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Design and Architecture Norway

Service Design

The actual trains were ultra-modern, gave associations to planes and intended to blend in with the airport design concept and materials. The station design followed the same principles, and the inside of the trains was designed down to the smallest detail to give the customers the ultimate experience.

The designers made sure the passengers always face towards the nearest exit and placed luggage racks in the middle of the aisle, so it's easy to keep an eye on your bags. Plug sockets are fitted next to the seats for easy charging of phones or laptops, and stylishly dressed train attendants are helpful and discreet. Information onboard about stations and live updates such as waiting time at airport security lets you know what to expect next. The airport express train was also the first to offer ticket free travel.

“Design permeates everything we do”

Oslo Airport Express is considered one of Norway’s strongest brands and has ranked first repeatedly in surveys conducted by Norwegian Customer Satisfaction Barometer.

Constantly improving its service, some of the design has been updated during the last 20 years such as the graphic design and uniform design. In 2018, the company set a new passenger record with almost 7 million travellers and therefore saw the need to introduce new trains sets in 2019, this time designed by Spanish manufacturer CAF, with updated features to make the customers’ experience even better.

Service design Oslo Airport Express_4_credit_OSLO AIRPORT EXPRESS
"Design permeates everything we do, from trains and uniforms to the total customer experience", says Ida Marie Fottland, Communications Manager at Oslo Airport Express.
Photo: Oslo Airport Express
Service design in Norway: Oslo Airport Express_3_credit_OSLO AIRPORT EXPRESS
The designers made sure the passengers always face towards the nearest exit and placed luggage racks in the middle of the aisle.
Photo: Oslo Airport Express

Ida Marie Fottland, Communications Manager at Oslo Airport Express, explains that the strategic use of design is a continuous effort and can provide a significant competitive advantage.

“Since the company started, design permeates everything we do, from trains and uniforms to the total customer experience. The goal is for everyone to have the same positive experience when travelling with us. This means we have to continually scrutinise our actions and ensure that everything is as it should be,” says Fottland.

  • Original design from 1998: Terje Meyer (trains), Odd Thorsen (station design including benches, advertising stands, rubbish bins and electricity masts), Enzo Finger and Bruno Oldani (graphic design), Per Spook (uniforms), Espen Thorup (chairs), Pia Bjørnstad (furniture fabrics) and internal service design team.

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