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Sweet dream flights In the battle for first-class passengers, airlines offer more luxury than ever. So where are the best deals?
Mail on Sunday
ANYONE flying to Australia with Qantas will discover an interesting new feature - at the press of a button, their seat will turn into a 6ft 6in bed.
But to take advantage of need to fork out for a first-class ticket.
For those highfliers who have several thousand pounds to spare to fly in the front of the aircraft, air travel has never been more stylish or graceful. As result, first-class ticket sales are booming.
Yet only a few years ago, during the depths of the recession, most premium cabins were virtually empty and airline chiefs were privately expecting that the days of first-class flying were over.
The recovery was led by British Airways, which revolutionised first-class cabins in late 1995 when it introduced luxury seats which turned into fully reclined beds at the touch of a switch.
Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic, however, may leapfrog all the other airlines within the next two years when it becomes the first carrier to take delivery of the new Airbus 340-600 aircraft which will have space on a lower deck for genuine beds to be installed.
'Everything is being considered, even a real casino for our Upper Class passengers,' says a Virgin spokesman.
In the meantime here's how flying first-class compares from airline to airline.
VIRGIN
OFFERS a first-class product called Upper Class at business class prices.
Sample fare: GBP 1,586.30 one-way London to JFK, New York, or Newark.
Seats: When introduced a decade ago, the reclining sleeper seats were revolutionary and the pitch of between 55 and 60 inches was very generous for the time.
Virgin is planning new and bigger seats, probably for introduction next year.
Food: Champagne is an unremarkable Georges Gardet 92. On most flights, however, there is a separate bar and lounge.
Entertainment: Choice of up to 21 video channels, plus 10 Nintendo games.
Plans for interactive gambling on screen have been delayed by US regulations on gaming.
Amenities: Rather surprisingly, the Upper Class amenity kit is pretty ordinary, with none of the 'extras' you would expect from Virgin, given Branson's reputation for fun.
Perks: An in-flight beauty therapist is available to give neck and scalp massage. A motorbike service - the LimoBike - is available to and from the airport. Otherwise a complimentary Range Rover transfer is offered, with check-in at Heathrow's Terminal 3 from the back of the car, before being driven to the Virgin Clubhouse lounge.
Verdict: Good in its time but is beginning to show its age, although the young and friendly flight attendants tend to be more enthusiastic than their counterparts on other airlines.
Big changes on the way when the new A340-600 planes are introduced in a couple of years. But still the cheapest way to get a first-class service at a budget price. |
