New Airline Lounges And Inflight Perks Make Air Travel Surprisingly Better

13.08.2023 - 08:53 / forbes.com

With weather disruptions and constant delays upending the conversation about air travel this summer, it’s actually not all bad news. Many carriers are working to improve what they offer as they invest in new aircraft, lounges and amenities, a welcome change following the pandemic years.

Whether you are traveling as the result of winning a free vacation (are you entering these free travel sweepstakes?) or to visit a new hotel or resort in a destination you’ve never visited, these airline products are worth exploring. Thankfully, air carriers are introducing new products and perks that can make the travel experience better.

On United’s newest first class iteration, a wireless charging feature is now available. Eventually planned for more than 200 Boeing 737 NG and 737 MAX planes as well as Airbus A321neos, this will make powering up mobile devices easier than ever. These United First seats are covered in vegan leather and have three charging options: a wireless charger in the armrest, a standard AC household-style outlet and USB-C port. These seats will also have larger tray tables plus 13-inch, high-definition screens with Bluetooth capability, which adds to the importance of having so many power outlets so all devices can stay charged.

In a partnership with two Michelin-starred restaurant Daigo in Tokyo, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will offer a plant-based vegan curry on its light meal menu for business and first class passengers starting in September. It has no animal ingredients or flour, instead using only vegetables and fruits, and will begin appearing on select long-haul flights. All U.S. flights will offer it in first class while business class passengers on flights from New York, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., Bangkok, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur to Japan.

Business class passengers in SAS business class have new comfort kits to look forward to this fall. In a partnership with DUX, the entire kit focuses on sustainable design and contents. Frequent flyers will appreciate that there are three versions of the kit (a shoe bag, travel pouch, shoe bag and laundry bag) allowing them the opportunity to collect them all. Among the contents are a toothbrush with cornstarch handle, Swedish-made socks using recycled materials, ear plugs and lip balm made with as few ingredients as possible to reduce environmental impact.

Its second JFK Sky Club in terminal four could not have come at a better time as the airline flies its busiest transatlantic schedule this summer from the airport. The new lounge, which opened in July, is in Concourse A with space for 250 travelers. This 14,000-square-foot facility is its largest Sky Club at JFK and has a year-round Sky Deck giving people the chance to sit outdoors and watch