Luxury Inspirations in aviation
Top 10
Luxury airlines according to http://uk.askmen.com/top_10/travel/top-10-luxury-airlines_1.html#ixzz2LCIq931q
No10. British Airways
Fare from New York to
London: About
$6,600
Among the amenities: Renowned A la Carte menu,
Molton Brown Travel Spa.
Plush perk: Flat beds extending six
feet and six inches let you rest in peace. Rolls-Royce aircraft engines are
legendary, and you’d swear the company had an influence on British Airways’
cabins. BA’s luxurious first-class “demi cabins” multitask to serve as
workspaces, dens, and even places to stretch and sleep. Awake time can be spent
viewing many video options or dining on your own schedule, not the crew’s. As a
thoughtful touch, evening and late-night flights offer dining in elegant land lounges before the flight so you can maximize your sleep
time in the air. In operation since shortly after World War I, British Airways’
self-proclamation as “The World’s Favorite Airline” holds true for many
travelers. British Airways has been featured in James Bond films, including Goldfinger
(1964) and Die Another Day (2002).
No.9 Emirates
Among the amenities: On select flights, private
cabins complete with doors.
Plush perk: The best is yet to come,
and you’d better believe it’ll be fine: A full shower with dressing area in
your private cabin.Two aircrafts are hardly a fleet; that isn’t even a sizable
fraction of John Travolta’s personal collection. Yet, from only a pair of
planes in 1985, Emirates has become a force to be reckoned with. As many
carriers discreetly struggle to keep the lights on in their offices, Emirates
announced that their 2005 fiscal year profit was $762 million. As a passenger,
you’ll feel like a million dollars too. And while we’re throwing numbers at
you, 500-channel entertainment systems have been introduced. If you can’t find
something worthwhile with that many options, give it a rest -- literally. It
won't be difficult; Emirates has made quiet cabins a high priority.
No.8 Eos Airlines
Fare from New York to
London: About
$6,000
Among the amenities: 21 square feet of space per
passenger is unheard of, but it’s a reality on Eos. Score one for the personal
space lover.
Plush perk: Arrive as late as 45
minutes before takeoff and the curbside escort will whisk you through security,
and presumably, the paparazzi.Eos Airlines has room for 220 on its 757s, but it
only allows 48 lucky souls aboard. Each passenger’s multifunctional seat is a
joy to occupy across the Atlantic. This theory runs completely contrary to that
of other airlines who stuff in passengers until the planes look like Tokyo subways with wings. But as we’re seeing in this
feature, going against the grain has paid big dividends for carriers willing to
take the risk. Eos only took to the skies in late 2005, but it seems to be
making all the right moves. In fact, Eos guarantees it. The company recently
announced a money-back guarantee of satisfaction, obviously willing to bet
you’ll be among the vast majority of happy fliers who get outstanding room and
service for an unbeatable price.
No.7 Thai Airways
International
Fare from Bangkok to
London: About
$3,000
Among the amenities: Complimentary Dom
Perignon, La Grande Dam and duty-free shopping.
Plush perk: Why let the coddling end
with touchdown? Thai’s limo service pampers you on the ground, too. 40
consecutive years of profit -- that’s no small feat in the corporate world, and it'seven more noteworthy in the sky
biz. Based in Bangkok, Thai Airways was founded in 1960 and has made
strong efforts to become one of Asia’s best carriers. You’ll become quite
familiar with “best” during your flight. Some of the best attendants in the air
take care of you on the trip. They also serve some of the best meals that
you’re likely ever to eat on a plane, which are complemented by the some of the
best wines and champagnes. This is more accurately phrased by Thai Airways,
which wants you to “fly sabai” (the Thai word for “healthy mind and
body").
No.6 Virgin Atlantic
Fare from New York to
London: About
$5,000
Among the amenities: Onboard bar, on-demand
meals.
Plush perk: In-flight massages. Considering
Sir Richard Branson is at the company's helm, you’re going to
get your money’s worth and then some. It instantly drew the ire of rival
British Airways upon its introduction in 1984; in fact, Virgin and BA exemplify
old-guard vs. young-blood bickering. Virgin poses a strong argument for
first-class -- ahem, Upper Class Suite -- travel, for which the carrier is
quick to suggest it offers more spacious appointments than BA. Either way,
you'll love the pampering, including the surprisingly roomy beds, which convert
from your seat. If all you want is a good night’s rest, Virgin also
accommodates this desire: Certain Upper Class overnight flights feature the
“Snooze Zone,” with dimmed lights and minimal distractions.
No.5 Cathay Pacific Airways
Limited
Fare from Los Angeles to
Hong Kong: About
$7,500
Among the amenities: Five-course meals, dozens
of audio and video options.
Plush perk: Elemis amenity kits and Shanghai
Tang-designed sleepwear.If you’re flying first-class on Cathay Pacific you’ll
surely wish the flight was longer. Trust me, as much as I fly, I wouldn’t
casually throw out such a statement unless it held water. I’m not alone in my
belief; In 2006 Air Transport World magazine’s Airline of the Year
honors went to Cathay. 2006 also marked the airline’s 60th year of operation.
Based in Hong Kong, Cathay doesn’t have as strong a presence in the minds of
U.S. travelers as other carriers. But if you’re flying that long stretch to Asia, your investment in the several thousand-dollar
ticket definitely returns its dividends.
No.4 Japan Airlines
Fare from Tokyo to New
York:
$7,000
Among the amenities: Adjustable headrests and
side cushions, down pillows and comforters.
Plush perk: The built-in massage feature
in the seats. Since 1951, JAL has been a leader in first-class comfort, and
apparently they intend to keep a good thing going. Select flights now feature
their Skysleeper Solo. No, it isn’t a narcoleptic Star Wars character;
it’s the airline’s interpretation of coddling. The seat’s leather upholstery is
by sofa manufacturer Poltrona Frau, ensuring your comfort whether awake or
asleep in the chair’s flat-bed configuration. Whether your palate yearns for
traditional Kyoto cuisine or you crave Western food, JAL has you covered;
both styles are offered. Both are so delicious that you’ll swear an Iron Chef
is on board.
No.3 Lufthansa Airlines
Fare from New York to
Frankfurt: $4,970
Among the amenities: Adjustable privacy screens
between seats, generous room to stretch.
Plush perk: Chefs and sommeliers
continuously update their onboard cuisine and wine selection. Any first-class
passenger can chill in their carrier’s airport lounge, but if you’re a
Lufthansa first-class passenger in Frankfurt, you get your own terminal. It’s one example of
how this carrier caters to its elite. First-class flyers are now enjoying
Lufthansa Media World on board, too. Essentially, it’s a multimedia system with
enough audio, video and games to keep you occupied for a few trips around the
globe. As much as everyone loves to fly first class, accommodations can still
be smallish aboard certain carriers. Lufthansa would rather not fall into that
category. Their sleeper seats are spaced up to 92 inches apart and extend six
feet, six inches (or nearly the length of two rock stars laid end-to-end).
No.2 Singapore Airlines
Fare from Los Angeles to
Singapore:
$5,100
Among the amenities: Bvlgari toiletry kits and
Givenchy-designed sleeper suits on select flights.
Plush perk: “Book the Cook” service
allows meal selection in advance. Be sure to specify Dom Perignon with dinner.To
paraphrase the Lone Star State's saying, everything’s big in first class.
Singapore Airlines, however, can soon claim to have the biggest plane in the
air. As of 2006 they are the first carrier to fly the new Airbus A380, which is
capable of carrying up to 555 passengers in all. Even without the A380, the
first class experience is amazing. Their SkySuites are appropriately named, and
there are only 12 of them in first class, which should strongly allude to the
allure. In addition, the seats cradle you in Connolly leather. One gets the
feeling of being in a big Bentley with wings rather than a plane.
No.1 Swiss International
Air Lines
Fare from New York to
Zurich: $5,000
Among the amenities: Sprüngli chocolates,
duty-free onboard shopping and La Prairie toiletries.
Plush perk: Dining options galore --
from light fare to seven-course meals.
Business takeovers are
always a huge roll of the dice, but we suspect it will ultimately be successful
between Lufthansa and Swiss. The latter was taken over in 2005, but Lufthansa
press releases emphasize “partnership.” We shall see. Swiss has a longstanding
reputation for courtesy and efficiency, and so far their reputation remains
solid. All the expected luxury appointments and services are present. But for
the techno-geek that lurks in all of us, a few too-cool features are too
entertaining to ignore. For one, your video monitor can display flight data,
such as air speed, distance flown and distance remaining. That technology has been around for years, maybe not on my own
screen and at my command, but Swiss has upped the ante: two onboard cameras let
you watch the world in front of the aircraft as well as below it.
Ideas –
Pull out separators new customs serviceindividual T.V better staff training
Better cushions vending machines
Adjustable tables water dispensers
Foot rests? Headphones
Different seat layout childrens section
sofas? better food
Bigger windows – more natural light
No comments:
Post a Comment