PHOTO: Etihad's opulent Residence Class. (Courtesy of Etihad Airways)
Most of us at some time or another have wanted to push through the curtain to the pointy end of the aircraft where we imagine stretching out on our own personal La-Z-boy and tucking into a menu featuring actual food.
But beyond business class lies the golden land of First Class. Freshly cooked meals, space aplenty and privacy are just some of the delights on offer here. The luxury end of flying is set to take all this to another level. I look at some of the options for a traveler with deep pockets and a desire to stand out.
Etihad, the flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates is the front runner in this race to bring the luxury and privacy of the private jet to the travelling public. They have dealt to the old bugbear of air travel - cramped space - full on.
The Residence on their Air Bus 380 diamond class flying from Abu Dhabi to Heathrow provides a 125-square foot, three-room suite, including a luxury bathroom and 7'x5' double bed.
The "penthouse" accommodation has its own Savoy Hotel-trained butler who will tend to every need during the flight.
Meals are whipped up by a personal top chef according to the lucky diner's requirements. Entertainment media can be organized before take-off, so flying really does become a personalized home-away-from-home experience.
Tedious check-ins and transfer details are handled. If you should want to mingle with a select few, there is a comfy lobby and bar. Currently this is the only passenger service operating at this level outside the charter jet market but other are sure to follow with prices around $20,000 one way.
For flyers with a slightly tighter budget, Etihad has First Class apartments with an enclosed cabin, leather arm chair converting into a roomy bed and 24-inch television for company.
Etihad's rival flying out of UAE, Emirates has long been synonymous with high quality air travel. They offer First Class passengers their own private suite with mini bar, and vanity with a shower. There are beautifully appointed communal lounge rooms where fellow fliers can relax or take meetings over an impressive drinks menu.
Singapore Air always rates at the top of all luxury travel experiences, and the airline that brought us the first double bed in the stratosphere does not disappoint at a first class level with their Suite Class accommodation. The Airbus a380 seats have been designed by luxury yacht designer Jean Jacques Coste evoking the golden age of travel. The suites are roomy double bed spaces sized behind private floor to ceiling sliding doors.
Guests are greeted with a glass of Dom Perignon or Krug, and the menu is beautifully cooked and presented to order. The leather seat converts to a generous double bed while there are Givenchy linens and PJs, Ferragamo toiletries as well as Bose headphones for media. The famous Singapore flight attendants will make up your bed and even tuck you in.
At the charter end of the market, Emirates Executive runs an A319 with customised itinerary, suites for 19 guests with showers and spa treatments. There are also roomy communal dining and conference spaces.
The Four Seasons Jet has taken the concept of high end hotel and travel and merged the two. A ticket on their round the world trip buys an on-board concierge and spas. The trip features a nine-stop destination with all the activities in each destination customised to meet your interests and needs. All this starts at $110,000 a day.
Currently only running on routes with high billionaire index, the First Class phenomenon is currently projected to expand. So as you keep your elbows off the shared armrest, feel the persistent kicking of the child behind you and puzzle over the contents of your meal, just spare a thought for those more fortunate among us.
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