A Few Of My Favourite Things (When Flying Business & First Class)
As you are probably aware, I’m very fortunate to be able to travel the world often and well, flying mostly business or first class. With this comes the joy of all the perks that premium travel brings and the memory of them that never fades. Having done this for over 25 years, here are my Top 10 favourite things from flying at the pointy end of the plane.
Favourite Thing No.10 – Coffee & Dates On Etihad Airways & Qatar Airways
I’m not sure why this coffee before take-off tastes so good. It certainly tastes different to the coffee we’re used to, and the dates are always so fresh. Combined they are a perfect way to start a long-haul flight to the Middle East.
Favourite Thing No.9 – Chicken Satay Skewers On Singapore Airlines
Simple yet delicious. Skewered grilled pieces of marinated chicken, onions and cucumber smothered in a delicious peanut sauce, served usually as an appetiser before the start of your meal. Pairs perfectly with a fresh glass of champagne!
Favourite Thing No.8 – The Goodies Bag
Although not as much a thrill as the first time you receive one, it’s still fun receiving your special goodies bag, especially a good goodies bag. The brands are normally deluxe. And if you don’t need any of the contents yourself, you will always find someone at home very grateful to receive one.
Favourite Thing No.7 – Qatar Airways First Class Lounge At Doha
Simply the best lounge I’ve ever had the privilege to experience. Delicious a la carte meals. Tick. Beautiful bar. Tick. Spa with sleeping rooms. Tick. Ancient artifacts. Tick! The size and luxury of the lounge needs to be seen to be believed.
Favourite Thing No.6 – A Shower At 40,000 Feet On Emirates
Totally unnecessary yet very necessary for bragging rights. 5 minutes of essentially just standing there thinking “this is insane”. The bathroom, I mean spa suite, is equally impressive. And you’re flying Emirates First Class!
Favourite Thing No.5 – Virgin Atlantic On-Board Bar
Virgin Atlantic was the first airline in the world to have an on-board bar, which is not too surprising. And one of my favourite things was not quite drinking the bar dry on a flight to Hong Kong to celebrate a 40th with 18 friends, although I’m sure it’s not one of the favourite things of the fellow upper class passengers. And the staff were very obliging and part of the fun, as expected with Virgin.
Favourite Thing No.4 – The First Time I Flew Singapore Airlines First Class
An enclosed suite with sliding doors, a first for any airline. Enough room to swing both yours and your neighbour’s cat. Check-in was via a dedicated First Class check-in. I know we couldn’t have by-passed passport control and security but it felt like it. Then we were whisked off to a room-within-a-room, located in the first class lounge, but in another separate lounge exclusive to first class suites, and forbidden to other first-class guests. All topped off with typical Singapore Airlines inflight service and quality.
Favourite Thing No.3 – The First Time I Flew Etihad Airways First Class
This time the first airline to have a bed separate to your lounge chair. Considerably larger suite than Singapore’s and with a dedicated chef on-board. Etihad was at the top of their game at the time, keen to take a piece of their rival, Emirates, pie. Chauffeur service not only from home, but also to your hotel at the other end. I even used the chauffer service once to take me from Abu Dhabi airport to Dubai airport to catch a connecting Emirates flight. The chauffeur from the gate to the plane waiting on the tarmac was perhaps a tad excessive – perhaps.
Favourite Thing No.2 – Hours Of Uninterrupted Bliss
No emails (unless you want them). No texts. No calls. Just eating fine food, drinking fine drinks, watching fine movies and shows. Without interruption. With exceptional service. And then falling asleep on your lie-flat bed to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed instead of sleep-deprived, hoping to be able to do it all over again soon.
Favourite Thing No.1 – The Last Time I Flew Singapore Airlines First Class
Singapore Airlines continues to lead the way when it comes to premium travel and their latest example of their First Class suites is World Class. I heard it was good, but to experience it is another level. The largest suite in the sky, by far.
A separate bed that can be connected with the bed in the adjoining suite to create a double bed. A choice of 3 vintage champagnes, to complement the complimentary caviar! Cristal is one of the latest they serve. Excellent food and service, as expected. Top-shelf wines. Spacious and luxurious bathrooms. Unfortunately, no shower and no bar. But when you already have it this good, you’re not going to complain.
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