In May of last year during the Festival de Cannes, global carrier Air France showcased a mock-up of its new La Première cabin near the Hôtel Martinez beach. The 14-foot-long installation on the beach included the seat and chaise lounge that can be converted into a two-metre bed.
The premier cabin has just four suites, allowing for ample storage space. The suites are each designed in white, cream and grey with the airline’s flying horse motif subtly added as accents through the cabin. Expect to find bright red pops of colour such as the cloth pouch containing Jacquemus pyjamas. The airline has called on heavyweights like Pierre Hermé to design the desert menu, Sisley to pack some French skincare into the amenity kits, and Dumas Paris to create the lush bed linen.
Consistently winning awards for its wine programme, Air France’s La Première wine list curation is the result of a collaboration with the sommelier from the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. Air France has hand-picked chefs, who have worked at Michelin three-star restaurants, to create their in-flight menus. The meals are plated right before service, as opposed to being pre-plated in largescale commercial kitchens, chilled, and then re-heated and served to passengers. Chef curators include among France’s best like Emmanuel Renault, Arnaud Lallement, and Anne-Sophie Pic. Flights departing from Singapore have French chef Julien Royer’s menu, while passengers departing from the United States will enjoy food by Dominique Crenn.
In spite of some major airlines recently phasing out first-class cabins on their fleets, a few legacy carriers continue to have first-class cabins that cater to those willing to shell out for premium services.
Lufthansa introduced firstclass suites that can accommodate two guests and Singapore Airlines re-introduced a third champagne option for its Suites and FirstClass passengers.
“Mumbai or Delhi to London, Dubai and Singapore, see a lot of first-class traffic, which is why airlines including Emirates, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines are in high demand,” says Aparna Manghnani, Mumbai-based luxury travel curator, whose client base comprises among the most elite travellers.
The experience for first-class passengers begins earlier than the check-in. Emirates’ FirstClass lounge at the airlines’ home base in Dubai is a case in point of personalised, on-ground experiences. BMW-chauffeured airport transfers, a lounge area to check-in and a lounge experience that includes à la carte table service, spa services, a dedicated Moët & Chandon bar, and a premium wine cellar for those who’d like to purchase fine wine.
The Emirates A380’s firstclass shower spa includes a fully functional bathroom with a changing and vanity area. The floorto-ceiling doors on the more recent Boeing 777-300ER first-class suites deserve special mention. There’s even a video chat screen where you can call for the crew and ask for whatever you need. A tech touch that we love in the Emirates firstclass (Boeing 777-300ER aircraft) are the digital windows. So, if you are seated in a middle suite with no windows on either side, your cabin has virtual windows with cameras to project real-time views of the actual sky outside.
Trained staff coupled with luxe touches such as a vanity draw with a notebook and pen, a snack basket, Byredo luxury skincare products make the airline’s first-class popular and profitable.
Another UAE carrier, Etihad Airways was way ahead of its time in 2014 when it launched The Residence (what it calls its first-class product on the A380). Today, The Residence continues to be the most opulent product in the skies. Etihad’s Residence is a three-room set-up that includes a living room and an attached bathroom, and a double bed, making it ideal for long-haul flights such as Abu Dhabi to New York. A dedicated butler, a chef to prepare and serve your food, as well as amenities branded by Giorgio Armani and Espa are on offer.
“Despite its exorbitant price tag, there are those who ask to be booked on The Residence for the lavish, opulent experience it offers,” says Manghnani.
Two Asian carriers lead the pack when it comes to first-class experiences. Singapore Airlines for its Suites, and Cathay Pacific for its design and wellness-focused on-ground experience. Singapore Airlines goes the extra mile by offering suites, in addition to its existing first-class product.
The Suites, available on the Airbus A380 aircraft, are similar to a plush carpeted room. It has a sliding door and comes with a full-sized bed with a Poltrona Frau swivel armchair. The bathroom includes a sit-down vanity area, replete with Lalique amenities. If you book two adjoining suites, they can be converted into a double suite with a large bed by lowering the divider. The colour scheme, fabric and leather textures, paired with the blended technology controls, make this one of the most visually appealing cabins in the skies. Also, apart from offering three varieties of champagne on board, they are the only airline in the world to serve the Cristal 2015 champagne.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific has chosen to retain its first-class cabin on some of its Boeing 777-300ER planes. The seat converts into a comfortable bed. A thick mattress, soft bed linen and pillows, and pillow mist ensure you sleep well and awake well-rested. Added privacy features include do-not-disturb and wake-up call services on selected routes. The Boeing 777-300ER first-class seat features an ottoman that can be made into a two-person dining setup. Their in-flight dining services includes a specially conceived caviar service, replete with a mother-ofpearl spoon and champagne. They also offer a Choose My Meal service that allows fliers to make their meal selection from the options on offer up to 10 days in advance. First-class passengers also enjoy exclusive access to their First Class lounges in key locations including London, Bangkok, and Singapore. The firstclass lounge, The Pier, First, in Hong Kong includes eight Day Suites that are each equipped with a daybed, reading light, and thick curtains to ensure privacy.
Japan’s ANA integrates its formal omakase-dining concept into the first-class experience by partnering with top Japanese chefs (the airline refers to their culinary partners as connoisseurs) for a leisurely 10 to 12-course dining experience.
For those seeking unforgettable travel experiences that aren’t confined to the destination, these exclusive cabins and lounges offer that and so much more.