From enhanced service on select transborder routes to exclusive vintage Champagne, these seven airlines have definitely stepped up their game for premium travelers. Here’s what I’m (hopefully) trying soon…
Air Canada Signature Service
On June 1, Air Canada became the only North American carrier to offer flatbed seats and enhanced service on select transcontinental flights between the US and Canada. The Canadian airline offers ‘Signature Service’ on select widebody flights from Toronto (YYZ) to/from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO); and from Vancouver (YVR) to/from Newark (EWR).
Air Canada’s Signature Service on transborder routes includes:
▫ Celebrity chef meals, enhanced wine, premium spirits, and the option of espresso or cappuccino
▫ Air Canada Signature Cocktail
▫ Enhanced bedding with lie-flat seats
Photo Credit: Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir
SWISS First Class Lounge A – Zürich
Live and Let’s Fly reviewed the new SWISS First Class Lounge A, calling the space “stunning.” The new lounge features exclusive amenities that resemble Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal at Frankfurt. SWISS Lounge A offers private check-in facilities, a private security checkpoint, and à la carte dining.
Oiled wooden floors, walls made of limestone from the Jura region and sophisticated furniture from Swiss designers Vitra and De Sede ensure for a consistent look around the world. The signature design is omnipresent, greeting you in all SWISS Lounges in Zurich.
SWISS First Class Lounge A | Photo Credit: Live and Let’s Fly
Finnair x Marimekko Livery
Finnair x Marimekko Kahvikutsut Service
Photo Credit: Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir
Finnair recently enhanced its business class offering to include a Kahvikutsut service, a traditional Finnish coffee course with seven different sweets. Yum!
Finnair also refreshed its business class cabin, continuing its partnership with Finnish design house Marimekko. New cabin textiles like seat covers, pillows, and blankets embrace contemporary Nordic design. David Kondo, Head of Cabin Interior Development at Finnair, describes the design influences:
One is the Nordic interior world, and the other is landscapes, since nature is a big part of our brand. We are aiming to bring a slice of the Nordics to the aircraft cabin.
Finnair A350 Business Class Cabin | Photo: Business Traveller
El Al Boeing 787 Dreamliner Business Class
El Al finally upped its business class game with the introduction of its Dreamliners. The Israeli flag carrier partnered with renowned design firm PriestmanGoode to design three new cabins and the airline’s refreshed brand identity. New 3D bulkhead branding includes this gorgeous bespoke design:
EL AL New Brand Identity | Photo Credit: PriestmanGoode
El Al Boeing 787 Business Class Cabin | Photo: PriestmanGoode
SAS Business Class Champagne
SAS Scandinavian Airlines bought an entire stock of unreleased vintage Champagne to serve in business class. Passengers flying SAS business class will be the only ones in the world to taste the Charles Heidsieck 2005 vintage Rose. While the cabin is a few years old now, I still think SAS’ “new” business class is one of the sharpest looking products in the sky.
Photo Credit: SAS
SAS Business Class | Photo: AirlineTrends
Singapore Airlines New Regional Business Class
The word “regional” typically does not evoke premium in the world of commercial aviation, but Singapore Airlines defied expectations yet again with the introduction of a new product for its 787-10 aircraft. The 1 x 2 x 1 configuration is worthy of longhaul service, but Singapore will only fly the aircraft on regional routes throughout Asia and Oceania. Singapore currently flies the new aircraft to Tokyo and Osaka.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 Business Class | Photo: Business Traveller
Aeromexico 737 MAX MiQ Business Class Seats
Aeromexico’s new business class seat on its 737 MAX aircraft probably won’t receive any awards, but the design process behind the new seat is rather interesting. The MiQ seats (not a spy agency…) features design elements that can be switched out without replacing the entire seat. Check out this cool GIF:
Aeromexico MiQ Seats | Image: APEX
Aeromexico Business Class 737 MAX | Photo: Aeromexico
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4 comments
love the design of the new Aeromexico short-haul biz … wonder if nonstop US-Cancun flights will have that product, or it’s pretty much only flights bound for MEX
Agreed, very sharp. AM has the MAX 8 scheduled on MEX – BOG, LIM, and MTY – and looks like AM is keeping the MAX 8 solely on those routes for now… hopefully US routes are next 🙂
[…] definitely adding these lounges to my list of top premium travel experiences to try in […]
[…] – turns 70, the carrier has much to celebrate. EL AL ordered 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners with gorgeous cabins to replace its aging fleet; and announced a new longhaul route to San Francisco* (SFO) in addition […]