It's said that the s were the Golden Age of travel. In the sβwith all the improvements in the first-class cabins, at leastβwe could call our present era the Diamond Age. In the front of the plane, gone are the cigarettes and La-Z-Boy-style seats; in their place are massive suites with doors, lie-flat beds, showers in the clouds, and caviar collections fit for a king.
Don't forget the bone china for in-flight afternoon tea or the bespoke bedding for a long nap too. And these days, even business class cabins on some airlines have amenities once reserved only for first class like privacy doors that fully close for maximum privacy or dine-on-demand meals. Demand for premium travel is sky-high, and many people are willing to pay for the privileges that come along with sitting in front of the curtain.
But not all premium cabins are created equally. While many airlines have folded their first class into business entirely, making biz the most premium cabin you can fly on their planes, other carriers have pushed their first-class suites to soaring new heights to differentiate themselves from the pack and attract those willing to pay those sky-high fares or cash in their miles for them.
Singapore Airlines has doubled down in recent years to create what's widely regarded as the single finest commercial flying experience. That's not just hyperboleβat 50 square feet, its Suites on the A win by measurement as well, giving first-class passengers more space than any other airline. Even though its double-decker planes are not currently flying to US runways, you will currently find them on flights from Singapore to London, Paris, Sydney, and Mumbai.
Here, drink selections like Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs or the signature SilverKris Sling a spin on the hometown Singapore Sling flow like water, and the lounge feels downright serene. A tablet controls everything from dimming lights to changing their colors.
