We are delighted to announce the winners of TheDesignAir’s 12th annual awards, celebrating the pinnacle of aviation design, branding, and passenger experience in 2024. This year, airlines worldwide have once again raised the bar, enhancing the journey both in the skies and on the ground. Our Judges’ Choice Awards feature an exciting new wave of entrants, reflecting the industry’s relentless investment in passenger experience and brand innovation. It’s inspiring to see startups and smaller carriers competing fiercely with established airline giants, showcasing exceptional creativity and dedication. Congratulations to all the 2024 award winners for their outstanding achievements!
Like every year, TheDesignAir uses both an esteemed judging panel and for our design airline votes, with a blend of public voting too. This year we had more than 20,000 votes cast.
| Judges’ Choice Awards 2024 | Design Airline Awards 2024 |
| NEW: Design Innovation Award 2024 Oman Air |
Design Airline of the Year North America, 2024 JetBlue |
| Best New Uniform 2024 Riyadh Air |
Design Airline of the Year South America, 2024 LATAM |
| Best New Airport Lounge 2024 Chase Sapphire Lounge, LGA |
Design Airline of the Year Europe, 2024 Condor |
| Best New Livery 2024 beOnd |
Design Airline of the Year Middle East, 2024 Etihad Airways |
| Best New Business Class 2024 Cathay ‘Aria Suite’ |
Design Airline of the Year Africa, 2024 Air Mauritius |
| Best New Premium Economy Class 2024 Cathay |
Design Airline of the Year Oceania, 2024 Qantas |
| Best New Premium Business/First Class 2024 Oman Air |
Design Airline of the Year Asia, 2024 Cathay |
| Most Improved / Best New Airline Brand 2024 beOnd |
Design Airline of the year 2024 Etihad Airways |
Design Innovation Award, 2024
Oman Air ‘Business Studio’
Oman Air has always punched above its weight, and while its network is smaller than the other Middle Eastern juggernauts, the hard and soft product is one of the best in the skies. This year however saw the airline re-position its once elegant and understated First Class products to a Business Class ‘Studio’. This simple repositioning has meant passengers can now experience one of the largest Business Class seats in the skies, with double doors, a small intimate cabin and enhanced soft products, this repositioning of the cabin has delivered more efficiencies through similar service, catering and training reducing overheads and giving the airline a better chance to deliver a more profitable business model.
www.omanair.com
Best New Uniform, 2024
Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air impressed the judges this year with a stunning capsule wardrobe of looks which took to the catwalk this year and will take to the skies in 2025. The threads cleverly include distinctive Riyadh Air elements within the concepts, such as the iconic canopy twist found in the Riyadh Air brand. The stunning coats and jackets also include the same modern lines as seen on the Riyadh Air logo, while still imparting an air of elegance that will set the airline apart from its competition both in the region and globally. We were impressed by the airline’s attention to detail, use of local talent and a nod to the JetSet era which instils glamour back into the skies.
www.riyadhair.com
Best New Livery, 2024
beOnd
As a start-up it’s important to stand out. And using design stalwart Paul Wylde to help create the new brand was a smart move for this Maldivian-based carrier. With just two jets currently in the fleet and lofty ambitions to expand, beOnd has brought an eye-catching design to the skies that exudes luxury. With a slate and black livery, the aircraft, although small look more akin to a private jet, which is a clever brand positioning considering the service and concept inside is exactly that. In a sea of sameness, beOnd has recognised the importance in creating a brand that cuts through the noise and works hard to create awareness when on the tarmac and in the skies.
www.flybeond.com
Best New Airport Lounge, 2024
Chase Sapphire Lounge, LGA
Chase has shaken up the credit-card loyalty lounge scene in 2024 with a wave of new spaces across the US in partnership with The Club by Airport Dimensions. The dual level space is a design haven, with natural forms and curves creating a lounge space that transports you from the usual airport experience. But this lounge isn’t just form over function. The beautifully designed Reserve Suites are the crowning glory of the La Guardia Lounge, which rival even the best airline lounges, inclusive of caviar service and exclusive menus from Jeffrey’s Grocery and a wine list from Parcelle. But the smaller design details like the 50’s themed arcade space or the curated artworks from the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection embody Chase’s design-led approach to lounge spaces across its network.
chase.com
Best New Premium Economy Class, 2024
Cathay
Cathay’s new Premium Economy seats are an enhancement of the previous incarnation that were already industry leading in many regards. The new Recaro seats are beautifully designed, with leg and calf rests, stunning gold trim elements like the coat hook and reading light. But the addition of the privacy wing and leather headrests create a sense of residential luxury to the cabin. With the soft touches you’d expect from Cathay including dishes from Pirata and Veda, along with free-flowing Prosecco, the new Cathay Premium Economy proposition is an elegant upgrade certainly worth taking.
www.cathaypacific.com
Best New Business Class, 2024
Cathay ‘Aria Suite’
The much-anticipated business class seat launch happened late in 2024, but it was a sign that good things come to those who wait. The new seats are an evolution of seat design rather than revolution, but the airline’s attention to detail has delivered the apex of Business Class suite design. The natural materials and soft tones have created not just a residential approach that creates a welcoming cabin, but works hard to deliver on Cathay’s promise to become more of a lifestyle brand than just an airline. The entire design language has created a natural extension of the airline’s already exceptional lounge offerings, and the airline’s approach to the cabin has extended beyond just the seat, featuring art galleries in the galleys to extend the residential design language.
www.cathaypacific.com
Best New Premium Business / First Class, 2024
Oman Air
Oman Air’s design innovation award is for the very same winner of this category. While the seat isn’t new – the seat being offered as a Premium Business Class product – is. This Premium Business Class is by far the largest in the skies and offers unrivalled privacy and amenities that are industry leading, even in First Class. Oman Air’s new ‘Studio’ offers an amazing way of travelling long-haul from the airline’s hub in Muscat. From on-demand a la carte dining to pyjamas and a chilled minibar, there’s enough to keep you entertained in your private double-doored suite.
www.omanair.com
Most Improved / Best New Airline Brand, 2024
beOnd
The second win for beOnd this year recognises that a brand isn’t just skin deep. Looking to set itself apart from the competition, the airline has doubled down on a product that is boutique luxury rather than mass market. And everything from the cabin interiors to the tableware, livery and even boarding passes has been carefully considered to create something that is like nothing you’ve experienced before. As the airline celebrates its 1 year anniversary, considering its size, the brand punches well above its weight, and certainly most people have heard about the brand across the globe, which is no mean feat for such a young airline.
www.flybeond.com
Design Airline of the Year North America, 2024
JetBlue
Yet again JetBlue continues its winning streak, upholding its position as the leading Design Airline for North America. As well as the new livery, the airline’s strong design aesthetic across the entire passenger experience have created a consistent, much loved airline brand. With digital, personal and physical experiences, there’s an intuitive design language that flows throughout the entire passenger journey. 2025 will even bring the airline’s first lounges to the market and it’s this considered approach that propels the carrier above its regional counterparts.
www.jetblue.com
Design Airline of the Year South America, 2024
LATAM
LATAM’s solid brand position has helped the carrier feature in our awards since 2017, but the recent award for Design Airline of the Year, South America 2024 is the seventh consecutive award for the airline. The airline’s recent announcement of new cabins, a gorgeous Santiago flagship lounge and continued investment into design thinking that represents not just one country, but an entire continent impressed both our judges and the public who also voted for the airline. LATAM continues to bring the very best of the South American continent to the global stage. 2025 will be an exciting era for the carrier as it continues to roll out enhancements to the passenger experience.
www.latam.com
Design Airline of the Year Europe, 2024
Condor
Condor is no stranger to our awards, but this year the airline has scooped one of our most prestigious awards for its tireless, bold and fun brand image. The judges love its iconic stiped livery, as well as its fleet of new A330neo interiors that include an impressive Business Class product, and even delightful, branded food and drink elements inclusive of the Condorpolitan and stripey Brewdog beers. Condor has a brand that is not only instantly recognisable in Europe but now across the globe too.
www.condor.com
Design Airline of the Year Africa, 2024
Air Mauritius
This year Air Mauritius has been recognised as the Design Airline of the Year, Africa, the judges and public applauding its international quality to cabin design and passenger experience. The airline’s collaboration with Airbus’ Design Studio, adoption of premium Opera Business Class seats from Stelia Aerospace and contemporary lounge designs, has elevated its service standards above many carriers on the continent. This award highlights Air Mauritius’ dedication to blending luxury, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology, further establishing its position as a leader in African aviation.
www.airmauritius.com
Design Airline of the Year Oceania, 2024
Qantas
Qantas has scored highly in the public voting this year, with the reveal of the new project sunrise interiors and updated A330s showing that the airline won’t rest in its approach to design. Qantas has a strong design language that runs through ground product to aircraft, with light wood veneers and muted colour palettes offering a fresh, contemporary Australian design to the century-old carrier. While the next couple of years will be an exciting time for Qantas, this year it should be just as proud to win the accolade of Design Airline of the Year Oceania.
www.qantas.com.au
Design Airline of the Year Asia, 2024
Cathay
Cathay has had a good year in 2024. With the airline almost back to pre-covid levels, it was the perfect time for the carrier to launch new cabins, including the new 777 Aria Business Class Suite and Premium Economy products which helped the carrier secure two other awards. The new cabins, the airline’s signature lounge portfolio with a stunning residential aesthetic, and the airline’s tireless approach to design across the entire passenger experience, has helped the airline secure Design Airline of the Year, Asia this year.
www.cathaypacific.com
Design Airline of the Year Middle East, 2024
Design Airline of the Year, 2024
Etihad Airways
For the second year running, Etihad has once again secured both Design Airline of the Year Middle East and our most prestigious accolade Design Airline of the Year, 2024. The airline hasn’t stopped investing in the passenger experience recently, with new lounges, amenities and cabins enhancing the already impressive passenger experience. The team at Etihad have shown to TheDesignAir’s judges an unwavering dedication to enhancing the design, comfort and aesthetics of the carrier. From the airline’s lounges, to the uniforms, Armani Casa amenities and soft product, Etihad have left no stone unturned, or detail to chance in creating a harmonious passenger experience that has Etihad’s brand at its heart. A quiet, understated luxury is a refreshing change in the region, and Etihad has struck the right balance between luxury and opulence that leaves a lasting impression on its guests. We applaud Etihad for continuing to double down on the passenger experience in a period of growth and look forward to yet more design innovations and developments from the airline in 2025 and beyond.
www.etihad.com
The Top 20 Design Airlines 2024
This year we’re also thrilled to announce the ranking for our Top 20 Design Airlines 2024 as voted for by yourselves and our esteemed judging panel.
| Airline | TDA Score | Rank |
| Etihad Airways | 87.6 | 1 |
| Qantas (Silver Award) | 84.4 | 2 |
| Qatar Airways (Bronze Award) | 84.0 | 3 |
| Condor | 82.7 | 4 |
| LATAM | 82.4 | 5 |
| Cathay | 81.9 | 6 |
| Turkish Airlines | 80.9 | 7 |
| Air New Zealand | 79.0 | 8 |
| Fiji Airways | 77.7 | 9 |
| Singapore Airlines | 77.6 | 10 |
| Aeromexico | 77.5 | 11 |
| Air Mauritius | 76.6 | 12 |
| Oman Air | 76.4 | 13 |
| China Airlines | 75.8 | 14 |
| JetBlue | 75.7 | 15 |
| beOnd | 75.1 | 16 |
| Virgin Atlantic | 74.9 | 17 |
| Emirates | 74.3 | 18 |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 73.5 | 19 |
| Air Canada | 73.4 | 20 |
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