Premium Travel News Round‑Up: June 2025

Business & First Class Upgrades

ANA Reveals “The Room FX” Business Class for Boeing 787-9 — Fixed Seats, Bold Design

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, All Nippon Airways (ANA) introduced its all-new “The Room FX” business class for international Boeing 787-9s — a follow-up to the award-winning “THE Room” found on select 777s.

Designed in a 1-2-1 layout with sliding doors, ANA claims this to be the largest business class seat ever installed on a mid-size aircraft, offering each passenger a private space of nearly 2m x 1m.

Key features:

• Private suites with sliding doors in a 1-2-1 layout

• Lie-flat beds (1.94m long) — no intermediate recline

• 24-inch HD screens with USB-A/C and universal power

• Clean, minimal design matching ANA’s 777 cabins

• Roughly half the seats are rear-facing

No Recline: A Bold but Divisive Choice

Unlike its 777 counterpart, these new seats won’t recline. Passengers can choose only between upright, “couch mode” (with leg rest extended), or lie-flat. This echoes Finnair’s AirLounge seat, which received mixed feedback for limiting in-between lounging positions.

Rollout: Coming in 2026

The Room FX will debut across ANA’s 787-9 fleet starting in 2026. Not all of ANA’s 44 Dreamliners will be eligible,  some are domestic-only and excluded from the upgrade. Exact routes and rollout dates are still unannounced.

Airport Lounge Evolution: What’s New?

SkyTeam Reopens Newly Renovated Lounge at Vancouver International Airport

SkyTeam has officially reopened its fully renovated lounge at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), offering an upgraded experience for international travelers.

Passengers holding SkyTeam Elite Plus status or flying First or Business Class with a SkyTeam airline can now enjoy a refreshed 528-square-meter space. The redesigned lounge combines modern aesthetics with improved functionality, featuring newly upgraded furnishings and distinct zones for relaxation and productivity.

Conveniently situated near Gate 53 in the west wing of International Concourse D, the lounge spans two wings and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views of the airfield and surrounding mountains. Visitors will find ample seating equipped with charging outlets, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, shower facilities, and a variety of other premium amenities.

As the alliance’s first lounge in North America, the Vancouver lounge blends local flair with international touches. Guests can indulge in freshly prepared seasonal dishes available throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A dedicated noodle station and a diverse hot-and-cold buffet cater to a range of tastes, using locally sourced ingredients.

The self-service bar features wines from the Pacific Northwest and a curated selection of craft beers from top Vancouver breweries.

Open 24/7, the SkyTeam Lounge at YVR is accessible to passengers flying with member airlines such as Aeromexico, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air, and Xiamen Airlines.