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Concierge Tips, Luxury Journeys

Flying First Class: The Luxury Gold First-Timer’s Guide

June 14, 2024 by Jess Williamson No Comments
Sunset view from airplane window

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).

Sunset light on airplane seats

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. 

You might also like: Take a Glimpse Into Luxury Air Travel of the Future With These Stunning Designs

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 airplane cabin

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.  

airplane in sky

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.

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Concierge Tips

The airlines with the most luxurious first class bathrooms have been revealed

March 9, 2023 by kjbirtles No Comments

When it comes to flying first class, we tend to focus on the big-ticket items to distinguish between airlines. Private cabins, fully-flat beds, gourmet dining, and exceptional service are important, of course. But what about the bathrooms? Some airlines are showing they should no longer be an after-thought. Expect walk-in showers, full-size sinks and mirrors, plush seating, luxury products, hidden urinals… even loos with a view. But who’s doing it the best? Here we revealing the airlines with the most luxurious first class bathrooms, for when you feel like pampering yourself at 30,000 feet. 

Read more: The A listers guide to in-flight skin care

Travel in style on our Luxury Scandinavia Tours

Emirates

Emirates first class bathroom

@emirates

The first class bathrooms on Emirates A380 are among the finest in the world. The aircraft has 14 first class suites and two glamorous shower suites on the upper deck, complete with walk-in showers, heated floors, and luxury Bulgari toiletries. As a first class passenger, you can schedule your shower at the beginning of your flight. The aircraft will also have shower spa attendants on board who ensure the shower spas are maintained throughout the flight. The elegant spas are fitted with high-quality laminate wood panelling, sink, vanity and mirrors, along with cushioned benches. High-altitude pampering has never looked so good. 

Read more: 5 ultra-modern tech gadgets to help make jet lag a thing of the past

Singapore Airlines

Singapore airlines first class bathroom

@thepointsguyuk

Singapore Airlines runs Emirates close with its A380 first class suite bathrooms. With only six seats in the first class cabin, you won’t have to wait to relax in these enormous bathrooms. Each luxurious bathroom has two roomy sections with a full-size sink, full-size vanity, plush seating, and a hidden urinal. You’ll feel like you’re at a day spa at the vanity, where you can unwind with a padded ottoman, full-length mirror, and an impressive stock of Lalique toiletries for sky-high indulgence. 

Read more: Expert selected: the 4 best hotel spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways first class bathroom

@josefpangrac

Looking at Qatar Airways’ opulent first class bathrooms, it’s hard to believe they belong on an aircraft. They have a full-length mirror and a full-size sink with a waterfall tap and LED light-up mirrors. The bathrooms also have gorgeous mood lighting, so you can pamper yourself in style with luxury brands of perfume and cologne, shaving kits, lotion, mouthwash, and toothpaste. The cherry on the cake is the hidden toilet upholstered in the same leather as the benches – which are almost as big as a chaise lounge.

Read more: The Luxury Gold guide to investing in luggage

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways The Residence

@etihad

In summer 2023, Etihad Airways is bringing back its A380 aircraft with ultra-luxe first class bathrooms. The aircraft will include three of its extraordinary “Residences”. These are three-room suites, each with a separate bedroom, living room, and ensuite bathroom with shower. Widely considered the most luxurious flying experience, the relaunch of The Residences is garnering excitement in the luxury travel community. It’s also the only airline, aside from Emirates, offering a full shower in the bathroom suite. Guests will have a full five minutes of hot running water in the shower, a dream on long-haul flights. With an in-flight butler and premium features such as the same leather upholstery as Ferrari, this is as impressive as it gets in first class.

Read more: Experience the world’s finest retreats on your Luxury Gold tour

Ready to enjoy a first class flying experience on your next trip? Speak with our Luxury Travel Specialists or your Concierge to personalise your tour.

Banner image: Emirate’s first class shower spa

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Luxury Journeys

Low Risk of Contracting Covid-19 on Airplanes

December 4, 2020 by Luxury Gold No Comments

Image credit: Jacki Lo

Usually the first step of embarking on a Luxury Gold journey is a long-haul flight to the location of you’ve been dreaming about. We understand that you might be weary of traveling at the moment if you’re wondering if it is safe to take an airplane. Well, we’ve got some good news to share with you. Not only is there promising news of effective Covid-19 vaccines in the pipeline there has been extensive research on the risk of contracting Covid-19 on airplanes and it is low!

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