In an age of competitive flight prices and a seemingly unlimited choice of destinations, the modern traveller has a never-ending selection of holiday options. As a result, airports and airlines need to keep on top of their game to secure a roster of return customers. The experience starts as soon as jet-setters pass through the revolving doors of the airports, where exclusive lounges await those eager to avoid the chaotic crowds of the main terminals. These peaceful havens have come a long way over the years, as lounges look to outdo each other and ensure the best customer experience for their loyal customers. From here, it’s onto the plane, and whichever way travellers turn after embarking, invaluable improvements await them as they settle into their seats – whether its premium economy or first class suites. So, how are airports and airlines changing how we travel in 2024? And what can we expect from our adventures in the months and years ahead? From Michelin-star-worthy meals at high altitudes to the most exciting premium cabin upgrades, here’s what to expect from the journey ahead.
New routes
Before an adventure comes the agonising decision of exactly where to go. Of course, numerous airlines operate well-trodden routes for good reason, and UK travellers will never be short of flight options to our favourite Greek islands, Italian cities and long-haul idylls favoured by honeymooners and love birds. However, new territory opens up each season as airlines seek to expand their reach and cash in on intrepid travellers. Several routes are returning following the Covid pandemic.
Wizz Air's' All You Can Fly' is one of the most exciting new initiatives for UK-based short-haul travellers. In August 2024, the “Most Sustainable Low-Cost Airline” announced the £534-a-year membership option, allowing travellers to hop on last-minute flights, with options displayed 72 hours before departure. While it’s not designed with travellers who require lots of planning in mind, it’s a game changer for digital nomads and hodophiles prepared to hop into seats that would otherwise go empty. Other short-haul developments include Easyjet’s new routes connecting Southend and Tenerife, plus a year-round connection to Menorca.
British Airways’ new codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways is another exciting development for long-haul travellers. A direct route from London Gatwick to Bangkok returns in October 2024, just in time for winter sun escapes. Thanks to the new partnership with the Thai airline, five new destinations across Thailand and Cambodia have opened up, allowing BA customers to hop seamlessly into popular destinations, including Phuket, Koh Samui, and Siem Reap.
Airport lounges
Airport lounges are peaceful havens for travellers eager to escape the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal before a flight. To ensure value for money (and time), lounges worldwide continue to up their game to tempt return fliers. In August 2024, Singapore Airlines reopened the doors to the SilverKris Lounge at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 following a six-month-long refurbishment. The modernised space now offers more seating space and comfort, spanning a sprawling 10,689 square feet across exclusive first- and business-class areas. Travellers can catch up on work in individual productivity pods, settle into wingback chairs, and use 75-inch widescreen TV screens and complimentary wifi. The first-class area offers an a la-carte menu of customer favourites from Asian and Western cuisines, plus flutes of sparkling Laurent Perrier champagne and a curated selection of wines.
Long-haul travellers looking for respite between flight legs are now welcome into Hong Kong International Airport’s Kyra Lounge, decked with plush seating areas and workstations. Meanwhile, the British Airways Lagos lounge is the latest in a series of global lounge renovations from the UK’s flag carrier, ahead of a new-look opening in Miami in 2025.
Comfort in-flight
While the most indulgent in-flight experience is reserved for business- and first-class fliers, airlines are increasingly updating their economy offerings. Among them is Turkish Airlines, which is working to provide all passengers with “free, unlimited, uninterrupted and fast connectivity service” by 2025. The existing fleet is being fitted with the latest in-flight connectivity (IFC) technologies, enabling travellers to stay in touch with everything happening on the ground while gliding through the skies. Meanwhile, Emirates recently announced plans to introduce newly retrofitted Boeing 777s to Zurich and Riyadh flight routes. The refreshed cabins offer more of Emirates’ premium economy seats – great news for travellers wanting more comfort without the business-class price tag.
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Premium classes
Some of the most exciting developments in the industry right now come from new and improved premium classes. Understandably, they ignite lots of excitement among aviation enthusiasts – even if prices mean just a select handful of luxury travellers will ever experience them.
In July 2023, Turkish Airlines unveiled a new luxurious crystal business class suite at the Farnborough International Airshow. It’s the first premium seat from Turkey’s flag carrier to feature an adjustable suite door and privacy panel for enhanced in-flight privacy. The improved seats feature a generous 23-inch seat width boasting increased footwell space with direct aisle access for all fliers. These are set to be installed on Airbus A350s and then retrofitted onto Boeing 777s – aircraft used for transcontinental flight routes.
Etihad Airways’ ‘The Residence’ is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite commercial airline offerings. As of April 2024, the airline’s A380 double-decker service route connects the Middle East and New York twice daily, with the three-room “suite in the sky” available for the plushest passengers. Journeys begin with an Etihad Chauffeur service in Abu Dhabi before fliers are transported to their destination in what can only be described as a swanky apartment, complete with a private bedroom, a bathroom fitted with a shower, and a lounge space where travellers can enjoy dishes from the a la carte menu alongside some of the best wines in the sky. Interested? Prepare to stump up in excess of £18,000 for a return journey…