Hyper personalisation and exclusivity in luxury travel

First-class cabins used to be considered the pinnacle of luxury travel, but all that changed when airlines started offering points and rewards to frequent flyers, and the exclusivity it once promised all but vanished. Private jets quickly filled that position and became the better option for wealthy passengers seeking relative comfort and privacy.

With sustainability at the top of everyone’s minds today, affluent travellers are returning to commercial airlines. But not necessarily to first-class cabins. These are now almost non-existent and have been replaced by premium accommodations and upgraded business-class spaces that offer better privacy, more ‘à la carte’ options and increased comfort thanks to newer technologies. For example, Etihad’s exclusive Residence and Emirates’ private suites, both of which employ the latest tech and trends to enable passengers personalise their cabins however way they feel best.

Per Deloitte, travelling via a superyacht is the most preferred means of transport for the very rich because of the exclusivity it offers, in addition of course to other benefits which include “high-end interior design to bespoke onboard services and amenities … [that allow the rich unfettered access to] the highest form of privacy and personalisation.”

Hyper-personalisation and exclusivity in the hospitality and tourism industries

The hospitality industry has been rather quick to embrace the concept of hyper-personalisation, offering distinct solutions ranging from targeted messages aimed at different customer segments to incorporating novel tech that allows guests to customise their rooms to their tastes. Some hotels and resorts even suggest local and authentic activities and attractions via a dedicated app; others include special requests from guests, like getting a particular chef to provide meals throughout their stay.

But for the very affluent, even this is not enough.

It is not enough to sleep on the most exquisite bed surrounded by the finest luxury amenities. High-end wellness packages, designed to improve everything health-wise from sleep to mindfulness are the new normal.

It is not enough to enjoy the finest local cuisine: cooking classes from Michelin-starred chefs; wine pairings featuring unique ‘boissons’ from small, domestic chateaux; and bespoke culinary experiences tailored to each guest’s individual needs are now on the menu for the ultra-rich.

Family vacations may still be in, but for affluent travellers, multi-generational travel or large-group vacations with loved ones are on the rise, leading to an increased demand for exclusive, fully-staffed villas and hotels, private residences, bespoke camps, and, standalone suites. Large group travel also means an uptick in the demand for exclusive yacht charters and private jets.

And what do you give to an experienced traveller who has been to almost every country in the world? Perhaps a private safari and a chance to have a one-on-one encounter with the animals; or trekking the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a dedicated guide, or even camping and experiential expeditions in Antarctica are in order.

Hyper-personalised and exclusive luxury services

As the ultra-rich engage in a race against time to balance all the aspects of their very busy lives, getting their hands on limited-edition products, highly-coveted-yet-restricted luxury goods or even putting together the itinerary of a different kind of trip is a mission-impossible task.

Enter the specialists experienced in solving this challenge.

In the luxury beauty and fashion world, these specialists have chosen to be known as Fashion Sourcers, per Vogue. Fashion sourcers are upgraded personal shoppers who ‘offer a fresh, hyper-personalised retail model for luxury’s top spenders … providing almost 24-hour, one-stop-shop luxury retail, with virtually no limits, all via Whatsapp or Instagram DM.’

When the affluent need a Birkin 35 in ebene Barenia calfskin leather and palladium hardware, instead of suing Hermès when they cannot get their hands on one, they simply engage the services of a trusted fashion sourcer who is sure to get one from their vast network of connections globally.

A bespoke luxury travel specialist provides an equally sought-after service in the travel and hospitality industry. Like every other person, the very rich have their quirks, and even more so since they have the funds to make them happen. But not even they can put together a ridiculously unusual vacation on their own; for example, go on a holiday modelled after a particular action movie and get the same cinematographer who worked on the film to cover your trip and produce a video just like the movie.

While there is an increased clamour from aspirationals and outsiders to democratise luxury, stakeholders who truly understand that this can never be the case are creating more barriers to entry, making modern-day luxury more exclusive and hyper-personalised than ever before.

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For frequent first class passengers, choosing to fly commercial does not mean sacrificing all the luxe comforts they are accustomed to, and airlines do not hold back in providing all the premium benefits that keep them coming back. But sometimes, premium can be quirky, and some airlines have proven that even this is not a challenge with their unusual first class souvenirs which they sometimes extend to their business class cabins.

KLM’s Delft Blue House

No story of unusual first class souvenirs would be complete without the mention of KLM’s gin-filled ceramic delft blue houses, a truly collectible item that manages to give physical and psychological benefits all at once.

Since 1952, KLM Dutch Airlines has remained consistent in giving out these miniature gin-filled houses to passengers in its premium cabins. Although the houses have retained their blue-and-white signature colourway as well as the Delftware pottery style associated with the eponymous Dutch city since the mid-17th century, production times and the manner of obtaining them have evolved.

“Production was random until 1994,” explains a KLM representative. “[Back then] a number of houses were produced one after another, then none for several years. An extra 15 houses were produced in 1994 in honour of KLM’s 75th anniversary. This brought the number to exactly 75 and the number of houses in the series has kept pace with KLM’s age ever since.”

Today, there are a total of 103 houses, which are now released on October 7 each year to mark the airline’s birthday. Each house has a unique story: for example, house 103 is a miniature of the Ecury House in Oranjestad, Aruba, the family home of the Ecury family that contributed significantly to the development of aviation in Aruba.

How do modern-day collectors grow their stash? In a nod to the times, passengers in the airline’s business cabin visit the dedicated Delft Blue Houses app once the flight attendants come out with the ceramic souvenirs on trays. There, they will cross-reference the numbers on the back of the houses on display to ensure that they’re only adding a fresh model to their collection.

It is not certain who has the most houses in their collection, but, per KLM, houses No 76, 48, and the earliest houses 1-10 are some of the most sought-after pieces among collectors.

Lufthansa’s Rubber Ducks

Lufthansa may not have the storied history of KLM’s Delft houses, but its rubber ducks are certainly more unusual than gin-filled ceramic replicas of historic homes.

According to the word flying around, it all started around 2004 when the airline opened its first class terminal in Frankfurt. One of the perks was the shower suites, and in the one with a bathtub, someone had thought it wise to place a rubber deck there. But then it was taken, and the airline replaced it. And then it got taken again and was replaced again, until the airline realised that passengers really love their rubber ducks, and so they turned it into a souvenir first class passengers could take home with them from the lounge.

So far, Lufthansa has decked its first class terminal with different types of ducks. There have been Christmas ducks, Oktoberfest ducks, FIFA World Cup ducks and even coronavirus ducks!

If you would love to start your own Lufthansa duck collection, the process is rather simple. Just visit the airline’s first class lounges in Munich or Frankfurt, and request your own squishy gift from the assistants. They would be more than happy to grant your request.

Emirates’ collectable toys and bags for young flyers

Emirates’ offering isn’t so quirky, but their latest first class souvenirs are not so common, and so they deserve a spot on this list.

Unlike the other two airlines on this list, their collectible amenity kits are not for all passengers flying premium but are reserved for their young passengers only, up until the age of 12.

Made from sustainable materials, the kits are grouped into three: the first is for babies 0-2 years and is geared more towards the parents than the child. It includes a reusable changing mat, diaper cream and cleansing wipes, a keepsake wipe-clean bib, a soothing vibrating plush toy and collectable ‘blanket buddies’, where an Emirates character soft toy representing a pilot or cabin crew is offered alongside a soft blanket to ensure a sweet night’s sleep. All these are in a colourful bag with hand-drawn artwork representing “the people, places, and cultures that Emirates airline serves in its global route network of 140 destinations.”

The kit for kids aged 3-6 years is way different. They are given a multi-use belt bag, larger backpack, or generous duffle bag that contain an engaging ‘Fly with Me’ activity pack with its colouring pencils, kid-friendly world maps, puzzles, drawing tutorials, colouring pages, educational activities about Dubai and protecting the environment.

For children between the ages of 7 to 12, they would be walking off the flight with reusable belt bags, larger backpacks, or generous duffle bags – designed with subtle and cool graphics that appeal to their age group.

The next time you’re on any one of these flights, look out – you just might be walking off with a quirky, lifelong artefact that might become a family heirloom. And if you would not be flying with any one of these anytime soon? Ask the attendants at the first class lounge or those in-flight. Who knows? You just might be walking off the flight with your own unusual, collectible souvenir.

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In reality, commercial airlines are nowhere near retiring their most premium cabin even though most are now choosing to focus on other classes that are guaranteed to bring in profits without sacrificing their premium passengers. Which is precisely what the Lufthansa Allegris is about and its products offer some insight into the future of first-class and premium cabins in commercial flights.

But first, a history of the first-class cabin

Although commercial flights took off in 1914, the first class concept did not take root until well after WWII, and even then, it was not so much about the seats as it was about flying uninterrupted (which is what was regarded as first class) or having frequent stops along the way (coach flights).

At this point in the history of aviation, space was regarded more as a necessity than a luxury, since the costs of tickets were high and only the really could afford them. It was only after 1955 when standardised fares were abolished and the first aircraft with separate coaches launched that first class began to be associated with more space, better service and exclusive amenities.

And this is how it has been ever since. Although first-class cabins industry-wide are not as spacious as they used to be back in the 30s, 40s and 50s, the amenities, level of service and other perks they come with make them more sophisticated than their predecessors.

However, in spite of the many benefits they offer, it appears as though more premium passengers would rather fly private, or go with other cheaper – but just as impressive – superior cabins.

Lufthansa Allegris and the revamped first class

Back in February, the German airline announced new changes to its long-distance aircraft dubbed the Lufthansa Allegris. While this product includes modifications to all its cabins – like increased flexibility in its business class that would allow passengers enjoy more space with the possibility of combining two suites; and, seats with fold-out leg rests that can recline in premium economy without disturbing passengers behind – it is the changes in its first class that seem to have garnered the most attention.

From promotional videos, the new first-class cabin aboard Lufthansa’s long-haul aircraft is a single row in a 1-1-1 layout. Amenities include temperature-controlled seats, spacious wardrobes and entertainment screens that span the width of the suites. Guests in this cabin would also have access to a specially put-together gourmet menu that they can order from at any time.

Impressive changes, but nothing compared to the introduction of ‘Suite Plus,’ a double suite in the middle aisle. Decked out with all the features in the neighbouring ‘rooms’, Suite Plus has, in addition, high-ceiling walls and a door that can close completely, as well as two seats that can be combined to form a large bed for two, almost like what can be found in a hotel room.

The future of first-class and premium cabins

Every time a global event negatively affects the economies of rich countries, the aviation industry suffers, and almost every time – in recent years at least – first-class is always almost the first to be scrapped or modified for less-pricey seats and cabins.

The 2008 financial crisis saw the rise of business class and a steady decline of first class, while the global coronavirus pandemic that restricted travel between 2020 and 2021 almost killed the premium cabin for good.

But, as Lufthansa and other airlines are showing, first class is going nowhere. For now at least. It is true that the Coronavirus increased demand for private jets, aided in no small part by new initiatives that make this uber-luxe method of flying more accessible. However, with concerns about carbon emissions and making our planet more sustainable, it would be quite a reach to say that first-class travel is dead.

As long as commercial flights are still in operation, airlines will always have to create a space for premium passengers willing to spend more for their comfort. The only changes the immediate future seems to be ready to offer in this regard are reduced seats as in Lufthansa’s single row of 3 first-class suites, reduced suite sizes like Emirates’ A380 first-class suites or making first-class cabins available only on select long-haul flights, as most airlines are doing currently.

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Only recently, Emirates obtained exclusive rights to serve top champagne on its flights; specifically bubblies from Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon. This contract means that from 2023 to 2024, Emirates would be the only commercial airline offering champagnes from these brands. Dom Perignon will be served in first class across all routes globally; Veuve Clicquot will be served in business class on routes to the Americas and Europe, and, Moët & Chandon will be offered in business class on routes to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, including Australasia. Passengers in economy would also be able to purchase Moët & Chandon champagnes if they want.

No doubt, being the only airline to serve these top champagnes would increase the value of Emirates’ premium cabin. So far, Emirates has worked hard to ensure that its premium passengers enjoy the best bubblies: its Business Lounge in Dubai boasts a special Moet & Chandon bar and its unique wine cellar in France reportedly houses up to 6.5 million bottles that has allowed it to serve rare wines such as the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2003 Plenitude 2 on select routes.

For now, other airlines would have to contend with serving premium champagnes from other houses onboard while they work to include attractive luxury options in other categories like onboard amenity kits and even the meals served in-flight. Their wine list is no less remarkable — Qatar Airways serves Krug 2004 champagne in its first class while Etihad offers Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires 2004 in its own first class. Air France serves passengers Piper-Heidsieck 2006 Rare Millésime Champagne in its premier cabin while those in economy can enjoy a drink from the Fleur de Champagne Brut 1er Cru, the signature cuvée of a family-owned and independent wine producer since 1859.

But in the end, none of these champagnes are a Dom Pérignon or a Veuve Clicquot or even a Moët & Chandon. And having exclusive rights to serve them onboard has definitely put Emirates ahead. For now at least.

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Like the latest jewellery drop from Louis Vuitton, the LV Diamonds, Prada has managed to make its iconic symbol, the Prada Triangle, a recurring element in every piece. The heart-shaped pendant is shaved off at the middle to taper down into the shape of the triangle. A necklace is made of interconnecting rings that finish off in the shape of the triangle. Even the spiral serpent cuff — Miuccia Prada is renowned for her collection of cuffs which she prefers to wear snugly around her right tricep — ends with the Prada Triangle.

The 48-piece collection, which has been described as genderless, also features earrings, ribbon chokers and bracelets. Some of the pieces can even be combined to form an item, like a chain bracelet that can be connected to a necklace with the help of the triangle closure to form a longer sautoir. “We were thinking about how the modern woman is not one thing,” Timothy Iwata, Prada’s jewellery director, said of these hybrid elements.

However – in what can be considered the most standout feature of the Eternal Gold collection by Prada – this new line is not just your standard luxury jewellery collection made from the finest and highest-quality materials. Every piece in the collection is made of 100 per cent recycled gold, sprinkled with pavé diamonds and meets the “chain of custody” standards set by the Responsible Jewelry Council, as confirmed by Lorenzo Bertelli, group head of corporate social responsibility.

When you purchase any piece of the Prada Eternal Gold fine jewellery collection, you receive an authentication card which can be scanned using Aura Consortium Blockchain technology to reveal its entire source-to-store journey. This scannable chip technology is, according to Prada, the first within the fine jewellery world. However, the idea is not a novel one seeing as Louis Vuitton offered buyers of its LV Diamonds a certificate of authenticity listing the diamonds’ weight, colour, purity and cut, their country of origin and all the nations they travelled through while documenting this journey on the blockchain via the Aura Consortium.

The Eternal Gold collection by Prada is available for purchase at its stores in Milan, Rome, Paris, London, Dubai, Beverly Hills, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing. The drop will also be available online from October 17 in Europe, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S., China, Japan and Korea. Depending on what you want, pieces are available to buy immediately and through pre-order or made-to-order.

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Qatar away from the World Cup 2022

The truth is that Qatar has always been a prime luxury destination even though it hardly ever tops the list. The World Cup may change this, but even if the games do not take you there this year, the Middle Eastern country should be on your list when you’re considering a trip to that region.

What to do in Qatar

Of course, because it is a desert country, the first activity that comes to mind is a desert safari. This is great – if you’ve never taken one before or you absolutely love it and want the experience in a new country. So yes, a desert safari is definitely something to do in Qatar, but it is not the only activity you can indulge in on your trip.

There is the option of visiting the National Museum of Qatar, an attraction that is not only interesting for the cultural story it tells but for its architecture which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel to mimic the naturally occurring crystal formations known as the desert rose.

For an even deeper cultural experience, visit Katara Cultural Village, home to the Katara Mosque designed by (arguably) the first female architect to specialise in mosques; a Greek-styled amphitheatre and the Qatar Museums Gallery. Here, you can also shop at the Galeries Lafayette – the iconic French department store – spend a day at the beach or have a taste of Qatari food via the many eateries and ‘cabins’ on Tasty street.

Other activities to partake in include kayaking in the Mangroves of Al Thakira; playing a range of sports via high-tech installations at the newly-opened 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and visiting the Souq Waqif, the ‘Standing Market’ that gives you a feel of ancient Qatar.

Where to stay in Qatar

Qatar, like Dubai, has more than enough luxury accommodations to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as you would like.

From the Mandarin Oriental Doha with its two rooftop pools and nine restaurants and bars to the Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village whose proximity to the sheikh’s palace confers upon it an additional luxe appeal; the Mondrian Doha famous for its top-notch service and opulent offerings, and, the Zulal Wellness Retreat perfect for unwinding and detoxing either alone or with a group, there is no end to the comfortable and lavish lodgings you can retire to after a busy day exploring Qatar’s top attractions.

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ROAR Africa is famous for its unique luxury safaris. In 2020, it launched the Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari that saw it become the first travel company to design the interior of any Emirates aircraft. As this special safari experience winds to a close – the last trip is scheduled for September this year – ROAR Africa has once again put together a travel package that offers deeply profound experiences for the price of one.

Into the Wild with David Whyte is a safari vacation with renowned poet and author, David Whyte. For six nights, guests would be guided through a journey of self-exploration, discovery and transformation using the elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether – and themed poetry, as a roadmap.

Designed for 12 couples or 24 guests, this special experience is scheduled for the 22^nd to the 28^th of February, 2023, and will hold at Kenya’s Segera Retreat located in the heart of Laikipia Plateau.

“I’m sure in our evolutionary pasts, the dynamic of meditation came from watching animals quietly if you were hunting or watching a landscape quietly if you were picking berries. And in that silence, we found ourselves being touched by the suchness of everything we witnessed and saw,” says Whyte.

“What makes the natural world so healing to human beings is that it’s just itself; the cloud is the cloud, the tree is the tree. And yet us humans are really quite extraordinary in that we can refuse to just be ourselves. We can get afraid of the way we are and temporarily put a mask over our face and present to be something or someone else. But by understanding that the essence of our identity is always being at this crossroads is the foundational miracle of human incarnation – the ability to experience and hold them together at one and the same time,” he adds.

Into the Wild with David Whyte is more than just poetry and a connection to the natural elements. There would be daily game drives and nature walks; a visit to Segera’s canine unit; a Swahili interactive cooking experience; drumming (the ancient form of African celebration and healing), and storytelling with the likes of author and writer, Alexandra Fuller.

To find out more about this safari package and how you can register, visit ROAR Africa today.

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Nicknamed “the most beautiful building on earth”, the uniqueness of the museum easily makes it a must-see attraction when in Dubai. From the building itself – the elliptical structure shuns pillars in favour of 1024, 4-layered steel plates that help to keep it erect, while the Arabic inscriptions on it, which double as skylights, are memorable quotes from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – to its exhibition spaces and other attractions packed into it, there is something of interest at the Museum of the Future for just about everybody.

Beyond the uniqueness of its shape is a very profound meaning. According to the architect, the solid part of the structure represents the knowledge that we have today. The void represents all that we do not yet know – in other words, the future. Which is exactly what the museum is all about.

For example, there are entire floors dedicated to climate change, as well as outer space and the future of healthcare and wellness. The museum will also address the effect of global warming on critical ecosystems and how these might be repaired. It will look at how solar energy collection in space and asteroid mining could be used for the benefit of humanity, and will even touch upon the subject of spirituality.

As part of its design, it was determined that the Museum of the Future will be a truly sustainable project. The building is powered by 4,000 megawatts of solar energy in collaboration with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority while the surrounding park contains 80 species of plants and is equipped with automatic irrigation and greywater recycling systems. Charging ports have been made available for visitors with electric vehicles, but parking spaces are limited to encourage the use of public transport, as a 212-metre-long bridge links the area to Emirates Towers metro station.

All these sustainable solutions have earned it the Platinum Certification for Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED), the highest rating for green buildings in the world.

Visitors can also expect to be introduced to a wide range of technologies including augmented reality and virtual reality, that will be used to project them into the future to create an immersive theatre experience. “This is not the museum where you will see objects in cases with labels next to them,” explains Lath Carlson, executive director of the Museum of the Future. “In a lot of the main galleries, there will be no labels at all. It will be a completely immersive experience that engages the visitor as a really important contributor to the experience, rather than as a viewer of someone else’s work.”

He hopes to offer an optimistic view of the future as a counterpoint to what he considers as a generally bleak outlook presented by the entertainment industry. “We want to show how people might creatively respond to the challenges, while at the same time being realistic about the challenges that are coming,” he says.

Tickets to the Museum of the Future are currently sold out, but you can check availability, as well as other relevant information on its website here.

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The ‘little something’ is none other than SIA’s first-ever amenity kit for individual passengers in its business cabin. Made in collaboration with British perfumer Penhaligon’s, the kit is a skincare and wellness affair consisting of a hand lotion, a facial mist, a balm and while stocks last, a 5ml roll-on perfume oil Luna, all infused with Quercus, a refreshing and citrus and basil scent.

Yet, Singapore Airlines is hardly the only carrier offering amenity kits filled with skincare and wellness products to premium passengers, nor does it have the most extravagant offering.

Awards in this category will perhaps go to Taiwan’s Eva Air who in the past used to offer Rimowa-branded amenity kits but now gives its premium cabin guests Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits when the former was discontinued, and Emirates Airlines whose partnerships with Byredo and Bulgari since 2018 has seen them produce some of the most luxurious kits above ground level, including a pair of pyjamas designed to hydrate the skin.

But amenity kits are not the only options airlines offer their premium passengers in their quest to ensure that their journey across the sky is as comfortable as possible. Emirates, for example, has a ‘shower spa’ for its first-class passengers travelling aboard their A380 Airbus.

As it is above, so it is below

The skincare and wellness trend is not just restricted to the skies. Last year, British Airways launched the Forty Winks Lounge with sleep pods designed to help premium passengers nap properly ahead of their flight.

Air France’s business lounge in the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris features a wellness area, a rest area with lounge chairs, a detox bar, and saunas with facial treatments from Clarins Spa. Just last month, the airline opened a new airport spa with luxury French beauty brand Sisley. The spa, called La Première Sisley Beauty Institute, offers skin rehydration treatments for men and women.

At the Madrid airport, the SHA Wellness Clinic has erected an outpost where travellers seeking better options can go for spa treatments, healthy foods, and drinks.

With an ongoing global health challenge courtesy of the Coronavirus, and with the Ukraine-Russia situation, international travel has become rather daunting. If you’re going to be moving in between countries and regions, it only makes sense to seek out airlines that will offer you the best services all around, including in the skincare and wellness categories.

Source: Barrons

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The A380 was first announced in 1990 and it made its flying debut on October 25, 2007, with Singapore Airlines. It was conceptualised to overtake the Boeing 747, but unfortunately, did not succeed. A number of factors are responsible.

First, the A380 is a large jet: measuring 73m (240ft) long and 24m (78ft) high, with a take-off weight of up to 560 tons, it would require more resources to operate and would only be viable for long-distance flights. What this means is that it uses more fuel, making it less environmentally friendly than the newer, smaller aircraft being produced today.

And if this was not enough to make the A380 less attractive, along came the pandemic to hammer in the final nail in the coffin. Reduced travel meant that it was even more expensive to own and operate this jumbo jet, and before the end of 2020, Lufthansa and Air France decided to permanently retire their A380s. Even if Airbus had not made its decision to cease production of this model back in 2019, the Coronavirus would have definitely forced its hand.

In spite of these, however, the Airbus A380 remains an incredible piece of work in the world of aviation. The plane has two full decks and normally seats 525 passengers, but can hold up to a maximum of 868 passengers — compared to the 747 that can only accommodate 467 passengers — making it the largest commercial plane built. Its maximum flying range is 8,000 nautical miles and for a jet its size, it uses less fuel and produces very low noise emissions.

In honour of a disappearing era, here are three of some of the most luxurious interiors of the A380’s first-class cabins of different airlines, according to the Luxury Travel Expert. If you’ve ever flown abroad any of these beauties, you are one of the lucky few to have experienced what is fast becoming history.

3. Emirates

If you value privacy and personalized service above all else, you’ll love Emirates’ First Class private, gold-clad suites. Emirates’ A380 planes feature 14 First Class suites, each fully equipped with a sliding door, a personal mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, a vanity table, mirror and wardrobe, as well as a privacy divider for central suites. And should you decide to go to sleep mid-flight, the crew will convert your seat to a full flatbed with a mattress so you can arrive at your destination totally refreshed.

2. Etihad Airways

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad Airways pushes luxury to a sky-high new level with its First Apartments in its A380 superjumbos.

More than just a seat, the First Apartment is upholstered with the finest leather and features a wide armchair and a separate bed of 208 cm (6 feet and 10 inches). There is even space to walk around after closing the privacy doors. Six of these apartments are interconnecting, perfect for when you’re travelling with a companion. Alternatively, you may invite a travelling partner from first-class to join you in your apartment for a meal or a meeting.

Inside, you’ll find a vanity unit with a lit make-up mirror. You can change into complimentary loungewear and hang your suit in a full-length wardrobe. And before landing, you can freshen up in the First Class bathroom with an energizing shower using exclusive Parma Di Acqua toiletries.

1. Singapore Airlines

The first to fly the Airbus A380, it is no surprise that Singapore Airlines has the best first-class cabin design. Their First Class suites, exclusively offered onboard the Airbus A380 aircraft, provide the distinguished few with their very own haven of tranquillity.

Its new first-class cabin features 6 suites within the front area of the upper deck (compared to 12 suites on the lower deck of the carrier’s A380s with the old layout). Each suite comes with a separate full-flat bed with adjustable recline and plush, as well as a swivel leather chair, enabling passengers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the latter from a sitting position. For couples travelling together, the beds in the first two suites of each aisle can be converted to form a double bed.

Each suite also has a 32 inch full HD monitor, a full-sized personal wardrobe, specially designed carpet and a feature wall with mood lighting – all exquisitely crafted to give a touch of luxury and intimacy. And when it’s time for some sleep, passengers can request Singapore Airlines’ signature turndown service, with fine linen and plush, full-sized pillows, ensuring a restful slumber.

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