In Air Innovation

The And Group has a "thing" for airplanes that we can't seem to shake.

It's not in a way that leads us to obsess about how a 777 differs from a 747, or to book certain flights that allow us to avoid a certain model year of a plane.

It has more to do with how airlines approach innovation.

(We know, We know. Most domestic airlines don't actually innovate.  They just slowly eliminate token benefits, like peanuts and on-time departures).

Here's the thing:  Although we don't know a single thing about airplane engineering, we have to imagine that there are limits to the sizing and shapes of planes.  So the bulk of their innovation has to happen within the same box (or tube), so to speak.  Their innovation has to come from rethinking the design and the human experience in their planes, not just relying on a wider aircraft.

This new-ish first class concept in Emirates knocks our socks off.

They seem to have reinvented the standard for in-air luxury by delivering a seemingly superior experience tailored to human needs.  These private suites give you your own coat closet, vanity desk, personal mini bar, 23" LCD television, 600 channels of entertainment and fully flat sleep bed.

Then comes the even more interesting question:  How do you compete with that?  What happens next?  How could it get even better than your very own suite?

We can't wait to see what they unfold next.  But something tells us it won't be revealed to us on our thirteen hour American Airlines flight to Tokyo tomorrow.  Stay tuned, though.  We'll let you know.