Airline news

American Airlines unveils new food and first-class amenities for summer

New amenities at American Airlines.

American Airlines

Fort Worth-based American Airlines has launched a new set of premium amenities and revamped menu items ahead of the summer travel season.

The changes come as the result of both customer and staff feedback, according to AA VP Kim Cisek, and are expected to roll out on Memorial Day 2024 weekend.

According to a release, American worked with a mix of boutique and well-known brands to create a program that will evolve throughout the years and feature rotating designs and skincare products in addition to a new "bedding" program.

Amenity kit
Customers flying in premium cabins with American Airlines will receive an amenity kit filled with items such as a toothbrush, dental kit, eye mask, and earplugs, plus a rotating cast of skincare products. The airline has collaborated with beauty retailer Thirteen Lune to offer skincare products from brands like Joanna Vargas and Relevant.

Bedding
In addition to the kits, the airline is launching revamped bedding, pillows, and sleepwear. First-class and business-class passengers will have dual-sided pillows with cool touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other.

First-class international travelers will now get a pair of slippers during their flights, in addition to the pajamas the airline previously provided.

All travelers on the plane, including Premium Economy and Main Cabin, will get new bedding options, including lumbar pillows, throw blankets, premium duvets, and fleece blankets.

American collaborated with the inflight textile company John Horsfall to develop bedding made with recycled materials from their Re-Thread collection.

Nearly all of the pillows, duvets and blankets created for American flights were made with recycled fibers that maintain a premium feel, while filled bedding includes 100 percent recycled fill. To reduce single-use plastic waste, customers traveling in Flagship First, Flagship Business, and Premium Economy will receive their bedding in a reusable zipper product bag, also made with recycled fibers, saving tons of plastic waste a year.

American Airlines food New dishes available on American Airlines flights.AA

Food
Last but not least, the new amenities program includes new menu items inspired by popular international travel destinations.

Flights from the U.S. to international destinations such as Nice, France, Naples, Italy, or Copenhagen, Denmark, will get options such as macadamia-crusted sea bass with citrus cream sauce, quinoa, toasted orzo, and haricots verts.

Business class flights from the U.S. to international destinations will get options such as pan-roasted chicken and tortellini pasta.

Business class flights from Europe will get menu items like chili-marinated chicken with mojo verde sauce, sweet potato mash, roasted corn and mini chili; or gnocchi duet with plain and beet gnocchi, lentil ragout, apple chutney, brown butter, roasted spring onion, and green onion.

Travelers on domestic first class flights can order shawarma chicken, three-cheese sacchetti pasta, chicken enchiladas, or a plant based stuffed red pepper. Customers can also choose from new pre-order options such as short rib mac & cheese.

The new amenities program will be available on more than 300 international and transcontinental flights. The airline also plans to unveil new suite seats with privacy doors later this year.

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Hotel News

Chic hotel with fire station and famed chef to open in Fort Worth

Courtesy

The Nobleman Hotel a Tapestry Collection by Hilton

A hotel centered around a historic Fort Worth building is coming to the Near Southside neighborhood: Called The Nobleman Hotel, it's a Tapestry Collection by Hilton concept, opening at 503 Bryan Ave. in the Magnolia Avenue-area of Fort Worth.

According to a release, it'll open in early 2025.

The development is anchored by the No. 5 Fire Station, a landmark building from 1911 that was home to many noble Fort Worth firefighters, thus the name of the hotel.

Developed by Jeff Blackman of Bedford Lodging, the property wraps a collection of 153 guest rooms and suites — including 121 guest rooms and 32 extended stay suites with kitchenettes — around the original 1911 building.

The release notes that each brick is a remembrance of the firefighters who protected Fort Worth, including halting the great South Side fire from reducing the city to ashes.

The Nobleman Hotel Tapestry The Nobleman Hotel, Tapestry Collection by HiltonCourtesy

The restored fire station serves as the heart of the hotel, housing guest check-in, communal areas, game spaces, and a new chef-driven restaurant called Duchess.

Amenities include a pool, fitness center, 1,500 square feet of meeting and outdoor event space.

“The Nobleman will be a stylish and approachable addition to the Near Southside neighborhood,” says Blackman in a statement. “We want to be a destination for the weekend traveler, for those visiting our renowned medical district, for business purposes, and definitely for our local residents — we want it to become the go-to neighborhood spot.”

Spacious communal areas, rooms, and restaurant are designed by Kathy Moran Clarson, founder and owner of KMC&A Design, a design firm that specializes in the interior design of hotels and resorts.

The hotel's entry in the 1911 building is enhanced by a revitalized staircase that includes the actual fireman’s pole. A lobby features restored white tiled walls, brass accents, and concrete floors. Outdoor spaces are outfitted with fireplaces and green landscaping as well as activity spaces.

The Nobleman Hotel Tapestry Original fire stationCourtesy

Dining
The in-house restaurant Duchess will be located in the fire station building at street level — setting the tone of the property with an energetic and lively atmosphere.

The cuisine will be New American with a Texas influence, with a menu conceived by a name known nationally as well as in Dallas-Fort Worth: Casey Thompson, who worked at The Mansion on Turtle Creek before rocketing to fame when she appeared as a contestant on Top Chef. In 2010, she helped launch Brownstone, a restaurant in Fort Worth's West 7th district where she served as a consulting chef for a year.

Thompson is concepting the menu at Duchess and will help recruit an executive chef, still to be named. Dishes named so far include Texas burrata, snapper crudo, brined roasted hen, red snapper, and a center-cut filet.

"Duchess will create a unique destination within the neighborhood, welcoming both hotel guests and locals alike," says Blackman. "Our property is designed to offer a heightened hospitality and a delicious culinary experience that will stand out in the city’s competitive market."

The team working on the project includes the Dallas-based agency Ashlar Projects, creating the hotel branding, and Kansas-based Crossland Construction, providing construction services.

With public spaces fostering community engagement, Duchess, and guest rooms providing a comfortable respite, the hotel is set to become a preferred destination for leisure and business travelers, as well as medical district visitors and employees.

Bedford Lodging was founded in 2013 by owner and president Jeff Blackman, who has more than 25 years of hospitality expertise in all aspects of the hotel business and is affiliated with the development of more than 150 properties. Bedford Lodging has developed 10 hotels and acquired four since inception, many in Colorado including The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt, SpringHill Suites in Lakewood, Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott in Lakewood, and the AC Hotel in Frisco (Colorado not Texas), as well as The Waters Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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