Class Act 2015

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Class Act 2015

SPECIAL EDITION for luxury business travelers

CLass Act 2015

EVERYTHING you need to travel the world in style

Globility

®

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief LISA MATTE lisa.matte@globaltravelerusa.com tel 781 331 5423 Managing Editor K imberly Krol kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com Digital Director KATIE SKRZEK katie.skrzek@globaltravelerusa.com

A Cut Above the Rest

A

viation fanatics, hospitality enthusiasts and travel buffs, Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide 2015 is here! Designed for serious travelers with a passion for all things travel, the Class Act Guide highlights trends within the travel industry catered to the frequent business and luxury traveler.

An annual favorite, the first-, businessand premium-economy-class charts are back and updated for 2015. Global Traveler readers rely on this guide when selecting an airline for their next trip. We’ve researched the premium cabins of airlines around the world to provide up-to-date information on everything the savvy business traveler needs to know. From aircraft layout and seat design to entertainment options and lounge details, the easy-to-read charts have it all.

This year’s Class Act offers readers aircraft and hotel design retrospectives. Also read our profile of charters and private jet travel for an alternative to the standard flight options. Learn all there is to know about self-service airports. Plus, we look ahead to 2016 and get a peek at new hotel openings around the world.

Take your copy of the Class Act Guide on the road with you, or check out the digital version on the GT app. No matter where you go, we hope you experience the world with Global Traveler.

Katie Skrzek, Digital Director

Senior Editor J ANICE HECHT jan.hecht@globaltravelerusa.com Associate Editor/Copy Editor Patricia Vanikiotis patty.vanikiotis@globaltravelerusa.com eFlyer Editor/Associate Editor MONIQUE BARRETT monique.barrett@globaltravelerusa.com Digital Content Producer DEBRA BOKUR debra.bokur@globaltravelerusa.com

ART Art Director T RACEY CULLEN tracey.cullen@globaltravelerusa.com Staff Photographer CHRISTOPHER P. OTTAUNICK christopher@globaltravelerusa.com Special Events Video Editor VANCE PICCIN

Contributors Ron Bernthal Debra Bokur Laura Daily Sharon King Hoge Dale Leatherman William J. McGee

For complete bios, visit globaltravelerusa.com

Circulation Specialists John Wroblewski, louie atsaves Managers JAYHAWK EVANS, MARK P. FORD, TERESA JACKSON, ANTHONY “SCRAPS” DIMERA Circulation Director Michele Shannon Circulation Manager Anna Pudzianowski Research Consultant Sharon Sterne

Advisory Board

Chairman Michael Donahue President Carlos Cappuccio COO Michael Kiely Treasurer Kevin Ryan Secretary Stephen Doherty Vice President Asia Edward Jefferson Vice President Corporate Giving James Bolger Vice President Europe Wayne Tallman Vice President Latin America/Mexico/Caribbean Frank LoVerme Vice President Middle East/Africa Gary Oswald Vice President Special Events and Photography Christopher P. Ottaunick

Contact Us

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General Inquiries/Issue Requests tel 267 364 5811 Subscriptions tel 818 286 3134 | gbtcs@magserv.com Public Relations Kimberly Krol tel 267 364 5811 ext 202 | kim.krol@globaltravelerusa.com Letters to the Editor letters@globaltravelerusa.com Reprints Charles Calta The YGS Group tel 717 505 9701 ext 2226 charles.calta@theygsgroup.com Global Traveler is published monthly by FXExpress Publications, Inc., 310 Floral Vale Blvd., Yardley, PA 19067. The U.S. subscription rate is $42 for one year, $79.95 for two years, $121.95 for three years.

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2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 3

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Advertising Publisher/CEO Francis X. Gallagher tel 267 364 5811 ext 200 fran.gallagher@globaltravelerusa.com

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he staff at Global Traveler is committed to bringing our readers the most up-to-date, useful and relevant information, with an aim toward making travel planning easier. Since many GT readers nearly spend more travel time up in the air than on the ground, it’s no surprise a special edition like our annual Class Act Guide remains a favorite and eagerly anticipated tool for business and leisure travelers.

Our team compiled all the statistics travelers need to make the best decisions regarding which airlines to fly, wherever they are in the world. First class, business class, layout, seat pitch, aircraft type, WiFi service — we cover it all and more for dozens of airlines, all in one place, laid out in a user-friendly guide.

In addition, we preview hotel openings for 2016. As your favorite luxury property brands branch out across the globe, you’ll want to know where you can expect to stay as you put together itineraries for the upcoming year.

Peruse the features on private jet travel and self-service airports for a glimpse at how the aviation industry is expanding its options to make the travel experience both more convenient and more enjoyable for frequent flyers.

Keep this Class Act Guide handy throughout the year to refer to when booking a flight.

Holly Riddle, Marketing & Sales Assistant

Find us here, too!

Interim Sales Manager Mike Donahue tel 267 364 5811 ext 205 | cell 267 884 1650 mike.donahue@globaltravelerusa.com Senior Vice President Richard T. Evans tel 267 364 5811 ext 203 dick.evans@globaltravelerusa.com Advertising Manager Olivia Falcione tel 215 816 8177 olivia.falcione@globaltravelerusa.com Advertising Manager Robert Setzman tel 267 364 5811 ext 212 | cell 215 301 6869 rob.setzman@globaltravelerusa.com Account Director, Pacific Rim Rafie Iannello tel 267 495 6287 rafie.iannello@globaltravelerusa.com Marketing & Sales Assistant Holly Riddle tel 267 364 5811 ext 211 holly.riddle@globaltravelerusa.com

International Representatives China Alexander Glos tel 86 21 6095 6570/71 | fax 86 21 6095 6574 aglos@i2i-m.com.cn

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Egypt Carmen Doyle and hassan shehab tel 61 0 403866188 carmen.doyle@afrozinternational.com hassan.shehab@afrozinternational.com

Scandinavia Will Nicholson tel 46 7 68 94 86 02 | will@vision-network.eu

France, The Netherlands Jeremy Praderio-Regie tel 09 54 20 09 50 | cell 06 07 96 54 15 j.praderio@pema-group.com

South Africa margie ogilvy tel 27 44 384 0800 | ogilvy@mweb.co.za South Korea jeff hwang tel 82 31 703 7782 | fax 82 010 6347 9117 gng@gngcom.co.kr

Germany michaela justi tel 49 69 56 02 01 21 | fax 49 69 56 02 01 23 | cell 49 171 20 29 502 justi@mediasalescompany.de

Spain Luis Andrade tel 34 91 788 2001 | fax 34 91 395 6396 landrade@luisandrade.com

India Faredoon Kuka

tel 91 22 2925 3735 | cell 91 98200 85045 kuka@rmamedia.com

Thailand nartnittha jirarayapong tel 6626 355185 ext 14 | cell 6681 6438923 noo@njintermedia.com

Japan Hidetada Kochi tel 81 3 3222 7811 | fax 81 3 3234 1140 kochi@mediahs.com

Turkey Gurkan Kinaci tel 90 212 559 9670 | fax 90 212 661 7660 cell 90 532 213 0390 | gurkan@divamed.net

Mexico Fernando Palacios Oaxaca tel 55 36007718 | cell 0115215555098734 fernando.palacios@borderlinemx.com

United Kingdom joanna percy tel 44 207 286 6048 | cell 44 778 556 3050 joanna@jpmediasales.com

Middle East Lenora Bennis tel 971 4 425 3300 | cell 971 52 846 6212 lenora@themediavantage.com

CORPORATE OFFICE

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contents 52

34

8

The Sky’s the Limit Airlines around the globe continue to raise the stakes on improving premium services and amenities.

BY WILLIAM J. MCGEE

34 Premium Economy Does a little something extra

go a long way?

BY MONIQUE BARRETT

40 On the Horizon A worldwide hotel building boom will change the hospitality landscape in 2016.

BY RON BERNTHAL

44 On the Fly When first class just isn’t

40

good enough, private aviation offers compelling alternatives.

BY DALE LEATHERMAN

48

At Your (Self) Service With innovative airport technology, passengers help themselves to a more efficient travel experience.

BY LAURA DAILY

52

Flair of Flying Modern airline passenger service taps into the best perks from flights gone by.

BY DEBRA BOKUR

56

Staying Power Today’s hotel designs transform the simple overnight into a customized experience.

48

Photos: © China Airlines, © Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, © Munich Airport

BY SHARON KING HOGE

on the cover globaltravelerusa.com | $4.99

Class Act 2015

sPeCial edition for luxury business travelers

CLass aCt 2015

EVERYTHING You NEEd To travel the world in style

COVER PHOTO: China Airlines' business-class seating PHOTO: © China Airlines

6 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

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We invite you to travel with The Ritz-Carlton of credit cards.

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Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card is issued by Chase Bank USA, N.A., a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Offer subject to change. See requestritzcarltoncard.com for pricing and rewards details.

COMFORT ZONE: China Airlines' Premium Business Class PHOTO: © China Airlines

The Sky’s the Limit Airlines continue to raise the stakes on improving premium services and amenities. By William J. McGee

I

n recent years, the airline industry has clearly focused on improving premium-class products in an effort to attract higher-revenue travelers, even if it comes at the expense of economy-class offerings. This competition has played out across the globe, and the business- and first-class offerings keep getting better and better because of it.

Meanwhile, the total number of premium-class passengers continues to inch up. According to the International Air Transport Association, by June of this year first-class bookings increased by about 2 percent over 2014. Yet analysts note several carriers are reducing the total number of seats available in premium cabins even as such suites grow ever larger (good news for those wanting to stretch out in flat-bed seats).

One of the most interesting developments in the front-ofairplane cabins concerns the products themselves — how much

8 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

travelers are paying to ride up there. In May, The Wall Street Journal reported good news and bad news from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, stating they’ve been “tempting frequent flyers with round-trip upgrades for as little as $100 or $200 on domestic trips.” The downside? There have been fewer free upgrades for program members.

Underscoring the pricing trend, the Airlines Reporting Corp. found paying less to secure seats up front is not a recent blip; for three years, the gap has been narrowing between average fares in economy and first class, falling from $805 in April 2012 to $577 in April 2015. Little wonder that sites such as Travelzoo regularly promote the best deals in premium classes.

Even frequent flyers would be forgiven for expressing confusion over recent changes to class distinctions among U.S. airlines, since the lines continue to blur on both domestic and international flights. The Big Three constantly tweak amenities, but a significant chasm still exists between services offered on flights within the United States — often operated by regional airline partners — and flights to overseas destinations.

Last December, Delta Air Lines announced a five-tier class system would take effect March 1. Most analysts focused on the back of the cabin, with a new segregation consisting of Main Cabin and Basic Economy, as well as Delta Comfort+, highlighted by extra legroom. But changes occurred up front as well. globaltravelerusa.com

BusinessElite became Delta One, offered on all long-haul international flights and all transcontinental flights between New York’s JFK and either Los Angeles International or San Francisco International airports. Delta One features 180-degree flat-bed seats and Sky Priority service consisting of expedited security, boarding and baggage handling.

Meanwhile, first class is available on shorthaul international and domestic routes (subject to being replaced with business class on “select international flights”), featuring premium seats.

The merger between A m e r i c an A i r l i n e s and US Airways has not been without its hiccups, though it is in the final stages of implementation, with the US Airways brand ceasing to exist this month. But some premium customers of both airlines remain wary, particularly after American announced in August 2014 it had eliminated firstclass meal service on flights under two hours and 45 minutes, rather than flights under two hours.

American’s ultimate product is Flagship Suite First Class, available on Boeing 777s to Europe, Asia and Latin America; it includes fully flat seats that swivel. The carrier’s “next generation” business class, offered on all Boeing 767-300s and 777s, features new seats with privacy dividers. Premium-class duvets are available in both classes on Boeing 777s, 767s and 75L (long-haul 757) aircraft.

One year ago, United Airlines announced a “significant new investment” in meal service in both United First and United Business classes. Then this July the airline announced new Cowshed Spa amenity kits for passengers in both classes.

As for the products, United differentiates between domestic and international service by offering United First — featuring “extra-wide” leather seats, free DIRECTV on certain aircraft and meals on flights longer than two hours — and United Global First, with 6.5-foot flat-bed seats and signature ice cream sundaes. Similarly, United offers both United Business and BusinessFirst, but each product is designated on a variety of routes throughout the world, so passengers need to verify their specific destination to determine which is available. BusinessFirst features on longer international routes and is more upscale, with flat-bed seating and 150 hours of on-demand entertainment.

For United, the big news over the last year was the introduction of Boeing 787 Dreamliner service after the company became the first North American airline to take delivery of that aircraft, which boasts factory-installed WiFi. Among the globaltravelerusa.com

class d businessn a ts ir f stments in Airline inve avelers. y off for tr a p ts c u d o pr

routes the plane serves for United: Los Angeles International to Melbourne Airport, the longest non-stop 787 flight.

Rapid consolidation of the domestic industry in recent years has left the United States with just three major network huband-spoke airlines for the first time in the industry’s history.

But niche carriers are finding ways to assert themselves in the premium market as well.

JetBlue Airways touts its Mint service not only for its amenities and service but also for its price, with one-way fares start-

PREMIUM PERKS: United Airlines’ Cowshed Spa amenity kits (top), and JetBlue Mint PHOTO: © United Airlines, JetBlue Airways

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 9

be privileged. be one.

Introducing Introducingnew newoneworld oneworldbenefits. benefits. oneworld oneworldEmerald Emeraldand andSapphire Sapphirefrequent frequent flyers flyersboth bothnow nowenjoy enjoyadditional additionalbaggage baggage allowances allowanceson onall alloneworld oneworldairlines airlines--and and their theirbaggage baggagealso alsoreceives receivespriority priority handling handlingfrom fromaircraft aircraftto tocarousel. carousel.

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be be connected connected Welcome Welcometo tooneworld, oneworld,an analliance allianceof ofthe theworld’s world’sleading leadingairlines airlinescommitted committedto toproviding providingthe thehighest highestlevel levelof ofservice serviceand andconvenience convenience across acrossmore morethan than1,000 1,000destinations destinationsworldwide. worldwide.

Enjoy Enjoyan anarray arrayof ofspecial specialprivileges privilegesand andrewards rewards— —which whichinclude includeearning earningand andredeeming redeemingmiles milesand andpoints pointson onall alloneworld oneworldairlines airlinesand, and,for for oneworld oneworldEmerald Emeraldand andSapphire Sapphirefrequent frequentflyers, flyers,access accessto tosome some650 650premium premiumairport airportlounges. lounges.

oneworld oneworld alliance alliancemembers members

be recognized As a oneworld traveler, satisfaction awaits you around the globe. Your oneworld status is recognized across all member airlines. And you are entitled to a range of benefits, which are provided according to the following oneworld tier levels, no matter which cabin class you are flying in:

*Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating is in accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld member airline operating the flight. First and business class check-in desks and lounges are not available at all airports. Fast track is not available at all airports. Priority baggage handling is not available on flights operated by British Airways.

Extra baggage allowance benefits differ for Sapphire and Emerald level members. oneworld benefits are available only to passengers on scheduled flights that are both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline (marketed means that there must be a oneworld member airline’s flight number on your ticket). airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, TAM Airlines and oneworld are trademarks of their respective companies. TAM Airlines (Paraguay) is currently not a part of oneworld. Some limitations and exceptions may apply.

For more information, visit www.oneworld.com/benefits.

be global Round-the-world travel is easy, flexible and affordable with oneworld Explorer. Fares are based on the number of continents you visit or pass through, and class of travel. Select your route, plan your stopovers, even adjust your itinerary. oneworld Explorer means ultimate flexibility and value.

To book, or to discover more multi-continent and single-continent fares, visit www.oneworld.com/flights

SPECIAL SERVICE: Virgin Atlantic Airways' Upper Class in-flight bar (top), and Singapore Airlines' first class (bottom) PHOTOs: © Virgin Atlantic Airways, © Singapore Airlines

ing at $599. Mint includes priority check-in, security and boarding as well as lie-flat seats, complimentary “Fly-Fi” broadband service and artisanal snacks and meals followed by Blue Marble ice cream.

Other U.S. carriers offer more modest premium service in specific regions of the country. For example, Alaska Airlines’ first-class service provides seats with 5 inches of recline, three-course meals and monthly selections of wine; in-flight Internet access is available at an extra cost. Hawaiian Airlines offers a similar first-class product with larger seats, hot meals and complimentary alcohol. As for Virgin America, first class features meals on flights longer than two hours along with a seat pitch of 55 inches (as opposed to 32 inches in the main cabin).

United Airlines wasn’t the only carrier to integrate the Boeing 787 into its fleet; Virgin Atlantic Airways launched Dreamliner service in October 2014 and now operates the airplane from its London Heathrow hub to four U.S. cities — Boston, New York, Newark and Los Angeles — as well as Delhi and Shanghai. In Upper Class, Virgin offers its well-known in-flight bar and 33-inch flat beds.

Not to be outdone, Virgin’s long-time rival, British Airways, expanded its Dreamliner service as well and plans to operate 24 of the aircraft by 2016, with flights to nearly a dozen cities worldwide, including Austin and Philadelphia in the United States. BA says its “quieter” first-class cabin is configured for eight rather than 14 seats.

The past year saw other changes among European carriers. As we noted last year, Air France revamped its cabins in 2014 and introduced a new first-class service, La Première, featuring four suites on board Boeing 777-300s. The seats convert into 6.5-foot beds complete with futon mattresses.

More choices for travelers will arrive during the coming year. In January 2016, Swiss International Air Lines will introduce nine new Boeing 777-300ERs on long-haul routes to Asia, South America and the U.S. West Coast. Among the features for the eight suites in Swiss First are 32-inch video screens, promoted as the largest in the industry.

In the Asian market, there has been no shortage of new developments. Much of the focus has been on Singapore Airlines and its new first-class product, boasting state-of-the-art ambient lighting, a 24-inch LCD screen and 82-inch beds. In business class, Singapore offers Taittinger Champagne and seats with two distinctive positions: “Lazy-Z” and “Sundeck.”

China Airlines announced a new Premium Business Class service for its Boeing 777-300ER fleet last year, and the product generated quite a bit of buzz. A unique feature is the Sky Lounge, integrating cultures by offering an Eastern tea zone, a Western coffee zone and a bar separating them in the middle. In December, Japan Airlines launched JAL Sky Suite 777 between San Francisco International and Tokyo Haneda airports; the suites feature retractable privacy partitions.

As for Latin America, LATAM — the parent company of sister airlines LAN of Chile and TAM of Brazil — made the biggest premium service news. Its new Premium Business product includes larger seats, 110 movies on tap and regional wines.

Perhaps the most interesting developments emerged in the Middle East market. In recent months, a trade war of sorts flared in the 12 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

globaltravelerusa.com

United States between the Big Three — American, Delta and United — and three major Gulf state carriers: Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. While the arguments rage about government subsidies and access to foreign markets, not up for debate is the level of service offered in premium cabins. Media reports note the absence of U.S. carriers from international polls naming the best cabins; in fact, the reader-generated ranking of first-class products at Flightfox found Emirates (No. 3), Etihad (No. 4) and Qatar (No. 7) all in the top 10, with American (No. 23) and United (No. 24) dead last … and Delta absent.

Kevin Mitchell, chairman, Business Travel Coalition, representing corporate buyers and travelers, pointed out, “In the view of many travelers, U.S. carriers’ international customer service and onboard products are so comparatively substandard that even those airlines’ loyalty programs are insufficient to capture this lucrative business.” Some may argue meals or even customer service are subject to personal preferences, but there is no disputing the amenities offered on the Middle East airlines.

Etihad features the First Apartment, a private cabin with sliding doors, a private bath and a ceiling that reflects images of stars at night. Meanwhile, Qatar provides personalized work stations with on-air mobile service, and Emirates offers Shower Spas on board its Airbus A380s for the convenience of in-flight bathing.

HOW DO PREMIUM services stack up, up there? There is no shortage of polls, surveys and awards handed out worldwide every year to name the best business- and first-class airline products. Some competitions may be more subjective than others, but when taken on the whole, the results dovetail.

In fact, aggregating the winners reveals the same names continually come out on top, time and again.

Consider that whether the sponsor is a travel publication, an international travel guide or a reader-generated travel site, the most recent awards for best business- and first-class products consistently named the same carriers, here listed alphabetically: Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

At the same time, the race to develop new initiatives continues, to the advantage of passengers. Last year we added “Chauffeur Service” as a category, with that amenity becoming fairly ubiquitous among international carriers. It’s emblematic of airlines’ creativity in developing personalized products and services, both in the air and on the ground.

Special touches such as fresh roses, hand-written greetglobaltravelerusa.com

ing cards and cabin walls adorned with artwork have become common. But now consider these new amenities: Swiss International Air Lines supplies free pajamas by Zimmerli of Switzerland, and Air New Zealand serves premium New Zealand wines in Business Premier, while Qantas provides intra-cabin telephone and text messaging.

And in a development that qualifies as both good news and bad news, at least one airline is further differentiating service by offering a healthier experience for those who pay more to sit up front. On Lufthansa’s Airbus A380s, firstclass sections feature humidifiers, increasing humidity by 5

WARM WELCOME: China Airlines' tea zone (above), and LATAM Airlines' Premium Business Class (bottom) PHOTOs: © CHina Airlines, © LATAM

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 13

ALL-BUSINESS: La Compagne's businessclass seating

percent and reducing the risks of illnesses exacerbated by dry cabin air — at least for those flying premium.

PHOTO: © La Compagnie

ONE OF THE NewEST competitors on trans-Atlantic routes, a French carrier, La Compagnie, doesn’t need to specifically promote its business-class product — the entire fleet of two “baby blue” Boeing 757s is configured in business class. Operating from New York to both Paris and London, it offers 74 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration, menus created by Christophe Langree and amenity kits with Caudalie cosmetics.

Another all-business-class operator, Odyssey Airlines, plans to launch in 2016. The U.K.-based carrier intends to fly from the smaller London City Airport to North America, the Middle East and beyond, operating Bombardier C-Series jets with fully flat beds.

The larger question is whether all-premium carriers can survive on the Atlantic — or other routes, for that matter.

MAXjet Airways, which offered all-business seating between three U.S. cities and London, succumbed to bankruptcy in 2007 after only two years. That shutdown followed a series of failed luxury airlines including Eos, L’Avion and Silverjet on trans-Atlantic routes, as well as U.S. domestic operators

14 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

Champion Air, MGM Grand Air and UltrAir. In 2014, industry analyst Brett Snyder, aka The Cranky Flier, detailed reasons the luxury model hasn’t worked yet, noting, “Every new startup has some slightly different twist on the plan, but none of them solve the fatal flaws inherent to the model.” For now, the industry wonders: Will La Compagnie and/or Odyssey break the unlucky pattern?

BETTER TECHNOLOGY, roomier accommodations, tastier cuisine — the stakes continue to rise in the competition to attract more revenue passengers in premium classes. And if fares dip a bit from time to time, so much the better.

Of course, sometimes a deal that seems too good to be true is just that. In December 2014, a computer glitch allowed some 900 passengers to book business-class tickets on Singapore Airlines at economy-class prices. Then in February this year, a similar technological snafu allowed thousands of United Airlines customers to snag first-class seats for $50 each. In both instances, the carriers refused to honor the lower fares. In United’s case, a higher authority weighed in: The U.S. Department of Transportation ruled in the airline’s favor, proving once again that there are no free lunches — not even in the air. globaltravelerusa.com

Regions Flown

Green Certification

Average Age of Aircraft

Chauffeur Service

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Amenity Kits Included

Free WiFi in Lounges

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Complimentary

WiFi on Board

Number of Other Video Programs

Number of News Channels

Number of Movies

Number of Audio Channels

Adapters Required

Power for Laptop

Recline

Seat Width

Seat Pitch

Layout

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS AER LINGUS

BUSINESS CLASS A330-300 30 1-2-2 58–60” SG 27” 180° Y N 15 56 1 7 Y Y B Y Y 2015 N 10 N/R Europe

A330-200 23 1-2-1 58–60” SG 27” 180° Y N 15 56 1 7 Y Y B Y Y 2015 N 10 N/R Europe AEROFLOT RUSSIAN

AIRLINES

BUSINESS CLASS 777-300ER 30 2-2-2 60” HB 22” 180° Y N

A330 34 2-2-2 60” HB 26” 166° Y N

620 Albums/ 26 Audiobooks 620 Albums/ 26 Audiobooks

165

1

161

Y

N/R

S

Y

Y

2013

N/R N/R N/R Europe

165

1

161

Y

N/R

S

Y

Y

2010

N/R N/R N/R Europe

0

301

N

N/A

S

Y

Y

2013

N

O 100 1 300+ 0 N/R 0 N/R

N Y N N

N/A N N/A N/A

B B B B

Y Y Y Y

N Y Y N

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R N/R

AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS* CLUB CONDOR AEROMEXICO

A330-200

22

2-2-2

60”

21.5”

170° Y N/A

12

8

CLASE PREMIER

737-800 787-8 777 737-700

16 32 49 12

2-2 2-3-2 2-3-2 2-2

39” 60” HB 60” 36”

21” 20” 19” 21”

N/R 180° 170° N/R

N/R 8 8 N/R

50 50 50 N/R

Y Y Y Y

N N N Y

10.4 N

Latin America

N/R N/R N/R N/R

North America North America North America North America

N/R N/R N/R N

AIR CANADA

BUSINESS CLASS 767-300 24–25 1-1-1 43.5” HB 20.35” 180° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 150 1 200 N N/A B Y Y 2008 N N/R N/R

777-200LR 42 1-2-1 43.5” HB 20.35” 180° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 150 1 200 N N/A B Y Y 2008 N N/R N/R

777-300ER 42 1-2-1 43.5” HB 20.35” 180° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 150 1 200 N N/A B Y Y 2009 N N/R N/R

777-300(77W) 36 2-2-2/1-2-1 44” HB 20.6–22.5” 180° Y N 12, 100 CDs, 10 150 0 200 N N/A B Y Y 2013 N N/R N/R Books and podcasts

A330 37 1-1-1 37.5” HB 20.35” 180° Y N 12+ CDs 150 1 200 N N/A B Y Y 2009 N N/R N/R

787-9 30 1-2-1 46” HB 21” 180° Y N 12, 100 CDs, 10 150 0 200 IP N/R B N Y 2015 N N/R NR Books and podcasts

787-8 20 1-2-1 46” HB 21” 180° Y N 12, 100 CDs, 10 150 0 200 IP N/R B Y Y 2014 N N/R N/R Books and podcasts

E190 9 1-2 38” 20” 120° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 IP N/R B Y N 2005–08 N N/R N/R

E175 9 1-2 38” 20” 120° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 IP N/R B Y Y 2005 N N/R N/R

CRJ-705 10 1-2 37” 21” 120° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 IP N/R B Y N 2005–06 N N/R N/R

A321 20 2-2 37” 21” 124° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 IP N/R B Y N 2008 N N/R N/R

A320 14 2-2 37–38” 21” 124° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 IP N/R B Y N 2009 ? N/R N/R

A319 14 2-2 38–39” 21” 124° Y N/A 12, 100 CDs 63 1 200 N N/R B Y N 2008 N N/R N/R

Europe, Latin America, Middle East/ Africa, North America, Pacific Rim Europe, Latin America, Middle East/ Africa, North America, Pacific Rim Europe, Latin America, Middle East/ Africa, North America, Pacific Rim Europe, Pacific Rim Europe, North America North America North America North America North America North America North America North America North America

AIR CHINA*

FORBIDDEN PAVILION CAPITAL PAVILION

747-400 Combi 10 1-1 62” 747-400 Combi 24 2-2 62” 777-300 35 2-3 62”

21” 170° Y N 21” 170° Y N 21” 170° Y N

14 13 13

A330-200 24 2-2-2 56” 19.7” 170° Y N

15

60 N/R 14 N N/A B N/R Y N/R Y 7.7 N Pacific Rim N/R N/R N/R N N/A B N/R Y N/R Y 7.7 N Pacific Rim N/R N/R N/R N N/A B N/R Y N/R Y 6 N Pacific Rim

AIR EUROPA BUSINESS CLASS

8 N/R 14 N N/A S Y Y 2014 Y N/R N/R Europe

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

The Method

Global Traveler spends months contacting airlines and gathering information for our annual first- and business-class survey. New to the charts in 2015 are two categories: Green Certification and Average Age of Aircraft. As there is not one ruling body on environmental practices, we asked airlines to answer YES if they receive certification from any environmental agency for their earth-conscious practices.

Nearly all airlines do have green standards and practices in place. Our survey goes beyond just the premium cabins and examines airlines as a whole.

GT starts by contacting airlines and asking them to complete a form for each aircraft and cabin operating on a direct route to any destination in North America.

If we are unable to obtain a response from an airline, we conduct independent research to complete the charts, and all entries are clearly marked with an asterisk.

In the instance a section of our survey form was left blank or we were unable to accurately decipher information, columns are marked as No Reply, or N/R. There may be instances where the airline’s information does not perfectly match our specified categories; we attempt to interpret this information to the best of our ability.

globaltravelerusa.com

KEY ANG Angled B Both D Dedicated EST Estimate HB Herringbone IP In Progress

N No N/A Not Applicable NP Newspaper N/R No Reply OD On Demand S Shared

SG Staggered V Varies W Wide Seat Concept Y Yes

Pitch is defined as the distance between the back of your headrest and the headrest in front of you when seats are fully upright. Based on the average height of an adult male, pitch must be 70 inches or greater to offer a true lie-flat bed of 180 degrees. However, as airlines implement unique cabin configurations, these exact terms may not apply; configuration exceptions are marked throughout the survey.

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 15

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Top 5 Dining Experiences at ATL Airport dining reaches new heights at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. When passing through the world’s busiest airport, enjoy one (or all!) of these five dining experiences sure to satiate every traveler’s taste buds.

One Flew South

a menu offering pizzas, pastas, paninis, cured meats, cheeses and more.

Learn more at ecco-atlanta.com.

Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery Located before security in the airport’s atrium, Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery is a favorite spot for travelers and locals alike for the legendary steaks, chops and seafood. It offers a classic steakhouse atmosphere melding with the vibe of modern Atlanta. The restaurant is perfect for a pre- or post-flight lunch or dinner or a private reception, business event or party. Custom-catered menus are also available. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Jekyll Island Seafood Company Celebrate the Georgia coast with a meal at this Concourse F restaurant. Seafood lovers will delight in the seaside-inspired menu, featuring favorites such as shrimp and grits, fresh oysters and seafood gumbo. A number of other menu items will satisfy the non-seafood crowd as well, with all accompanied by wines, beers and signature cocktails. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Jekyll Island Foundation.

One Flew South Located in Concourse G, the food at One Flew South is “southernational,” inspired by world travels, and offering spirited fare featuring premium, regional ingredients and global flavors. As the first upscale dining outlet at ATL, One Flew South’s full cocktail menu, creative cuisine, sushi and extensive take-away selection ensure the experience is a stand-out. The regional theme continues with the décor, from the tabletops crafted from indigenous materials to the Georgia forest mural.

Learn more at oneflewsouthatl.com.

Ecco The predecessor to this airport outpost, Ecco in Midtown was named “A Best New Restaurant in America” upon its 2006 opening. It’s no wonder, then, the ATL branch, opened in 2013, has earned similar accolades for its European-inspired cuisine and extensive wine list and bar. Located in Concourse F, in-transit passengers can enjoy restaurant, bar or atrium seating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and

Café Intermezzo Whether flying to Europe or not, passengers are bound for Vienna at this inspired European coffeehouse, located in Concourse B. In addition to the airport location, Café Intermezzo boasts two city locations, and all the outlets are known for the Beverage Book, featuring 50 pages of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Pair your choice of drink with a selection of 100-plus pastries and desserts, or any of the breakfast, lunch or dinner fare.

Learn more at cafeintermezzo.com.

Cafe Intermezzo

Ecco

Since 1998, Hartsfield-Jackson has been the busiest passenger airport in the world. Today, ATL serves 150 U.S. destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries, averaging more than 250,000 passengers daily. Visit atlanta-airport.com for more information.

Number of Movies

Number of News Channels

Number of Other Video Programs

WiFi on Board

Free WiFi in Lounges

Amenity Kits Included

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Chauffeur Service

Average Age of Aircraft

200 200

1 1

200+ 200+

N N

N/A D N/A D

Y Y

Y Y

2014 2014

Y N

8 15

N N N

Regions Flown

Number of Audio Channels 17, 700 Albums 17, 700 Albums

Green Certification

Adapters Required

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Recline

N N

Complimentary

Seat Width

180° Y 180° Y

Power for Laptop

Seat Pitch

22” 28”

Layout

4 Suites N/R 40–58 1-2-1 N/R

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS AIR FRANCE LA PREMIÈRE BUSINESS CLASS

777-300 777

Y Europe Y Europe

AIR INDIA EXECUTIVE CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS

777-200LR 777-300ER 777-300

8 4 29

1-2-1 82” 1-2-1 82” 2-3-2 N/R

23” 23” 20”

180° Y 180° Y 178° Y

N N N

250 Hrs. 250 Hrs. OD

150 Hrs. 150 Hrs. OD

1 1 1

N/R N/R OD

N N N

N/A B N/A B N/A B

Y Y Y

N/R N/R 2007

Y Y Y

N/R N/R Pacific Rim N/R N/R Pacific Rim N/R N/R Pacific Rim

777-300ER

44

1-2-1 N/A

33”

180 ° Y

N

12, 800 Albums

240

N/A

1,000 Hrs.

N

N/A B N/A Y

2010

N

6.4 Y Pacific Rim

N

N/A S

Y

Y

2013

N

N/R N/R Pacific Rim

N/A B

Y

Y

2014

Y

7.2 Y Europe

Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N N N N N

9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8

AIR New ZEALAND* BUSINESS PREMIER

AIR TAHITI NUI

POERAVA BUSINESS A340-300 32 2-2-2 60” 20” 160° Y N/R 20 14 0 24 Channels/

15 Games

AIRBERLIN

BUSINESS CLASS A330-200 19 1-2-1 72” 20” 180° Y N N/A 50 N/A 120 Coming 2015/16

ALASKA AIRLINES FIRST CLASS

737-400 737-700 737-800 737-900 E175

12 12 16 16 12

2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 1-2

37” 36” 36” 36” 37”

21” 21” 21” 21” 24”

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

N N Y Y Y

N N N N N

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

V V V V V

0 0 0 0 0

12 12 12

45 7 45 7 45 7

V V V V V

Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N

D D D D D

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

North America North America North America North America North America

16 16 16

N N/A S Y Y 2015/16 N 8 N Europe N N/A B Y Y 2015/16 N 9 N Europe N N/A B Y Y 2015/16 N 9 N Europe

ALITALIA BUSINESS CLASS

A330-2 20 2-2-2 59” 20” 170° Y N A330 20 1-2-1 50” SG 21.5” 180° Y N 777 30 1-2-1 50” SG 22” 180° Y N

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS FIRST CLASS BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER 8 777-300ER 52/68 787-8 46 787-8 42

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 2-2-2

N/A 44” SG 44” SG 59” SG

32.9” 19.4” 19.4” 21.5”

180° 180° 180° 160°

Y Y Y Y

N 100+ Overall 200+ N Overall 200+ N Overall 200+ N Overall 200+

Y (Some) N B Y (Some) N B N N/A B Y (Some) N/A B

Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y

2010 N/R N/R N/R

N N N N

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N/R N N N

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

AMERICAN AIRLINES FIRST CLASS 777-300ER 8 1-2-1 63” 20.8” 180° Y N 18, 380 Albums 250 0 160 Y N D Y Y New Y (Select 1.2 N Europe, Latin America, Suite Customers) North America,

Pacific Rim

A321-T 10 1-1 43” HB 21”/23” 180° Y N 18, 380 Albums 210 0 240 Y N D Y Y New Y (Select 1 N North America Customers) BUSINESS CLASS 777-300ER 52 1-2-1 43” HB 21” 180° Y N 18, 380 Albums 250 0 160 Y N D Y Y New Y (Select 1.2 N Europe, Latin America, Customers) North America,

Pacific Rim

A321-T 20 2-2 63”HB 19” 180° Y N 18, 380 Albums 210 0 240 Y N D Y Y New Y (Select 1 N North America Customers)

787-8 28 1-2-1 99” 21” 180° Y N 18 250 0 160 Y N D Y Y New Y (Select .8 N Europe, Latin America,

Customers) North America, Pacific Rim

777-200 45 1-2-1 93” 21” 180° Y N 18, 380 Albums 260 0 240 Y N D Y Y 2015 Y (Select N/R N Europe, Latin America,

(Retrofit) Customers) North America, Pacific Rim

AMTRAK*

ACELA BUSINESS CLASS

TRAIN

N/R

2-2

42”

21”

109° Y

N

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Y

PREMIER CLASS A330-200 30 2-2-2 75” 24” 180° Y Y 15+ Albums/ 34 4 Channels

N/A

6

4 4 4 4

65 65 65 65

Y

D

Y

N Ongoing

N

N/A N/R North America

N

N/A S

Y

Y

N/A

N

5

N N N N

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y

N/A N/A N/A N/A

Y Y N N

1 N/R 1 N/R

ARIK AIR

N Middle East/Africa

ASIANA AIRLINES

FIRST SUITE

BUSINESS SMARTIUM

A380 777 A380 777

12 8 66 24

1-2-1 83” 1-2-1 83” 1-2-1 80.4” 1-2-1 80.4”

25” 25” 21” 21”

180° 180° 180° 180°

Y Y Y Y

N N N N

18, 700 CDs 18, 700 CDs 18, 700 CDs 18, 700 CDs

60 60 60 60

B B B B

N/R N/R N/R N/R

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

18 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

globaltravelerusa.com

Regions Flown

Green Certification

Average Age of Aircraft

Chauffeur Service

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Amenity Kits Included

Free WiFi in Lounges

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Complimentary

WiFi on Board

Number of Other Video Programs

Number of News Channels

Number of Movies

Number of Audio Channels

Adapters Required

Power for Laptop

Recline

Seat Width

Seat Pitch

Layout

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS

777 N/R 1-2-1 44” SG 20” 180° Y N N/R 767 N/R 1-2-1 44” SG 19.8” 180° Y N N/R

50 N/R 60 N N/A S N/A Y N/R N/R N/R N/R Europe 50 N/R 60 N N/A S N/A Y N/R N/R N/R N/R Europe

AVIANCA BUSINESS CLASS A330 30 2-2-2 65”

A330 32 1-2-1 45” Fishtail

787 28 1-2-1 46” Fishtail

A319 12 2-2 40”

A320 12 2-2 40”

A321 12 2-2 40”

20.5” 20.5”

170° 180°

Y Y

N N

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N N

N/A N/A

V V

Y Y

Y Y

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

Latin America Latin America

20.5”

180°

Y

N

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/A

V

Y

Y

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/R

Latin America

N/R N/R N/R

99° EST 99° EST 99° EST

Y Y Y

N N N

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/A N/A N/A

V V V

Y Y Y

Y Y Y

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

Latin America Latin America Latin America

BRITISH AIRWAYS New FIRST

747 14 1-2-1 N/R 23” 180° Y N 50–400 100–230 N/R N/R N N/A D Y Y 2010 N/R N/R N/R Europe

777 14 1-2-1 N/R 23” 180° Y N 50–400 100–230 N/R N/R N N/A D Y Y 2010 N/R N/R N/R Europe

CLUB WORLD LONDON CITY

A318

32

2-2

75”

25”

180°

Y

N

70 Hrs.

70 Hrs.

CLUB WORLD

747

52–97

2-4-2

N/R

25”

180°

Y

N

50–400

100–230

777 52–97 2-4-2 N/R 25” 180° Y N 50–400 100–230 N/R N/R N N/A D Y Y 2006 N/R N/R N/R Europe

787 52–97 2-3-2 N/R 25” 180° Y N 50–400 100–230 N/R N/R N N/A D Y Y 2006 N/R N/R N/R Europe

70 Hrs. 70 Hrs. N/R

N/R

Y

N/R

D

Y

Y

2009

N/R

N/R

N/R

Europe

N

N/A

D

Y

Y

2006

N/R

N/R

N/R

Europe

A380 52–97 2-4-2/2-3-2 N/R 25” 180° Y N 50–400 100–230 N/R N/R N N/A D Y Y 2006 N/R N/R N/R Europe

BRUSSELS AIRLINES

A330-200 22 1-2-1 45” SG

A330-300 30 2-1-2 45” SG

23” 23”

180° 180°

Y Y

N 14, 54 Hrs. N 14, 54 Hrs.

55 55

1 1

32 32

N N

N/A N/A

D D

Y Y

Y Y

2012 2012

Y Y

19.4 19.4

N/R N/R

Europe Europe

FIRST CLASS BUSINESS CLASS

36” 21”

Suite 180°

Y Y

N N

888 888

158 158

N/R N/R

12 12

N N

N/A N/A

D D

Y Y

Y Y

N/R N/R

N N

8.5 8.5

N/R N/R

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/R

N/R

N

D

Y

Y

N/R

N

21

N

101 101

1 Text

60 110+

Y Y

D D

Y Y

Y Y

2012 N/R

N 10.2 Y N Less than 1 Y

CATHAY PACIFIC

777-300ER 6 777-300ER 40/53

1-1-1 1-2-1

81” 82”

CAYMAN AIRWAYS* BUSINESS CLASS

737-300

8

2-2

N/R

N/R

N/R

Y

747-400 V3 12 777-300ER 40

1-1-1 1-2-1

83” 78”

21” 28”

180° 180°

Y Y

North America

CHINA AIRLINES FIRST CLASS PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS

Y 16, 260 CDs Y 16, 260 CDs

N N

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

CHINA EASTERN Airlines FIRST CLASS BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER 6 1-2-1 84” 26.5” 180° Y N 1,000+ 110 0 30 Y Y S Y Y 2014 Y N/R Y Pacific Rim 777-300ER 52 1-2-1 43” HB 23.6” 180° Y N 1,000+ 110 0 30 Y Y S Y Y 2014 Y N/R Y Pacific Rim

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES FIRST CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS

A380 8 777-300ER 4 A380 70 777-300ER 34

1-2-1 83” 1-2-1 84” 1-2-1 48” 1-2-1 44” SG

33” 29” 24” 22”

180° 180° 180° 180°

Y N/R 400 CDs Y N/R 400 CDs Y N/R 400 CDs Y N/R 400 CDs

129 129 129 129

250 250 250 250

25 25 25 25

N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/R N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/R N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/R N N/A S Y Y N/R N/R 4

Y Y Y Y

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

COPA AIRLINES* BUSINESS CLASS

737-700 12 2-2 38” 20” N/R Y N N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/A B Y Y N/R N 5.3 Y Latin America 737-800 16 2-2 38” 20” N/R Y N N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/A B Y Y N/R N 5.3 Y Latin America

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

globaltravelerusa.com

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 19

Regions Flown

Green Certification

Average Age of Aircraft

Chauffeur Service

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Amenity Kits Included

Free WiFi in Lounges

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Complimentary

WiFi on Board

Number of Other Video Programs

Number of News Channels

Number of Movies

Number of Audio Channels

Adapters Required

Power for Laptop

Recline

Seat Width

Seat Pitch

Layout

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS

DELTA AIR LINES 717 12 FIRST CLASS

2-2 37” 19.6” 120–130° Y N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2014 N 13.5 N/R North America

MD-88 16 2-2 37” 19.6” 120–130° Y N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2011 N 24.9 N/R North America

MD-90 16 2-2 37” 19.6” 120–130° Y N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2013 N 18.4 N/R North America

A319 12 2-2 36” 21” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2009 N 13.4 N/R North America

A319 54 2-2 40–59” 19.4–21” 130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2009 N 13.4 N/R North America

A320 12 2-2 36” 21” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2009 N 20.3 N/R North America

737-700 12 2-2 37” 21” 120–130° Y N 8 26 N/A 2 Y N D Y N 2008 N 6.4 N/R North America

737-800 16 2-2 38” 21” 120–130° Y N N/A 26 N/A 2 Y N D Y N 2008 N 14.4 N/R North America

737-800 16 2-2 38” 21” 120–130° N/A N N/A 2 N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2008 N 14.4 N/R North America

737-900ER 20 2-2 37” 21” 120–130° Y N N/A 350+ N/A 2 Y N D Y N 2014 N 1 N/R North America

757-200 24 2-2 37–38” 21” 130° N/A N N/A 2 N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2004 N 20.3 N/R North America

757-200 22 2-2 37” 21” 130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2008 N 20.3 N/R North America

757-200 22 2-2 44–46” 21" 130° N/A N N/A 2 N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2004 N 20.3 N/R North America

757-200 26 2-2 38” 21” 120–130° Y N 8 26 N/A 2 Y N D Y N 2006 N 20.3 N/R North America

757-300 24 2-2 37” 21” 120–130° Y N N/A 26 N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2014 N 12.3 N/R North America

767-300 30 2-2-2 37–38” 18.5” 130° Y N 8 26 N/A 2 Y N D Y N 2006 N 24.4 N/R North America

CRJ700 9 1-2 36” 19.6” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2010 N N/R N/R North America

CRJ900 12 1-2 37” 19.6” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2010 N N/R N/R North America

E170 9 1-2 37” 20” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2011 N N/R N/R North America

E175 12 1-2 37” 20” 120–130° N/A N N/A N/A N/A N/A Y N D Y N 2011 N N/R N/R North America DELTA ONE 767-300ER 36 1-2-1 76.5–81.4” 21” 180° Y N 16 350+ N/A 2 N N/A D Y Y 2013 N 19.2 N/R Europe, Latin America, Middle East/Africa

747-400 48 1-1/1-1-1/1-2-1 82” 20.5” 180° Y N 16 350+ N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2011 N 33.1 N/R North America

757-200 16 2-2 54–55” 21” 170° EST Y N 8 26 N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2008 N 2013 N/R Pacific Rim

767-300ER 36 1-2-1 76.5–81.4” 21” 180° Y N 8 100 N/A 2 N N/A D Y Y 2013 N 19.2 N/R Middle East/Africa

767-400ER 40 1-2-1 76.5–81.4” 21” 180° Y N 8 100 N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2013 N 14.3 N/R Middle East/Africa

777-200ER 37 1-2-1 78” 21” 180° Y N 16 350+ N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2014 N 15.4 N/R Middle East/Africa

777-200LR 37 1-2-1 78” 21” 180° Y N 16 350+ N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2014 N 6.2 N/R Middle East/Africa

A330-200 32 1-2-1 80” 21” 180° Y N 16 100 N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2013 N 10.2 N/R Middle East/Africa

A330-300 34 1-2-1 80” 20” 180° Y N 16 100 N/A 2 Y N D Y Y 2013 N 9 N/R Middle East/Africa

EGYPTAIR HORUS

777 49

2-3-2

78” 20” 180° Y Y

73

8

N/A 35 N N/A S Y Y 2012 N

5

N Middle East/Africa

EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES EL AL FIRST CLASS EL AL BUSINESS CLASS

777-200 777-200

6 35

2-2-2 2-3-2

N/A 75–76”

20.7” 20”

N/R N/R

Y Y

Y Y

100 100

70 70

777-300ER 777-200LR A380 777-300 777-200LR A380

8 8 14 42 42 76

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 2-3-2 2-3-2 1-2-1

82” 82” 82” 72” 72” 79”

20.5” 20.5” 21.5” 20.5” 20.5” 18.5”

180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180°

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y Y

800 800 800 800 800 800

787

24

2-2

65”

21”

170° EST

Y

N

10

180° 180° 180° 180° 180°

Y Y Y Y Y

1 1

300 300

N N/A N N/A

D D

Y Y

Y Y

2015 2015

Y N

10 10

N/R Middle East/Africa N Middle East/Africa

200 200 200 Satellite Satellite 200 Updates Updates 200

200

450+ 450+ 450+ 450+ 450+ 450+

N N Y N N Y

N/A N/A N/R N/A N/A N/R

B B D B B D

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Y Y Y Y Y Y

6.5 6.5 3.3 6.5 6.5 3.3

30

N/R

N/R

N N/A

S

Y

Y

2012

N

N/R

Y 16, 400+ CDs 100 N 16, 400 CDs 110+ N 16, 400+ CDs 110+ N 16, 400+ Albums 100 N 16, 400+ CDs 110+

7 7 7 7 7

200 300+ 300+ 200 300+

Y N/R Y N Y N Y N/R Y N

S S S S S

Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y

2014 2014 2014 2014 2014

Y Y Y Y Y

N/R Less than 1 Less than 1 N/R Less than 1

N/R N N N/R N

EMIRATES* FIRST CLASS

BUSINESS CLASS

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa

ETHIOPIAN Airlines* CLOUD NINE

N/R Middle East/Africa

ETIHAD AIRWAYS DIAMOND FIRST FIRST SUITE FIRST APARTMENT PEARL BUSINESS BUSINESS STUDIO

777-200LR 8 787-9 8 A380-800 9 777-200LR 40 A380-800 70

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-1 1-2-1 1-2-1

80” 29.5” 80.5” 26” 80.5” 30.3” 73” 20” 80.5”; 75.7” 22”

Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa

EVA AIR

ROYAL LAUREL 777-300ER 38–39 HB

1-2-1

81”

26”

180°

Y

N

20, 300 CDs

90

0

120+

Y N/R

B

V

Y

2012

N

5.5

N

Pacific Rim

2-2-2

60”

21”

N/R

Y

N

5

23

0

30

N N/A

S

Y

Y

2013

N

2

N

Pacific Rim

FIJI AIRWAYS BUSINESS CLASS

A330-200

24

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

20 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

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EXCEPTIONAL. EVERY TIME. South African Airways understands that your expectations fly as high as our aircraft. That’s why SAA goes above and beyond to remain Africa’s leading airline for over 80 years. From the luxurious 180° lie-flat beds to the endless accolades including the Skytrax award for Best Airline to Africa for 13 consecutive years, SAA is the premier choice for discerning travelers. A Star Alliance member, South African Airways offers the most flights between the U.S. and South Africa including daily non-stop flights from New York and daily, direct service from Washington D.C.

1-800-722-9675 | flysaa.com or call your professional travel consultant

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Free WiFi in Lounges

Amenity Kits Included

N

N/A

B

Y

Y

2014 Y

N/R N/R Pacific Rim

2-2-2

74”

23”

180°

Y

750

100

Green Certification

Number of Audio Channels

N

Regions Flown

Complimentary

48

36

Average Age of Aircraft

WiFi on Board

N/R

787-8

Chauffeur Service

Number of Other Video Programs

BUSINESS CLASS

FINNAIR* A330 BUSINESS CLASS

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Number of News Channels

5.9 N 12.6 Y 12.6 Y

Number of Movies

2014 N 2014 N 2014 N

Adapters Required

Y Y Y

Power for Laptop

Y Y Y

Recline

B B B

Seat Width

N/A N/A N/A

Seat Pitch

N N N

Layout

100+ 100+ 100+

Number of Seats

N/A N/A N/A

Aircraft

32 1-2-1/2-2-1 45” 19.97” 177° Y N 24, 60 CDs 72

A340 45 1-2-1/2-2-1 45” 19.97” 177° Y N 24, 60 CDs 72

A340 45 2-2-2 61/62” 19.8” 165° Y N 24, 60 CDs 72 (Select

(Select aircraft) aircraft)

HAINAN AIRLINES

FIRST AND Business CLASS

Europe Europe Europe

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FIRST CLASS A330 18 2-2-2 46” 20.4” 130° EST Y N 16 50 0 125 N N/A D Y JFK 2014 N

route only BUSINESS CLASS A330 18 2-2-2 46” 20.4” 130° EST Y N 16 50 0 125 N N/A D Y Y 2014 N

2.7 N

North America

2.7 N

Pacific Rim

IBERIA BUSINESS PLUS CLASS A330-300 36 1-2-1 44.5” SG 26.37” 180° Y N 400 50 N/R 80 Y Y B Y Y N/R Y 1.64 Y Europe

A340-600 46 1-2-1 44.5” SG 26.37” 180° Y N 400 50 N/R 80 Y Y B Y Y N/R Y 8.9 Y Europe

ICELANDAIR

SAGA CLASS

757 22 2-2 40” 20.5” N/R Y N OD 62 OD 42 Y Y B Y Y 2014 N N/R N Europe 767 22 2-2-2 40” 20.5” N/R Y N OD 62 OD 42 Y Y B Y Y 2014 N N/R N Europe

JAPAN AIRLINES JAL FIRST CLASS JAL BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER 787-8 777-300ER

8 38 49

A330-200 A330-300

30 34

1-2-1 2-2-2 2-3-2

Suite Suite Suite

33” 25.5” 25.5”

180° 180° 180°

Y Y Y

N N N

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R

Y Y Y

N N N

B B B

Y Y Y

Y Y Y

2013 N/R N/R N/R Pacific Rim 2013 N/R N/R N/R Pacific Rim 2013 N/R N/R N/R Pacific Rim

180° 180°

Y Y

Y Y

330+ CDs 330+ CDs

130+ 130+

0 0

155+ 155+

N N

N/A N/A

D D

N/A N/A

Y Y

N/R N/R

N N

100+ 100+

N/R N/R

100+ 100+

N/R N/R

Y Y

N/R N/R

D D

N/R N/R

Y Y

2014 N 2014 N

25

16

N/R

9

N

N/A

S

Y

Y

N/R N/R 6.3 Y

Middle East/Africa

N Y

N/A N/R

D D

Y Y

Y Y

2013 N 4–21 Y 2013 N 4–21 Y

Europe Europe

N N/R N N N/R N

N/A N/R N/A N/A N/R N/A

D D D D D D

Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y N/R Y Y N/R Y

2005 N/A N/A 2005 N/A N/A

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Latin America, Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Pacific Rim Latin America, Pacific Rim

JET AIRWAYS Premiere

1-1-1 49” HB 23” 1-2-1/2-2-1 45” HB 20.2/20.5”

N N

6.01 N 6.01 N

Europe, Pacific Rim Europe, Pacific Rim

JETBLUE MINT

A321 4 Suites A321 12

1-1 2-2

60” SG 58” SG

22” 20.5”

N/R 180°

Y Y

PREMIER WORLD 777-200ER 28 2-3-2 76”

31”

176°

Y N/A

WORLD BUSINESS CLASS

19.6” 19.6”

180° 180°

Y Y

N N

1,000 Hrs. 1,000 Hrs.

80+ 80+

21.1” 26.5” 26.5” 21.6” 21” 20.1”

180° 180° 180° 167° 180° 180°

Y Y Y Y Y Y

N N N N N N

500 500 500 500 500 500

55+ 55+ 55+ 55+ 55+ 55+

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R 160° N/R N/R

12 10 12 12 12 10 10 12

20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+ 20+

N/R N/R North America N/R N/R North America

KENYA AIRWAYS* KLM

747 777-200

35 35

747-400 A380 777-300ER 747-400 A380 777-300ER

10 12 8 61 94 56

2-2-2 2-2-2

N/R N/R

1,000 Hrs. 1,000 Hrs. 1,000 Hrs. 1,000 Hrs.

(Testing)

KOREAN AIR KOSMO Suite

PRESTIGE CLASS

1-2-1 83” 1-2-1 83” 1-2-1 83” 2-3-2/2-2 58–60” 2-2-2 74” 2-3-2 74”

3 3 3 3 3 3

85+ 85+ 85+ 85+ 85+ 85+

N N N N N N

18.4 3.4 4.5 18.7 3.4 4.5

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

KUWAIT AIRWAYS* FIRST CLASS

OASIS

A340 A300 777 777 A320 A310 A300 A340

18 18 24 24 20 24 18 24

2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-3-2 2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2

61” 61” 61” 45” 45” 45” 45” 45”

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N 20.3 N Middle East/Africa N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N 22.1 N Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N N/R N/R Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 7.7 N Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 22.8 N Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 22.1 N Middle East/Africa N N/A N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 20.3 N Middle East/Africa

LAN AIRLINES PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS 767-300 30 2-2-2 74” 20” 180° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y 2012 N 9.3 Y

787-8 30 2-2-2 75” 23” 180° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y 2012 N 1.7 Y

787-9 30 2-2-2 74” 23” 180° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y 2015 N Less Y

than 1

Latin America Latin America Latin America

BUSINESS CLASS

Europe

LA COMPAGNIE

757-200

74

2-2

61.1”

787

18

2-2-2

78”

25.98” 180° ANG Y

N

2

34

1

2

N

N/A

S

Y

Y

2015 N

N/R N

N

20+

50+

0

50+

N

N/A

B

Y

Y

2014 Y

1.8 N/R Europe

LOT POLISH AIRLINES LOT BUSINESS CLASS

23”

180°

Y

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

22 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

globaltravelerusa.com

200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+ 200+

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

V V V V V V V V V V V

D D D D D D D D D D D

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 2012

Y Y Y Y Y N N N N N N

11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2 11.2

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Regions Flown

Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon Coming Soon

Green Certification

100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+ 100+

Average Age of Aircraft

30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs 30, 300 CDs

Chauffeur Service

N N N N N N N N N N N

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Number of News Channels

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Amenity Kits Included

Number of Movies

180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180° 180°

Free WiFi in Lounges

Number of Audio Channels

31.5” 31.5” 31.5” 31.5” 31.5” 20” 20” 20” 20” 20” 20”

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Adapters Required

84” 84” 84” 84” 84” 64” ANG 64” ANG 64” ANG 64” ANG 64” ANG 64” ANG

Complimentary

Power for Laptop

1-1/1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 2-2/2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2/2-2-2

WiFi on Board

Recline

8 8 8 8 8 80 78 44 42 42 67

Number of Other Video Programs

Seat Width

A380 A340-600 A340-300 A330-300 747-8 A380 A340-600 A340-300 A330-300 747-400

Seat Pitch

BUSINESS CLASS

Layout

LUFTHANSA 747-800 FIRST CLASS

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS

Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe Europe

MIDDLE EAST AIRLINES*

CEDAR CLASS

A330 A320 A321

22 2-2-2 24 2-2 31 2-2

60” 54” 160° Y N 48” 57” 127° Y N 48” 57” 127° Y N

12 12 12

14 14 14

N/R N/R N/R

10 10 10

N N N

N/A B N N N/R N/R N/R N/R Middle East/Africa N/A B N N N/R N/R N/R N/R Middle East/Africa N/A B N N N/R N/R N/R N/R Middle East/Africa

757

20 2-2

73” 20” 180° Y N

33

24

N/R

44

N

N/A S Y Y 2012 N 23.3 N Europe

12 12 12

99 37 26

0 0 0

0 0 0

Y N Y

OPENSKIES* BIZ BED

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER 42 2-3-2 78” 20.42” N/R Y N A340-300 36 2-2-2 74” 19.69” N/R Y N A330-343HGW 18 2-2-2 60” 20.6” N/R Y N

N D Y Y 2014 N 3 N Pacific Rim N D Y Y 2014 N 14.9 N Pacific Rim N D Y Y N/A N .7 N Pacific Rim

QANTAS

QANTAS FIRST Suite QANTAS BUSINESS

A380-800 A380

14 64

1-1-1 2-2-2

83.5” 80”

29” 180° Y 21.5” 180° Y

N 1,000 CDs N 20+, 1,000+ CDs

150 100+

0 1

500 500+

N N

N/A N/A

D D

Y Y

Y Y

N/A 2008

N N

7.7 7.7

N N

Pacific Rim Pacific Rim

500+ 500+

8 1,000+ N N/A B Y Y N/R N 3 N Middle East/Africa 8 1,000+ N N/A B Y Y N/R N 3 N Middle East/Africa

QATAR AIRWAYS BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER 42 2-2-2 78” 22” 180° Y N 777-200LR 42 2-2-2 78” 22” 180° Y N

400+ 400+

ROYAL AIR MAROC* BUSINESS CLASS

767-300

12

2-2-2

A321 A330 787

20 24 24

2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2

67”

20” N/R

Y

Y

150

29

16

48” 27" N/R Y 62” ANG 21” 180° Y 60” ANG 20.5” 180° Y

N N N

600 Albums 600 Albums 600 Albums

98 98 98

1 1 1

20

N

N/A

B

N/R

Y 2013

N

14.6

N

Middle East/Africa

ROYAL JORDANIAN BUSINESS CLASS

120+ Coming Soon 120+ Coming Soon 120+ Coming Soon

Y Y Y

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

Y Y Y

N/R N/R 4.8 N/R N/R N/R 4.8 N/R N/R N/R 4.8 N/R

Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES FIRST CLASS BUSINESS CLASS

777-300ER (VI) 24 777-300ER (VI) 36

2-2-2 2-2-2

81” 60”

22” 180° Y N/A 20” 170° Y N/A

12 12

24–40 OD 24–40 OD

24–40 OD 24–40 OD

3+ 3+

Y Y

Y Y

S S

Y Y

Y Y

2012 2012

N N

15 15

N N

Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa

SAS SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES SAS BUSINESS

A330-300 32 1-2-1

N/R N/R 180° Y N/A

777-300ER 777-300ER 777-300ER 777-300ER

67” 67” 51” 51”

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Y

Y B Y Y N/R N/R N/R N/R Europe

Y Y Y Y

N N N N

SINGAPORE AIRLINES NEXT GENERATION FIRST CLASS NEXT GENERATION BUSINESS CLASS

8 4 42 48

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1

35” 35” 28” 28”

130° 130° 132° 132°

Y N Y N 1,000 TOTAL Y N/R Y N/R

B B B B

Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y

2013 2013 2013 2013

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R N/R

Europe, Pacific Rim Europe, Pacific Rim Europe, Pacific Rim Europe, Pacific Rim

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS

A340-300 A340-600 A330-200

38 42 36

2-2-2 2-2-2 2-2-2

73” 73” 73”

24” 180° Y 24” 180° Y 24” 180° Y

N N N

40+ CDs 40+ CDs 40+ CDs

100+ 100+ 100+

0 0 0

28 100 28

N N N

N/A N/A N/A

B B B

Y Y Y

Y Y Y

2006 2006 2011

N N N

6 6 6

Y Y Y

Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa Middle East/Africa

SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES SWISS FIRST

SWISS BUSINESS

A340 A333 A343 A333

8 8 47 45

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1 2-2-1

83” 22” 180° 83” 22” 180° 45” SG 20.5” 180° 45” SG 20.5” 180°

Y Y Y Y

Y Y Y Y

16, 300 CDs 16, 300 CDs 16, 300 CDs 16, 300+ CDs

42 42 42 42

0 0 0 0

55+ 55+ 55+ 55+

N N N N

N/A N/A N/A N/A

D D D D

N N N N

Y Y Y Y

2009 2009 2009 2009

Y Y N N

13.1 3.7 13.1 3.7

N/R N/R N/R N/R

Europe Europe Europe Europe

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

globaltravelerusa.com

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 23

TAM AIRLINES PREMIUM BUSINESS CLASS 777-300ER

56 2-3-2 73” 20” 170° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y 2015 N 4.2 Y

767-300 30 2-2-2 74” 23” 180° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y 2013 N 4.8 Y

A350-XWB 30 2-2-2 74” 25” 180° Y N 1,300+ CDs 110 N/A 40+ N N/A B Y Y Coming N Coming Y 2016 2016

Regions Flown

Green Certification

Average Age of Aircraft

Chauffeur Service

Date of Last Major Cabin Overhaul

Amenity Kits Included

Free WiFi in Lounges

Lounges Shared or Dedicated

Complimentary

WiFi on Board

Number of Other Video Programs

Number of News Channels

Number of Movies

Number of Audio Channels

Adapters Required

Power for Laptop

Recline

Seat Width

Seat Pitch

Layout

Number of Seats

Aircraft

FIRST AND Business CLASS

Latin America Latin America Latin America

TAP PORTUGAL TAP EXECUTIVE

A330

24

2-2-2

60”

20” 160°

777-300 777-200 747-400

4 12 11

1-2-1 1-2-1 1-2-1

80” 62” 80”

27” 180° 20” 170° 20” 180°

Y

N

12

20

3

10

10, 92 Hrs. 10, 92 Hrs. 10, 92 Hrs.

37 37 37

N/R N/R N/R

10 10 10

Y

N

B

Y

Y Unknown

B B B

Y Y Y

Y Y Y

Y

Unknown N

Europe

TRANSAERO* IMPERIAL

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

Some N/R N N/R Y N/R

V V V

N/R N/R N/R

17 17 16

N N N

Europe Europe Europe

TURKISH AIRLINES BUSINESS CLASS 777-300ER 28 2-3-2 78” 22” 177° Y N 8, 811 Albums 312 4 573 Y Y D Y Y N/R Coming Soon

A330-300 28 2-2-2 76” 22” 177° Y N 8, 811 Albums 312 4 573 Y Y D Y Y N/R Coming Soon

A340 34 2-2-2 60” 20” 159° Y N 8, 811 Albums 312 4 573 Y Y D Y Y N/R Coming Soon

6.7

N/R Europe

6.7

N/R Europe

6.7

N/R Europe

UNITED AIRLINES UNITED BUSINESSFIRST 747 52 2-4-2 76” EST 20” 180° Y N 21 60+ N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y 2009 V 21 N Europe, North America,

Pacific Rim

757-200 16 2-2 76” EST 21” 180° Y N 21 60 N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y 2011 V 18 N Europe, North America

757-200 P.S. 28 2-2 76” EST 21” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y N 2013 V 21 N North America

Premium service configuration

767-300 26 2-2-2 76” EST 20” 180° Y N 21 60+ N/A 150+ V N S Y Y 2008 V 23 N Europe, Latin America,

North America

767-300 30 2-1-2 75” EST 21” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ V N S Y Y 2012 V 16 N Europe, Latin America,

North America

767-400 39 2-1-2 75” EST 21” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y 2012 V 14 N Europe, Latin America,

North America

777-200 40 2-4-2 76” EST 20” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y N/R 2010 V 15 N Europe, Latin America,

Middle East/Africa,

North America,

Pacific Rim

777-200 40 2-4-2 76” EST 20” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y 2010 V 15 N Europe, Latin America,

Middle East/Africa,

North America,

Pacific Rim

777-200 50 2-2-2 78” EST 23” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y 2010 V 14 N Europe, Latin America,

Middle East/Africa,

North America,

Pacific Rim

787-8 36 2-2-2 78” EST 22” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ V N S Y Y New V 2 N Europe, Latin America,

Middle East/Africa,

North America,

Pacific Rim

787-9 48 2-2-2 78” EST 22” 180° Y N 21 150 N/A 150+ Y N S Y Y New V 1 N Pacific Rim

VIETNAM AIRLINES* BUSINESS CLASS

777

25

2-3-2

59”

20” 150 °

Y

Y

FIRST CLASS

A320

8

2-2

55”

21” 165°

Y

N

9

3–6

N/R

N/R

N

N/A

B

Y

Y

N/R

N

11.2

5

50+

Y

N/R

B

Y

Y

2007

N

N/R

N

Pacific Rim

VIRGIN AMERICA 10, 3,000 MP3s 35+

N/R North America

VIRGIN ATLANTIC UPPER CLASS 787-9 31 1-1-1 79.5” 22” 180° Y Y 400, 285 Albums 60 1 70 Hrs., Games Y N D Y Y 2014 Y Less Y Europe than 1

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

777-300ER

33

2-3-2

77”

23” 180°

Y

N

737-800 A330-200

22 2-2 N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 21 2-3-2 N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

11, 300 CDs

54

1

151

N

N/A

S N/R Y

2009

N/R

N/R

N/R Pacific Rim

XL AIRWAYS* GALAXY CLASS

N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N/R N/R

N/R N/R N/R N Y N/R N/R N/R N/R N Y N/R

N N

7.2 N Europe 8.8 N Europe

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research.

24 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

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GT tested Delta Air Lines | First Class Philadelphia (PHL) to Salt Lake City (SLC)

Reviewed by Kimberly Krol On the Ground: I left work in the late afternoon to head to Philadelphia International Airport for my night flight to Los Angeles via Salt Lake City. It was a last-minute trip to the West Coast, and I was pleasantly surprised to find affordable firstclass fares on the one-stop route.

Having printed my boarding pass before departing for the airport and not needing to check in, I headed right for the priority security lane and, with no lounge for domestic first-class passengers, went quickly to my gate.

PHOTO: © Delta Air Lines

Pre-Flight: This is where my experience became harried, at no real fault of the airline, but hectic nonetheless.

As I was sitting at the gate answering emails using the airport’s complimentary WiFi connection, I noticed many people around me standing to snap pictures with their smartphones. I stood up just in time to notice Air Force One landing outside the window. While it was cool to catch a glimpse of it, from that point the delays began. The President’s arrival mixed with spotty rain showers meant our flight departed more than an hour behind schedule, and I was going to miss my connection to Los Angeles. Thankfully, the gate crew gave regular updates on the status of our aircraft (which was forced to circle as Air Force One landed), boarding and our new departure times. We boarded quickly via a dedicated priority line. I soon had my bag stowed, and I settled in my third-row window seat.

At some point during this hubbub, I dropped my house keys in the airport. I realized they were missing about midway through my trip and frantically tried to retrace my steps, searching my hotel room and bags top to bottom several times. Luckily, someone had found my keys at the airport, and they were waiting for me to pick up when I returned several days later.

In-Flight: Mini bottles of water awaited premium passengers, and the cabins on the Boeing 737-900 aircraft were clean and modern. Each seat offered personal entertainment screens. The spacious first-class seats offered a limited but comfortable recline and had individual power outlets.

After we reached cruising altitude, I immediately

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pulled out my laptop to search my connection options.

Passengers can access complimentary in-flight WiFi when trying to rebook flights. I had other work to do as well, so I paid for the service, powered by Gogo. The automatic rebooking option put me on a flight the next morning, even though I could see there was a later flight that evening. After many attempts to rebook on the 9:30 p.m. flight to Los Angeles unsuccessfully, I decided to just figure it out when I arrived in Salt Lake City. When I disembarked, there was a help station near my gate with a gate agent available to assist. The airline had automatically rebooked me on the later flight but in economy class, as the premium cabin was full.

In between trying to rebook and doing work during the flight, I watched a TV show on my iPad. I was midseason and wanted to catch up, but in-flight entertainment was available with Delta Studio, including 18 channels of live entertainment. Dinner was served; no menus were distributed, but the flight attendant came around to offer two options. I opted for the pasta selection paired with a white wine.

GT Checklist                

Less than 10 minutes for check-in Friendly and helpful agents Priority tagged bags Airport lounge Complimentary in-lounge food Priority boarding Helpful and courteous flight attendants Pre-flight beverage service Pre-flight newspapers and magazines Extensive on-demand entertainment Amenity kits Slippers Lie-flat seat/bed Turn-down service In-flight menu with three entrée choices Top-shelf wines and liquors

Delta Air Lines delta.com

The Experience: While unforeseen circumstances made this a hectic flight experience, the Delta crew kept passengers informed, offered assistance and made the in-flight and airport experience as seamless as possible.

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 25

GT tested China Southern Airlines | Business Class Los Angeles (LAX) to Guangzhou (CAN)

Reviewed by Carly Allen On the Ground: With LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal open after major reconstruction, traffic around the terminal is much more organized. Inside the terminal, I was second in the business-class line for China Southern Airlines, and the friendly staff performed a quick check-in. SkyTeam’s newest lounge in the terminal is located on the fifth floor and seats 305 guests. The well-designed space includes a balcony overlooking the entire terminal. There are a variety of standard packaged and freshly prepared snacks available, as well as a small drink selection at the self-service bar. About 45 minutes before the flight, I explored the rest of the impressive terminal and made my way to Gate 148.

In-Flight: Seats on the upper deck are in a 1-2-1 configuration. My window seat gave me my own private section, with a large tabletop to my left and two storage bins on my right, allowing me to keep my laptop, iPad, phone and magazines within reach. The multi-use electrical outlets were perfect for keeping my gadgets charged during the flight. With a 15-inch screen, the entertainment system offered a large selection of new Hollywood releases, classic movies, TV shows, music and a live map to chart our flight progress. As I have sensitive ears, I was impressed with the high-quality, noise-canceling headphones, comfortable enough to use the entire flight. The 180-degree lie-flat seat was also comfortable, with several positions to choose from, allowing space to spread out for sleep or the perfect

angle for working on my laptop. The seats included a thin mattress; a warm, cream-colored quilt; and two pillows.

Just 30 minutes in the air, the crew served dinner. I opted for hot green tea at first, and from a smaller selection of wine I tried the Chardonnay from France. The appetizers were a selection of fish, including a tasting of shrimp, crab and baked scallop. For dinner I chose the Maine lobster tail, which tasted delicious alongside the jasmine rice. I enjoyed an extra cup of tea before bed for good measure.

Getting ready for bed, I explored the amenity kit. The attractive mint-green bag held an assortment of Bvlgari products, including a great mini bottle of perfume, lotion, lip balm and, of course, the essentials like a toothbrush and cotton swabs. A green silk eye mask was a favorite, and I took it home.

The Experience: The entire staff aboard the A380 to Guangzhou was friendly and attentive, keeping a close eye on passengers to make sure we had extra water bottles, snacks and pillows before bedding down. As Guangzhou is a centrally located destination and a hub to China and Asia, China Southern offers a great way to get you there.

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Less than 10 minutes for check-in Friendly and helpful agents Priority tagged bags Airport lounge Complimentary in-lounge food Priority boarding Helpful and courteous flight attendants Pre-flight beverage service Pre-flight newspapers and magazines Extensive on-demand entertainment Amenity kits Slippers Lie-flat seat/bed Turn-down service In-flight menu with three entrée choices Top-shelf wines and liquors

China Southern Airlines csair.com

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PHOTO: © China Southern Airlines

Pre-Flight: Business- and firstclass passengers were the first group to board. The Airbus A380’s business-class section was on the upper deck, and we were shown to the escalator inside the gate and greeted by the staff. My flight attendant helped me stow my heavy carryon and whisked away my coat. I was offered a towel and beverage within minutes of being seated. As the aircraft holds so many passengers, loading time takes about 45 minutes. I put on my slippers and began to explore the seat area I would be occupying for the next 14 hours.

GT tested China Airlines | Business Class Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE)

Reviewed by Carly Allen On the Ground: Traffic at LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal was easy, and I found the China Airlines business-class priority check-in counter quickly. While checking in my one bag, the agent gave me directions to the SkyTeam lounge. Breezing through TSA security, I made it to the lounge in a surprising 10 minutes. The lounge offers light snacks and basic drinks, but the real perk is the upper-level seating outside the lounge doors — if you can snag a seat — offering a perfect perch from which to peoplewatch but still quiet enough to get some last-minute emails done.

PHOTO: © China Airlines

Pre-Flight: My seat was located in the second section of business-class seats, right after the second aircraft doors. I just got a chance to get settled before the rush of passengers heading to the back crowded the aisles. My flight attendant quickly took my coat and offered a choice of juices and a warm towel to freshen up. My favorite detail was when she offered the in-flight reading choices, with Global Traveler’s current issue among the magazines, of course. With my slippers on, I relaxed and got ready for takeoff.

In-Flight: The seat configuration of this new Boeing 777 NexGen aircraft is 1-2-1. My window seat gave me lots of personal space, storage and aisle convenience at the same time. China Airlines’ designers did a wonderful job combining old and new elements into a unique décor — light bamboo wood adorned the surfaces and walls, with black lacquer in the galley. After takeoff, I explored a bit more and found multiple compartments for storage, along with electrical outlets for numerous media devices. A small lamp adorned each seat, giving off a warm glow while I did some work and read. The entertainment system was better than any I have experienced on board —an 18-inch Panasonic widescreen offered dozens of new-release movies (I openly cried watching The Theory of Everything), thousands of songs and 3D world maps and flight tracking. WiFi was also available on board.

Dinner service began a few hours into the 12-hour globaltravelerusa.com

flight. I started with a delicious glass of 2014 Konig Johann Riesling, which tasted perfect 30,000 feet in the air. The appetizer course included a garden salad, grilled prawns and rosette roast beef with an aioli garnish. With the dinner menu, China Airlines debuted its custom-designed tableware — petal-shaped plates and bowls with painted landscapes and metallic touches. For my main course, I enjoyed a tender beef filet with mashed potatoes and warmed garlic bread. To end the meal, I chose fresh fruit and decaf green tea.

Our flight attendants helped us bed down for the remainder of the flight as hues of the sunset lit the cabin.

My 180-degree lie-flat seat was comfortable and roomy, and I asked for extra pillows. The air temperature was just cool enough for me to burrow into my blanket for a few hours of sleep.

The Experience: China Airlines’ unique décor and amenities — from the furnishings to the tableware to the teas in the galley — set the bar for my future flights. The attendants were helpful when I needed to set up my WiFi, kept me in cups of green tea during the flight and maintained quiet in the galleys while passengers were resting. I arrived safe and sound in Taipei and already looking forward to my return trip.

GT Checklist       

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Less than 10 minutes for check-in Friendly and helpful agents Priority tagged bags Airport lounge Complimentary in-lounge food Priority boarding Helpful and courteous flight attendants Pre-flight beverage service Pre-flight newspapers and magazines Extensive on-demand entertainment Amenity kits Slippers Lie-flat seat/bed Turn-down service In-flight menu with three entrée choices Top-shelf wines and liquors

China Airlines china-airlines.com

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 27

GT tested Etihad Airways | Business Class Abu Dhabi (AUH) to New York (JFK)

Reviewed by Olivia Falcione

Pre-Flight: I entered the aircraft and was greeted by the flight attendant and directed to my seat in the business-class cabin.

Shortly after I was seated, an attendant came around with a tray of drink options and warm towels. Once I settled in, the flight attendant offered a variety of reading materials. I chose a couple of magazines, made myself comfortable in my seat and was ready for takeoff.

In-Flight: My seat was in the front row of business class in one of the two middle seats. I appreciated the direct aisle access close to the restroom area. A section divider allowed for privacy but could be removed if desired or if you were traveling with a companion. The seat converted into a fully flat bed which I found comfortable and spacious. I enjoyed the variety of entertainment selections available on the 15.4inch touch-screen TV, including a nice variety of new and old movies and TV shows. While I typically prefer to use my own headphones, the noise-canceling headset worked well throughout the flight. After watching two movies, I browsed the large library of music.

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The amenity kits offered travel essentials including lip balm, hand lotion and eye shades, all of which I used. I liked the style of the bag, which I decided to keep and reuse. Etihad’s dining on demand is flexible and allows passengers to eat whenever they choose and as often as they like throughout the flight. I first chose from the à la carte menu and started with a satisfying bowl of white bean soup. For my entrée, I enjoyed the baked chicken served with vegetables and lemon rice. While the meal was filling, later in the flight I browsed the Kitchen Anytime menu and ordered a selection of cheeses, which paired nicely with my glass of Bordeaux from the beverage list. I asked the flight attendant for mixed nuts, which were not listed on the menu, and she brought me a small dish, which I appreciated.

The Experience: I was pleased with my business-class experience on Etihad. There seemed to be a large staff on board, all attentive and friendly. The mood lighting system created a calm atmosphere which made me feel quite relaxed throughout the flight. The U.S. pre-clearance process made for an easy arrival to JFK, where I was able to walk directly to baggage claim without any interruptions or stops. Overall, I had a pleasant experience flying with Etihad, and I would certainly fly with the airline again.

GT Checklist  Less than 10 minutes for check-in  Friendly and helpful agents  Priority tagged bags  Airport lounge  Complimentary in-lounge food  Priority boarding  Helpful and courteous flight attendants  Pre-flight beverage service  Pre-flight magazines and newspapers  Extensive on-demand entertainment  Amenity kits  Slippers  Lie-flat seat/bed  Turn-down service  In-flight menu with three entrée choices  Top-shelf wine and liquors Etihad Airways etihad.com

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PHOTO: © Etihad Airways

On the Ground: As I arrived at Abu Dhabi International Airport, a friendly baggage attendant immediately greeted me, placed my luggage on a cart and escorted me inside the terminal to the checkin desk. There was no line, and I checked in within five minutes. I encountered another short process at security, so I had time to enter the first- and business-class lounge. The lounge is quite large and spacious but also offers private areas ideal for business travelers who wish to work. I checked out the assortment of food and beverages and enjoyed a quick breakfast and a latte at the lounge’s coffee bar. Before proceeding to the gate, I went through the U.S. pre-clearance facility for customs and immigration. After a five-minute wait in line, I was directed to a customs officer who welcomed me home within a minute. I was satisfied with the efficient and seamless pre-clearance customs process.

GT tested

EgyptAir | Business Class New York (JFK) to Cairo (CAI)

Reviewed by Monique Barrett

On the Ground: Weeks of careful deliberation went into deciding whether I should travel to Egypt following a recent botched terrorist attack on a popular tourist site in Luxor. I chose to go after discussing the pros and cons with colleagues, family and friends. I headed to JFK with a mix of excitement and anxiety, but my eagerness to explore the country and see the only remaining member of the Seven Wonders of the World outweighed my apprehension.

Following an uneventful commute from Pennsylvania, I arrived for my evening flight in the early afternoon; any lingering unease was allayed by EgyptAir’s simple and quick check-in process for premium passengers and my relaxing experience in the SWISS Business Class Lounge, shared

by Star Alliance members.

PHOTO: © egyptair

Pre-Flight: After a roughly five-minute wait in the security line for premium passengers, I took a short walk to the SWISS Lounge, conveniently located in Terminal 4 on the second floor near a TravelEx post that quickly exchanged my U.S. dollars for Egyptian pounds. Though nearly empty when I first arrived about two hours before my flight, the relatively small space quickly filled up in the evening, with several premium passengers flying Star Alliance carriers filling the remaining comfortable seating, leaving others to sit in the less comfortable high-top seats. From my seat overlooking the runway, I enjoyed bites from the fresh food choices, including a cold appetizer of mushroom salad, a hot entrée of pepper steak with jasmine rice, a vegetable side of roasted bok choy with pearl onions and confit tomatoes and cream of broccoli soup, and selected a Brooklyn Lager from the extensive beverage selection.

I made the most of my waiting time by working on my laptop with free WiFi and was interrupted a bit later with a boarding notice. I found the priority line empty at my gate and boarded the Boeing 777-300 without delay. A flight attendant immediately guided me to my aisle-access seat in the middle section of the 2-3-2 configuration and offered a pre-flight beverage of fresh mango juice (EgyptAir is a dry airline), as well as magazines, newspapers, amenity kits and menus.

In-Flight: After an on-time takeoff, food service started with an ample appetizer of tasty smoked salmon and marinated prawns served with avocado, tomato and cream cheese as well as a fresh salad, bread and a small plate of cheese and grapes. From the three entrée offers of beef, sea bass filet and chicken breast, I chose the filet of beef. While the meat was a bit too salty for my taste,

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I enjoyed the sides of grilled vegetables and mushroom risotto.

Too full, I skipped dessert and sipped on a soda before settling into A Most Violent Year and dozing off. The airline offers a number of new movies and popular TV shows in a variety of languages. I slept on and off for about five hours of the 10-hour flight, roused about 90 minutes before landing for breakfast. The flight attendants, who all spoke English well, offered rather heavy breakfast options, including my choice of omelet with cottage cheese accompanied with chicken sausage, potatoes, sautéed mushrooms and a tomato stuffed with baked beans that left me feeling sluggish when we landed in Cairo a short while later. Disembarkation was quick, as was clearing immigration and picking up my priority-tagged luggage, one of the first on the conveyor belt.

The Experience: Overall, my flight with EgyptAir was pleasant, setting me up for an incredibly memorable trip to a country attempting to boost tourism after years of unrest.

Following the January 2011 uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt’s tourism sector is only starting to rebound. The only issue I ran into involved acquiring a visa. I had to search for a different service in the airport to buy an Egyptian visa after the first told me it only accepted U.S. dollars; I eventually found a location nearby willing to accept Egyptian pounds.

GT Checklist  Less than 10 minutes for check-in  Friendly and helpful agents  Priority tagged bags  Airport lounge  Complimentary in-lounge food  Priority boarding  Helpful and courteous flight attendants  Pre-flight beverage service  Pre-flight newspapers and magazines  Extensive on-demand entertainment  Amenity kits  Slippers  Lie-flat seat/bed  Turn-down service  In-flight menu with three entrée choices  Top-shelf wines and liquors EgyptAir egyptair.com

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 29

GT tested

Dublin (DUB) to New York (JFK)

Reviewed by Francis X. Gallagher On the Ground: At Dublin Airport, a long line of passengers waited to check in and check their bags for economy class, but the business-class line was free and clear. With my wife’s bags and my golf clubs, we moved right to the front and were taken care of immediately. From here we went through security and U.S. Customs and Immigration pre-clearance, which has become popular in other destinations as something new but was invented in Ireland more than 20 years ago. This makes your international landing at JFK like a domestic flight, assuring quicker bag retrieval and less likelihood of being delayed.

Aer Lingus offers new lounges in both Dublin and JFK, and one feature is a wall timeline of famous Irish authors, actors and politicians. In New York, the wall timeline favors Irish-Americans like Maureen O’Hara. In Dublin, it highlights the famous Irish-born. It is a wonderful way to infuse a little culture into the airline’s service, something Aer Lingus does on many levels.

Pre-Flight: The flight attendants could not have been more helpful and friendly, getting us settled and offering pre-takeoff drinks and reading material. Crew members took my jacket and hung it up and distributed amenity kits. Aer Lingus had quite a profile in the local Irish newspaper due to its merger with the IAG group. I was chatting with one of the flight attendants off and on regarding this, and we both felt the article was positive and the merger a positive development for the carrier.

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In-Flight: Aer Lingus launched a completely new business class in March, which includes fully flat beds, large 16-inch TV monitors, noise-canceling headsets, free WiFi and several charging port options. Each seat included lots of places to store shoes, phone and laptop, minimizing the need to constantly get up and down, as happens when too little stowage is provided at the seat.

The menu emphasizes “serving the best Irish-inspired food” and features modern Irish cuisine with fresh farm produce. For example, when you think of lamb, you think of Ireland; the menu included a lovely herb-crusted loin. On our flight over, Lambay Island beef was featured (ironically, Lambay means “lamb” in Old Norse). Both entrées were tasty. The service was like that in a fine restaurant, and the flight attendants took me through the courses, starting with an Irish whiskey followed by a fine selection of wine. The meal was complete with cheeses and fruits — I skipped the enticing dessert and then tried to nap. Unlike the flight over, which had an incredible tail wind that meant an early arrival, we had time to watch a few movies and shows. Before landing, a continental breakfast was served with Irish bacon roll to boot!

We had a lot of luggage, including my bag of golf clubs, but everything was delivered swiftly after landing — in the domestic terminal, due to the pre-clearance in Ireland.

The Experience: I have always had a fondness for Aer Lingus, though it had been a long time between flights for me — the last time I flew the Irish carrier was on the upper deck of a Boeing 747-200. The new business class is tops and should be considered for transfer throughout Europe.

GT Checklist  Less than 10 minutes for check-in  Friendly and helpful agents  Priority tagged bags  Airport lounge  Complimentary in-lounge food  Priority boarding  Helpful and courteous flight attendants  Pre-flight beverage service  Pre-flight newspapers and magazines  Extensive on-demand entertainment  Amenity kits  Slippers  Lie-flat seat/bed  Turn-down service  In-flight menu with three entrée choices  Top-shelf wines and liquors Aer Lingus aerlingus.com PHOTO: © Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus | Business Class

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GT tested American Airlines | Business Class Philadelphia (PHL) to Athens (ATH)

Reviewed by Kimberly Krol On the Ground: My Athens-bound flight departed Philadelphia at 4:20 p.m. on a Saturday. Fresh off a busy work week, I found myself rushing around a bit to complete my last-minute trip preparation and packing that Saturday morning and early afternoon. After a quick 15minute Uber ride to the airport, I realized I was exhausted and eager to relax on the long business-class flight.With no one else in the line, check-in was quick, and I chatted up the agents who were familiar with Global Traveler from seeing the magazine in the airport lounge.

I headed there after breezing through security. Priority access aside, the line was short and the TSA agents efficient at the security checkpoint in PHL’s international terminal.

PHOTO: © American Airlines

Pre-Flight: I had booked a US Airways flight, but all the signage, livery, uniforms and so on had already been converted to American Airlines. The large Admirals Club offered several different seating areas and was mostly empty. I received a coupon from the front desk for one complimentary premium alcohol beverage; I selected a Sauvignon Blanc from the bar and a few snacks.

(Complimentary house alcohol and soft drinks are also available.) Settling in an empty section off the entrance, I used the complimentary WiFi to send a few emails predeparture. I’m always paranoid about getting to my gate on time, so I departed the lounge a few minutes before boarding time and quickly boarded via the dedicated priority lane.

In-Flight: My window seat in a 1-2-1 configuration offered ample privacy and plenty of space to store my iPad, Kindle and magazines for easy access throughout the flight. After opting for a pre-flight glass of Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti NV Prosecco and snapping my required Instagram picture, I settled in, opening my blanket and pillow, checking out the amenity kit (Red Flower products in a bag doubling as a tablet case that I held on to for transporting jewelry) and scoping out the movie options (one of my favorite parts of a long-haul flight, catching up on films!). Once we took off, I further settled in, reclining my seat and enjoying two Academy Award-nominated movies: Wild and Still Alice. Warning: Still Alice is a bit of a weeper, if you are globaltravelerusa.com

trying to avoid a good in-flight cry. After sleeping a bit, I started on the HBO miniseries The Jinx, about Robert Durst. I was so immersed, I couldn’t wait to pick it back up on my flight home.

The flight attendants were smiling and helpful throughout the flight. The purser came around to introduce herself and take orders before takeoff; and as soon as we were at cruising altitude, meal service began. I skipped the starter, a tomato tart, as I’m not a fan of tomatoes, but enjoyed my mixed greens salad with pine nuts and Parmesan and my choice of a coffee-crusted beef filet served with red-wine sauce, roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. A La Croix Doree Blanc Reserve Languedoc from France accompanied my meal. The other options included a duck breast, blackened salmon and spinach ravioli. Of the three dessert options, I selected the raspberry tart. Snacks are available throughout the flight. After sleeping for about three hours on and off, I woke a bit before a breakfast of fruit and yogurt with granola.

The Experience: I love flying business class internationally — it’s the excitement of a new destination in an exotic locale coupled with the premium experience — and American Airlines did not disappoint, even in the midst of a transition. Offering direct service to Greece from Philadelphia and a first-rate experience, AA ensures an enjoyable trans-Atlantic flight.

GT Checklist  Less than 10 minutes for check-in  Friendly and helpful agents  Priority tagged bags  Airport lounge  Complimentary in-lounge food  Priority boarding  Helpful and courteous flight attendants  Pre-flight beverage service  Pre-flight newspapers and magazines  Extensive on-demand entertainment  Amenity kits  Slippers  Lie-flat seat/bed  Turn-down service  In-flight menu with three entrée choices  Top-shelf wines and liquors American Airlines aa.com

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 31

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Alitalia’s New Look Experience Alitalia’s personalized comfort, innovative on-board dining and a brand new Premium Economy.

PREMIUM ECONOMY’S NEW LOOK Created around a style concept that is innovative and welcoming at the same time, the new Premium Economy Class is enhanced with services and comforts for long-haul international flights operated with A330 and B777 aircraft. In premium economy, stylish new cabin interior designs and new amenities provide a renewed in-flight guest experience. Guests enjoy privacy and comfort in a separate cabin with 17 or 24 ergonomic seats equipped with adjustable foot and headrest, Frette amenity kits, plush blanket, cotton pillow and a welcome beverage with Prosecco.

The newly enhanced meal service features our signature Digestif and new Spuntino menus, which include a selection of hot snacks.

Long Haul BUSINESS Class

PERSONALIZED COMFORT In Business Class on long-haul international flights operated with Airbus A330 and Boeing 777 aircraft, Alitalia guests relax in fully lie-flat seats covered in rich leather by Poltrona Frau. Direct aisle access, greater privacy and the comforts of luxury brand Frette bedding, Ferragamo amenity kits and Richard Ginori tableware deliver an elevated flying experience.

Business Class at a Glance • Dedicated priority check-in counters and boarding areas • Private cabin with 20 or 30 fully lie-flat seats, reclining to 180 degrees and measuring 73.5 inches in length and 21.5 inches in width • Individual 15.4-inch, LCD screens with access to a wide selection of movies, games and TV shows • WiFi connectivity* • Access to Club Freccia Alata lounges and extra reward miles

AN INNOVATIVE ON-BOARD DINING EXPERIENCE

Business class On-Board dining

www.alitalia.com

The newly introduced onboard dining concept, Dine Anytime, allows guests to enjoy the freedom of dining at their leisure during the entire flight, while savoring original recipes carefully paired with wines from our award-winning in-flight wine program and selected in cooperation with the Italian Sommeliers Foundation.

Long Haul Premium Economy CLASS

Premium Economy at a Glance • Dedicated check-in counters and priority boarding • Increased baggage allowance of two 50-pound pieces • Seats recline to 120 degrees with a pitch of 38 inches, width of 20.1 inches and 20 percent more legroom • WiFi connectivity* • New 10.6-inch LCD monitors • PC power and USB port to stream content, and a larger screen • Latest-generation noise-reduction headphones *Being gradually implemented and it may not be available on all flights

Premium Economy Does a little something extra go a long way? By Monique Barrett

A

s coach continues to crowd travelers in tight quarters, premium-economy seating is taking off in popularity, catering to a growing demand for a separate section offering premium perks without the premium price tag.

First launched in 1992, EVA Air and Virgin Atlantic Airways pioneered the premium-economy cabin. Since its launch, this in-between cabin matured, offering a range of premium perks from more legroom, gourmet meals and dedicated lavatories in the sky to priority check-in on the ground.

Recent newcomers include Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines, both adding their newly minted premiumeconomy cabins for long-haul flights to accommodate customer demand. Introduced in 2014 as the first new travel class launched in 35 years for the airline, Lufthansa’s premium-economy class is scheduled to gradually become available on all intercontinental routes by the end of this year, offering added comfort and quality at affordable prices on flights to popular destinations like Bangalore, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Beijing, São Paolo, Seoul, Tokyo Haneda and Washington, D.C. Depending on the aircraft type, the carrier’s premium-economy class features between 21 and 52 seats offering passengers up to 50 percent more legroom than standard economy. Perks offered prior to takeoff include twice the standard complimentary baggage allowance and the ability to enjoy select Lufthansa lounges for a fee. More comfort, more services and more extras abound on board, including a fruity welcome drink, a practical amenity kit and bottle of water at each seat to help keep passengers refreshed as well as an 11- or 12-inch entertainment screen and meals served on fine china tableware.

According to the airline, ratings from the first customers to experience the premium perks show “a high level of satisfaction,” with “seating comfort, the service and the excellent value for money praised in particular.”

Singapore Airlines’ impressive premium-economy section took to the skies in August of this year, boasting an expansive 38 inches of pitch, compared with 32 inches in standard economy, as well as the ability to recline eight inches, enjoy a calf rest and foot bar and stay comfortable in seats with a width of either 18.5 or 19.5 inches, depending on aircraft type. Before takeoff, passengers are offered priority check-in and boarding for added convenience.

In the sky, travelers flying SIA’s premium economy have access to a number of features helping them stay connected and charged at 30,000 feet, including two USB plugs, a universal power plug and WiFi, as well as 13-inch high-definition monitors and noise-canceling headphones to keep them entertained. SIA also cre34 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

ated a new dining service specifically for the cabin, enabling passengers to plan their preferred in-flight meal before flying from a selection of specially created dishes through its Book the Cook service. Depending on the route, guests can enjoy gourmet dishes such as rosemary beef brisket, spiced chicken nasi briyani and assorted dim sum with a glass of Champagne — or two.

SIA debuted the product on select flights between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Sydney International Airport in the summer, with plans to launch several more routes across the globe. However, “due to delays in the seat installation program,” SIA pushed back the rollout of the new seats on confirmed Airbus A380 bookings, including the daily flights between Sydney and Singapore and service to Europe, and plans to confirm revised dates in the future.

“Singapore Airlines is working to complete the installation program as quickly as possible. Customers with ticketed bookings who are affected by the delays will be contacted progressively by Singapore Airlines or travel agents to offer alternative travel arrangements,” announced the carrier, along with a list of affected flights, available online.

Lufthansa and SIA join a burgeoning group of international airlines offering long-haul international flights with premium-economy cabins, including Air Canada, Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and other major players. International Gulf carriers Etihad Airways, Emirates and Qatar Airways have yet to adopt the in-between cabin trend, focusing instead on raising the bar on first- and business-class offerings.

EXTRA COMFORT: China Airlines’ COMFORT CLASS: Lufthansa’s premium-economy seats premium-economy seats PHOTO: PHOTO: © China © Lufthansa Airlines

KEY AB Alcoholic beverages AK Amenity kits AVOD Audio/visual on demand B Bedding (blanket, pillow or both) BA Additional baggage allowance BW Bottled water CP Continuous programming CS Coffee service EST Estimated G Games HP Headphones LP Learning programs M Movies MU Music N News programming NP Newspaper n/r No response P Priority access PO Power outlets RL Reading light RM Reading material S Slippers SMS Messaging TV Television VS Personal video screen WiFi Onboard Internet

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Current premium-economy products from major domestic carriers offer extra legroom, and some, like Virgin America, even provide free food and beverages. However, domestic airlines have not introduced an entirely separate cabin with its own seats and unique amenities. Compared to international services, domestic products lag behind in innovation and comfort, as confirmed by members of Global Traveler’s well-traveled Globility Board.

Eric Chiang, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, noticed “a significant difference between domestic and international premium economy” during his onboard experiences. “United’s Economy Plus and Delta’s Economy Comfort provide a few more inches of legroom, but that’s it,” said Chiang.

When Delta unveiled its redefined cabin products late last year, it introduced Delta Comfort+, offering an upgraded experience on all two-cabin aircraft. It features a few extra perks in addition to extra legroom, including superior snacks, free drinks and complimentary premium entertainment.

Regarding premium-economy products from international carriers, Chiang found “most international carriers have more spacious premium-economy seats, including leg rests.” Said Chiang, “I recently [flew] EVA’s premium economy on a long flight and was very comfortable, even better than most domestic first-class seats. It was well worth the extra cost.”

Concerning general cost, Seatguru.com advises premium-economy fare is about 85 percent more expensive than standard economy fare when booked in advance but only 35 percent more expensive when booked closer to departure date. The extra cost can dip to as low as just 10 percent more expensive when booked last minute.

Mike Russo, a registered nurse with Centura Health and retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, agrees premium-economy products from domestic carriers are not on par with those of international airlines, like Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy.

Likened to “a mini business class” by Russo, Virgin Atlantic’s premium economy, launched in 1992, offers an increased seat width of 21 inches, around three inches wider than other airlines’ premium-economy seats, as well as priority boarding, upgraded meal options on fine china and a pre-departure drink in an entirely separate cabin. The carrier recently updated the cabin to include a new social space dubbed the Wander Wall on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, where travelers can grab a bite to eat or drink and meet other passengers.

Even though domestic carriers’ premium-economy products trail behind international offerings in a variety of ways, their amenities still manage to please some seasoned travelers, including frequent flyers with status who receive complimentary upgrades to premium economy from coach.

Eric Ludwig, vice president, Global Technology, recently flew United Airlines on a domestic trip for leisure and was bumped to the carrier’s Economy Plus section thanks to his MileagePlus status. “The extra inches actually are quite nice. On a full flight at five-plus hours, I was pleased,” said Ludwig. “On my trip to the back of the plane to use the restroom, it looked awfully cramped. P.E. is not priceless, but I’d be willing to pay some extra money for that space for a flight over two hours.”

On a mileage run to Hong Kong that didn’t involve an upgrade to globaltravelerusa.com

business class, Frank Brightwell, founder and director, Somos Amigos Medical Missions, said he would have preferred flying in business but “was impressed by the amount of space (especially leg room)” in the front of American Airlines’ Main Cabin Extra section.

According to Brightwell, “Service was fine; the [flight attendant] knew she had a lot of other disgruntled [AAdvantage Executive Platinum members] like me in the section, all taking advantage of the incredible fare to HKG but hoping for upgrades, and so she tried to make the trip as pleasant as she could. I wouldn’t rule out doing it again.”

One of the issues with domestic premium economy echoed by two members of Global Traveler’s Globility Board is not the product but rather the way it is given to last-minute passengers who did not purchase premium-economy fare. Paula Vogel, a recently retired corporate communications professional, and a premier member with United MileagePlus, has a beef with carriers when “a standby passenger gets on the flight last minute and is given the economy-plus seat because it hasn’t been purchased, and the loyalty program does not upgrade any premier member to economy plus.”

Chiang voiced the same complaint, saying, “I get frustrated when these seats end up being filled at the last minute by passengers who

SOCIAL SPACE: Virgin Atlantic’s Wander Wall PHOTO: © Virgin Atlantic

never had any seat reservation, and premium economy is all that is left, which means they get those seats assigned to them at the gate without paying.”

Even with the extra class of service and separate amenities, premium economy still does not come close to offering the comfort and convenience business class provides for some. While Globility Board member Jean-Christophe Murat “appreciated the upgraded comfort and legroom” on a recent Cathay Pacific intra-Asia flight of less than three hours, he “would rather pay more for business on a longer flight, as recline remains limited in [premium economy] and is more akin to coach than business.” A frequent business traveler with international flights every few days, Murat says he needs “to be able to sleep well on airplanes” and can’t quite achieve this goal in a sitting position.

“With the price of business class coming down to sometimes 1.5 times the price of economy on Gulf carriers and superb comfort, I see business class a better value today for premium travelers,” advises Murat.

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 35

Layout

Seat Pitch

Seat Width

Food Service

Entertainment

Date Cabin Was Introduced

48

2-4-2

38”

19”

123°

AK, BA

Y

N/R

2013

777 737-700

27 18

N/R 3-3

34” 34”

18.5” 17”

N/R N/R

N/R N/R

Y Y

M, MU, TV M, MU, TV

2014 2013

AIR CANADA PREMIUM ECONOMY

777-300 (77W) 787-8 787-9

24 21 21

2-4-2 2-3-2 2-3-2

38” 38” 38”

20” 19.5” 19.5”

125° 125° 125°

AB, AK, B, BW, NP, PO, RL AB, AK, B, BW, NP, PO, RL AB, AK, B, BW, NP, PO, RL

Y Y Y

AVOD, M, MU, N, TV, VS AVOD, M, MU, N, TV, VS AVOD, M, MU, N, TV, VS

2013 2013 2015

AIR CHINA* PREMIUM ECONOMY

A330-300 777-200

16 63

2-4-2 2-5-2

36–37” 36–37”

18” 18”

N/R N/R

PO PO

Y Y

AVOD, MU, VS AVOD, MU, VS, WiFi

N/R N/R

AIR FRANCE PREMIUM ECONOMY

777-200

21–38

2-3-2/2-4-2

N/R

19”

123°

AK, B, BA, HP, P

Y

M, MU, PO, RL, TV, USB, VS

2009

777-300

44

2-2-2

N/R

20”

N/R

AB, AK

Y

1,000 Hrs., G, M, MU, TV, VS

2010

19.2”

120°

AB, AK, B, BW, CS, NP, PO, RL

Y

G, HP, M, MU, N, TV, VS

2011

AEROFLOT RUSSIAN AIRLINES COMFORT CLASS AEROMEXICO AM PLUS

AIR New ZEALAND* PREMIUM ECONOMY

ALITALIA PREMIUM ECONOMY 777 24 2-4-2 38”

Amenities

Number of Seats

Recline

Aircraft Type 777-300ER

Premium ECONOMY CLASS

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS PREMIUM ECONOMY 777-300ER 24 2-4-2 38” 19.3” 114.5° AB, AK, B, BW, HP, PO, RL, S Y

787 21 2-3-2 38” 19.3” 114.5° AB, AK, B, BW, HP, PO, RL, S Y

AMERICAN AIRLINES MAIN CABIN EXTRA

AVOD, G, M, MU, NP, VS, WiFi, N/R 100+ Audio, 200+ Video Channels AVOD, G, M, MU, NP, VS, WiFi, N/R 100+ Audio, 200+ Video Channels

777-300ER A321T 787-8 777-200 Retrofit

30 36 48 45

3-3-3 3-3 3-3-3 3-3-3

36” 35” 36” 36”

18” 17.7” 17.2” 18.1”

104° 104° 104° 104°

N/R N/R N/R N/R

N N N N

M, MU, TV N/R N/R N/R

2012 2013 2015 2015

BRITISH AIRWAYS WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS

777-300ER

Up to 44

2-4-2

38”

18.5”

N/R

NP, PO

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2000

CATHAY PACIFIC PREMIUM ECONOMY

777-300ER

32/34

N/R

38”

19.5”

N/R

AK

Y

TV

2012

CHINA AIRLINES PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS

777-300ER

62

2-4-2

39”

19”

118°

AK, B, PO

Y

AVOD, Chat, G, M, MU, N, WiFi

2014

CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES PREMIUM ECONOMY

777-300ER

44

2-4-2

38”

19.2”

123°

PO

Y

G, M, MU, TV, VS

2010

MD-88 MD-90 717-200 A319 A320 A330-200 A330-300 737-700 737-800 737-800 737-900ER 747-400 757-200 757-200 757-200 757-200 757-200 757-200 757-300 767-300 767-300ER 767-300ER 767-300ER 767-300ER 767-300ER 767-400ER 777-200ER 777-200LR CRJ700 CRJ900 E170 E175

15 2-3 34” 18.1” 115–117° 15 2-3 34” 18.1” 115–117° 15 2-3 34” 18.1” 115–117° 18 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 18 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 30 2-4-2 34–35” 18” 130–140° 32 2-4-3 34–35” 18” 130–140° 18 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 18 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 18 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 21 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 42 3-4-3 35” 17.2” 130–140° 20 3-3 34–35” 17.2” 115–117° 25 3-3 35” 17.2” 115–117° 18 3-3 34–35” 17.2” 115–117° 19 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 21 3-3 34–35” 17.2” 115–117° 26 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 23 3-3 34” 17.2” 115–117° 28 2-3-2 34” 17.9” 115–117° 38 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 32 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 31 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 29 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 29 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 28 2-3-2 35” 17.9” 130–140° 36 3-3-3 35” 18.5” 130–140° 36 3-3-3 35” 18.5” 130–140° 8 2-2 34” 17.3” 120° 12 2-2 34” 17.3” 120° 12 2-2 34” 18.25” 120° 12 2-2 34” 18.25” 120°

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R n/r N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

N WiFi N WiFi N WiFi N WiFi N WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi N AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi N M, TV, WiFi N AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi Y M, MU, TV Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV Y M, MU, TV Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV, WiFi Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV Y AVOD, G, M, MU, TV N WiFi N WiFi N WiFi N WiFi

DELTA AIR LINES ECONOMY COMFORT

* Airline did not reply. Survey

information was compiled with

GT research.

36 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R

globaltravelerusa.com

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Turkish Airlines: At A Glance Number of aircraft: 293 (passenger and cargo) Aircraft types: Airbus A340-300, A330, A321 and A319; and Boeing 737-400, 737-800 and 777ER Hubs: Istanbul (IST), Ankara (ESB) Frequent-flyer program: Miles & Smiles Number of destinations: 277 (229 international, 48 domestic) Network strengths: Europe, Russia, Central Asia, Far East Asia, Africa, North America, South America

Seat Pitch

Seat Width

Recline

Amenities

3-3-3

34”

17.7”

110°

AK, BW

Y

AVOD, G, M, MU, TV

2012

777-300ER

56–64

2-4-2

38”

18.5–19.5”

128°

AK, B, BA, P, PO, S

Y

M, MU, TV, VS, WiFi

1992

A330-200

40

2-4-2

36"

18”

102° EST

AK, B, HP, P, PO

Y

TV

2014

757

Up to 32

2-2

33”

19

N/R

AK

Y

TV, WiFi

2008

Date Cabin Was Introduced

Layout

34

Entertainment

Number of Seats

777-200

Food Service

Aircraft Type

Premium ECONOMY CLASS EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES ECONOMY CLASS PLUS EVA AIR ELITE CLASS HAWAIIAN AIRLINES EXTRA COMFORT ICELANDAIR ECONOMY COMFORT JAPAN AIRLINES JAL PREMIUM ECONOMY

787-8

35

2-3-2

42”

19”

N/R

AK, Lounge Access

Y

G, M, MU

2007

777-300ER

40

2-4-2

42”

19”

N/R

AK, Lounge Access

Y

G, M, MU

2007

KLM ECONOMY COMFORT

747

34

3-3-3

55”

17.5”

N/R

NP, P, PO, RM

Y

VS, 100 Hrs.

2009

777

34

3-3-3

55”

17.5”

N/R

NP, P, PO, RM

Y

VS, 100 Hrs.

2009

787

21

2-3-2

38”

21”

N/R

AB, AK, RM

Y

G, M, MU, TV, VS

2013

LOT POLISH AIRLINES LOT PREMIUM ECONOMY LUFTHANSA PREMIUM ECONOMY

747-400

32

2-4-2

38”

18–19”

130°

AK, BA, BW, RM

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2014

747-8

32

2-4-2

38”

18–19”

130°

AK, BA, BW, RM

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2014

A380

52

2-4-2

38”

18–19”

130°

AK, BA, BW, RM

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2014

A340-600

32

2-3-2

38”

18–19”

130°

AK, BA, BW, RM

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2014

A330-300

21

2-3-2

38”

18–19”

130°

AK, BA, BW, RM

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

2014

787-8

32

2-3-2

46”

19”

N/R

N/R

N

M, MU, TV, VS, WiFi

2013

757

28–40

2-2

47”

20.5”

130°

AK, B, BW, HP, NP, PO, RL, RM

Y

G, M, MU, TV

2012

A380

35

2-3-2

38–42”

19.5”

105° EST

AB, AK, B, BW, CS, HP, TM

Y

AVOD, G, LP, M, MU, N, SMS, TV, VS

2008

A330-300

56

2-3-2

38”

N/R

N/R

PO

Y

AVOD, VS, WiFi

2002

NORWEGIAN AIR SHUTTLE* PREMIUM ECONOMY

OPENSKIES* PREM PLUS QANTAS PREMIUM ECONOMY SAS SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES SAS PLUS SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380

36

2-4-2

38”

18.5–19.5”

125°

AB, AK, B, HP, PO, RL

Y

VS

2015

PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS

777-300ER

28

2-4-2

38”

18.5–19.5”

125°

AB, AK, B, HP, PO, RL

Y

VS

2015

A350

TBD

2-4-2

38”

18.5–19.5”

125°

AB, AK, B, HP, PO, RL

Y

VS

2015

777-300ER

63

2-3-2

46”

19.5”

N/R

AK

Y

VS

N/R

UNITED ECONOMY PLUS

757

42–55

3-3

35–37”

17–17.3”

N/R

AB**, B, BW, CS, HP, PO, RL, RM, WiFi

Y

AVOD

1999

767

49–71

2-3-2

34–35”

17.3–18”

N/R

AB, B, BW, CS, HP, PO, RL, RM, WiFi

Y

AVOD

1999

TURKISH AIRLINES COMFORT CLASS UNITED AIRLINES

777

72–113

3-3-3/2-5-2

34–35”

18–18.3”

N/R

AB**, B, BW, CS, HP, PO, RL, RM, WiFi

Y

AVOD

1999

787-8

70

3-3-3

35”

17.3”

N/R

AB, B, BW, CS, HP, RL, RM, PO, WiFi

Y

AVOD

2012

787-9

88

3-3-3

35”

17.3”

N/R

AB, B, BW, CS, HP, PO, RL, RM, WiFi

Y

AVOD

2014

A319

42

3-3

34”

17.7”

N/R

AB (Purchase), CS, HP, RL, RM, WiFi

N

Personal device entertainment

1999

A320

42

3-3

35”

17.7”

N/R

AB (Purchase), CS, HP, RL, RM, WiFi

N

Personal device entertainment

1999

737

18–54

3-3

34–37”

17.2–17.3”

N/R

AB (Purchase), CS, HP, PO (Some), RL, RM, WiFi

N

DirecTV or personal video

2012

777-300ER

54

3-3-3

38”

N/R

N/R

AB, CS

Y

N/R

N/R

A320

12

3-3

38”

19.7”

N/R

AB, AK, BW, CS, HP, RL

Y

AVOD, CP, M, MU, N, TV, VS, WiFi

2007

Y

M, MU, TV, VS

1992

Y

AVOD, CP, G, M, MU, VS

2009

VIETNAM AIRLINES* PREMIUM ECONOMY VIRGIN AMERICA

VIRGIN ATLANTIC PREMIUM ECONOMY 787-9 35 2-3-2 38” 21” 106° AB, NP, P, PO, Self-service snacks,

Dedicated restrooms VIRGIN AUSTRALIA PREMIUM ECONOMY

777-300ER

40

2-4-2

38”

19.5”

N/R

AB, AK, B, BW, CS, HP, NP, PO, RL, RM

* Airline did not reply. Survey information was compiled with GT research. ** For purchase only on certain routes

38 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

globaltravelerusa.com

HIGH IN THE SKY: Rendering of the Rosewood Phnom Penh sky bar PHOTO: © Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

On the Horizon

A worldwide hotel building boom will change the hospitality landscape in 2016. By Ron Bernthal

I

f forecasts hold up, 2016 will set a record for new hotel openings around the world. According to STR Global’s May 2015 Global Construction Pipeline Report, Central and South America have 24.5 percent more rooms under contract compared to last year, and the Middle East/Africa region is up 40.4 percent, while Dubai continues as the region’s leading city for hotel openings.

In the United States, hotel rooms under construction increased 23.8 percent this year over last. While hotel building soars in New York; Miami; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Chicago; and Washington, D.C., Houston leads with the largest increase at 110 percent.

In every region of the world, the upscale segment accounts for the largest portion of new hotel construction, a prophetic statistic that points to the expected increase in global business and MICE travel in the years ahead. Although not all projects will open next

40 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

year, travelers looking for new deluxe properties in 2016 will likely find one in most urban and resort destinations.

All the large global brands are participating in the expansion, both internationally and domestically. “We are projecting robust growth across all nine of our global lifestyle brands, both for new build projects and the repositioning of existing assets,” said Allison Reid, senior vice president of North America development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Starwood’s Sheraton brand is on track to open its 500th hotel in 2016, and the company expects continued growth for its upscale Westin, Le Méridien, St. Regis, W Hotels and Luxury Collection properties.

Starwood’s St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort represents one of the more stunning new properties in the Indian Ocean region. “This incredible addition to the St. Regis portfolio has been conceived globaltravelerusa.com

in perfect harmony with the island’s lush vegetation and pristine lagoon,” said Jim Petrus, global brand leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. Just a 40-minute seaplane ride from the capital city of Malé, the resort sits on a private 20-acre atoll, surrounded by beaches and a secluded lagoon. With 77 villas, a spa and infinity pool, dive and fitness center and all-day dining in three restaurants plus a signature bar, the property promises to be one of next year’s top new resorts.

A Ritz-Carlton Reserve — the fourth Reserve property worldwide — debuts in the Maldives next year. This “self-contained island resort” on Ekulhivari plans 55 beach villas plus 35 water villas built on stilts over the ocean. Other amenities include three full restaurants, casual dining facilities, two bars, spa and fitness facilities, a swimming pool, a water sports and dive center and seaplane and boat resort transportation.

North of the Maldives, Sri Lanka offers a bounty of beautifully designed resort hotels catering to a surge in well-heeled, millennial leisure travelers, but business travel to the island increased as well.

Starwood targets this market with its Sheraton Colombo Hotel in a downtown location in the capital city. The property will feature 306 guestrooms, most with Indian Ocean views, as well as three restaurants, an outdoor pool and a spa. Guests may stay connected at the Link@Sheraton with Microsoft, a connectivity hub in the hotel lobby.

In Dubai, luxury hotel company Jumeirah Group will open the Jumeirah Al Naseem at Madinat Jumeirah. “Al Naseem” means a gentle wind or sea breeze in Arabic and reflects the Arabian Gulf location as well as the open aspect of its design. The 430-room property will occupy space within the Madinat Jumeirah resort complex, a re-creation of ancient Arabia that includes smaller guesthouses and boutique hotels, waterways serviced with traditional wooden abra boats, meeting and entertainment venues and more than 50 dining options. The hotel will feature three large swimming pools and private beach access.

The Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, the company’s second hotel in Dubai, also plans an opening in 2016. Located within the 110-acre Financial Centre, the 106-room property includes a lobby-level tea lounge and terrace for casual meetings or shopping breaks, a spa and fitness center and a rooftop garden with an aboveground, glassed-in pool and private cabanas.

On the island of Bali, Singapore-based Meritus Hotels & Resorts will open its Meritus Bali Seminyak Resort & Spa in the heart of the fast-developing beach town with luxury accommodations and upscale restaurants, bars, boutiques and spas. The property plans 181 rooms with classic Balinese architecture, an infinity pool, a wellness spa and a rooftop bar, as well as a full-service business center and resort-wide Internet connectivity. The World Luxury Hotel Awards honored Meritus as the Global Winner, Luxury Hotel Brand for two consecutive years.

In Malaysia, Ritz-Carlton will open an oceanfront resort on Langkawi Island. Surrounded by tropical rainforest and fronting a beach on the Andaman Sea, the 132-room resort will include 42 villas, three swimming pools and an extensive spa. Dining options promise to reflect the island’s diverse Malay, Chinese, Thai and Indian cultures. globaltravelerusa.com

Major hotel firms are also expanding in Europe. Ritz-Carlton expects to open its first property in Budapest, a 192-room hotel overlooking Erzsébet Square, and three citizenM properties will open in neighborhoods outside London. In Turkey, the Aegean coastal town of Çeşme will enjoy two new deluxe hotels: the Four Seasons Resort Cesme and the Delano Cesme, a Morgans Hotel Group property. In İstanbul, the Fairmont Quasar will debut in the new mixed-use Quasar Istanbul development in the upscale Şişli district.

Fairmont renovated the historic 19th-century luxury Hotel Europejski in Warsaw, due to reopen as a Raffles property in 2016 with 103 guestrooms and suites, multiple restaurants and a modern spa. Amsterdam will see two interesting hotels next year when the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group opens its post-modern, 478-room Park Inn by Radisson and Hyatt debuts its block-long, new-build, 211-room Hyatt Regency. In Reykjavík, Iceland, Hilton unveils its lifestyle brand with Canopy Reykjavik/City Centre, a 115-room property occupying an entire block along prestigious Hverfisgata Street, featuring a rooftop bar and restaurant, complimentary WiFi and local artisanal breakfasts.

The fast-moving citizenM brand expects to open its first Asia Pacific property late next year with a 260-room hotel in Taipei’s Ximending neighborhood, a colorful retail and entertainment district near the pedestrian mall and railway station. With a name deriving from “mobile citizens,” the brand features a stylishly designed living room rather than a lobby front desk, where guests check in or out on their own touch-screen terminals. Touch-screen Moodpads in guestrooms control lighting, temperature, window shades and television. A canteen offers food and beverages 24/7.

Ritz-Carlton continues to expand in China, opening a property in Nanjing in the heart of the designated Central Business District of Xiejiekou and featuring 297 guestrooms and 32 suites, extensive

DELUXE DUBAI: Rendering of the Jumeirah Al Naseem at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai PHOTO: © Jumeirah Group

Moxy, e names like e imaginativ ur at fe s d e hotel bran , Dream, New lifestyl te, Lark, Red ua d ra G , N ic, EDITIO Even, Centr and Salt. ama Shelter Live Aqua, M

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 41

MAGIC OF THE MALDIVES: Rendering of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort signature bar PHOTO: © Starwood hotels & resorts

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group carlsonrezidor.com citizenM Hotels citizenm.com Fairmont Hotels & Resorts fairmonthotels.com Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts fourseasons.com Hilton Hotels & Resorts hilton.com Hyatt Hotels Corp. hyatt.com Jumeirah Group jumeirah.com Marriott Hotels & Resorts marriott.com Meliá Hotels International melia.com Meritus Hotels & Resorts meritushotels.com Morgans Hotel Group morganshotelgroup.com The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. ritzcarlton.com Rosewood Hotels & Resorts rosewoodhotels.com sbe sbe.com Starwood Hotels and Resorts starwoodhotels.com Virgin Hotels virginhotels.com

meeting spaces, four restaurants and a luxury spa by ESPA. The new Meliá Shanghai Hongqiao will expand Meliá’s presence in China to eight hotels. Opening in 2016, the 190room property is part of the new Lidoway project, an urban complex in Hongqiao featuring commercial and entertainment facilities, dining outlets, green areas and high-end residential villas. Hongqiao is expected to become the new center of west Shanghai and a business hub for the Yangtze River Delta region.

In Cambodia, the Rosewood Phnom Penh will occupy the top 14 floors of Vattanac Capital Tower One in the heart of the CBD. Dining options in the 148-room hotel include a sky bar on a dramatic cantilevered terrace, with additional amenities including Rosewood’s signature Sense spa, a 60-foot swimming pool, a fitness center, multifunctional meeting rooms and a panoramic view of the city and Mekong River. The silhouette of a rising dragon inspired the shape of this soon-to-be-iconic structure.

Africa’s burgeoning hotel scene continues next year with double-digit increases in hotel openings. With 30 hotels and more than 6,500 rooms presently in development in Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group expects to be a major lodging player throughout the continent in the years ahead. In Cape Town, South Africa, the company will launch one of its first upscale lifestyle properties with the Radisson Red Hotel V&A Waterfront. Located on a natural harbor with Table Mountain as a backdrop, the 235-room property will target young, upscale travelers by offering paperless check-in, a 24/7 deli and bar, meeting event studios and a rooftop swimming pool.

The hotel is part of Cape Town’s new Silo District at the V&A Waterfront, where the long-awaited Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa will debut next year.

The company’s Radisson Batam Hotel & Convention Centre, a 240-room deluxe property, will open on the Indonesian island of Batam, 30 minutes by ferry from Singapore. It’s part of the Bukit Indah Sukajadi mixed-use development, to include a Perret-designed golf course and residential, office

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and retail spaces.

Panama boasts Central America’s fastest-growing economy, and Ritz-Carlton will stake a presence with a 29-story, 220room hotel and residential retreat in the heart of Panama City. With large rooms overlooking downtown, the property will offer a luxury spa and fitness center, four restaurants, two pools and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.

Rosewood Hotels will debut a deluxe property in Puebla, Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage site 75 miles southeast of Mexico City. A collection of buildings surrounding a private walled courtyard near the Zócalo main square will house the upscale hotel’s 79 guestrooms and suites. A rooftop bar and swimming pool will offer stunning views, and the hotel will showcase furnishings and works from Mexican artists and local craftspeople. “Rosewood Puebla will be a wonderful complement to our existing Mexican properties,” said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer, Rosewood Hotel Group. “Puebla is a living canvas and offers rich cultural, culinary and historic traditions in which guests will be able to immerse themselves.”

Marriott expects to open a 202-room property in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in the desirable Los Arcos neighborhood within walking distance of shopping, dining and entertainment. The design features a full-service restaurant, a rooftop bar, a business center, a swimming pool and ample meeting space.

In the United States, sbe, the global hospitality and entertainment company, will open its first New York City property next year in Manhattan’s trendy NoMad neighborhood with the 190-room SLS New York. The SLS Brickell Hotel will open as the company’s fourth property in Miami next year. Both properties will work with designer Philippe Starck and Chef José Andrés, with Chef Michael Schwartz joining the team in Miami.

Virgin Hotels, which opened its first U.S. property in Chicago this year, plans a hotel next year in Nashville at One Music Row, with 240 guestrooms, multiple concept suites, food and beverage outlets and a cutting-edge music studio. globaltravelerusa.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

China Airlines’ Next Generation The leading airline debuts a refined experience onboard its Boeing 777-300ER In late 2014, China Airlines unveiled its Boeing 777300ER aircraft, featuring an updated business class, a new premium economy class, the family couch, an advanced in-flight entertainment system and an awardwinning design.

Premium Business Class China Airlines passengers enjoy a private and comfortable space, with 78-inch, full flat-bed business class seats. The industry-leading cabin also features a user-friendly control panel, 18-inch personal screens with more than 100 selected shows, a cabinet for personal belongings, premium in-flight amenities and an accessible herringbone arrangement.

The highlight of Premium Business Class is Sky Lounge, a space in the middle of the cabin for passengers to relax. The Eastern Literary Tea-tasting Area offers tea from Taiwan and complementary snacks, while the Western Fashionable Coffee Area provides coffee and pastries. Selected Chinese and English books of the month are also available.

Premium Economy Introducing a new cabin on the 777-300ER allows China Airlines to offer passengers a seat pitch of 39 inches at a reasonable fare. The seat’s fixed backshell and front-sliding design, combined with adjustable leg rests, optimizes passenger comfort, support and privacy.

Premium-economy passengers enjoy a number of added amenities, including an amenity kit, special meals and a larger baggage allowance, at fares only slightly higher than economy class. Added storage includes a compartment for tablets and large tray tables. The cabin also boasts 12-inch personal entertainment systems.

Family Couch China Airlines’ enhanced economy-class cabin feature the innovative Family Couch seats. A specially designed footrest raised 90 degrees converts three seats into a single sofa bed, allowing families and couples the comfort of lying on their backs on long-haul flights. The Family Couch comes with a mattress, pillows, blankets and specially designed seatbelts.

Enhanced In-Flight Entertainment China Airlines’ industry-leading Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system features multi-touch technology, an 18-inch screen, movies, music, games and much more. The My Favorite function allows passengers to save their favorite programs for continuous viewing

after a rest or meal.

The most unique feature is the social networking Seat Chat function, which allows passengers to message each other, share their favorites and make new friends in flight. The entertainment system offers other services, including duty-free shopping, e-magazines, news updates and in-flight menus.

Complimentary and fee Wi-Fi access is also offered.

Award-Winning Design China Airlines 777 NexGen Cabin won the 2015 Red Dot Design Award, named the Best of the Best in what is widely considered the Olympics of design, and marking the first time an airline has been awarded the honor in recent years. Red Dot was impressed by the cabin’s design in terms of innovation, function, ergonomics, environmental friendliness, symbolism and emotion.

New uniforms China Airlines introduced brand new uniforms, tapping Oscar-nominated William Chang to design the futuristic, fresh look. Bold color blocks in red, violet, white and blue-gray fuse a traditional Mandarin look with modern Western fashion. Three different color combinations are available for both men and women.

ON DEMAND: Piaggio Avanti exterior PHOTO: © Privé jets

On the Fly

When first class just isn’t good enough, private aviation offers compelling alternatives.

By Dale Leatherman

F

olks like Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates don’t stand in lines, take off their shoes and endure flight delays every time they travel. They just buy $40 million jets that are ready to go whenever and wherever they want. Aircraft costs, maintenance and pilot salaries are chump change for people with a net worth of 11 figures.

But billionaires are not the only people for whom time is money, and flying commercially — even first class — often wastes time and money.

When CEOs, celebrities, government officials, sports stars and entrepreneurs need to get someplace fast, they bypass crowded airport terminals and head for the “general aviation” side of the airport: the hub for privately owned and chartered aircraft. For passengers privy to these facilities, it’s like having an amusement park fast-track pass.

“The biggest trend in private aviation is growth,” says James Occhipinti, president and managing partner, Consolidated Air Support Systems Holding Co., an aerospace/airline consulting firm working with the Air Force and many defense contractors and aerospace companies. He is also CEO of ClipperJet Aviation, a “flying country club” in which members share flights on large Gulfstream aircraft.

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“Among premium travelers in the business world — usually C-level executives or top sales personnel — 14 percent used private jets in 1998,” he says. “In 2014, that figure grew to 41 percent. Most certainly, driving that growth was the decline in commercial non-stop flights and service, but the air charter world is also undergoing a renaissance through different types of access to jets. The smartphone has become our most important appendage and is invaluable for new consumers of private aviation. The ability to use technology — apps and the Web — is crucial.”

According to the Global Business Travel Association, corporate travel

by U.S. companies reached a record $292 million in 2014 and is expected to exceed that in 2015. Fueled by improving economies in the United States and abroad, most travel is for business, but corporate incentive trips are also making a comeback, according to Greg Raiff, founder and CEO, Private Jet Services. His charter company caters to high-end executives, corporate groups, government officials and sports teams, including MLB and NHL clients as well as college teams such as Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball squad.

“As business is expanding to all corners of the earth, it is more common that executives need to reach far-flung or remote destinations,” says Raiff.

“They’re increasingly turning to private jets because they can fly faster and farther than commercial jets and land in smaller airports closer to the destination. The type of business aviation that is growing most quickly is flights on ultra-long-range jets to destinations on the other side of the world.

“Many private jet charter services used to just book a plane and do little else,” he continues. “Now, increasingly, they are serving as concierges that cater to every need and want of high-end clients. PJS, for example, has decorated a plane for an in-flight Pirates of the Caribbean party. We regularly make special accommodations for pets and meet clients on the runway with gifts and flowers for spouses. We have deep-cleaned a plane for a client with peanut allergies. Flying privately is no longer the same experience from globaltravelerusa.com

one person to the next. It’s uniquely catered to the client.”

Changes in commercial aviation made an impact. “Since the early ’80s — and certainly since 9/11 — every aspect of commercial air travel has been a slippery slope downhill,” says Occhipinti. “Impossible airport lines and waiting at every turn, premium lounges seeming more crowded than the actual terminals, inefficient and imposing security checks, premium seating tailored for sleeping rather than enjoying and interacting with others, and being nickeled and dimed for every little thing — all that has tarnished the industry as a whole. Consumers who normally would not consider the cost of private jet travel are now justifying charter. What I’ve found at ClipperJet is a strong desire for consumers — leisure and business — to have access to the same level of luxury as they receive at the hotel or resort when they arrive at their destination. I think that premise is driving the entire industry.”

The saying “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it” carries less punch these days. If you ask, you may discover you can afford it.

The chart on Greg Raiff ’s Private Jet Services website indicates flying 47 passengers on a charter jet from New York to London costs about $172,000 — $3,660 per person. In comparison, a commercial first-class seat is about $8,000 per person. Chartering saves more than $200,000. Domestically, a charter flight from White Plains, N.Y., to Las Vegas for 47 people runs almost $400 less per person than flying commercially in first class.

“Many of our clients lead luxury lifestyles and enjoy traveling for business and pleasure,” says Christian Völkers, founder and co-CEO, Engel & Völkers AG, a German company that recently launched an aviation division to facilitate clients’ jet purchases and charters. “We are seeing a growing need for air service among our real estate and yachting clients.

“Prices for business aircraft charter and acquisition vary greatly,” he continues. “A short-range turboprop aircraft will cost approximately $2 million and has an hourly charter rate of $945.

For a light jet, buyers can invest between $4.5 and $8.9 million or utilize the jet for an hourly charter fee between $1,387 and $2,223. For midsize [10-passenger] jets, prices vary from $11.5 to $17.5 million, with chartered flights available for $2,501 to $6,114 per flight hour. Pricing for a long-range, large-cabin jet or ‘bizliner’ starts at $60 million for purchase and up to $16,600 globaltravelerusa.com

PLUSH AND PRIVATE: Hawker 400 interior (top), and the Dassault Falcon 900 exterior (bottom) PHOTOs: © Privé jets

per hour on a charter basis.”

Of course, there are some advantages to plane ownership.

Andres Arboleda, founder and CEO, Privé Jets, a worldwide charter service with access to more than 6,000 planes, points out there is certainly more flexibility with one’s own plane, plus tax benefits from aircraft depreciation. However, ownership carries with it the personal responsibility for doing routine aircraft maintenance and managing pilots. The owner is also limited to 2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 45

INTERIOR MOTIVES: The Gulfstream GV passenger cabin PHOTO: © Privé jets

Charter Hub charterhub.com The Charter Store thecharterstore.com ClipperJet Aviation flyclipperjet.com Engel & Völkers AG engelvoelkers.com Marquis Jet marquisjet.com Private Jet Services pjsgroup.com Privé Jets privejets.com

just his aircraft’s size and type, and he may not use it enough to justify the expense. If the plane is out of service, the owner must charter or fly commercially.

Similar to timeshares of vacation homes, fractional ownership of an aircraft sounds like having your cake and eating it, too, but there are disadvantages, according to Arboleda.

“Fractional jet ownership programs often give their members a false sense of owning their own plane,” he says, “but you will rarely fly on the plane you partially own. You have no say in who uses your aircraft and how often it flies.”

Fractional ownership contracts limit the number of hours you can use “your” plane, and it may not be available during peak travel periods. Getting out of the contract (usually five years) can be expensive. Many owners end up chartering when their planes are not available or not suitable for the journey.

In recent years, fractional ownership received competition from “jet cards,” membership plans in which consumers pay a flat fee for a number of hours of flight time. One of the companies providing this service is Marquis Jet, which charges about $116,000 for 25 hours of flight time, plus hourly fuel charges that vary according to the type of plane.

“The preferred aircraft for jet charter flights depends on the client’s itinerary,” says Privé Jets’ Arboleda. “There isn’t one aircraft that can possibly meet all private aviation needs.

Some aircraft are designed for short flights while others are

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ideal for international travel. For instance, a light jet such as the Citation Mustang can offer travelers a luxury flight experience perfect for one-hour trips. Clients can also enjoy a luxurious flight but with more space and comfort in a heavy jet such as the G650 for a non-stop flight of up to 14 hours.

The trend is toward newer planes or at least planes that have WiFi and new interiors. Flyers are becoming more educated on the amenities, and they want to be able to work while on board, so WiFi makes a difference.”

ClipperJet Aviation’s Occhipinti says, “Not only are more people chartering, but the demand for large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft is on the rise as well. I find it fascinating that the private jet market is now striating. At ClipperJet we decided to fly only Gulfstream ‘heavy jets,’ as their growth rate the past two years was 12 percent.”

Apps and online services such as Charter Hub allow customers to compare prices, aircraft, itineraries and amenities as well as book flights directly with the operators who own and manage fleets of planes and are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation to charter those planes. Or you can leave the negotiating to experienced charter brokerage firms like The Charter Store who will find the best operator for your specific needs and will work out all of the details of scheduling, pricing, catering and other amenities. globaltravelerusa.com

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SELF-SERVICE SOLUTION: Automated Border Clearance kiosks at Vancouver International Airport PHOTO: © Vancouver Airport Authority

At Your (Self) Service With innovative airport technology, passengers help themselves to a more efficient travel experience. By Laura Daily

S

trolling into Toronto Pearson International Airport’s Terminal 1, I was met by a virtual white sea of iPads, stretching from one end to the other. I hadn’t stumbled into the world’s largest Apple Store but instead the latest concept in airport self-service technology: restaurants and lounges equipped with iPad systems enabling customers to sit at their departure gate and order a meal or beverage.

With five hours to kill before a flight to Copenhagen, my travel companion and I nabbed a table for two at Fetta, adjacent to an Air Canada gate, clicked on the iPad to browse the menu and chose a panini and Greek salad. By entering our flight number, we would receive real-time flight tracking notifications. A swipe of the credit card and our order was complete. Within 10 minutes a server delivered our meal, along with napkins and utensils, to our table.

The days of full-service anything are waning. Now we pump our own gasoline, bag our own groceries, even withdraw our own money

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from a bank account sans teller. It’s no different at the airport, where you can print your own boarding pass or check your own bags. But airport self-service technology actually makes travel easier and more efficient.

As at Toronto, Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport deployed an iPad food ordering system in partnership with OTG, which operates restaurants in airports worldwide. Some 1,300 iPads are installed, one at every seat at every gate in Delta Air Lines’ Concourse G in Terminal 1. The system is designed to only display menus and allow you to order from restaurants within the immediate area that can deliver to that gate.

The airport attracts a great diversity of travelers, both those addicted to their smartphone and those less tech-savvy, says Melissa Scovronski, manager, public affairs and marketing, Minneapolis– Saint Paul Airport. To that end, the airport installed the usual array globaltravelerusa.com

of automated passport control kiosks, visual paging monitors and check-in stations.

Terminal 1 touch-screen directories help passengers not only locate the closest ATM or restaurant but also get directions. And in May this year, new placards were mounted throughout the airport, each with a different number for text messaging. Have a question about the best place to get a burger? Simply text it to the provided number, and an airport customer service representative texts a reply.

“We want to put passengers in the pilot’s seat,” said Scovronski. “Technology can’t fully take the place of people, but we can increase control of how and when you get information when traveling.”

Other airports share her philosophy. Frankfurt Airport deployed an array of self-service features, from automated boarding pass checkpoints called e-Gates to EasyPASS automated border control gates for use by passengers with e-passports from the European Union and Switzerland.

Approximately 110 new information kiosks can scan your boarding pass and then spit out personalized flight information, as well as information about the terminal complex and its facilities.

The airport’s app has tallied 650,000 downloads, with an estimated 8,500 active users per day.

Perhaps Frankfurt’s most innovative offering is the Create Your Stay Web tool. It helps passengers with longer layovers take full advantage of available airport services. Simply go to the website and scroll through available activities based on your layover time — two, four or more than six hours. Then check the boxes for activities of interest, enter your email address and receive a personalized agenda, from enjoying a massage or getting a haircut to taking an airport tour or even sightseeing in Frankfurt.

Many of today’s self-service technology solutions can be traced to Vancouver International Airport. Back in 2002, the airport, in partnership with Air Canada, piloted the first common-use self-service (CUSS) check-in kiosk, basically an ATM for airline boarding passes shared by a number of airlines. CUSS so revolutionized the way we travel that by 2007 other airports asked for technological help, according to Paul Mewett, director, Innovative Travel Solutions, an independent business unit within Vancouver International Airport.

Recalls Mewett, “We were seeing lines of up to two hours at Vancouver customs, and the solution seemed to be to enlarge the facilities. Unfortunately, the answer from immigration and customs officials was we couldn’t staff what we had. Our alternaglobaltravelerusa.com

tive was to take the administrative duties of the entry process and put it in the hands of passengers while maintaining that delicate balance of security with speed.”

That solution became Automated Passport Control, launched in 2008 in Vancouver. By 2012, other airports could license the technology, and in May 2013 U.S. Customs and Border Protection went live with its own version in U.S. preclearance at Vancouver.

Today the technology, known as BORDERXPRESS, is licensed to 23 locations and counting, including Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Charlotte Douglas International, Los Angeles International’s Terminal 5, Washington Dulles, San Francisco International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Instead of filling out a declaration card and enduring long lines at immigration entry points, an inbound traveler completes the data entry himself at a user-friendly kiosk, which sends encrypted information to a border control agency that assesses the data in seconds. The traveler receives a receipt and hands it to an immigration officer, who completes a quick interview.

Mewett says self-service border control can cut wait times by up to 89 percent. What used to sometimes take four hours at New York’s JFK now is usually five minutes and, even at peak

REAL-TIME REP: InfoGate information counters at Munich Airport PHOTO: © Munich Airport

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 49

INFO TO GO: NCR Wayfinding technology at Dubai International Airport provides interactive kiosks.

PHOTOS: © NCR

Dubai International Airport dubaiairport.com Frankfurt Airport frankfurt-airport.de Hong Kong International Airport hongkongairport.com Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport mspairport.com Munich Airport munich-airport.de OTG anotgexperience.com Schiphol Amsterdam Airport schiphol.nl Toronto Pearson International Airport torontopearson.com Vancouver International Airport yvr.ca

traffic times, less than 30 minutes. LAX officials say U.S. citizens experience a 39 percent reduction in wait times. That means a flight with 300 passengers, which would normally take 45 minutes to process, averages a wait of 17.5 minutes or less.

Aid in navigating an unfamiliar airport without having to find a manned information desk is top priority for passengers at many larger facilities. On arrival at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, passengers can connect to the airport’s free WiFi service. Upon passing one of the navigation beacons, those with the KLM smartphone app receive a notification asking if they would like help finding their next gate. The app then displays the route, with the distance and the time required updated each time the traveler passes another beacon.

A dozen InfoGate counters at Munich Airport allow passengers to speak to a customer service representative in real time, just as if they were at the information desk. The visitor simply pushes a button to be connected immediately with an information service representative for a real-time video dialogue on life-size screens. An integrated scanner may be used to digitize documents placed on the display, and service personnel can even write comments on the documents before a traveler prints them.

NCR’s Wayfinding technology in Dubai International Airport offers more than 40 40-inch interactive touchscreens situated across all the passenger terminals.

These “one-stop shops” provide information on all the airport’s services and facilities as well as assist with boarding and security procedures. Passengers can scan their boarding passes to display the best route to their

50 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 2015

boarding gate or search for where to shop or eat, with tailored recommendations based on time until take-off.

“We identified a customer need to view the specific route to their gate but also a desire to discover what else was available to make the most of the time in between.

A touch-screen kiosk — or suite of kiosks — has proved an innovative but inclusive way to achieve this on an individual yet scalable basis,” says Matthew Horobin, senior manager, digital media, Dubai Airport.

Hong Kong International Airport travelers can check for real-time flight information with the free mobile app “HKG My Flight” (Android/ iOs), available in both English and Chinese. The app also provides push notification of airport special announcements and offers a location map showing airport facilities such as check-in counters, airline lounges, boarding gates and transfer areas. A soon-to-be-released update will add features such as the ferry schedule, airport shopping and dining and facility map.

With technology in place to expedite passengers through an airport, developers are now eying the time spent inside the airport. OTG installed its iPad technology at departure gates in seven airports. Customers can order meals directly from an iPad station, with delivery guaranteed within 10 minutes. All stations are outfitted with power outlets, so passengers can opt to pass the time catching up on news or playing games on the free OTG iPad or use their own devices, turning the space into a quasi airport lounge.

To some, self-service may be a dirty word, but for modern air travelers, airports that invest in self-service technology are becoming the terminals of choice.

globaltravelerusa.com

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TOP-NOTCH: Lufthansa Senator firstclass service, 1958 PHOTO: © Lufthansa

Flair of Flying

Modern airline passenger service taps into the best perks from flights gone by. By Debra Bokur

F

lying, as any frequent traveler can verify, presents its share of highs and lows. But before you start feeling too nostalgic for those simpler, more sublime days of airline transportation, consider this: Back in the 1930s, when you donned your favorite tropical print accessory and boarded a Hawaiian Airlines flight (known then as Inter Island Airways Limited), your complimentary amenity kit offered not a designer eye mask and luxuriously scented hand cream but a slender wax envelope packed with a ball of cotton and a stick of Wrigley’s chewing gum.

Though practicality won out over unnecessary extravagances during those early days of flying (the cotton ball helped to muffle propeller noise, and the chewing gum was useful in equalizing ear pressure), the sheer excitement of being airborne was enough for most customers to downplay or even ignore what today’s elite passengers consider tremendous discomfort. The earlier the aircraft, explains retired pilot and Hawaiian Airlines archivist Rick Rogers, “the lower and slower they went, often placing them in turbulent air that we simply fly over today.”

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It’s been a long, slow climb to reach the extreme luxury now available at 30,000-plus feet. Boeing helped make commercial flight less arduous with the introduction of its 1938-built 307 Stratoliner. Able to fly the friendlier, less tempestuous skies at 20,000 feet, it could accommodate up to 33 passengers. Tycoon Howard Hughes was so impressed with the new equipment, he purchased a Boeing 307 with the intention of embarking on an around-the-world flight. While war prevented his expedition from getting off the ground, Hughes kept the plane and transformed it into a sumptuous winged penthouse for his personal use.

During World War II, the pressurized cabins on Boeing’s B-29 Superfortress bombers led to post-war designs enabling higher cruising altitudes where the air is less turbulent. The next steps in pressurization advanced passenger comfort even more, and Britain’s 1949 de Havilland Comet jetliner (despite later problems) introduced commercial flights at even higher, smoother altitudes with enhanced perks. With reclining “slumberseats,” generously proportioned picture windows and seating configurations that included tables, everyone on board was a high flyer. Besides meal service that featured hot and cold dishes, there was even a bar where passengers could relax, enjoy a drink and possibly commiserate over the amount of time it was taking to get from point A to point B. Early posters for Great Britain’s original airline, Imperial Airways, triumphantly proclaimed you could fly from England to India in only six days, including fuel stops in Egypt and Iraq. Flights carried a mixed load of mail and well-dressed passengers who were up for globaltravelerusa.com

the adventure.

“Passengers then were genuine pioneers whose curiosity overcame their fear of flying,” offers Juan Cierco, vice president of corporate communications, Iberia. “Our first long-haul flight took place in August 1946 with a Douglas DC4 equipped with 44 seats. It was the first time Iberia had flight attendants on board, with meals served during the flights.”

In February 1943, following an FAA mandate that flights with more than 20 passengers have an air hostess on board, Hawaiian hired Momi Grace Jacobs, the airline’s first flight attendant.

“Flight attendant training was about poise and class,” says Rogers. “Training for safety was pretty minimal, though they did demonstrate how to put on a lifejacket. But at the same time, the chief air hostess would send the girls home if the seams in their nylons were crooked or their slip was showing.”

Rogers adds that the principal responsibilities of Hawaiian’s hostesses were to serve pineapple juice to passengers and keep them engaged in conversation, or to point out and explain the scenery passing by below. On some flights — and at their discretion — a hostess equipped with a ukulele might give an impromptu song and dance performance in the aisle between the seats.

Other airlines, including Icelandair (founded in 1937 under the name Flugfélag Akureyrar), took passenger care to new heights. “We were very well trained to deliver babies,” confides Icelandair flight attendant Oddný Björgólfsdóttir, adding, “Fortunately, I never had to use that skill on a plane.”

Björgólfsdóttir recalls passengers were always excited to receive their meal trays and that when wine or after-dinner cognac and liqueurs were distributed, they were served in real glasses.

While there were no in-flight movies, personal music choices or WiFi options to help while away the time on long, slow journeys during early commercial flights, there was certainly no lack of entertainment. In 1955 when Lufthansa’s passengers became bored, they could distract themselves with the “reasonable amount of reading material” they’d been instructed to bring on board. By the time the 1970s arrived, an increasing number of airlines offering long-haul service equipped their planes with cocktail lounges and piano bars.

The piano bar on American Airlines’ Luxury Liners became legendary for onboard parties. Fitted with lounges, sofas, Wurlitzer electric organs and flight attendants bearing trays of drinks, the subliminal promise was one of enjoyment and adventure, regardless of the weather. The ad campaign for American put it this way: “Put a piano in a room full of strangers, and something nice happens.”

American wasn’t alone — Continental Airlines’ McDonnell Douglas DC-10s featured onboard Polynesian Pubs where all passengers were welcome; Qantas’ Boeing 747s boasted Captain Cook First Class Lounges on the upper deck for dining, mixing and mingling; and TWA’s Ambassador service included spacious lounges on its Boeing 707-131Bs. As a precursor to the luxurious private sanctuary suites and actual beds now globaltravelerusa.com

offered on its Airbus A380 fleet, Singapore Airlines offered an upper-deck Slumberette lounge on its Boeing 747s as early as 1976. The lounge was fitted with six individual, custom-built settees that converted into beds.

“Our fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft (known as the Jumbo) had a horseshoe-style bar where first-class guests could gather to have a drink and socialize,” says Gillian Culhane, head of press and media relations, Aer Lingus. “We even had smoking and non-smoking zones in each class where cigarettes, cigars and cards were provided.”

Times have certainly changed. In April this year, Aer Lingus introduced a new business-class experience on direct trans-Atlantic flights from Dublin to San Francisco; New York; Boston; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; and Orlando. Offering

AS TIME GOES BY: Lufthansa advertisement for non-stop service to the United States (top), and the early days of Aer Lingus meal service (bottom) PHOTOs: © Lufthansa, © Aer Lingus

2015 | Global Traveler’s Class Act Guide | 53

a fresh, seasonally driven menu of signature dishes from Ireland’s best restaurants, the service features new customdesigned Vantage seats that convert into fully lie-flat 6-foot, 6-inch beds. There’s also a Pre-Dine service that allows premium passengers to dine before boarding when departing from Terminal 5 at New York’s JFK. These days, passengers on Lufthansa’s trans-Atlantic flights can leave all that reading material at home and amuse themselves with 200 television Channels, 300 CDs, 100 movies in up to eight languages plus a wide selection of audio books. The airline also offers FlyNet broadband in-flight Internet access by means of wireless LAN on all its Atlantic routes, the only airline to offer this service while cruising over the Atlantic.

“Technology changed rapidly following World War II,” reminisces Hawaiian’s Rogers. “Back in the 1930s, you flew where you could see — or with your compass and clock if you couldn’t see.” Now even young airlines like Norwegian Air fly state-of-the-art aircraft that would make early commercial passengers swoon in disbelief. Joseph Gabriel, base chief cabin crew, Norwegian Air in Fort Lauderdale, reveals the airline’s fleet of Boeing Dreamliners is currently expanding with the addition of the new 787-900 Dreamliner, a slightly larger version of the 787-800, offering even more comfort and high-tech extras.

The evolution of seating has been a curious journey of its own. When Iberia started flying nearly 88 years ago with a crew of two on a 10-seat Rohrbach Roland bound from Madrid to Barcelona, the seats were made of wicker. By the 1930s, Boeing Clippers included private dressing rooms and dining areas configured with restaurant-style seating. In the 1950s, some airlines, including Sabena (which eventually morphed into Brussels Airlines), offered trans-Atlantic passengers the option of sleeping berths reminiscent of overnight train accommodations. Each of the upper and lower berths was made with mattresses and bedding, along with curtains that could be drawn closed for privacy.

“The arrival of high-capacity aircraft in the 1960s was the beginning of air travel for the masses,” says Iberia’s Cierco.

Everyone wanted to fly — and the lure of distant shores at the end of a long-haul flight was intoxicating. Icelandair’s planes were filled to capacity on the New York-to-Luxembourg route,

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which included a stopover and crew change in Iceland.

“We called the planes ‘Monsters,’” recalls Icelandair’s Björgólfsdóttir. “We had 10 of them — CL 44 Rolls Royces, bought from Canada and made longer for our company to accommodate 189 passengers. There was drama and glamour, with passengers smoking and drinking en route.”

Meal service has also had quite a ride. What began in 1946 as small cardboard boxes containing fried chicken, a potato omelet, hard-boiled eggs and a sweet on Iberia’s flights to South America has since grown into a gourmet experience. Iberia business-class customers enjoy service and menus designed by celebrity chefs and a wine list featuring some of Spain’s very best wines.

The journey continues. From those first wicker seats and stacked berths to today’s private luxury suites, and from chewing gum to fine wine and gourmet fare designed by the world’s top chefs, the flying experience continues to evolve, with a growing emphasis on employing top-notch customer care to positively influence a passenger’s perception of comfort. Being greeted, for instance, on Thai Airways with a glass of vintage Champagne in a crystal glass before being shown to your Royal First Class berth is always a good beginning.

“Regardless of where you’re going or what you’re flying, the journey begins at check-in,” says Norwegian Air’s Gabriel, “and that first magical moment when you board the plane truly matters. As a flight attendant, that’s my moment to create an extraordinary experience for the passenger. The first contact sets the mood. We may not have a piano on board, but you can make someone in economy feel like they are in first class just by the way you treat them.”

HAPPY HOUR: Aer Lingus aircraft once featured a horseshoestyle bar where firstclass guests gathered to have a drink and socialize.

PHOTO: © Aer Lingus

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Welcome to World-Class Service With a new fleet, expanding network and world-class service, Saudia celebrates its 70th year with renewed vigor and optimism.

FOuNDED IN 1945 WITH A SINGLE DC-3, Saudia now has a modern fleet of more than 100 jets flying to more than 70 destinations worldwide. As a member of SkyTeam, it has a global network that combines 20 world-class airlines servicing more than 1,000 cities.

SEAT COmFORT AND CONVENIENCE ARE A PRIORITy IN SAuDIA’S SERVICES, characterized by state-ofthe-art equipment and the latest in in-flight entertainment. Saudia’s First and Business Class seats are among the most luxurious and comfortable today.

The three-class configuration B777-300ERs that fly to certain destinations have flat-beds in First Class and a 3-3-3 Guest Class (Economy) seat configuration with plenty of legroom for all.

SAuDIA’S IN-FLIGHT CuISINE IS WORLD CLASS in quality and presentation with many choices available for the passenger. Arabic, Western, international and delectable dishes of the destination country are on offer along with fresh juices and beverages. On the ground, in select airports, lounges are available for First and Business Class passengers as well as Gold and Silver Alfursan members.

SAuDIA’S FLEET mODERNIZATION PROGRAm is well underway with the latest wide-bodied jets being put into service every year. In the United States, new B777-300ERs have been delivered and B787-900 Dreamliners are on order. As a full-fledged member of SkyTeam global alliance, some of Saudia’s aircraft carry the SkyTeam livery with pride.

Learn more at www.saudiairlines.com

GRAND STYLE: A special event at Le Grand Hotel (now the InterContinental Paris–Le Grand) showcases the old grandeur of the Opera Ballroom and new updates; and (right) butler at The St. Regis New York.

PHOTO: © Intercontinental Hotels Group, © The St. Regis New York

Staying Power Today’s hotel designs transform the simple overnight into a customized experience. By Sharon King Hoge

W

ith overnight service just the jumping-off point, you can sum up contemporary hotel design and innovation as “bed, breakfast and beyond.” Far from merely providing basic accommodations, hotels have evolved into destinations that coddle, pamper and entertain travelers.

It wasn’t always this way. Originally, voyagers “camped out” at caravansaries along the Silk Route or sought refuge in monasteries and abbeys encountered along the way to pilgrimages and crusades.

Gradually, inns were established along well-traveled routes, providing communal beds and meals at stagecoach stops.

As time progressed, accommodations became more comfortable, the food more refined and, starting in the 1800s, hotels began to evolve into regal establishments. A turning point was Le Grand Hotel, opened in Paris in 1862 by Empress Eugenie with 800 elaborate rooms, arcades and Louis XIV windows aimed to show the world France’s progress in science, the arts and industry. As ocean liners and railroads made traveling more convenient, other spacious outposts followed suit, gradually introducing elevators, hot

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and cold running water, door locks, electric lighting, telephones, central heating and overnight shoe shines.

In the 1960s, with the world going global, hotel ownership became a business as owners bonded with management companies to run the establishments, separating the property owners and hands-on staff. Standardized steps and manuals guaranteed continuity. Guests of international chains, welcomed with scripted greetings, could count on identical front desk procedures and cookie-cutter rooms.

Monotonous standardization and recession led chains to launch efforts to distinguish themselves by increasing service and introducing ambitious promotions. Guests could expect to be checked back into favored rooms, supplied with plush bathrobes and slippers, and offered a choice of preferred pillow types. Garment pressing might be free of charge, and concierges agreeably arranged special dinners and harbor cruises. When New York City’s St. Regis Hotel reopened in 1992, Ivor Spencer, butler to the Queen of England, spent a week teaching the fine points of personalized service to staff globaltravelerusa.com

who would serve each hotel floor dressed in white tie and tails.

In the 1980s, hotels followed the airlines’ example of introducing loyalty programs to encourage repeat business, granting points that could be redeemed for free room nights and other perks. Posh executive lounges offered members express check-in and check-out, complimentary breakfast and evening snacks and cocktails, plus secretarial services. Statistics confirm program members spend more at hotels they “belong” to, and by last year the five biggest hotel loyalty schemes claimed more than 200 million members.

Faced with fierce competition, hotels strive constantly to develop new methods of generating business and standing out from the pack. Initially, the strategy relied on attraction by design.

In 1967, the 22-story atrium, revolving restaurant and blue dome of architect John Portman’s Hyatt Regency Atlanta transformed hotel architecture. Staid, classic buildings gave way to bulging towers, stacked boxes and glass-walled elevators. The façade of the Hilton in downtown Sydney is a sheet of glass; Fairmont’s hotel in Baku resides in a flame-shaped tower to symbolize Azerbaijan’s oil and gas resources.

But fancy architecture doesn’t raise the room rate, so hotels have also improved guestrooms. Before the 1970s, recalls distinguished hotel design specialist David Beers, typical hotels featured vast public spaces — spacious lobbies, grand ballrooms, perhaps one all-day restaurant. But guestrooms were small, basically 12-foot by 18-foot bedrooms with a 5-foot by 8-foot bath. “It was pretty straightforward, and architects considered hotel design ‘beneath’ them,” Beer remembers. All that has changed.

Credit for launching the transformation of the guest experience goes almost universally to Robert Burns, legendary founder of the Regent Hotel Group whose widely admired flagship Regent Hong Kong, opened in 1981, introduced many luxury features that are standard today: simplified front desk procedures, high standards of service, attentive staff and spacious bathrooms.

Having addressed service and design, provided business centers and opened arms to pets, hotels now look elsewhere for features to set them apart, with legacy, art, cuisine, technology, health and fitness, eco-consciousness, local attractions and special events devised to attract a steady flow of new and repeat customers.

Grand old hotels — such as Québec’s Château Frontenac, the Sun Valley Lodge, San Francisco’s Westin St. Francis and The Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown — play up their historic pasts.

Renovations regularly include a gallery of artifacts from the hotel’s history. Display cases showing old menus from New Year’s Eve banquets; photos of Queen Elizabeth, Franklin Roosevelt and Marilyn Monroe checking in; pictures of debutante cotillions in the ballroom — all enable guests to feel part of an illustrious tradition.

Art is used to glorify design. With more than 600 original artworks displayed throughout its spaces, the Apricot Hotel in Hanoi compares itself to a “large-scale gallery.” The Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa displays images by John McDermott and invites guests to join the photographer on tours of the famed temples. Steps away from Carnegie Hall, The Quin hotel honors the neighborhood’s artistic heritage with an Ongoing series of lobby exhibits and cultural events.

State-of-the-art technology is now de rigueur, with guests frequently booking reservations online and checking in by signing an iPad. Rooms offer multiple outlets and DVD players. WiFi is provided, increasingly free of charge. Digital signage replaces daily billboards, and some lobbies feature a video wall accommodating globaltravelerusa.com

Twitter communication among guests. At Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu, multiple interactive screens of a central Guidepost Experience Center allow guests to select and book extracurricular activities and events. This summer, Choice Hotels recruited an “Ultimate People Person” to travel across America sharing stories on the hotels’ blog and social media Channels.

It’s rare to find a hotel not equipped with at minimum a fitness room and often a full-service spa along with a galaxy of services from nutrition-optimizing meals to curated in-room workout tips. Even though the staff admits it’s usually bypassed in favor of outdoor activities, the Conrad Sanya Haitang Bay runs a 24-hour fitness center, while the Sydney Hilton claims affiliation with the largest gym in Australia. A salt scrub is a special treat at Cancún’s JW Marriott, and Shangri-La’s signature Chi spas offer each guest a suite with private space for changing, treatment, cleansing and relaxing. As part of the head-to-toe Spirit of Life experience at The Boulders in Arizona, guests can sign up for Brain Fitness/ Mental Muscle classes.

Healthy offerings extend to the cuisine, with many chains devising green-conscious menus. On the first Thursday of each month, the Shangri-La in Paris hosts 100% Green Dinners with vegetables at the forefront of the Rooted in Nature menus. Chef Ezequiel Cardozo at the Shangri-La Haikou harvests herbs from the garden set up beside its hot springs swimming pool, and at Vermont’s Woodstock Inn, Chef Richard Lingle developed small plates and craft cocktails utilizing vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, berries, mushrooms and tomatoes from a nearby garden.

Embracing the green movement, hotels require guests to

PERSONAL SERVICE: Interactive screens help guests book activities at Turtle Bay Resort.

PHOTO: © Turtle Bay Resort

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remove key cards when leaving the room to save electricity. Caribbean hotels tout their water-saving facilities, and almost universally hotels give guests the option of sparing linens and towels from daily laundering. At Jamaica’s GoldenEye, visitors who forego air-conditioning can deduct $25 per day from the room rate.

Hotel restaurants are now more numerous and elaborate, importing celebrity chefs-in-residence to create themed menus. Breakfast buffets include whole sections of ethnic dishes, custom-blended smoothies, bespoke omelets and more than a dozen choices of fresh juice.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa features outdoor barbecues for Hamptons guests, and in July Benchmark Resorts put its chefs to work devising specialty items to celebrate National Grilling Month: tea-grilled chicken, Sichuan grilled pork loin and smoked St. Louis ribs.

Extending their reach to the surrounding community, hotels encourage visitors to appreciate local points of interest. Montego Bay’s Half Moon Resort invites guests to visit local nursery farms. Swissôtel issues destinationfocused digital maps which lead guests on walking tours of local attractions.

No notion is overlooked in devising lavish special promotions and theme weekends to attract visitors who merely want to get away. On any given weekend, Mohonk Mountain House may feature jazz or puppet performances in its arts festival, a wine tasting or the Wonderful World of Words with The New York Times

crossword puzzle specialist Will Shortz. After a makeover, Baltimore’s Royal Sonesta Harbor Court offered 20 percent savings to visitors to Experience Our New Look and New Vibe. Honoring the country’s public servants, the Conrad Miami extended summer getaway perks to military personnel, teachers and firefighters. Equus at Castle Hotel in Tarrytown, N.Y., holds a summer series of Poolside Pairings of snacks and beers. A Night Under the Stars in the Glass Conservatory Suite of London’s 41 Hotel includes a personalized Name a Star certificate, allowing guests to dedicate a heavenly orb to someone special.

Where can it go from here? According to Ian Schrager, who pioneered luxury boutique hotels, the future is “elevated experience” — hotels chosen not because of the price, location or travel agent recommendation but because great design and innovation; outstanding food and beverages; and personal, friendly, modern service make them great, fun places to stay. Working with Marriott, Schrager conceived the EDITION Hotels brand, geared less toward transaction and more toward experience.

“People want to remember where they slept last night, want to have a meal they can Instagram about,” he says.

What we can expect, it seems, is “bed, breakfast and beyond your wildest dreams.”

UNDER THE STARS: The Glass Conservatory Suite at London's 41 Hotel PHOTO: © red carnation hotels

41 Hotel 41hotel.com Anantara Angkor Resort & Spa angkor.anantara.com Apricot Hotel apricothotels.com Benchmark Resorts & Hotels benchmarkresortsandhotels.com The Boulders theboulders.com Castle Hotel castleonthehudson.com Choice Hotels choicehotels.com Conrad Hotels hilton.com EDITION Hotels editionhotels.com Fairmont Hotels & Resorts fairmont.com GoldenEye goldeneye.com Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa gurneysmontauk.com Half Moon Resort halfmoon.rockresorts.com Hilton Hotels & Resorts hilton.com Hyatt Regency Atlanta hyatt.com JW Marriott Cancun marriott.com Mohonk Mountain House mohonk.com The Quin thequinhotel.com Regent Hotel Group regenthotels.com Royal Sonesta Harbor Court sonesta.com Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts shangri-la.com Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts swissotel.com Turtle Bay Resort turtlebayresort.com

Woodstock Inn Resort woodstockinn.com

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Star Power

Munich becomes Europe’s first airport to earn five-star status

Munich Airport’s New title: Europe’s first five-star airport To earn the ranking, Munich Airport (MUC) underwent Skytrax Institute’s extensive evaluation of performance in five categories: first-class ambience and comfort; range of services and amenities; efficient processes; ease of transit through airport; and outstanding friendliness.

A five-star airport must present a seamless, high-quality experience, and Munich Airport endeavors to do just that for each and every passenger. To earn the ranking, MUC planned and implemented a number of measures, worked with partners like Lufthansa and the Federal Police, and solicited customer satisfaction feedback.

can be booked regardless of airline or booking class.

A wide range of services helped earn Munich Airport its five-star status. Among the many amenities available, the airport offers unlimited Web access, a wealth of retail options and award-winning bars and restaurants, including the world’s only airport brewery.

Munich Airport spent months optimizing its processes. EasyPASS border control permits automatic and independent screening when crossing the border in either direction, and feedback opportunities are available via machines at various locations.

Clear and intuitive navigation is a hallmark of the five-star experience. MUC’s InfoGate system enables passengers to easily contact terminal services staff directly.

InfoGates also allow users to print out walking directions to navigate more easily around the airport. The airport’s website and the available information about public transportation options are other examples of MUC’s easy navigation.

But none of the above could be achieved without extraordinary hospitality. Munich Airport’s 32,000 employees remain committed to excellent customer service rooted in a service-oriented philosophy.

Accessibility from North America Getting to Munich (MUC) has never been easier with non-stop service from Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA)**, Montréal (YUL), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR)* and Washington, D.C. (IAD). Clearly marked, state-of-the-art terminals make it easy to connect onward with minimum connection times as short as 30 minutes.

Learn more at munich-airport.com/viamuc

Five-Star Airport Criteria High quality. Exclusive offers. First-class service. These are some of the characteristics setting premium airports apart from the others. The Skytrax ranking takes into account clear signage, easy navigation, simplified processes, ambience, comfort and exacting standards of cleanliness.

Only four other airports in the world rate, along with Munich Airport: Singapore Changi Airport, Seoul Incheon International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Tokyo Haneda International Airport.

Skytrax’s assessment of Munich Airport began in August 2013, and the airport earned its status in March 2015. The Skytrax aviation research institute will continue to review the airport regularly.

Munich Airport’s Stars First-class ambience and high comfort standards are exemplified by the airport’s “arrive and feel at home” philosophy. Departure areas feature comfortable seating; business areas are ideal for working; Terminal 2’s recreation areas are calming oases; and the VipWing offers an ultra-exclusive experience. VipWing services * Summer service until Oct. 11, 2015 **Winter service from Oct. 25, 2015, until March 27, 2016