Photo courtesy of Dave Clements
If you’ve never flown at the front of the plane on an international flight, you’ve probably strolled enviously through the opulent first-class cabin, watching fliers sipping Champagne and laying fully reclined, and imagined with envy what sort of treatment you’re missing out on. Well, we hate to break it to you, but airlines are probably starting to go beyond your imagination in their offerings to first-class passengers. Here are a few non-traditional ways airlines are starting to reward their VIPs.
1. Delta’s “Anti-Paparazzi” service: Apparently enough celebrities — and people who just want to keep a low profile — fly out of LAX to have inspired Delta to recently unveil an unadvertised VIP Select option at the airport. The airline arranges for a Porsche to drop off and pick up passengers through a secret exit at the airport.
2. Etihad Airways secret Twitter feed: Only Gold and Platinum frequent fliers get access to Etihad Airways’ new EtihadPremium Twitter feed, the first of its kind in the airline world. The secret feed is so exclusive, applicants must apply to be vetted by the airline. Once approved, VIP fliers can access exclusive deals, custom news, priority customer service and post-flight mileage claims.
3. American Airlines’ exclusive pet cabins: Inspired by pet-toting stars like Paris Hilton, American Airlines’ brand new pet cabins are available to First Class travelers on flights from LAX, SFO and JFK. These atypical cabins feature ventilated storage spaces in front of the bulkhead seat to hold a kennel or pet carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing. During the flight, travelers are free to hold their furry friends.
4. Qantas’ virtual reality experience: We’ve told you how virtual reality is already starting to impact travel. Qantas realizes the value, and since early 2015 has partnered with Samsung to reward First Class fliers with the opportunity to virtually travel to their destination highlights — like the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park — as well as watch 3D movies (coming soon). The service is available on certain A380 flights as well as in the Sydney and Melbourne International First lounges.
5. Thai Airways massages: While a number of airlines offer free express spa treatments in their first class lounges, Thai Airways goes all out for its VIPs with a complimentary one-hour full body massage with optional bath soak in a private room. Talk about staying relaxed on the road.
6. Hotel rooms in the sky: Lately, airlines are coming up with exciting new cabin classes. Some of these rival luxury hotel rooms, like Singapore Airlines Suite, which by 2017 could include lobster, rose petal-covered beds and other sumptuous offerings. There’s also Etihad Airways’ Residences with butlers, made-to-order meals and 3-room suites with showers included, and Emirates’ Private Suites featuring private rooms with mini bars, mattress-topped flatbeds and a Shower Spa with Bvlgari toiletries. Stay tuned for the airline’s luxury-yacht inspired private bedroom cabin class in late 2015.
Thankfully, the recent trend of airlines discounting their premium cabins and offering inexpensive upgrades to frequent fliers has made luxury flying more affordable than ever.
Jessica Festa is the founder on the solo and offbeat travel blog, Jessie on a Journey, and the online responsible tourism and culture magazine, Epicure & Culture. She’s constantly searching for local experiences beyond the guidebook. You can follow her travels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.