{"id":260771,"date":"2018-07-27T18:00:49","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T16:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=260771"},"modified":"2018-07-27T13:34:02","modified_gmt":"2018-07-27T11:34:02","slug":"5-of-the-best-first-class-airlines-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wealth\/260771\/5-of-the-best-first-class-airlines-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"5 of the best first-class airlines right now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Skytrax has announced the winners of the 2018 World Airline awards.<\/p>\n<p>Celebrating its 18th anniversary, the awards are based on a satisfaction survey voted on by travelers across the world.<\/p>\n<p>Over 100 customer nationalities participated in the survey with 20.36 million eligible entries counted in the results. All survey entries were screened to identify IP and user information, with duplicate, suspect or ineligible entries deleted. 335 airlines are featured in the survey results.<\/p>\n<p>A number of categories were considered for the awards &#8211; including everything from the airline with the best cabin crew, to the airline with best amenities such as pillows.<\/p>\n<p>Arguably the most prestigious award however, is the &#8216;World\u2019s Best First Class Airline&#8217;, with the award given to Singapore Airlines in 2018 after a recent redesign of their first-class suites.<\/p>\n<p>BusinessTech looked at these new suites as well as the first-class experiences offered by the other winners below.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Singapore Airlines<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260791 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"547\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-5.jpg 800w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-5-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-5-768x525.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260785 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"801\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-1.jpg 801w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-1-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 801px) 100vw, 801px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260787 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"799\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-3.jpg 799w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-3-768x433.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260789 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"797\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-4.jpg 797w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Singapore-4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Singapore Airlines&#8217; new A380 suites come in a variety of styles, with both single and double options available.<\/p>\n<p>Highlights include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Richly upholstered, full-grain leather seats by Poltrona Frau;<\/li>\n<li>Sliding doors that screen the rest of the plane out;<\/li>\n<li>Window blinds that close at the tap of a button;<\/li>\n<li>A 32\u201d touchscreen monitor in high definition paired with noise-cancelling headphones;<\/li>\n<li>A handheld wireless tablet which allows you to control everything from\u00a0tapping for service to controlling the lighting;<\/li>\n<li>Ensuite wardrobe;<\/li>\n<li>Spacious bathroom, including a sit-down vanity counter comes complete with toiletries such as EDT, body lotion and facial mist from Lalique.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Etihad Airways<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-260805 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"840\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Etihad-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Etihad Airways offers a &#8216;first apartment&#8217;\u00a0 which is upholstered with the finest leather and features a wide armchair and a separate six-foot fully-flat bed.<\/p>\n<p>Six of the First Apartments are interconnecting, perfect for those travelling with a companion.<\/p>\n<p>In your apartment, you\u2019ll find a vanity unit with lit make-up mirror. In addition, you can freshen up in the first-bathroom with an energising shower using exclusive amenities before landing.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Air France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-260799 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a> <a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260801 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-2.jpg 960w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a> <a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260803 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-3.jpg 960w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Air-France-3-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When travelling in Air France&#8217;s\u00a0La\u00a0Premi\u00e8re cabins, you will receive a tailored personalised service from its staff.<\/p>\n<p>The private suite allows you to move around freely, with a range of services available to you, including an individual cloakroom, storage space, and a bedside lamp.<\/p>\n<p>The upright seat transforms into a\u00a06.5\u00a0ft bed, and boasts a memory foam mattress, a pillow and a large fluffy duvet.<\/p>\n<p>Air France also boasts that from the moment you board the\u00a0aircraft to the moment you land, you are in control of a complete, latest-generation entertainment system with thousands of\u00a0hours of on-demand entertainment.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Lufthansa<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lufthansa-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-260811 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lufthansa-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"879\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lufthansa-1.jpg 879w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lufthansa-1-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Lufthansa-1-768x423.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 879px) 100vw, 879px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lufthansa&#8217;s first-class features a\u00a0sound insulation and\u00a0 screen shield to protect your valuable privacy.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0ergonomic seat adjusts to your needs and by\u00a0using intuitive controls you can quickly find your preferred seat setting.<\/p>\n<p>When you are ready to rest or sleep, the flight attendant will assist in helping to\u00a0transform your seat into a two-metre-long bed with a comfortable mattress topper and temperature-regulating duvet.<\/p>\n<p>Travelers are also given an\u00a0exclusive amenity kit and a selection of top-quality toiletries in spaciously laid-out washrooms.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Emirates<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/A380-suite.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260815 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/A380-suite.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"861\" height=\"574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/A380-suite.jpg 861w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/A380-suite-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/A380-suite-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260819 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"861\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-3.jpg 861w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-3-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-3-768x580.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 861px) 100vw, 861px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-260817 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"862\" height=\"561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-2.jpg 862w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-2-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Emirates-2-768x500.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Emirates allows you to fly in your own first-class private suite on most of its A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.<\/p>\n<p>Likening it to a &#8216;hotel room in the sky&#8217;, Emirates&#8217; technology includes temperature controls and mood lighting, an industry first with virtual windows, and soft leather seating.<\/p>\n<p>On the new Boeing 777 suites you can close the floor to ceiling doors, and are able to set the mood with your personal lighting and temperature controller.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re sitting in a middle suite, you can open your &#8216;virtual window&#8217; to enjoy HD projections of the outside world. And when it\u2019s time to relax, recline your seat to the zero gravity setting to find your body\u2019s natural resting position.<\/p>\n<p>The A380 suites feature access to an onboard lounge and bar, as well as a shower spar.<\/p>\n<p>Other amenities &#8211; which feature on both flights &#8211; include Bulgari amenity kits and\u00a0the world\u2019s first moisturising airline sleepwear.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Read:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/250161\/the-10-best-airlines-in-the-world-including-one-from-south-africa\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">The 10 best airlines in the world \u2013 including one from South Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skytrax has announced the winners of the 2018 World Airline awards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":260781,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9880],"tags":[26,7686],"class_list":["post-260771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wealth","tag-headline","tag-skytrax"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260771"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":261543,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260771\/revisions\/261543"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260781"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}