I wouldn't agree with this 100%. Instead, I find that airline websites that have been "simplified" (like AA.com) make it harder to use them, not easier. They've done such an extensive de-clutter that you often need to click through multiple pages to get to information.

We'll see how the execution is in practice, but for now based on the pictures I think they've done a decent but not fantastic job of drawing the eye to where you go to book tickets, and also where you can go to log-in/MMB. That's a big improvement on the current homepage, where functions such as MMB and OLCI are presented as small, easily missed tabs in that center block. They also appear to have done ok highlighting their current sale fares on the home page.

For me, the functionality is going to be more important than the aesthetic. I'm hoping they've finally fixed bugs such as its inability to remember that I want the HK homepage, although I'm not optimistic on this score.