The lavish first class suites that airlines have to offer

Private flight service Victor conducted a study in February, which revealed that there’s been a growth of interest when it comes to travelling aboard a personal jet, as it experienced a 336 per cent booking increase.

“With private charter flights continuing to increase across Europe, particularly over the summer months, it is clear that more travellers – both in and outside of the traditional high and ultra-high net worth jet-setter demographic – are saving time and maximising value by tailoring the private jet experience that totally suits their needs,” said CEO Clive Jackson.

And in March, budget airline Ryanair got in on the act by launching its first private charter service to meet the needs of groups and corporate travellers. Its Boeing 737-700 jet comes with 60 reclining, leather-clad, business class seats in a 2×2 formation and promises to deliver “fine dining”.

Of course, private jets aren’t for everyone. So, British Airways’ parent company International Airlines Group has forged a deal to kit out the BA fleet of 120 planes in partnership with aviation technology provider Gogo. The investment is set to cost over £30m at a rate of around £250,000 per aircraft, according to The Telegraph.

Its 2Ku tech will deliver WiFi connections for long-haul flights, which could provide the chance to use apps such as Skype and even Netflix. The majority of the fitting is set to be completed by 2019, while the debut is expected to arrive in 2017.

But until that time comes, we’ve broken down what commercial airlines, including BA, have to offer for luxury-loving passengers who want to travel first class.

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British Airways

Boasting “on-board elegance”, BA says: “Your First suite is a haven of style and comfort where sophisticated and contemporary British design meet impeccable service and attention to detail.”

When passengers decide they want some shuteye, the seats will flatten into a 6ft 6in bed, complete with quilted mattress, fresh sheets and pyjamas – just in case you’ve forgotten your beloved onesie at home. Suite users also secure access to a personal power supply to keep electronics charged up.

As for the menu, stomachs should be satisfied by classic English afternoon tea, as well as dishes that include wild mushroom and truffle mousse and cauliflower purée
with a shimeji mushroom salad and seared fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef with summer vegetables, fondant potatoes with horseradish and chive sauce.

While the WiFi isn’t readily available yet, BA boasts a “world of entertainment” with access to a 15-inch screen full of films, TV shows, music and games, while noise-cancelling headphones are also on offer for those who want to drown out the sound of neighbours.

Continue onto the next page to see which airline offers food created by a celebrity chef.

By Zen Terrelonge

Image: Shutterstock

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