle bar installation, with more emphasis on the interaction between chefs and passengers – one of the key changes in the new lounge concepts. The result is brilliant, with glossy tiles framing a large and expansive counter, where staff take orders and prepare a wide array of dishes including Dan Dan noodles and fresh Japanese inspired noodle dishes.

The main lounge area is the best place if you have some time on your hands, with copious comfortable seats and the best views of the apron and major runways at Haneda.

The lounge, which is a very impressive step in the right direction for the carrier, showcases understated and considered design details. We love the designer side tables that decorate the lounge, each with pull out drawer with charging points, and zero cables or wires anywhere to be seen. In fact, wherever you sit, there are bound to be USB and power sockets within arms reach.

Food is of good quality in the lounge, with a variety of options, including a bistro style counter, served by lounge staff, the main noodle bar, but also the very beautiful cocktail bar, hidden behind cherry wood panels, and (perhaps ironically) situated next to the business centre.

Speaking with the team in the lounge, we found out the lounge really comes into its own at night, and we can understand that. The lounge has a lot of atmospheric lights, that will really set the scene for a really sexy and intimate lounge. It’s just a shame that there’s only one flight in the evening and operated by Cathay’s sister airline Dragonair. Being an A320 too, it has just a small business class cabin, meaning the lounge is virtually empty, giving you even more space to stretch out. That said, even on our midday flight on a high-density premium cabin 747, the lounge still felt spacious, but with a great vibe from the comings and goings of the passengers.

Bravo Cathay, you’ve set the benchmark very high for your future lounges, and have certainly conquered what used to be a very corporate and vacuous experience, adding warmth, design appeal and individuality, things that all lounges work hard to achieve. You may very well see one of us propping up the bar on a regular basis, and if you aren’t headed to Tokyo anytime soon, Manila, Bangkok, London and even Hong Kong’s new First Class lounge will give you a very similar aesthetic in the very near future – or just immerse yourself in our picture gallery below. Don’t forget to stay tuned to TheDesignAir for the latest Cathay Pacific Lounge openings.

The Big Picture

Flight: LA705
Aircraft Type: B787-8
Class: ‘Premium’ Business Class
Route: MAD-SCL
Flight time: 13:21
Seat: 4D
Date: April 2015

www.lan.com

Best for: Couples due to the seat config or smarter travellers wanting a better experience compared to the Iberia codeshare flying the same route.
The crowd: A full cabin, mainly Chilean, and either wealthy travellers or business travellers.
Business or pleasure: This route, considering it connects on to Frankfurt, is mainly for business travellers, although there is no wifi. International power ports will keep your devices charged, but being night flights each way, this is the perfect flight to relax and enjoy the IFE.
Routes: LATAM have 1600 flights a day, 800 of those from Santiago, it is well connected, however mainly in South America and the US. The flights to Australia and Europe help connect most of the world through its OneWorld code shares.
Frequent Flyer Programme: LANPass, fully compatible with TAM as well as offering the perks and treats of being a OneWorld member.
Best bits: Service, food and wine, although the fully flat seats, Dreamliner cabin and IFE make it a very enjoyable product.
Worst bits: We wish we were an inch shorter, and flying with someone we knew. The 2 x 2 x 2 seat config isn’t the best.

LAN 787-8 Premium Business Class Report

When we were asked to take a look at the new lounge in Santiago Chile, it gave us the opportunity to experience LAN’s older 787 product, just as they roll out their new 787-9 version. We had been excited to experience the product for some time, and had heard great things. Being the Dreamliner too, we were even more excited to try out yet another carrier’s 787 offering. Being over 13 hours in flight time, we were given plenty of time to experience a midnight dinner and early morning breakfast, as well as test Boeing’s ‘reduced Jetlag’ promise.

On the Ground

As we landed on a British Airways flight from London Heathrow, we were already in Madrid airport’s impressive T4 a few hours ahead of our trip to Santiago, however we were pleased to see even 4 hours before the flight, the check in counters were staffed and open. Naturally, so early before the flight, there was no queue, and we quickly walked up to the Premium Business Check In zone. LAN offer two flights that time of day, one to Lima, the other to Santiago, which explains the full aisle of check in counters available for the flights. Just a few hours earlier, passengers would have been checking in for the Madrid to Frankfurt flight, which is a great way to experience the product on a short hop in Europe.

We were greeted by a friendly, smiling check in agent, who made quick work of our baggage and even mentioned a previously-made request for an aisle seat in the main section. We already knew the configuration of the business class cabin, and opted for aisle access and knowing a passenger wouldn’t have been stepping over us. Whilst originally in row 1, the check-in lady kindly suggested we opt for row 4, where the noise from the galley and toilets was less likely to wake us on the flight.

We then made our way through to the satellite terminal at T4, which is a substantial 20 minute trek from check-in, where LAN offer the use of the Iberia Lounge. Unfortunately LAN don’t have access to the fast track security channel, but the queues were quick anyway.

The lounge, situated behind immigration, is situated (randomly) in the Duty Free area of the terminal. Large frosted doors open up to a long thin and expansive space for passengers to rest and relax before their journey.

The lounge is symmetrical whether turning left or right, however to the left, at the end, is a wine bar, featuring a good selection of excellent wines, and to the right, is the lounge’s restaurant, although that was closed when we visited.

The lounge was filled with buffet counters, offering hot and cold food, along with several drink stations, and snack bars. The lounge also features showers, a business centre and fairly fast wifi. (Here’s a tip, Iberia use the airport-wide wifi service, and the access code works in all the terminal, so no matter if travelling business or not, you can gain future access to the Wi-Fi)

The best bit is the fairly unobstructed view of the apron, and from this lounge you can see two of the runways, which were both in use whilst we waited. The lounge in nothing compared to LAN’s new lounge in Santiago, but was good enough to spend an hour or so in.

The Cabin

Boarding commenced a rather impressive 50 minutes before departure, however with a 5-10 minute walk to the gate, by the time we arrived, boarding was fully underway. There was a separate lane for business class passengers, although boarding commenced through the same door.

On stepping into the cabin, its clear how Boeing have really managed to change the passenger experience. LAN one of only a few of the only 787 operators to really use the trademark Dreamliner doorway arches that lift the ceiling height and give a real sense of space. The other real noticeable product on entering was the mood lighting, which, like one of Madrid’s trendiest bars, was flood lit in pink lighting.

The business class cabin is split in two by the doorway, with three rows of seats in front of the door and two behind the door. Unlike other cabins we are used to, there is no galley splitting the cabin, so the effect is one of spaciousness. With a configuration in a 2 x 2 x 2, 20 passengers will have access to the aisle (with the 10 middle seats not having the worry of someone stepping over) 10 passengers however, will have to step over a passenger to get to the aisle.

These passengers, however, will have access to the fun (yet gimmicky) tinted super-sized windows as well as a little more privacy in the cabin. As the flight progressed, there were many different lighting effects which dramatically changed the blank canvas of the cabin – so much so, we couldn’t actually tell the actual colour of the cabin walls.

The Seat

The seat itself is forward facing, and reclines into a fully flat bed, fitted with massage functions and memory recall for your favourite seat positions. Created as seat pairs, each pair is separated by a centre divider which holds a variety of storage holes, a tray table, cocktail table, IFE controller and in-seat charging points (both Empower and USB)

For those solo travellers there is also a partition which when pushed down, springs back up and offers a large amount of privacy. The seats, in striped red fabric are very comfortable to sit in, and also firm enough to sleep on without causing discomfort. In fact we slept for quite a few hours undisrupted.

Situated in front of you is a seat wall, and ottoman (not for sitting on) which features your own touchscreen TV, coat hook and even more storage units. What we really like with these seats is the fact your feet don’t end up in a foot-coffin, and remain open, allowing you to roll over and reposition during sleep without knocking your feet or feeling claustrophobic. In fact the touchscreen is so far in front of you, using the hand held controller is a lot easier than touching the screen.

The seats are wide and well proportioned, but our only criticism is that they aren’t long enough. At 5’10” we aren’t the tallest of people, and our feet and head touched either wall when fully laid out. We now wish we were either one inch shorter, or the beds were just one inch longer. Then, this bed would be virtually faultless. (We plan on heading out on the 787-9 by LAN to see if the carrier has increased the seat pitch)

The Entertainment

LAN’s IFE system is called ‘in’ and is fairly encompassing. Featuring a wide selection of movies, it is more than capable of entertaining even the most regular of fliers, especially considering the overnight nature of the flights – both ways. There are also box sets of TV show including Game of Thrones and Vikings and we enjoyed the breadth of TV programming including travel shows. The screens, measuring over 15″ were of great resolution and we liked the fact there was lenticular screening, meaning passengers travelling next to you had a dimmed view of your screen, giving you a little more privacy.

The headphones on offer were good quality and had active noise cancelling, although the cabin was already fairly quiet due to the advanced nature of the Dreamliner.

Also supporting the digital IFE was a very good magazine with fairly decent features. This was supported by an entertainment magazine and even a wine magazine, supporting the wine selection available on board.

The Food

On taking our seat, we were immediately offered a drink and assorted warm nuts. Hearing good things about the Pisco Sour, we opted for this, which was just as good as ones we had had on the ground. As boarding took a little while, we were even lucky enough to get a second drink before we taxied away.

We were also handed a menu, stored away in the seat, for us to select what we wanted before we took off. Being a midnight flight, this was a nice touch as the crew wanted to get everyone fed quickly before we settled in for the long night flight ahead. The menu also allowed for an express version, which was another nice touch, to help those more tired individuals get a good nights sleep.

Dinner

• Green Salad with seasonal vegetables

• Special selection of cheeses

• Tomato Soup with Basil and Parmesan
• Octopus in Vinaigrette with Vegetable Couscous
• Veal Loin in Port Wine Sauce served with Creamy Rice, Leeks and Grilled Asparagus
• Mozzarella and Tomato Panzotti in a Creamy Pesto Sauce with Tomato Ragout
• Mixed Greens with Smoked Salmon, Mozzarella, Asparagus and Toasted Almonds

• Mövenpick Ice Cream
• Raspberry Tart with Red Fruit Sauce
• Fresh Seasonal Fruit

Breakfast

Either a cold breakfast or hot breakfast including cheese omelet with Grilled Asparagus was on offer, and chosen from a tick-box menu handed out before sleep.

Wines

• Brut Premier Champagne, Louis Roederer
• Domus Aurea, Vina Quebrada de Macul, Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
• Zuccardi Q, Bodega Zuccardi, Malbec, 2012
• Vendimia Seleccionada, Pago de Ina, Temparanillo 2009
• Crios, Bodega Diminio del Plata, Torrontes, 2014
• Quintay Q, Quintay, Sauvignon Blanc 2014
• Croft, Villa Nova de Gaia, Port, 2009

The food was exceptional on board, and just after take off, another Pisco Sour offered and our table laid with a white table cloth. Approximately 20 minutes later, the first tray was served, which consisted of the Salad, Cheese, and starter. Our option of the Octopus was both light, zesty and packed full of flavour. The presentation as well for business class is excellent.

Shortly after devouring our starter, bread was delivered along with our main course. There was a large bread selection and the main course, whilst not as attractive as the starter was rich and filling. We opted for the Veal, the first time we’ve had that in the sky.

The creamy rice was an acquired taste, but still hot and worked perfectly with the rest of the dish. We decided to opt for the Tart to finish, just to settle the taste buds slightly.

We were offered more food after this, however we declined, instead opting for some sleep, and no sooner had we reclined the bed, the cabin lights dimmed allowing the majority of the cabin to get some shut eye, whilst other slower eaters soldiered on with the lights above their seats. Sadly no pyjamas are offered in business class, but this isn’t standard practice. Luckily we brought our own, and headed to the somewhat uninspired toilets to change.

We were woken up 2.5 hours before landing, and looking at the map, could tell we were well over Brazil at this point. Slightly disorientating as we didn’t realise how long we had managed to sleep for. Digging into the IFE, we were presented with fresh orange juice and a black coffee. Perfect recipe for waking us up. Shortly after, breakfast was served.

Forgetting what we had ordered the night before, we were pleasantly surprised by the food offered. The croissants were perfectly warmed, fruit salad tasty and fresh, and whilst the omelet was slightly buttery (you can see the butter in the dish) It was tasty enough, and our second serving of asparagus was just as crunchy as the first.

A couple more cups of coffee and croissants later, it was time to put our seat back into the upright position and get ready to land. The whole way through the flight, the cabin crew were attentive, professional and genuine, and even on leaving the plane, hands were shaken and warm smiles greeted each passenger as they left the plane.

The Extras

LAN offers a great deal of extras that really make a difference, from hot towels to welcome cocktails such as Pisco Sours. However its the smaller details that stood out, such as taking a breakfast order with us before we went to sleep so we didn’t have to fill in the form, kneeling next to us when speaking so we didn’t have to strain to maintain eye contact, taking our jacket before we had even had a chance to look for somewhere to hang it and of course, the staff offering a thick duvet and comfortable pillow within seconds of starting to recline our seat. However the unisex amenity kit, by Salvatore Ferragamo was deceptively packed full of goodies including vanity mirrors, shoe horns, combs and even tissues above and beyond the usual products found in a kit. LAN may not be so well known in Europe, due to its limited routes, however it certainly packs a punch.

In Conclusion

Although we had heard good things, we were surprised by the carrier, which has a hard product that is slightly less impressive than other global carriers, yet delivered beyond our expectations. The Aura seat by Acumen which LAN has adapted for its 787s is incredibly comfortable (if only 1″ too short), and privacy aside, a perfect seat for the 787, with the lower seat design giving wonderful expansive views out of the 787s oversized windows Perfect for looking out onto the Andes as we made our approach into Santiago, Chile.

But it is LAN’s service, and food and drink that really made this carrier stand out. Although the crew struggled to make conversation in English, (this shouldn’t be a pre-requisite and we understand that, this is a route that flies from Spanish speaking country to Spanish speaking country) the efforts were extraordinary to make us feel comfortable and the service felt 100% genuine. The wines on offer were really quite exceptional too, creating the perfect accompaniment to the food on offer.

When we landed, we felt happy and fresh, not suffering the usual grogginess we were used to feeling after such a long flight. Our skin wasn’t dry and our eyes bloodshot. There was a real noticeable difference in how we felt stepping off a Boeing Dreamliner compared to a usual flight, and that is well worth taking into consideration when booking a flight. The 787 and LAN seem to be a match made in heaven, and we can’t wait to experience the 787-9 to see how the new LATAM unified cabin make a real difference,

The Big Picture

THEDESIGNAIR.NET TRAVELLED AS GUESTS OF LAN

Avianca this week announced the latest opening of their new lounge concept in Miami International Airport. Located in Terminal J near boarding gate 12B, the lounge offers its services to LifeMiles Élite Gold and Diamond members as well as Star Alliance Gold, Priority Pass cardholders or Business Class travelers and their guest.

This is the 16th lounge run by Avianca that features space for 22o passengers throughout its 522 square meters. Designed to service Avianca flights throughout the day, the lounge is open every day from 3:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. Like its flagship lounge in Bogota, the space is divided into work, living area, coffee station, reading, entertainment, and rest areas, as well as an area especially designed for kids and restrooms. The lounge also offers full dining options including snack services, a menu of light meals, appetizers, alcoholic and soft drinks, internet, television, air conditioning, reading materials, fax and local calls.

Opened by Rodrigo Llaguno, Vice President of Customer Experience for Avianca, the lounge follows the same white, red and grey colour scheme that had become iconic in Avianca’s new brand direction. Although fairly simplistic in design, the lounge is an improvement to the previous offering and yet another enhancement to a carrier that is constantly improving its hard product.

JAL today announced a wave of improvements to their fleet and flight frequencies that will reach both domestic and international skies in 2016. The wave of improvements include the addition of premium economy to a host of destinations, expanding their current JAL Sky Suite aircraft and the introduction of a regional business class product to their new Embraer fleet.

Regional Improvements

Operated by J Air, the new fleet of ember aircraft will feature JAL’s J Class, a regional business class seat with their business class service offering to match. Initially introduced on the Osaka to Kagoshima route on May 10th.

The aircraft will feature 15 “J Class” business class seats in five rows of a 2 x 1 configuration and 80 economy seats in the economy class, meaning the Embraer 190 features a spacious 95 seats, even less than Alitalia or BA’s spacious Embraer cabins. Each of the seats offer universal power ports and leg-rests. In economy passengers will enjoy ergonomic leather seats in a 2 x 2 configuration.

International Improvements

While both Boston and Kuala Lumpur will both receive the new 787-9 product including the airline’s latest premium economy class and fully flat business class seats (an upgrade from the current product) the increasing demand for the PE product has meant JAL will roll out their Premium Economy product on the popular Honolulu route from Narita, Osaka, Nagoya and Haneda.

New Business Class

However, the most interesting news is that the airlines 777-200ERs will all be revamped with a brand new JAL SKY SUITE interior. The economy class will be equipped with the well-received Sky Wider seats and Premium economy seats (above) but the aircraft will also receive a brand new, fully flat product in business class, with the details not yet revealed by the carrier.

Whilst the current fully flat beds found on the airlines 777-300ER (above) and 787-9 aircraft offer semi-staggered seats, all with aisle-access, we can expect to see a similar product retro-fitted onto the 777-200ER. “It will be a new fully-flat seat, but we have no details to share yet about this new seat or configuration” Stated JAL exclusively to TheDesignAir.

We do know the new aircraft, will be progressively rolled out on a mix of Southeast Asia routes, mainly on the Haneda to Bangkok and Singapore routes from summer 2016 and Honolulu from the winter of 2016.

Air Canada last week opened a new Business Class check-in area in Toronto Pearson for their Business Class, Premium Economy, Premium Rouge and Alititude top tier fliers as well as gold members of Star Alliance. The area has been designed to offer a more relaxed environment for their premium passengers to check-in, including lounge seating, cool sleek slate finishes and planting to change the regular airport experience.

The new environment will act as a template for further check-in areas including those found in Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary.

“Air Canada is pleased to offer select Premium customers an enhanced level of care, including expedited check-in and concierge services, delivered in a lounge setting through our new Business Class Check-in at our Toronto Pearson global hub. Competition for Premium traffic is intense and we are responding to the expectations of this market segment for a comfortable and convenient airport experience,” said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.

“As the only Canadian carrier offering a Business Class cabin, Air Canada is already the preferred airline of 86 per cent of Canadian business travellers and we are recognised as the only Four-Star international carrier in North America. Along with other product innovations such as our next generation aircraft cabins and restyled Maple Leaf Lounges, Business Class Check-in marks a further evolution of Air Canada’s already industry-leading Premium services.”

In addition to Business Class Check-in, Air Canada has also intruded a series of innovations for their most prestigious premium customers. This includes refurbished Maple Leaf Lounges, a partnership with renowned Canadian chef David Hawksworth to style meals for International Business Class, enhanced check-in and boarding procedures, new cabin interiors on the Air Canada wide-body fleet, including next generation lie-flat suites in International Business Class and a designated Premium Economy cabin.

Alaska Airlines revealed a brand new look to an airline brand that has remained virtually unchanged for 25 years. The new refreshed look comes a couple of years after the airline refreshed it’s iconic wordmark to make it more legible, removing the strikethrough that the letter K created. The new brand was launched in a maintenance hangar in SeaTac where a new 737-800 was revealed in the new brand.

Beginning today, and throughout the rest of 2016, passengers and staff will see the visual updates in new signage at the airport, an all-new airplane paint job, a refreshed website and mobile app, as well as a full suite of other touch-points.

What is interesting to see is how the new brand came to life. “We’ve always been a company about genuine, caring service. Our values are staying the same, but it’s time for our brand to show up bigger,” says Sangita Woerner, Alaska’s vice president of marketing. “We’ve added 90 new markets in the past five years. As we continue to grow, we are updating the outward expression of our brand so it shows up bolder wherever we fly.”

“Our brand is our reputation and who we are as a company. The logo and identity, those are the outward expression of our strong commitment to our customers,” said Woerner.

But the brand shift seems to come up with an unexpected result. “Our goal was to bring more energy to the brand, so we brought color that represents the places we fly and our home here in the Pacific Northwest,” said Woerner. “We’re a brand that’s all about brightening your day, so we added some complementary blues and green to reflect that in our outward appearance.”

So whilst the carrier decided to name their new palette with colours such as “tropical green” for Hawai’i and Costa Rica and Alaska’s many international Mileage Plan destinations, and a palate of soothing blues: “breeze, midnight, atlas and calm.” the end result has been ribbon-like waves of colour that resemble the Northern Lights, something as synonymous with Alaska as the Eskimo on the tail itself.

When it comes to the livery, we love the balance found on the aircraft. The tail design is equally balanced by a bold (and enlarged) wordmark. The Logo typeface itself has been simplified, making it bolder and more contemporary, whilst maintaining the unique hand drawn character that became an iconic part of the brand over the past quarter-century.

The Eskimo on the tail has also been simplified, partly due to the brand now living in the digital age. Alaska states “The Eskimo of the 1990s was too detailed to render well online and on mobile devices. The team smoothed and simplified his features and expanded his ruff to include pops of colour.”

The addition to the ribbons of colour on both nacelles and winglets, along with grey underbelly mean that the aircraft are nicely balanced and Alaska has refrained from the simple Eurowhite design that many other carriers have opted to follow with their latest liveries.

“[The changes are] subtle,” said Alutiiq artist Alvin Amason, who shares a studio with Eaton and was also consulted by Alaska Airlines. “You haven’t revamped it – you’ve made it ‘today’.”

In focus groups before the brand updates, fliers unfamiliar with Alaska described its look as “corporate, functional and a bit cold.” The simple changes of streamlining the “icicle font” in the wordmark and adding green began to dramatically change people’s first impressions of the brand.

“This sets us up for future growth,” Woerner said. “We’re a fiercely independent company, and we’re updating our brand to take us into the future.” Horizon fans will be pleased to know the Horizon brand will follow suit in 2016 too.

Well done Alaska for creating a modern, contemporary refresh whilst remaining true to the original brand. Sometimes a gentle nudge forward is all that is needed to bring life back to a brand.

Qantas has just launched a brand new safety video that showcases Australia in all its natural glory. From an oxygen mask demonstration at the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart to a life-jacket demonstration at Bondi Icebergs, the video will be introduced across Qantas’ domestic and international fleet from today, as well as featuring on the airline’s online channels.

While the video is first and foremost a safety communication, it will also form the basis of a new tourism campaign. It’s a clever brand partnership that has a logical symbiotic relationship.

Qantas and Tourism Australia will work together over the next 12 months to promote the locations featured and maximise the benefits for local tourism operators. In particular, Tourism Australia will lend its social media marketing power, helping the video reach millions of people globally.

Amenity Kits

Meanwhile Qantas has also launched a new collaboration with iconic Australian brand, Country Road which provides the premium economy passenger with an elevated product offering to what is currently seen in most premium economy cabins. Working with Watermark Products, this funky and stylish amenity kit was launched onboard on Australia Day, last week.

“We love what Country Road does and we’re really proud to partner with such an iconic brand to give our customers around the world an authentic Australian experience when they fly with us,” said Phil Capps, Qantas’ Head of Product and Service Development.

The new premium economy amenity kits will be available in on all Qantas Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 flights, including to London, Dubai, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Santiago and Johannesburg.

Starting this month passengers on XiamenAir may notice they are being served by cabin crew wearing entirely new threads. The new uniforms for men will join the women’s uniforms that were launched May last year.

Designed by famous Taiwanese fashion designer Jamei Chen, the new male uniforms for include off tailored silhouettes that hark back to the JetSet era, whilst being fused with contemporary touches such as mandarin collar shirts and stylish black leather gloves.

Personally we love the new look as a whole and how both male and female uniforms sit perfectly together. The colour palette used is sharp and modern, with aqua and cobalt blue tones running through the uniforms. “The empire waist design used on dress and waistcoat makes the uniform more classic and gives the wearer a better figure. The combination of different blue comes from the brand color which represent the sky and the sea.” State XiamenAir on their new uniform.

We also love the touches of black used to complete the outfit. The smart pill box hats, waist bands and gloves on the ladies outfit adds a ‘fashion catwalk’ edge to the uniforms whilst the mens three piece tailored suit feels understated, smart and effortless with the hidden buttons on the waistcoat offering clean sharp lines.

This isn’t the first Asian airline to employ a couture designer to work on their uniform. ANA has also had a uniform designed by Prabal Gurung, whilst the Christian Lacroix uniforms for China Eastern and Gianfranco Ferré designed Korean Air uniforms both featured in our Top 10 Uniforms 2015.

The Big Picture

British Airways this week announced they will start flying from Stansted to four sunshine routes starting May 28th. This will be the fourth major London airport the carrier will fly from, including Heathrow and Gatwick and London City, leaving only London Luton currently unserved by the carrier.

The airlines latest route network, operated by BA Cityflyer’s 98 seater Embraer 190’s will include the popular holiday sunspots of Faro, Malaga, Palma and Ibiza (all already served by Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports).

Passengers who are offered lounge access will be able to use Stansted’s own ‘Escape’ lounge which includes a large seating area, buffet and a la carte dining, as well as complimentary WiFi.

The addition of British Airways reflects Stansted’s recent repositioning to include new premium shopping and dining outlets, new lounge and their already established fast track security, designed to attract legacy and premium carriers, changing their perception from a low-cost airport, to a mixed ‘leisure airport’ such as London Gatwick.

The airport has had a history of legacy carriers attempting to fly to and from the airport, including American Airlines, Continental and even Turkish Airlines, although the only current legacy carriers include SAS, Austrian and now British Airways.

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TheDesignAir is proud to launch our Top 10 lists for 2016 starting with our Top 10 International First Classes. Competition this year is tough, with a lot of carriers around the world investing into the front of the plane. TheDesignAir has adopted a new judging matrix for 2016, which includes a variety of criteria including cabin design, seat design, service, amenities, space, privacy, connectivity, entertainment, chauffeur drive service and our acknowledgement to carriers who are going ‘above and beyond’ from an aesthetic and design perspective. Now for the top 10…

10. Garuda Indonesia [new entry]

TheDesignAir Rating 81%
Garuda Indonesia has entered our list this year due to the roll out of their new 777-300ER first class cabins. The five-star airline offers an excellent hard product featuring a well-designed intimate cabin with eight perfectly proportioned private suites. The sliding doors, luxurious finishes, large IFE screens as well as comfortable bedding makes for a sky-high sanctuary, especially on their long-haul European routes. But this hard product mixed with the excellent soft product, amenities, fine champagnes and excellent menus mean this carrier is well worth a trip.

8. [joint] Asiana [new entry]

TheDesignAir Rating 83%
Asiana has an element of quiet sophistication to their first class offering, and their A380 first class product is well deservedly on our list. With giant 32″ TV screens, excellent IFE offerings and suites with doors for added privacy, the seats don’t disappoint, with only the slightly ‘off’ colour scheme of the soft furnishings raising any negative comment from us. The carrier naturally provides the level of service, food and beverages a passenger should expect from an Asian carrier and the added benefit of chauffeur service across the network creates an added level of luxury.

8. [joint] British Airways

TheDesignAir Rating 83%
British Airways new First cabins found on the 787-9 Dreamliners are the best designed cabin to be launched with the carrier. The mix of luxurious detailing akin to a British sportscar, lavish lighting, large comfortable seat that turns into an expansive bed and giant fixed TV screen means British Airways have listened to passenger feedback and now perfected their product to bring it in line with the very best around the world. With a service level to match the hard product and amenities such as pyjamas and slippers on offer, the carrier’s intimate cabin feels more like a flying luxury hotel than an aircraft cabin.

7. Cathay Pacific

TheDesignAir Rating 84%
While it is easy for us to wax lyrical about Cathay Pacific‘s new First Class Pier lounge launched last year in Hong Kong and why that alone would deserve a place on our top 10 list; the fact the carrier has one of the largest seats, best service and most luxurious amenities flying the globe also warrants its place. Designed by Foster and Partners, the cool calm luxurious tones of the seats are offset by rich deep coloured carpets, wooden veneer and dark grey finishes. The cabins also feature individual artworks, made of copper and steel created by Maria Lobo and Linda Leviton.

6. ANA [new entry]

TheDesignAir Rating 85%
ANA have been continually updating their product to offer a truly modern Japanese product. The minimal design aesthetic puts form and function at a happy balance, and the ANA first class square suite includes a wardrobe, ample storage, large comfortable chair that reclines into a fully flat bed featuring a separate mattress and pyjamas. Also on offer is a 23″ wide screen, large lacquered table, fine dining including some of the most beautiful Japanese airline cuisine and Samsonite amenity kits. It is no surprise that ANA is one of the leading airlines in the world.

5. Qatar Airways

TheDesignAir Rating 87%
Qatar Airways may now only have a first class product on their A380 but the A380 flagship features super-huge seats and quality finishes along with in-aircraft amenities such as the walk-up bar. A world-class lounge, fine dining, luxury amenities and expansive inflight entertainment ensure that Qatar is still one of the best all-round First Class experiences in the skies. We applaud the deep color palette and designer touches employed on these aircraft although we wish the seats would offer a little more privacy.

4. Emirates

TheDesignAir Rating 89%
Arguably the most common of all the first class cabins, due to the sheer number of Emirates suites flying international routes all over the world, these cabins are tried and tested and relatively well priced. While the design isn’t as reserved as we would usually like to see, it can only be described as opulent, and that is what a passenger would expect to see from a first class experience. Suites with sliding doors and the most expansive IFE libraries in the sky, onboard showers even a walk up bar with free flowing champagne means that Emirates offers everything a first class passenger could need.

3. Air France

TheDesignAir Rating 90%
Air France‘s latest first class cabin has climbed up the ranks this year due to their fantastic new product, which has come to life with their latest cabin refresh. Cool, calm muted colours with splashes of red and large draped curtains makes La Premiere the epitome of French style and sophistication. We love the cabin designed by Priestmangoode with its touches of Jetset glamour that airlines around the globe are trying to reproduce again. Fine champagne, caviar, excellent wine cellar and the very best french cuisine lift the hard product to a very enviable 3rd place this year.

2. Singapore Airlines

TheDesignAir Rating 92%
Coming in second place for the second time in a row, Singapore Airlines first class product is almost total perfection. Designed in association with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the attention to detail on the hard product is superb, and shows great research into the seating habits of travelers in such products. The 777’s truly luxurious cabin with exceptional detailing and fabrication and new seats match the lavish experience found on the carrier’s also phenomenal A380 suites. Mix in the unparralleled excellence of Singapore Airlines’ service & product and the inflight experience is faultless. If the carrier also adopts a chauffeur experience the rating would climb higher.

1. Etihad Airways

TheDesignAir Rating 100%
Etihad has taken the top spot for the second year running for good reason. Whether travelling on the A380 or 787, the carrier has reimagined the first class experience. Onboard the aircraft from galleys to the bar, everything has been redesigned to give the carrier an appearance closer to a luxury hotel instead of an airliner.

We’ve applauded the carrier for the past couple of years and for good reason. Etihad has matched a restrained and luxurious cabin interior with customer service levels that it is famous for. Etihad have received a faultless 100% score because hard product, showers, onboard bar, amenities, chauffeur service, lounges, food and drink, network and service all work in perfect harmony to create a designer haven that is without comparison. With the new First Class lounge scheduled to open early this year, the passenger experience is only going to get better.

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At thedesignair.net we are great fans of Cathay Pacific’s product. The seamless experience is effortless and well considered. From their onboard product to their lounges, attention to detail seems paramount, and it’s this design ethos that has put them at the top of the Lounges 2013. We take a closer look at their lounges, and give you a first hand experience of the product.

The Bridge
Perfect for those missing home

The Bridge, Cathay Pacific’s latest lounge, is situated at the far end of the airport, can be accessed either by the train, or 5-10 minutes down the departure hall on the multiple conveyor belts (Which can be worth the slightly longer trek, as there are a few art exhibitions on route, that are worth a quick stop-and-look.) On arrival, you are presented by a long white marble desk, similar to that of all the other lounges. The biggest decision on arrival is either left or right. Right, and you head to a long champagne bar, a Bakery and a TV lounge, turn left and you can sit at the bistro or take a shower, in both wings, you can enjoy the homely comforts of the main seating areas.

Although the full review here gives a detailed description of the lounge, it doesn’t impart our personal experience from our trip to Hong Kong last month. When we visited the lounge, it had just turned night-time, and the space feels just like we would want our house to be if we were extremely wealthy: comfortable, intimate and luxurious. The ‘lounge style’ furniture here isn’t just style over substance, the seats were very comfortable, the lighting intimate, but perfect for reading or relaxing by. The sectioning of the areas meant that you never felt like you were in a crowded lounge, and apart from the two dining areas, the bistro and the bakery, you would feel like there were only a dozen other souls in the lounge.

The views from the two wings of the lounge are great as well, giving a great view of aircraft coming and going from the airport. By far, the quality of the lounges, the art-works, the service and the dining (which throughout the lounges was of a similar proposal and level of quality) meant the Bridge was our favourite lounge, but to be honest, it was difficult to choose a favourite, as each had its merits.

The Wing
Perfect for travellers running short on time

By far the most conveniently located lounge of all, The Wing, which is also the airport’s largest, is situated just after passport control on entering the departures hall. The lounge which can be accessed from the same level for First Class passengers, or the lower level for business class passengers, is perhaps the older brother of The Bridge, but it also has the same level of service on offer. Situated over two levels, the lounge is large, and feels open to the elements with the large arching canopy of the airport’s terminal still on display, but the openness helps give the lounge passengers the chance to relax and embrace the space on offer.

With a wealth of grey granite, white marble, bamboo and off-white leather, the upper levels can appear cold, and probably best enjoyed in daylight, rather than the sterile airport lighting, but for those looking for something cosier, especially at night, head to the downstairs lounge (whose view isn’t great), with it’s own buffet bar, art gallery, workstations and showers, it’s almost worthy of being its own lounge in its own right. Upstairs though, the myriad of zones, buffet stations, noodle bars, and the most ridiculously long marble bar mean that any passenger can find the perfect spot for themselves to sit, relax and do some last minute emailing before the flight.

It’s fair to say, The Wing serves a good purpose, and is in so many ways, far more superior to most airport lounges out there and its convenience is perfect, situated near the shopping area, and train terminal to take you to most of the gates. Whilst great for business travellers who need some space for a meeting, or who are travelling in a group larger than two, the lounge’s uber-cool sterility, on reflection meant we were more drawn to the other lounges on offer.

The Cabin
Perfect for travellers with a loved one

Noted for it’s position in our top 10 lounges 2012, ‘The Cabin’, which was new at the time, hasn’t even come close to showing its relatively young age. The subterranean-feeling lounge is accessed mid way on the left hand side of the main departure hall, located near the Dragonair lounge, and is accessed by lift or staircase. Once down in this almost secretive getaway, you are greeted by the familiar looking white marble desk and a view of the airport apron. Once in, right takes you to a business lounge, which at night is light dramatically by a blue backlit wall, which is vibrant and energising.

Head left and you will experience the rest of the lounge, a series of spaces situated in a long and thin lounge, connected by a ribbon of lush red thick carpet, and with a seamless view of the aircraft and hills in the background. Inside the lounge is a dining area on the back of lounge, and lounge seating at the front. It’s very dimly lit in here, and almost romantic in nature. Some of the seats by the windows look out and are perfect mini-sofas for snuggling up to a loved one, whilst watching the world go by.

Or if you are a solo traveller, some of the laid back retro-recliner chairs are perfect for sitting with a drink and checking your emails before a flight. We liked the den like nature of the lounge, and it’s layout and design reminds us slightly of the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in San Francisco. This is definitely the quietest of the lounges, and that may be of appeal to a great many travellers in the rather hectic Hong Kong Airport.

The Pier
Perfect for those who don’t want a long walk

Another lounge that’s under the main concourse, and situated on the north pier of the airport’s departure hall, the deceptively large lounge was remarkably busy for being so far away from the passport control. The reason for this, is its size and location is perfectly suited for Cathay (and OneWorld) departures headed from the far end of the airport. The lounge, which is split into three clear areas, a champagne bar, a main relaxing lounge and a dining area. Part of the lounge was sectioned off for First Class passengers only.

This lounge offers all the creature comforts of the other lounges, and it’s popularity made it a buzzy atmosphere. Although the ceiling is the same height as the lounge in The Cabin, the larger nature of the lounge makes the ceiling feel a little low, but this does help to make the space a bit more intimate. A lot of the passengers here seemed in fairly large groups when we arrived, perhaps this is a good location to hold meetings, but we saw no more merit to this lounge over the others to support that fact.

To be honest, it’s a lounge that was successful, and whilst we would be happy with any of these lounges for a long period of time, it felt more like an outstation lounge, one that you would see away from it’s home base, and this may be reflected in the fact the newer lounges have upped the ante.

The Arrival
The perfect quick fix-me-up before heading off into the Blade Runner capital of Hong Kong.

The Arrival on the land side of the airport is a small, but perfectly formed lounge which will be the perfect place to have a shower and a quick bite to eat before the long trek into town. The seating area is small but this isn’t a waiting room, the lounge focusses its attention on showers and giving passengers a decent meal to complete the business class experience.

The showers are by far some of the best we’ve had. Hot water is instant and the showers powerful. The shower rooms are also amazingly spacious, giving plenty of space, and meaning we don’t have to do the changing room shuffle to get changed. Once refreshed, heading to the dining table, being presented with a hot food menu, was a surprise, as the buffet bar looked more than ample. The Bento Box we received was tasty and really another mouth watering treat after the excellent breakfast onboard.

Our friends at Hawaiian have just released a video time-lapse of the painting of their very first ATR. Whilst we announced this a while ago, secretly we’ve been waiting for the chance to see this livery for real. The new aircraft are absolutely stunning and are yet another winning livery for the pacific – which seems to be the hotbed of good liveries (Hat-tip to Fiji Airways). The latest livery, by Hawaiian artist Sig Zane and son Kuha’o is a complicated masterpiece which showcases the route network of the island along with interpretations of traditional pacific island graphic prints.

The livery will be a welcome addition to the isles, although we have to say, the registration bubble on the rear of the aircraft annoys us a little bit (as I am sure it will the designer) Whilst it has to be there, and there isn’t much that can be done about it, as it has to be legible, seems like a sore thumb on an elegant design. Perhaps removing the purple outline to the bubble would have been a more subtle way of placing the registration – or placing it on the lighter area of the design. We are headed out to Hawaii next month, and will try to get some more pics and information. In the meantime, what do you think of the new livery?

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

However, the airline has updated the mattress to include one surface which is firm and a soft reverse side, dubbed “airweave DUAL MODE” the new mattress will be served in First Class in JAL SKY SUITE 777 on their Japan – London, Los Angeles and New York routes. We love the fact that passengers are now able to make different choice by preference and enjoy a more comfortable sleep during flights.

‘This specially designed airweave ‘DUAL MODE’ was originally created to aid the sleep of Japanese representatives for Winter Olympics 2014 in Sochi. In the airweave mattress, the density of the material is gently changed into many layers to create a comfortable bed functioned with firm and soft at both surfaces separately. Additionally, and cleverly, there is an increased density of material that can perfectly support the waist and provide ideal lying posture.

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 ‘The Bear Essentials’ featuring renowned television adventurer Bear Grylls. But the latest is perhaps one of the most controversial yet.

Titled ‘Safety in Paradise’ released a few days ago, the film was shot in the picturesque Cook Islands and features some of the biggest names in modelling. Chrissy Teigen, Ariel Meredith, Hannah Davis and Jessica Gomes all star while one of the original supermodels and three time Sports Illustrated cover girl, Christie Brinkley, makes a cameo appearance from her supposed ‘home’ in Los Angeles.

“The behind the scenes video (released last week) has generated much conversation around the world about our brand and the Cook Islands as a destination since it was released last week. It’s exciting for us to release the full video today and we hope it will encourage many viewers to consider a trip to the Cook Islands,” says Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand Head of Global Brand Development. This is a clever turn around from Air New Zealand, who faced fierce opposition to the video. This isn’t the first time women have been used so obviously to promote an airline, from the world’s largest low cost carrier, to carriers in Asia, the timeless image of women and airlines still has strength in brand promotion, and always spark column inches in the newspapers.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editor MJ Day says Safety in Paradise is an exciting component of the magazine’s 50th anniversary celebrations. “Our partnership with Air New Zealand is brilliant in every way. We were able to create a raucous safety video in the true spirit of SI Swimsuit and our Kiwi friends,” says Ms Day.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has a major worldwide marketing campaign planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the magazine and Air New Zealand will feature in that activity.The Cook Islands is a key Pacific Island destination for Air New Zealand. The airline has operated flights there for more than 40 years and in 2013 alone carried almost 200,000 people to the island paradise from Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles.

Royal Brunei has just announced the latest in their branding developments at the new and improved airline. Today was the announcement of their new cabin crew uniforms, replacing the older (and bolder) red and yellow uniforms. The new uniforms follow the traditional Brunei fashion, and as stated by the airline, “the new collection reflects tradition, while evoking a modern simplicity.” The new threads will be launched in April to coincide with their Dreamliner launch to Melbourne

RB is proud that most of their project has been developed, implemented and completed in Brunei. Much of the design work was completed internally to ensure the new ensemble reflects Bruneian tradition. In addition, the fabrics have been carefully selected and tailored by Brunei based Khazanah Lady House, with matching shoes from BATA Brunei.

New female crew blouses have been tastefully detailed with traditional songket patterns along the hem, trim and back and flower patterns on the fabric. Colours will range from coral dust to morning sky to ‘fresh’ mint, based on the seniority of the crew. This warm spectrum of colours has been designed to reflect the friendly and welcoming nature of the new RB brand. Matching traditional headscarves and flowing chestnut brown skirts will complete the updated ensemble.

Male crew members will be wearing three-piece suits in matching brown, with a similar spectrum of Malay-inspired shirts and traditional standing collars. The male uniforms come across more considered in comparison to the girls, where you can see elements such as the shoulder pads hanging off of the shoulder.

Whilst we love the change and it’s great to see the use of locally sourced workmanship, it is sad to see the more opulent designs go. The previous designs had a print which was bold and striking, but the new designs, with their more subtle and sophisticated look do sit better within the cabin and have a much more modern cut. The release of the images doesn’t showcase the rest of the uniform, such as jackets, raincoats, or any other changes, but for a conservative country, these uniforms (more so the girls than the boys) could be elegant.

What we might have liked to have seen was more synergy with the new brand image. There are no references to the yellow sash livery (reserved for royalty), but yellow could have been a great key colour to really lift the uniforms further and modernise them especially in small doses such as the trim or lining. The name tags also sadly feel unconsidered. To us, there seems to be a lack of a uniform company being used which may be a mistake, as the uniform fits are a little awkward and there isn’t enough connection with the new brand and the uniform.

That said, the airline should be proud of constantly putting its feet forward. No doubt, through wearer trials the designs may be adapted, fine tuning the design to an international standard.