Tangerine x Buzz: Airline Soft Product Collection

Australia-based Buzz and UK-based tangerine formed a creative partnership to rethink comfort in Premium Economy. Combining strengths in onboard product innovation and cabin experience design, the collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind alliance in the aviation industry.Premium Economy is the fastest growing cabin, yet many passengers struggle to rest because they cannot lie flat. Both companies have seen an opportunity to re-evaluate comfort for passengers who value support, adaptability and ease of use during long journeys. The collaboration focuses on creating thoughtful, intuitive solutions shaped by trends in comfort, wellness and sleep.

The collaboration produced four concepts addressing inflight comfort challenges experienced in Premium Economy: Cocooning Blanket: A shaped blanket that wraps naturally around the body for enhanced rest.Sensory Shut-out Eye Mask with Integrated Earbuds: A padded eye mask with sound-reducing earbuds built into the straps for easy access, and can be used independently.Adjustable Flat-Roll Neck Pillow: A low-volume, ergonomic pillow that can be shaped into multiple supportive forms for better alignment than traditional U-shaped pillows.Foldout Lumbar Cushion: A flexible cushion providing lower back and lateral support, designed to adapt to shifting posture during long flights.

The collection demonstrates how thoughtful, human-centred design can redefine the Premium Economy experience. By addressing genuine passenger pain points around sleep, posture and wellbeing, the collection enhances comfort and restorative rest on long-haul journeys. Commercially, the collaboration offers airlines a distinctive and elevated passenger experience within one of aviation’s fastest-growing cabins. More broadly, the project challenges traditional perceptions of comfort and luxury in high-density travel.

The first concept design rethinks the standard airline blanket into a cocooning blanket featuring pinsonic detailing inspired by cloud formations. Its evolving, irregular pattern is heat pressed onto the fabric to create a youthful, fashion-forward textile, and the shaped design wraps naturally around the body to provide a comforting, enveloping feel.The second concept is a sensory shut-out product, an eye mask with integrated sound-reducing earbuds. The buds sit within the straps for quick access during rest, solving the familiar issue of loose packaging and small components falling to the floor. They can also be removed entirely and worn independently.The third design concept considers neck support for sleep, and is a flat-roll adjustable neck pillow, designed for low-volume packing and improved ergonomic support. Its forms can be manipulated into a range of supportive shapes to offer more effective alignment than standard U-shaped pillows often used in the cabin.The final concept looks at upgraded in-seat comfort with a foldout lumbar cushion that provides lower back and lateral support. It is designed to adapt to the natural shifting of the body during long flights and to enhance comfort for passengers who lean or rest in semi-turned positions.