If you’re looking at flying First Class for the first time, then congratulations. Flying First Class is certainly the best way to begin your trip, bookending your journey with the ultimate luxury travel experience. Read on to discover whether First Class travel is for you, all you need to know before boarding, and the various First Class offerings from different airlines. 

Flying First Class will transform your travel experience, no matter how many times you’ve flown before. Prepare to relax in a whole new level of comfort and convenience, though to really make the most of this luxury mode of travel, it can help to understand the nuances of First Class. From booking to landing, every step of the journey is designed to enhance your experience.  

Read more: 10 Best Airlines For Business Class

Flying First Class vs Business Class 

When it comes to luxury air travel, flying First Class is as good as it gets – on most airlines, First Class is the step above Business Class. Whereas in Business Class passengers can enjoy pre-flight lounges as well as lie-flat beds, spacious legroom, and multi-course meals in-flight, each aspect of flying is even more opulent in First Class (but more on that later).

Whether you’re flying Business or First Class, know that both are a significant step up from economy class – both offer superior comfort and service, though First Class offers more luxuries and privacy, whereas Business Class balances between indulgence and practicality.  

Benefits of Flying First Class 

There are a whole range of benefits to First Class travel, and they begin long before you board the plane. As a First Class traveler, you’ll have access to priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling, as well as free checked baggage and increased baggage allowances. Once you arrive at the airport, queuing will become a distant memory – minimize your wait time with expedited check-in, security, and boarding, along with exclusive airline lounge access. 

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On-board, relax into plush seats (with some airlines offering private suites), recline to a lie flat bed, and, with some airlines, tuck into gourmet food from renowned chefs. Throughout your flight you’ll be able make the most of the amenity kit provided, containing comforts from noise-canceling headphones to designer toiletry kits. Wherever you’re flying to, you can rest easy knowing that the flight attendants will be giving you their full attention for the full First Class experience. 

What to Wear When Flying First Class 

While most airlines don’t have a dress code for First Class cabins, many passengers opt to wear business-casual attire rather than the usual sweats and flip-flops – if you are looking to dress on the more formal side then slacks, skirts, or chinos will suffice, paired with shirts or blouses. However, what you choose to wear completely depends on the length of your flight and, at the end of the day, your comfort is what matters. Many airlines give First Class passengers pajamas to wear during long-haul flights, so if you’ll be changing into those then don’t worry too much about what you’re already wearing. 

First Class on International Flights 

To get the most out of flying First Class, it’s best to book your First Class ticket on a long haul international flight. These longer journeys offer a heightened level of comfort compared to a domestic First Class ticket, the latter of which is less likely to have all the luxury amenities mentioned above. If lie-flat beds, luxury food and drinks, and top-tier amenities are important to you, then choose First Class on an international flight. Not only that, but you’ll also be able to enjoy all those luxuries for longer! 

Read more: The airlines with the most luxurious First Class bathrooms have been revealed

Flying First Class on American Airlines 

If you’re flying within the U.S. with American Airlines, First Class marks the highest flight level. However, on some long-distance flights (both domestic and international), you have the option to book seats in Flagship First or Flagship Business classes, which are the most luxurious options on offer from American Airlines – passengers will enjoy lie-flat seats, access to the Flagship Lounge, luxury bedding, and exclusive toiletry kits.  

Flying First Class on Delta Air Lines 

If you’re traveling First Class with Delta Air Lines, you can choose from either Delta One, availably predominantly on long haul and international routes, and Delta First, available domestically. Delta One is the airline’s most premium cabin, offering lie flat beds, premium meal service, access to Delta Sky Clubs, and more – if you’re lucky enough to fly on Airbus A330-900neo or A350 aircraft, you’ll get to experience the new Delta One suite with full-height doors that slide closed for maximum privacy and 18-inch entertainment screens. For domestic flights, Delta First offers accelerated check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling, with slightly larger seats and more legroom than economy.  

Is First Class Worth It?  

Flying First Class is the epitome of luxury air travel, with every step of your journey made to make your travel experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Of course, only you can decide if flying First Class is worth it for you, but if supreme comfort and arriving at your destination well-rested and looked after are a priority for you, then flying First Class is the only way to go.

Distinct, stirring and evocative. The rousing sound of bagpipes is recognized all over the world. An exclusive audience with Highland Piper Andy Coulter is a highlight of our British Royale journey, so we sat down with him to learn more about this revered instrument and his royal connections.

Enjoy an exclusive audience with Andy on: British Royale

Piping through the generations

“I’m what you call an Ulster Scot, I was born in Northern Ireland and now live near Edinburgh,” says Andy. “My father was a piper, my grandfather and my great grandfather. I started when I was 10 years old.

“After school I joined the army and spent many years in the Drums and Pipes. So, I’ve been a Pipe Major a long time. When I left, I worked for Mohammad Al Fayed as close protection security, and he asked me to get a Harrods’s pipe band going. We piped in the store and for dignitaries, as well as at his castle in Scotland.”

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An instrument of war and heritage

“The pipes date back to the 14^th century are basically a war instrument, although they haven’t been played in combat now for over 40 years, since the Falklands War.” Andy tells us. “A lot of Clan chiefs had pipes or a personal piper to pipe them into battle. They would also pipe them into dinner and pipe them into the grave!

“I play the pipes at lots of funerals and lots of weddings, it’s a very traditional thing here. They are preserving Scottish and Gaelic music and heritage for future generations.”

My royal resume

“When I was in the army my ceremonial work consisted of The Trooping of the Colour and state occasions like the Queen’s Birthday parade,” Andy tells us. He has piped in military tattoos in Denmark, Canada, Germany and France, and at the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I also piped at state banquets for Buckingham Palace and the British Royal Family. When a President, King or Queen from another country was visiting, pipers would play around the table.”

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Enduring connections

“I was piping at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for King Juan Carlos of Spain and his wife Queen Sofia, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II,” says Highland Piper Andy. “Following our traditional performance, I was asked to play a solo for the Queen Mother. It was a very unexpected and memorable occasion and I find that Luxury Gold guests love hearing all about this.

“I also met the Queen Mother on another occasion, whilst on guard duty at Windsor Castle. This is an amusing story that I share with guest when I meet them in Edinburgh. Suffice to say she left quite an impression on me.”

An exclusive audience for Luxury Gold guests

Andy delights in sharing the details of his encounters with the Queen Mother with Luxury Gold guests, after they dine at the exclusive Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. A grand finale to their time in the vibrant Scottish capital, Highland Piper Andy tells us “I go in and play a couple of tunes and introduce myself. We then talk, share a few stories and I answer any questions that guests might have. I’ll also get them to join in a bit with me. It is always lots of fun. I find that people are very interested in the bagpipes and piping, I think it resonates with everyone.”

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A cherished heirloom

“My pipes belonged to my great grandfather, and he bought them in 1888,” explains Andy, adding that they gain in value as they are handed down through the generations. “The bag itself is perishable and you also change the reeds when needed. But the pipes themselves are what you pay for. The wood is a very hard brittle wood called Mpingo. It is an African Blackwood, the best wood you can find and is worth around $20,000 a meter.

“When I first meet guests, they are often very intrigued and impressed by my uniform. The question I am asked most is how much does it weigh? It’s heavy because of the traditional Eight Yard kilt, the bonnet, shoes and pipes and comes in at 22 kilos which is about 45 lbs.”

Read how we make British Royale is exceptional: How Travel Concierge Michael Gives a Royal Welcome in the UK

A sound that resonates across the globe

“The Great Highland Pipes that I play originated in Scotland. But there are around 70 different types of bagpipes throughout the world,” says Andy. “There are Scottish Small Pipes and Scottish Parlor Pipes for example. There’s the Northumbrian Pipe and in Ireland the Uilleann Pipes. In Brittany in France, you have the Bretton pipers. They’re all Celtic nations. Pipers also played a similar looking pipe in Northern Spain, and even in Romania and places like that you can find pipes. They all have different styles of course.

“The Great Highland Bagpipes were the musical symbol of war; they were played in battle. My great grandfather played in battle in the Boer War, my grandfather played in the battle in the Somme and at Gallipoli.”

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The next generation

“Pipes will never go out of fashion,” Highland Piper Andy says. “In Scotland the collieries all have pipe bands and that’s where they all stem back to. They are taught in school as well. Every Scottish High School in Scotland has a band or at least a few pipers. New Zealand has more pipers and pipe bands per population than anywhere else in the world and some of the best competition pipe bands can be found in Canada.

“With bagpipes found all over the world, they resonate for so many people. It’s also such a versatile instrument, associated with everything from weddings and dancing to military processions and funerals. Be it a highland fling or the haunting melody of Amazing Grace, when the pipes start playing, they always raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

For the opportunity to meet Andy Coulter for yourself and hear the unforgettable sound of the Highland Bagpipes, take a look at our British Royale luxury tour.

The purr of the engine. The wind in your hair. Nostalgia flowing through your veins. To ride in a vintage car is to step back to a bygone era of chauffeur-driven luxury. A memorable way to discover any destination, it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the fascinating Art Deco city of Napier, New Zealand. And you can experience this for yourself on our luxury small group journey The Long White Cloud.

Few know this fascinating city better than Local Expert and Chauffeur John Ellison from Napier’s Art Deco Trust. We had the pleasure of speaking to him to learn more about the experience, the city, and why by vintage car is the only way to ride.

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Welcome to Napier

Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is a charming coastal city renowned for its Art Deco architecture, extensive vineyards, and the natural beauty and beaches of Hawkes Bay. The city’s Marine Parade promenade offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, while its lively cafes, boutique shops, and galleries showcase the region’s artistic flair. Napier also hosts several annual events, including the renowned Art Deco Festival, attracting visitors from around the world.

A day forever etched in the town’s history, on Tuesday 3 February 1931 Napier suffered a disastrous earthquake. Almost totally levelling all buildings in the inner city, it claimed over 250 lives. As a result, extensive rebuilding that took place in the 1930’s and by the end of the decade Napier was the newest city on the globe. And it was this rebuild that gave the town its distinctive Art Deco moniker.

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A living testament to the 1930s

“Napier is a snapshot in time. Its special to me as my family roots are here,” explains John. “In 1861 my family emigrated from England and played significant leadership roles in Napier’s growth. They were rewarded with street names in their honour. Many experienced the 1931 earthquake and I enjoy relating their stories as they were told to me.”

With an emphasis on the use of geometric forms, sleek lines, and manmade materials, Napier is an architecture lover’s dream. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century.

A piece of living history, there’s a sight and a story around every corner, and there’s no better way to uncover the highlights of this world-famous town’s 140 art deco buildings and sculptures from the comfort of your luxurious vehicle.

Discover this on: The Long White Cloud

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The lure of the vintage car

“When we drive, we take on the 1930’s persona, it’s a joy to be part of,” John says. “Both our dress and our cars represent that era. I enjoy being back driving the type of car I learnt to drive in – changing gears, a manual clutch, no power steering and perfecting the handbrake hill start.

“In our fleet we have four hardtop Packards,  one Packard convertible coupe vehicle and one hardtop Pontiac. The cars are in incredible condition with lots of room inside.

“When taking such a personal tour we quickly develop a rapport and shape the experience around guests’ interests. There’s a lot of fun and good banter on the way.”

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 My favorite building

“One of my favorite spots in the town is The Public Trust Building,” says John. Arguably the most distinctive building in Napier, New Zealand, it was built in the early 1920’s in the Classical Revival Style. “It wouldn’t be out of place as part of ancient Greece.

“The Public Trust Building defied the earthquake of 1931 coming through unscathed, a testament to its build. Its construction was reinforced with copious quantities of steel, decorated with Latin lettering, bolt patterns, shields, fern fronds and geometric shapes.

“Thrust up approx. 1.5 meters and settled perfectly level, it set the example to reconstruct town and the nearly 93 years since. Though the town didn’t want to replicate this building, they adapted the architectural style to Stripped Classical used extensively in the rebuild for strength.”

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Why New Zealand?

“New Zealand is a land of variety,” says John. “Easy to navigate, its a small but sensational country. You’ll enjoy staggering variety of jaw dropping landscapes that change from the North of the North right down to the deep South. Not to mention the friendly, helpful welcome you will get from the locals.”

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Each ride in Napier, New Zealand gives something back

Art Deco Trust’s vintage car journeys not only offer a unique Art Deco experience, but each ride contributes to the replanting of some of New Zealand’s most stunning spots, in association with Trees that Count.

Committed to the preservation of New Zealand’s wild places, streamside and retired land plantings are a key focus, assisting against soil erosion and absorbing run off into streams and waterways.

Read more about sustainability initiatives: How We’re Setting the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury Travel

The land of The Long White Cloud awaits

If you’re dreaming of seeing the Land of the Long White Cloud (the most common translation of Aotearoa – the Maori name for New Zealand) for yourself, we invite you to be inspired and awed during a 19-day guided tour of New Zealand, The Long White Cloud. Explore Napier in a vintage car, take an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, dine with a former All Black and stay in exquisite forest retreats.