For many people, air travel is an experience fraught with fear and anxiety: more than 25 million Americans have a severe fear of flying, according to Cleveland Clinic estimates.
Even for those of us whose anxiety doesn’t escalate to the level of full-blown phobia, flying often means putting up with cramped seats and bad food – a far cry from the golden age of air travel depicted in movies and television shows, like “Catch Me If You Can” and “Pan Am.”
A luxurious life in the skies is still possible, however, if you’re willing to pay the right price. In recent years, airlines have launched increasingly unusual and exciting perks for their passengers, partially in an effort to recoup the losses brought on by the pandemic years.
Every airline has a unique set of bonuses for its passengers – and new ones are announced all the time. If you’re looking for luxury at 30,000 feet, continue reading to see the craziest, most unusual, and most luxurious perks available for high-flying fliers.
Airplane food has come a long way from the days of Jerry Seinfeld snarking about its mediocre quality. On several airlines, including Cathay Pacific (CPCAY) and Air France (AFRAF), certain first-class flights come with the guarantee of a meal developed by a Michelin-starred chef.
Beginning on January 15, Air France added an additional perk to its already luxurious lounges. In select airports, passengers will smell the French airline’s new signature fragrance, AF001.
In addition to smelling the jasmine and rose fragrance at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, passengers flying in La Première suites will also soon enjoy the signature scent for the duration of their flights.
Several airlines now provide their first-class customers with amenity kits full of cosmetics and other supplies in an effort to make flying more bearable. Delta One partnered with the Italian fashion house Missoni to develop their kits, which come with Grown Alchemist skin care products, a bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste, an eye mask, ear plugs, socks and a pen.
Air France offers a beauty kit stocked with Sisley Beauty Institute products for passengers flying in its La Première cabins. Passengers flying on Emirates, in First or Business class, receive exclusive Bulgari amenity kits, which include perfume, mirrors, and body emulsion products.
Hours of flying can often leave passengers feeling unclean and uncomfortable when they arrive at their destination. Passengers in the Emirates A380 First Class cabin are an exception to this rule: they have access to a shower spa, ensuring that they can start their trip clean and refreshed.
First-class and business-class passengers of Lufthansa flights can use a special tablet to heat or cool their seats. The same tablet also gives passengers access to the in-flight entertainment system.
Passengers on board select Turkish Airlines flights have access to “flying chefs” who prepare award-winning meals. All Turkish Airlines (TKHVY) food is halal, and passengers can enjoy local specialties like Adana kebabs.
Unlimited caviar and champagne might seem like a wildly opulent fantasy – but last year, it became a reality for first and business-class passengers on Emirates flights. The airline explained that the new perks were in response to a decline in air travel.
“While others respond to industry pressures with cost cuts, Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers,” said Emirates President Tim Clark, according to CNBC.
Most airplane passengers are familiar with the cheap, wired headsets that flight attendants hand out at the beginning of a trip. But first-class passengers on Cathay Pacific have access to a much higher quality option. Every first-class seat on Cathay Pacific flights comes equipped with a set of noise canceling Bose headsets.
If travel nerves leave you craving the comfort of a fast food burger, Delta recently launched a partnership with Shake Shack (SHAK). Passengers in some American markets can now order a Shake Shack burger with a side of chips, a Caesar salad, and a brownie to eat during their flights.
In an exciting update for anyone who craves the taste of New York City, even while in the sky, United Airlines (UAL) recently announced that it would serve Magnolia Bakery’s beloved banana pudding on select United flights nationwide.
Magnolia Bakery CEO Bobbie Lloyd said that her team worked for three years to develop a version of the banana pudding that could withstand airplane conditions while still tasting good.
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