Whether you’re jetting off on a luxury holiday or you’re preparing yourself for an important business function, nothing kickstarts a trip quite like flying business class and beyond — think first class or suites. From priority boarding to business lounges and champagne as you take your seat, there are so many reasons to spend that bit extra and upgrade your flight.
If you don’t believe us, you soon will. Below, we’ve pulled together a list of eight airlines that offer unique and wonderful services to their business class, first class, and suite passengers to help you understand why it’s worth every penny.
So, the next time you go online to book your flights, be sure to carefully consider not just which airline you fly with, but what great amenities and services they have on offer. Then you can book yourself a luxury flying experience that you’ll never forget!
Make the most of the Emirates chauffeur service
Emirates offer their business class customers a chauffeur service in over 75 countries. They have also partnered with BMW to be able to offer luxury cars in the United Arab Emirates.
This means you’ll be picked up from the airport (providing you’re in one of the 75 selected countries, of course!) and whisked to and from your hotel in style. what this equates to is a seamless VIP experience from start to finish.
Escape with virtual reality on Qantas flights
If you’re travelling to Australia, popular airline Qantas now offers passengers virtual reality (VR) headsets that allow them to view their destination before they arrive. Yep, you read that right! Whilst flying, you can get lost in your headset and enjoy a 360o view of some of Australia’s national parks and other beautiful destinations. Through the VR app, you can also tour the runway, lounges, and even ‘board’ the A380 aircraft.
Enjoy a four-course dining experience with EVA Air
There are lots of airlines out there with an impressive menu, but business class with EVA Air takes the biscuit (and the champagne, chocolate, canapés… you get the point). Just minutes after boarding your flight with EVA Air, you’ll be treated to a glass of the finest champagne accompanied by a hot towel and chocolate — and that’s just the start!
As many as 30 days before your flight, you’ll be asked to select your four-course meal, with choices so exclusive that they wouldn’t even make it onto the plane if not requested by a business class passenger.
Just some of the gourmet meals and snacks to be served onboard include:
- Canapés
- Ratatouille and cheese tartlet
- Grilled scallop and tomato on a rosemary skewer
- Smoked duck with an orange and couscous salad
- Lobster salad and occasionally whole lobster tail
- Tiramisu accompanied by fruit salad
Experience life at a different pace with Turkish Airlines
Business class airport lounges are great. You get to enjoy a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere, as well as bars and restaurants that aren’t available elsewhere in the airport. Some even have massage chairs and business centres, most of which can be used at no extra cost.
But Turkish Airlines has taken it one step further. As well as a fully refurbished lounge, they also have a beautiful tea garden, so you can unwind before your flight. Or, if you’re a bit more of an adrenaline junkie and relaxing isn’t really your thing, experience a virtual car rally in their miniature model of Istanbul. And, of course, there are lots of delicious dishes on offer in the restaurant too.
Have your favourite tipple at the Emirates onboard bar
Okay, it’s no secret that Emirates is a pretty impressive airline, and that’s why it’s found its way onto our list. The Emirates A380 has an onboard bar in its flying lounge, so once you’re in the air, you can kick back and relax with a drink (or two) in hand.
But if hanging out by the bar isn’t your thing, that’s okay too; the airline also ensures that business class passengers have their own personal mini-bar located inside their seating suite. This means you don’t need to leave your seat or wait for a member of staff; you can just tuck right in.
Get better rest with Etihad
If you’re going to be on a long-haul flight, you might as well get some sleep. After all, one of the biggest perks of The Residence on Etihad is all that extra space — and we’re talking lots of space. When you’re flying in The Residence, forget flat beds, because you’ll have a three-room suite all to yourself! Equipped with a private bathroom, shower, butler service, and even your own private check-in area at the airport, this is beyond first class.
Treasure the unique amenity kits of Qatar Airways
While lots of airlines offer useful amenities kits to their passengers, Qatar Airways take this to another level. Having partnered with several luxury brands over the years, including Giorgio Armani and Missoni, their current kits were created by Italian luxury travel bag company Bric’s and are as exquisite as you’d expect.
Offering male and female kits, they come in a variety of colours, including black, green, mustard yellow, navy, and red. Better still, the women’s kit has an adjustable strap that allows the kit to be transformed into a cross-body bag, so you can keep using it long after your flight. The amenities include:
- Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio lip balm
- Hydrating facial mist
- Anti-ageing moisturiser
- Socks
- Eyeshades
- Earplugs
There’s even something special for the kids! Over the years, Qatar Airways has partnered with the likes of SpongeBob SquarePants and Mr. Potato Head for super cool amenity kits that even the overgrown children (that’s you) will enjoy.
Relax and unwind with Air France
Last but not least, we have Air France. Though they have several lounges across the globe, it’s the new business class lounge at Paris’ Charles De Gaulle airport that’s their pièce de résistance.
The elegant lounge includes facilities such as a Parisian bistro styled dining corner with an open kitchen, a stunning bar by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, and a wellness centre.
This means that you can enjoy spa treatment rooms, private saunas, and even a detox before your flight. So you’ll be feeling more relaxed than ever as you take to the skies — that is, if you can drag yourself out the lounge and on to the plane!
For what it’s worth, the food on board should tempt you enough. Air France recently entrusted its La Première menu to triple Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Donckele.
