For some people flying is a means to end; a way to transport themselves from the daily grind to holiday mode, but for others it’s a part of the journey they very much look forward to. The excitement of flying itself can be a very enjoyable element when holidaying or even when travelling for work. Nowadays airlines realise that their passengers want a better, not just a quicker, experience and are working hard to make journeys more comfortable and pleasurable, even before the flight has taken off.
From private suites to spas and chauffeur services, you’ll be booking a flight to just about anywhere simply to experience some of these fantastic benefits.
We’ve had great fun selecting the top five airlines that we think you’ll have the best experience with when flying this year.
Singapore Airlines
Often with flights we feel that our privacy is lost; squeezed up close to complete strangers for hours on end with literally no escape – this doesn’t sound like a pleasant few hours. Well Singapore Airlines have catered for this with a selection of private suites you can reside in throughout your flight. With an A380 suite expect hand-tufted carpet, an en-suite wardrobe, sliding doors to protect your privacy, a 32” touchscreen monitor, fine dining served on Wedgewood bone china and so much more to enhance your experience. At the airport you can book a personalised meet and greet service, wait in the first class lounge where someone will check you in and use a private entrance to reach immigration or visit the SilverKris Lounge for amenities such as hot food, a bartender service or showers.
Etihad Airways
Expect the unexpected with Etihad – at Abu Dhabi airport you can visit the First Lounge and Spa, which serves up cocktails and Middle-eastern inspired dishes; offers a fitness room and also treatments at the Six Senses Spa, as well as a clothes-pressing service while you wait to board. Once on the plane take a seat on a leather double-seat sofa or recline on your Italian bed linen, which covers your double bed in your three-room residence suite. With an en-suite shower room too, complimentary lounge wear and refreshments cabinet, you’ll probably wish you didn’t have to get off the plane at all!
Emirates
Top-notch service begins before you even reach the airport with Emirates and their chauffeur service to get you there. In-flight expect canapés and drinks in the onboard lounge, room service to your first-class suite, a shower spa, virtual windows and more.
With 265 aircraft in its fleet flying to 155 destinations in 80 countries around the world including regular flights to London you know you’re getting around in the most luxurious of ways. Emirates airlines bookings are so easy to make with the easy-to-navigate website, where you can book, check in, check the flight status and find out what’s on your flight in just a few clicks.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers style in the air with their signature burgundy and grey décor in the finest of fabrics. Recline on a fully lie-flat double bed, search your way through 4,000 entertainment options and freshen up with the luxury amenity kit from BRIC and Castello Monte Vibano, while adjusting the ambient lighting to your desired level. The new Qsuites offer a quad formation with two seats facing forward and two facing backwards so whether you are a family of four or there for business you can have a dinner or meeting in the sky! Movable media panels offer an all-access power port with USB, HDMI and NFC capabilities and when you are finished your space can be transformed back into a private area. A turn down service with plush duvet, quilted mattress, sleepwear and slippers is there for your comfort and a do not disturb indicator on your door ensures sleep is guaranteed.
Cathay Pacific
This Asian airline has had many firsts in its 73-year history. In 1998 Cathay Pacific achieved the first non-stop flight from Hong Kong to New York, making it the world’s longest flight at the time, and this innovation is evident today. At the airport, first-class fliers should expect fast check in as well as airport lounge access, which holds a champagne bar and cabanas that include a large bath and rain shower. Onboard expect a padded soft leather seat that offers an in-chair massage and reclines to a fully-flat bed, Michelin-star menus serving Asian and worldwide cuisine, Aesop amenity kit, sleep suit and a wake up call service that lets cabin crew know when you’d like to be woken.
