Flying first class: The world’s most luxurious airline cabins

Monday, 20 February 2012 4:28 PM

Flying first class with some of the world’s best airlines means a lot more than extra leg room and better food. Now that freshly prepared gourmet meals and beds made up with Egyptian cotton sheets come as standard in first class, the very best companies are comming up with even more ingenious luxury touches on their airplanes, to make flying first first-class extra special. On-board shower anyone?

Singapore Airlines
Signapore Airlines first class ‘suites’ are essentially on-board ‘cabins’; rooms isolated by sliding doors and window blinds, to create a completely private space for passengers, akin to actually having your own hotel room. And, just like a hotel room, the suits also boast their own stand-alone beds, sitting alongside the armchair hand-stitched by master Italian craftsmen – which makes Signapore Airlines the only airline to offer passengers beds that haven’t been converted from chairs. As if that wasn’t enough, flying first class on an A380 also includes the largest LCD screen in the sky (23 inches), a signature turn-down service, and complimentary Givenchy pyjamas.

British Airways
It wouldn’t be a British Airline if you couldn’t indulge in a little afternoon tea – so thankfully British Airways offers a bespoke tea service in the sky to their first class customers, based on the tea served at the Dorchester in London. The foodie treats don’t stop there either – BA also offers ‘catch of the day’ fresh seafood from Scotland’s Loch Fyne as part on the on-board menu. But it's the little perks make you feel really spoilt – like the door-to-door baggage service, to pick up your luggage from your home, and the complimentary concierge service.

Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic boast a whole on-board bar in their first class area, serving a range of food and drink – from Akvinta Vodka (which is the first luxury Mediterranean vodka to be produced) to pear and blue cheese salads. When you’re tired of chatting to people at the bar, you can hit a button to make your chair transform to a totally flat 6’6 long bed – in a matter of seconds. Virgin also runs a bespoke ‘snooze’ service, whereby the cabin crew serves you a nightcap and late night snack, and then lets you sleep uninterrupted for the rest of the flight.

Emirates Airlines
Feeling a bit drowsy after a long flight? If you’ve been flying first class on an Emirates A380 then you could always hop into one of two on-board luxury showers, designed in walnut and marble, to refresh yourself. Not only does the airline boast the world’s only on-board spa facilities, but it also serves hours d-oeuvres and Grand Cru in an on-board lounge area and the private suits for first class customers include sliding doors, a personal mini-bar, a wardrobe and adjustable lighting. Gourmet meals of stir-fried lobster and pan fried duck breast are served on Royal Doulton fine bone china, with exclusive Robert Welch cutlery.

Lufthansa Private Jet
Forget luxurious cabins and on-board bars – Lufthansa have gone on step further in the quest for the best luxury air travel, and are offering customers their very own private jet. The jets can take off at any time you want, and fly direct to more than 1,000 destinations. Once you’ve been chauffeured in a limousine from your home to the airplane, you can enjoy a completely exclusive service on-board with all of your family and friends.

The world’s most glamorous airports

Let’s face it, waiting around in airports is not a very glamorous thing, unless you have access to a first class lounge that is. In these airports though, you won’t have to - these are the sleekest, chicest airports in the world that feature everything from indoor gardens and golf courses, to spas and even cinemas.

The world’s most luxurious train journeys

Once upon a time train journeys were at the height of luxury travel. A journey in itself was a thrilling adventure, where you were treated to the finest service, gastronomic cuisine, luxurious cabins and captivating entertainment. Today, some of these journeys still exist and you don’t have to travel back in time to experience them. So come with us on a journey as we take you onboard some of the world’s most luxurious train journeys.