u/Speedbird87

Enjoy a full flythrough of what’s to come in the all new British Airways A380 cabins. The tour takes in the redesigned First, Club Suite, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller experiences.

Now introducing Aurora Suites and Premium Reserve! Years in the making, but I'm so excited to finally have this work out in the world. Translating the Alaska Airlines brand into a global premium cabin interior has been one of the greatest challenges, honors, and a career bucket list body of work.

So much of this would not have been possible without the talented work of ACLA Studio who have been on this design journey with us from start. When we set out on this project, the goal was to create something respectfully new that showcased honest materials, natural textures, elevated finishes, and truly Alaska Airlines.

Across our new products you'll see modern nods to our PNW roots. Whether it's our Sitka Spruce Wood providing guests a warm welcome, Bering Blue leather bringing a warm elevated evolution of our Midnight Blue, the Emerald accents that evoke the dancing greens of the Aurora Borealis, or the brass sconce lights popularized in our Alaska lounges, a handcrafted cabin experience awaits.

Looking to rolling these changes out late next year on our 787-95, and in 2028 on our 787-10s, and my personal favorite, the Transcon 737-10 MAX.

A Former KLM CEO reportedly ignored power bank rules - this was the result.

New video shows the aftermath inside the Business Class cabin of KLM flight KL735, with the window and surrounding seat area visibly scorched after a power bank reportedly exploded and caught fire.

According to reports, the power bank was allegedly being charged when it failed. The device has been linked by multiple sources to former KLM President & CEO Camiel Eurlings, although KLM has not confirmed his involvement.

KLM's own rules prohibit passengers from using or charging power banks during a flight.

Cabin crew quickly intervened and extinguished the fire, but the Boeing 777 was forced to turn around over the Atlantic and return to Amsterdam Schiphol.

If reports that the power bank was being charged are confirmed, this is the result of ignoring a safety instruction that exists for a reason.

Sources: RTL Nieuws | NOS | NL Times | Luchtvaartnieuws

Emirates is elevating the award-winning Premium Economy experience even further with the launch of the world's first electrically powered Premium Economy seat, featuring a full-height adjustable privacy screen between every seat. Debuting on newly received Airbus A350 aircraft, the new seat combines industry-leading innovation with elevated comfort, giving customers greater control over their personal space. 
Installed in the Emirates A350 Premium Economy cabin in a spacious 2-3-2 configuration with just 28 seats, the new seat represents the airline's latest investment in continuously raising the bar for customer experience. The electric privacy divider extends to the full height of the seat – the first feature of its kind in Premium Economy cabins worldwide. Emirates Premium Economy seats are a comfortable 20” wide, and seat pitch is up to 39” on the A350. Seats also recline into a cradle position without intruding on the row behind, so that customers can comfortably sleep and relax inflight.

How does it work?
Customers can effortlessly raise or lower the divider using the seat controls and lock it into position, creating a more private and personal environment for relaxing, dining or working throughout the flight. The new seat marks Emirates' first fully electrically powered Premium Economy seat, where customers can also adjust their preferred seating position at the touch of a button using the integrated Passenger Control Unit, with dedicated settings like lounge mode and meal mode.

Ergonomic comforts in Premium Economy
Comfort has been further enhanced with the introduction of Emirates' widely acclaimed U-Dream headrest by Safran Seats. Crafted in leather, the redesigned headrest provides exceptional neck and head support, allowing passengers to adjust the wings into multiple positions for personalised comfort. A manually deployable leather footrest offers additional relaxation and reduces leg fatigue.

Always-on power for customer devices
Wireless charging is also being introduced to Premium Economy for the first time, allowing customers to conveniently power compatible devices throughout the flight. Every seat also includes USB-C charging and a practical tray table with an integrated phone holder, transforming personal devices into a convenient second screen during meals or entertainment. 

High-definition inflight entertainment and new aircraft cameras
Customers can also enjoy Emirates' award-winning ice inflight entertainment on a 13.3-inch 4K HDR touchscreen, delivering stunning picture quality with ultra-responsive navigation. On newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft, passengers will also enjoy enhanced aircraft camera views, with new left and right exterior perspectives joining the existing forward and downward cameras to provide an even more immersive inflight experience.

Generous meals and beverages in Premium Economy
The new seat builds on Emirates' award-winning Premium Economy experience, where every element has been carefully designed to deliver an elevated journey from take-off to landing. Akin to a Business Class experience, customers enjoy gourmet, regionally inspired menus prepared by Emirates' chefs and served on Royal Doulton fine china with linen napkins and stainless-steel Robert Welch cutlery. Meals are accompanied by a carefully curated selection of premium beverages, including Chandon Vintage Brut 2021, an exceptional Australian sparkling wine available exclusively to Emirates Premium Economy customers worldwide.

In Premium Economy, Emirates customers are also treated to a selection of acclaimed wines. From September, customers travelling on select routes may savour Chablis Premier Cru Jean-Marc Brocard 2024, which* *showcases the purity and mineral precision of one of Burgundy's most celebrated Chardonnay producers, or La Parde de Haut-Bailly 2014, which offers the refined elegance of one of Bordeaux's most respected Pessac-Léognan estates. October will also mark a first for Emirates, as Wiston Estate Brut NV becomes the airline’s first English sparkling wine, served exclusively in Premium Economy on UK routes. Together, they reflect Emirates' continued investment in offering customers an exceptional wine programme, supported by more than US$1 billion invested in the airline's wine portfolio since 2006. 

Thoughtful amenity kits with complimentary skincare
On long-haul flights, Premium Economy customers also receive exclusive reusable amenity kits designed in partnership with United for Wildlife. Crafted using bio-based materials including cactus leather alternatives, the collectible bags celebrate endangered wildlife across four natural habitats while introducing premium plant-powered skincare products from Aveda for the first time in Premium Economy. Each kit also includes travel essentials such as socks, eyeshades, earplugs and a dental kit, with sustainable materials incorporated throughout the collection.

Continuing to redefine Premium Economy
Since launching Premium Economy in 2022, Emirates has continued to expand the cabin across its growing fleet, with the product now available across all markets which are currently served with A350 aircrafts.

Inspired by the airline's signature Business Class experience, Emirates Premium Economy has set a new benchmark for the category - offering a level of comfort, privacy and refinement that rivals the Business Class cabins of many airlines. The cabin combines spacious seating, generous legroom, refined dining, world-class entertainment to deliver a distinctive travel experience that has earned multiple international awards including ‘Best Premium Economy Class’ at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2024 and 2025 and was named ‘Airline with the Best Premium Economy Class’ at the 2025 ULTRAs Awards.

The introduction of the world's first electrically powered Premium Economy seat with a full-height privacy screen marks the latest chapter in Emirates' long history of aviation innovation. From pioneering onboard connectivity and inflight Wi-Fi to introducing next-generation entertainment systems and continually investing in customer comfort, Emirates remains committed to delivering products that help customers Fly Better.

Recaro Aircraft Seating has launched the successor to its PL3530 premium seat, launched in 2015. The new model, the R4, has been developed with enhanced ergonomics and passenger comfort, and new premium features. Recaro says the seat is ETSO-certified (European Technical Standard Order certified) for the Boeing 787 aircraft, with additional certifications in progress. First deliveries of the R4 began in June 2026, with entry into service expected later in the year.

New features of the R4 include provision for a 16-inch seatback IFE display, a six-way adjustable headrest with integrated neck support, ambient lighting to the side, and privacy wings with an integrated reading light. Options include a range of in-seat power options so passengers can keep their devices charged throughout a flight.

The R4 also features a side console with dedicated access to help passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs) use the seat. Recaro has also included a newly developed extra-wide single-leaf tray table with a soft open/close mechanism and integrated holder for devices such as smartphones and tablets.

We are proud to introduce the R4, the latest addition to our Premium Class portfolio. Building on the success of the PL3530, the R4 reflects our commitment to combining comfort, ergonomics, and premium features in a seating solution designed to meet the evolving expectations of both airlines and passengers,” said Mark Hiller, CEO and shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

RECARO Aircraft Seating (RECARO) has announced an innovative sustainability-focused trial in partnership with Iberia. The initiative will launch this spring aboard an Iberia A320neo, where passengers will experience new environmentally conscious seating features within a hybrid cabin fitted with R1 and R2 economy-class seats.
As part of a RECARO modification kit, 186 seats will be installed in a selected A320neo for a trial period of at least six months. Iberia becomes the first RECARO customer to collaborate on the introduction of these more sustainable seating solutions, highlighting a shared commitment to combining passenger comfort and premium design with improved environmental performance.

The development process followed a structured approach, including the creation of seating mock-ups, qualification testing and final material certification, enabling these innovations to be introduced into an operational cabin environment. Both R1 and R2 seats will incorporate several sustainability-driven features, including literature pockets made from upcycled fishing nets and a real wood inlay element.

The recycled literature pockets utilise discarded fishing nets previously polluting marine environments. For a single-aisle aircraft such as the A320, this equates to the removal of approximately 2 kilograms of waste material from the oceans per shipset. In addition, the seating design integrates a real wood-based component within the seat bumper, introducing a natural material into the cabin while maintaining durability and aesthetic quality.

American Airlines (American) has unveiled a major overhaul of its narrow-body fleet, with plans to install seatback entertainment screens at every seat while substantially increasing the proportion of premium and extra-legroom seating.

The investment will see premium seating grow from around 25% of seats on the airline’s narrow-body departures today to approximately 40% in the coming years, as American retrofits existing aircraft and takes delivery of new jets with upgraded cabin configurations.
“We’re making one of the most significant investments in the onboard experience in our history,” said American Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “From next-generation seatback entertainment at every seat to substantially more premium seating options, these enhancements will give our customers more ways to relax, stay connected and enjoy their journey.”

As part of the programme, American is retrofitting its Airbus A319 and A320 fleets with an additional row of first-class seating. Its forthcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft will feature 24 first-class seats, while the carrier’s A321neo fleet will also be reconfigured with additional first-class capacity.

The majority of American’s narrow-body fleet will also be retrofitted with more Main Cabin Extra Seats. The product provides additional legroom alongside benefits including earlier boarding, dedicated overhead bin space and a complimentary beverage.

Cabin upgrades will extend beyond additional premium capacity, with more storage, redesigned seating and enhanced lighting forming part of the wider narrow-body transformation.

The airline is also making a significant shift in its inflight entertainment strategy. From 2028, all new Airbus and Boeing aircraft deliveries will feature next-generation seatback entertainment screens at every seat, with the technology also set to be installed on aircraft undergoing retrofit programmes.

American plans to roll out the new displays as quickly as possible, with installation across the fleet expected to be completed by the early 2030s. The move will considerably expand the airline’s seatback entertainment footprint beyond the more than 140 long-haul aircraft currently equipped with screens.

According to the carrier, the next-generation entertainment platform will offer improved picture quality and connectivity while enabling more personalised content. Combined with high-speed Starlink connectivity and American’s wider portfolio of premium onboard products, the new seatback experience is intended to deliver a more personalised and connected journey across the airline’s narrow-body fleet.

Flight crews had recorded four suspected bird strikes involving the same engine during the previous year, with bird remains found after two of them.

United States air safety investigators have found evidence of metal fatigue in an engine fan blade that fractured during a Ryanair flight last month, sending debris into the cabin and shattering a window where a passenger was partially pulled into the opening.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report that about 37 percent of the fracture surface on the failed blade showed features consistent with fatigue

Investigators traced the damage to an area near the root of the blade, finding signs of high-amplitude fatigue caused by repeated stress. The agency has not yet determined the root cause of the failure.

Cabin depressurised
The July 10 incident occurred on a Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, flying from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft was climbing through 16,000 feet (4,877 metres) when the pilots received a high-vibration alert from the right engine. The vibration rapidly increased before the crew heard a loud bang and the cabin lost pressure.

Fragments from the engine struck the fuselage and penetrated the cabin, shattering the window at row 11.
A flight attendant responding to calls for help found a 61-year-old passenger in seat 11F partially lodged in the missing window opening. Passengers managed to pull the man back into the cabin.

The passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns. A doctor on board treated him as the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki. Passengers also used a metal box from the galley to try to block the opening.

[effacé]

Will you be taking your neck pillows when travelling with Emirates?

Had to chance to fly Lufthansa First Class on their A340-600 from JFK to FRA in early May, just before they started blocking first class awards for partner airlines (rip).

This is the First Class leg of my award from JFK to Nairobi via Frankfurt, with the latter portion in Business. Thanks to Lifemiles’ prorated mixed cabin pricing and my Lifemiles+ 10% membership discount, the entire award was just 76,270 miles + ~$100 in taxes fees - which I’d consider to be a phenomenal deal.

I got an alert about 2 days before the flight, notifying me that the award had opened up. Interestingly, Lufthansa chooses to fly their older A346 on JFK, rather than the more prestigious, higher capacity B748s or A380s. Boarding was a chaotic mess, with a ~50 person queue for everyone in first/business/priority, which all boarded at once. Luckily, First Class had our own dedicated jetbridge to door 1. Upon stepping onboard the plane, I was immediate greeted by the lovely flight attendant who proactively greeted me by name without even any prompting.

The seat itself is pretty standard. While nothing cutting edge, I’d say it gets the job done. My biggest issue with the hard product is how small the A340 overhead bins are. The bins on the side can’t even store rollerboards straight in - they have to be put side ways. As a result, despite First being only 5/8 full, we ended up using just about all the overhead spaces in the cabin. I can’t imagine how messy the overhead situation gets in a full economy cabin.

Upon settling in, I was offered a choice of pre-departure beverage. I love how Lufthansa has a beverage set up at the front of the cabin. I ordered a glass of champagne, which was Veuve La Grande Dame 2018 (definitely on the younger side), along with Lufthansa’s signature macadamia and olives. Lufthansa recently introduced their new FOX service concept, which included minor improvements in First Class such as the addition of olives, Barbor amenity menu, new PJs etc. Honestly the differences are very minor in First, but a lot more noticeable in Business, which I will share in a next installment.

Once in the air, service started with drinks and a trio of amuse bouche. About an hour after take off, the cart rolled around with Lufthansa’s signature appetizer trio and caviar service. I of course partook in both, as well as the lobster bisque. As a part of the new FOX service concept, the soup was poured table side, which was a nice touch. Everything was solid, but nothing to write home about. For my entree, I ordered the halibut & scallop, which I could appreciate on paper, but I just found the whole dish to be somewhat disappointing. On the bright side, the desserts were mostly solid, although the panna cotta was a bit hard and seriously lacking flavor.

I do appreciate how comfortable Lufthansa’s beds are, and was able to sleep for almost the entire 3.5hr remainder of the flight before waking up shortly before landing.

In true German fashion, the service was a bit hit or miss. The male flight attendant working the galley was absolutely lovely, with some great charm and nice humor. At the same time, the older female flight attendant serving my aisle was mostly just going through the motions - nothing actively wrong, but she wasn’t particularly pleasant or seemed to want to be there.

Given the price point that I paid, I’d say it was a fantastic deal on such a long, partially first class journey all the way to Kenya. Most of the recent service improvements are fairly minor. As has been the case in the past, I’d say Lufthansa really shines when it comes to its caviar, appetizer, and dessert courses, while the entree is usually nothing to write home about. Hopefully we’ll see Lufthansa First Class awards made available for partners again in the near future!

United Airlines is experimenting with a new cabin concept on its upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet: a row where the middle seat is intentionally left empty and replaced with a shared tray table for the aisle and window passengers.

The idea is to offer a “no middle seat neighbor” experience“ essentially a mini‑premium zone within economy. It’s a subtle but interesting shift in how airlines monetize comfort: not by adding legroom or fancy screens, but by removing the one thing most travelers dread the middle seat.

I’m curious how this will play out in practice. Will it feel like a genuine upgrade or just a marketing spin? Could this design influence future cabin layouts, especially for narrow‑body long‑haul aircraft like the A321XLR?

Would you pay extra for a seat in this row, or do you think it’s just clever branding?

Specially discounts for Reddit community - DM to arrange booking 🤣