Extreme in-flight luxury: the very best of First Class

The world of air-travel is changing. There is a new era of in-flight comfort which fully embraces the ‘journey’ element as the best part of a trip. Airlines are ever-pushing the boundaries with awe-inspiring features which emulate 5-star hotel luxury thousands of feet above ground.

Top airlines competing for the world’s most discerning consumers have created an over-the-top level of extravagance that’s made flying an experience rather than a mode of transport. Here, in no particular order, are some of the very best of such indulgences…

Emirates

Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East in terms of revenue, fleet size and passengers carried. It operates well over 3,000 flights per week to more than 150 cities in 74 countries, but its wow-factor is the on-board state-of-the-art Shower Spas found on the A380 aircrafts where passengers can freshen up in the sky, completing the spa experience with Emirates’ signature Timeless Spa shower kits.

Once you’re rejuvenated you can slip on the pyjamas provided in your private suite with sliding doors and a full-length mirror where you can admire yourself, then prepare a night cap from your own personal mini bar. And when you’re ready for sleep call for ‘room service’ and a member of crew will come and convert your seat into a fully flat bed with a mattress.

Emirates also provide award winning in-flight entertainment with the Ice Entertainment System in digital widescreen which offers over 1,400 channels of on-demand screening.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines are the Airbus-380 pioneers, being the first to showcase the jumbo aircraft in 2006. They are also the first carrier to offer the potential to create a double bed on a flight. The First Class Suites fit up to two double beds on each flight if you purchase four individual cabins. The plush beds are ideal for couples and have sliding doors with shades for added privacy (although getting too intimate on the flight is discouraged!).

Sit back in Connolly leather, dine whenever you please on Givenchy designed tableware, and relish the supreme hospitality and service and outstanding attention to detail that is Singapore Airlines’ trademark.

Virgin Atlantic

So you have comfortable beds with top-notch upholstery, a spa-like shower experience, designer dining and cutting edge entertainment – could you possibly need anything else on a flight? Of course, answers Virgin Atlantic, you would need mood lighting to complement and enhance each of these components. Their innovative mood lighting system is designed by architectural lighting experts, DHA, which changes the cabin’s colour throughout the flight in line with the flight schedule. It helps you relax and unwind, fall asleep and even adjust time zones.

It creates up to eight separate atmospheres for the duration of the flight among some of which are: soft ‘rose champagne’ to de-stress and encourage relaxation, ‘purple haze’ for a cosy and comfortable ambiance, and ‘amber warmth’ to conjure a candle-lit dining environment. In addition, the ‘silver moonlight’ helps you drift into a deep sleep while reflecting a starry night sky.

Etihad Airlines

Just recently at the Arabian Travel Market, Etihad completely blew luxury air travel out of the water, creating a hype with the unveiling of their new ‘The Residence by Etihad’ available only on their A380 aircrafts.

Travellers with a penchant for pure extravagance will soon be able to fly commercially in their own private residence complete with Savoy Academy trained butler, gourmet chef and concierge. They will travel in a three-room VIP suite with its own living room, double bedroom and en-suite shower.

The entire entity is located on the forward upper-deck of the aircraft. The living room is furnished with a two-seat reclining sofa upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather (used in cars such as Masarati and Ferrari), a 32-inch LCD TV, dual marquetry dining tables and a chilled mini-bar. The residence bedroom features a double bed, joined to the living area by a short corridor and also boasts an LCD TV.

The space, covering almost 12 square metres, is unprecedented in commercial airline travel and feels more like flying in a private jet than in first class.