Gone are the days of upturned noses at plane food. The world’s best airlines are falling over themselves to recruit famous chefs to create their in-flight meals, and the results are truly delicious. We visited Japan Airlines to learn about the Michelin-star chefs curating their first- and business-class meals, and some of these dishes sound just insane at 38,000 feet. Abalone, anyone?

IT’S SAID THAT JAPAN has more Michelin stars per capita than any other country on Earth. With a record-setting 200 stars in Tokyo alone, it should come as no surprise that the country’s premier airline is serving Michelin-crafted meals as it soars around the globe, joining the ranks of other starry food service in the sky. 

Japan Airlines has partnered with six Michelin-star chefs, four of whom have three stars each, to interpret their food into in-flight dining menus for first- and business-class passengers. So, while airline food has long left upturned noses and rumbling stomachs, Japan Airlines aims to do the opposite.

The various multi-course tasting menus available on JAL BEDD Sky Auberge dining service are divided into Japanese and Western options, serving 140 high-flying first-class passengers per day and hundreds more in business class. In true Japanese culinary fashion, each Michelin-themed menu changes seasonally to guarantee the produce is at its freshest.

Sliced wagyu beef and steamed sea urchin topped with sudachi citrus gelée and caviar is the signature JAL dish of chefs Ishikawa Hideki and Koizumi Kouji of Ishikawa Kagurazaka and Restaurant Kohaku in Tokyo. With six stars between them, the two teamed up to create an ultra-luxurious menu for first-class passengers flying from Tokyo to various North American and European cities, including New York and Paris.

Passengers flying first-class on the same routes from Tokyo don’t have to kick themselves about not scoring a coveted seat at the three Michelin-star Quintessence in Tokyo; they can try the restaurant’s most famous plate onboard. Chef Kishida Shuzo’s beloved Goat Milk Bavarois focuses on the ingredients. Made with fresh goat milk, salt from Guérande, France and EXV olive oil from Lazio, Italy, it’s served alongside lily roots and macadamia slices to add a bit of crunch.

But ensuring the world’s finest ingredients translate well when prepared in a tiny Japan Airlines galley kitchen while battling temperature controls and food safety regulations was sometimes harder for the chefs than impressing Michelin. 

In regards to making sure the food wasn’t served lukewarm, Shuzo told JAL cabin attendants, “I thought of different ways to use the in-flight heating equipment, and I also made changes to how the meals were loaded and to cabin crew procedures. I realized that the cabin crew have so many different tasks on board and are very busy, so I felt it was crucial to simplify the plating process to keep an optimized serving pace.”

For chef Jun Mishina of the Michelin starred Ren Mishina in Tokyo, creating correct and appealing tastes for his airline meals was key and flavors are different at altitude. “I shifted towards the concept of addition of flavors in the hopes that passengers could enjoy something new onboard,” Mishina told JAL cabin attendants. 

Then there’s the very nature of service to contend with: no matter how luxurious your seat in the front of the plane, it’s still in a plane. “One of the biggest differences between in-flight and restaurants is that at restaurants, we can serve each dish one at a time, whereas in-flight, the appetizers are all served in one plate divided into five grids,” Mishina said. “So, I ask cabin crews to offer passengers to try my signature dish, ‘abalone,’ with jelly on the top, to start with and thereafter move on to the other dishes for the best experience.”

Abalone simmered in kelp and sake and then soaked for an entire day in a broth is Mishina’s signature dish onboard JAL business-class flights from Tokyo to major cities around the world. And frequent fliers can try “The Curry,” a fruit and spice-heavy curry from Ren Mishina’s secret menu.

Paired with these plates are rare and limited-production sake, wine and teas like the Queen of Blue Tea, made from hand-picked Taiwanese leaves served cold and poured into a wine glass. 

Designed by Japan Airlines’ resident Wine Advisor, ​​Motohiro Okoshi, the sommelier at An Di in Tokyo, the first and business-class wine program may be worth the cost of the ticket alone. Of its selection, a spokesperson for Japan Airlines said, “The lineup ranges from high-quality breweries that sake and shochu lovers drool over, to famous breweries that everyone knows, rare breweries that are hard to find and young breweries that are leading the trend.”

Images courtesy of Japan Airlines, unless otherwise noted.

Paging to departures: anyone looking for a flight before their flight. Intervals is a brand-new cocktail bar in Hong Kong Airport that offers first-class seats to some of the best views, drinks and dining in town. We sidled up to the bar with the founder and architect for a few strong beverages and to chat about making airports great again.

LET’S SAY YOU HAVE 15 minutes before boarding. You could browse the bookstore, grab a coffee… or have a pair of sip-sized craft cocktails inspired by a dream destination, with delicious pintxos to pair. We know where we’re heading.

Perched atop the skybridge that links Hong Kong Terminal 1 to its new extension of gates is Intervals, the only cocktail bar in HKG and the highest spot you can get without being in the aircraft control tower. Outside the bar is lush with greenery and the interior is all about time, travel and reflection. This is the place to indulge in a flight before your flights, with a bird’s-eye view of all the other flights coming and going from this revitalized hub.

The menu and the seating are tailored for how much time you have before you need to hop your plane: 15 minutes is a two-drink flight. Half an hour works out to four beautiful mini-cocktails. And if you’ve got 45 minutes, then it’s a stunning six-drink flight. All of which will not only inspire you with their playful flavors from liquors native to spots all over the globe, but also ensure you’re properly blissed out before boarding. (Yeah, they’re strong; definitely order food. And non-drinkers, not to worry, they have an equally well-considered mocktail menu.)

Join our editor-in-chief for drinks and laughs at Intervals with founder Mei Mei Song and designer Mitch Squires in the video here:

From the folks behind Plaza Premium Group – that pioneering family who invented the concept of airport lounges where you can pay to enter, without airline status or tickets in the pointy end of the plane – Intervals is part of their next-generation evolution to make travel fun again. Just take a look at their fleet of vibrant violet ALLWAYS electric-airport buggies zipping smart travelers around HKG to see what we mean.

Like many leaders in travel, Intervals specifically and Plaza Premium in general are harkening back to the golden age of flying, where heading to the airport was an easy-breezy, luxury experience, but coupling it with modern ideas like showstopping design, small-batch and local Hong Kong-based producers, and of course Instagram-friendliness.

So, we suggest getting to HKG early, or even scheduling a long layover – not to beat the lines (there are barely any in this efficient airport anyway) but to while away your time in a gorgeous glass box where every sip will provide inspiration for your next trip or conjure memories of a past one. Which, incidentally, sounds to us like a sentiment the 50 Best Bars voting academy might swoon for as well.

Watch the rest of our series with Plaza Premium Group, We Make Travel Better, here.

Article sponsored by Plaza Premium Group.
Images courtesy of Plaza Premium Group.

From krapao connoisseurs to K-pop superfans, Go City has outings that never miss.

SINGAPORE IS A GLOBAL DESTINATION with mass appeal. Offering rich cultural heritage, breathtakingly modern architecture, and heart-pumping attractions, visiting the island nation is on the bucket list for many who have a yen for travel and romance in their heart.

Whether you prefer to enjoy local experiences or indulge in world-class luxuries, time is always a factor wherever you go. Deciding how to spend your moments exploring Singapore, a city packed with fun things to do, is more capable of inducing symptoms of mild panic and anxiety in even the most experienced traveller.

Going Places

That’s where Go City comes in. The easy-to-use website and app researches and selects the best of a destination’s attractions and curates a choice of discounted activities that are guaranteed to leave a great impression in a variety of locations throughout Asia and the world.

As a portal to the best experiences across the globe, Go City is a superb way to explore Singapore. The app suggests unique and unmissable experiences that will leave you loving the cities you visit and leaving with an enhanced cultural viewpoint.

And it can all be accessed via a single pass, thanks to the app’s ingenious city passes. Simply select the destination, choose between an All-Inclusive Pass, where you decide on the number of days you would like to sightsee, or Explorer Pass, where you decide on the number of attractions you’d like to visit — and that’s when your adventure starts. Your single QR code in your chosen city will unlock dozens of incredible experiences, making it convenient to see more and make more memories. 

Go City’s exclusive offerings in Singapore include fine dining experiences, river tours, wildlife adventures, theme park entries, boating expeditions, brewery tours, fully immersive virtual reality sessions, horticultural experiences at Gardens by the Bay, cable car rides up Mount Faber, and more. 

The newest immersive and natural attraction added to Singapore is drawing rave reviews from users. An all-access pass to Bird Paradise — part of Mandai Wildlife Reserve and previously known as the Jurong Bird Park — boasts entrance to 10 zones, eight walk-through aviaries, the Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove, space to observe birds of high conservation value, and a 2,000-seat amphitheater for watching exciting avian presentations

Flying High

Using Go City to visit the new Bird Paradise at Mandai Wildlife Reserve lets guests get up close with the region’s rainbow of multi-chromatic birds with presentations displaying their unique characteristics and magical bonding moments where guests can feed the feathered residents alongside the avian care experts.

Within the vicinity of the wildlife reserve, the highly-anticipated Banyan Tree Hotel and Resorts is set to open its doors to eco-resort enthusiasts and nature lovers come 2025. This luxury property provides 5-star treehouse-style accommodations for elevated relaxation at tree canopy level. Resort guests will feel immersed in the surrounding nature, which they will be encouraged to enjoy in a non-intrusive manner.

But Go City doesn’t limit its experiences to Singapore. And for those in Asia — or planning a visit — the company’s global network is the perfect excuse to discover the fun in some of the region’s most charismatic cities, including Seoul and Bangkok.

Savor Bangkok Street Food

In the big mango, Go City provides over thirty cultural experiences, including indulgent massages and onsen experiences at Let’s Relax Spa, sunset dinner cruises across the Chao Phraya, dinners at Nara Thai restaurant, guided city tours, a Michelin Guide street food tour based on popular local dishes, cabaret shows, water park thrills, Thai cooking lessons and dramatic views from the top of Bangkok’s tallest building, King Power Mahanakhon.

Bangkok is a city renowned for its excellent street food, and what better way to experience the world’s best sidewalk cuisine than cruising the old town in an iconic tuk-tuk to sample a range of plates, including famed fishball noodles from decades-old Lim Lao Ngow. The three-hour Michelin Guide Street Food Tour by Tuk Tuk is a gastronomic delight that will expand your mind as well as your waistline.

Sounds of Seoul

Seoul is a seductively modern destination beloved across the world for its heritage, culture, music, and cuisine. Boasting a long and sophisticated legacy of literature, art, and fashion are just a few reasons the high-energy city draws so many visitors each year. 

Also popular are visits to royal palaces such as the Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, traditional costume rentals, Korean Folk Village tours, N Seoul Tower, Nami Island, theatrical cooking shows, theme parks such as Lotte World and Seoul Land and the highly sought after half-day tour of the Demilitarized Zone, a stretch of land separating North and South Korea.

From meeting musical heroes to getting up close with daring flavors and exotic birds, Go City and the most popular destinations in Asia await you with unique takes on unforgettable experiences. 

One pass, all the sights. Save up to 50% on the best attractions, tours and activities with Go City®

Article Sponsored by Go City.
Images courtesy of Go City.

There are many reasons travellers love credit cards, but one of the top perks is earning points that can be redeemed for free travel. Two of the most popular credit card travel rewards programs are American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, for American Express and Chase cardholders, respectively. Both programs offer the chance to accumulate points that can be transferred to travel partners, used to purchase travel directly from the company’s own travel portal, or even issued as a statement credit.

Trying to decide which credit card you should apply for next? Or if you already have both, are you trying to figure out which one you should use for your next big purchase? Read on to compare Amex points and Chase points, and find out which of these two credit card rewards programs is best for you.

Amex Points Partners vs. Chase Points Partners

One of the most valuable ways to redeem credit card points is by transferring them to travel partners. Amex wins for airlines, as it has 18 airline partners compared to Chase’s 11 airline partners. Both programs have three hotel partners each. That said, the specific airlines and hotel groups differ between the programs, so if you only fly one alliance or book stays at one hotel group, you may want to choose the card that offers you those partners. Here’s the full list of Amex and Chase travel partners as of April 2023, but note that these can change at any time.

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Amex Rewards Airline Partners

• Aer Lingus
• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air France
• KLM
• ANA
• Avianca
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Delta
• Emirates
• Etihad
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Qantas
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Amex Rewards Hotel Partners

• Choice Hotels
• Hilton
• Marriott

Chase Ultimate Rewards Airline Partners

• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air France
• KLM
• British Airways
• Emirates
• Iberia
• JetBlue
• Singapore Airlines
• Southwest
• United
• Virgin Atlantic

Chase Ultimate Rewards Hotel Partners

• IHG
• Marriott
• Hyatt

Differences in Point Values

Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards points are roughly equivalent in value, though it depends on how you’re redeeming the points. If you’re transferring to travel partners, it all depends on your specific purchase with those points. Typically, baseline point values for both rewards programs sit between one and two cents per point. An exception is transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to World of Hyatt — that transaction has a baseline of nearly three cents per point.

If you’re using your points to book directly through the Amex or Chase travel portals, you’re looking at redemption values between 0.7 and one cent for Amex and 0.7 and 1.5 cents for Chase.

And if you’re trading your points for statement credits, Amex points are worth just 0.6 cents, while Chase’s are worth one cent.

Top Amex Membership Rewards Credit Cards

Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Annual fee: USD 695 

If you travel frequently, this card is probably your best bet — if you can swallow that annual fee. It does cover perks like access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs), up to USD 200 in Uber cash, credit for a Clear membership, up to USD 200 credit for airline fees (such as baggage fees), and hotel status with Hilton and Marriott. It also earns 5x points on travel purchases.

American Express Green Card

Annual fee: USD 150

With a more palatable annual fee, this card is a solid deal. You can get your annual fee back immediately by enrolling in Clear, as the card covers the USD 189 annual fee, and you can also get a USD 200 LoungeBuddy credit. When booking travel with this card, you earn 3x points.

American Express Everyday Card

Annual fee: USD 0

No fee, no problem. You can still earn Amex Membership Rewards points with this card, though it doesn’t come with perks. You’ll earn 2x points at supermarkets and 2x points on travel booked through Amex’s travel portal. You can also earn a 20% bonus on points each billing period if you use the card at least 20 times.

Top Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Note that annual fees and perks are subject to change.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual fee: USD 550

Chase’s top-tier Ultimate Rewards card comes with a number of travel benefits, including a USD 300 travel credit, a Priority Pass Select membership, and a USD 100 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. You also earn 10x points for Chase Dining, hotel stays, and car rentals if booked through Chase’s travel portal, as well as 3x points for travel and dining not booked through the portal. Finally, thee travel rewards program associated with this card provides access to Chase’s Reserved by Sapphire restaurant reservation service.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Annual fee: USD 95

For a low annual fee, cardholders receive a USD 50 hotel credit for stays booked through Chase’s travel portal, fairly strong travel insurance, and an annual points bonus that equates to 10% of your year’s purchases. You also earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase’s portal and 2x points on other travel.

Chase Freedom Flex

Annual fee: USD 0

If you’re just dipping your toe in the points game, this card is a good place to start. Though it doesn’t have many perks right off the bat, it does allow you to earn 5x points in different categories every quarter on up to USD 1,500 in purchases. You’ll also earn 3x points on dining and drugstore purchases.

Which travel rewards program is better?

This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit: American Express

Related: Planning An International Trip? These Are The Best Travel Insurance Plans In India

These are the world’s best first class airlines if you are a flyer who likes to travel in impeccable style.

If you are a flyer who likes to travel in style and luxury, most airlines have the option of a First Class section that aims to make your journey as comfortable as possible miles up in the air. From convertible seats to high-end toiletries and special food and drink menus to vast in-flight entertainment, they offer many services that make your journey relaxing.

Those who choose this option are also provided exclusive facilities on the ground like access to the lounge and chauffeur service. No wonder then that the First Class is sometimes also referred to as a “suite” by many for its exclusivity, high-end service, on-demand fine dining and an unmatched level of comfort.

Here’s a look at some of the world’s best First Class airlines.

Emirates

Emirates’ Boeing 777 introduced its new first-class facility in 2018. Each seat comes with a floor-to-ceiling door, ensuring the complete privacy of the occupant. This makes Emirates the first carrier to introduce fully enclosed compartments in this section.

This ticket also brings with it some luxurious facilities. Passengers get a personal wardrobe and a screen to view any of the 4,000 channels available for entertainment. A smaller screen is provided to video call members of the crew if you have a requirement or need help.

You can watch your favourite movie or show without any disturbance using the noise-cancelling Bowers & Wilkins E1 headphones, custom made for the airline. Its stylish design is accentuated by the fine Italian saffiano leather by Scabrenta for softer fit and comfort.

The desk, large enough to write, is fitted with a minibar stocked with beverages and snacks to help with those between the meals hunger pangs.

The seat can be reclined to zero gravity setting, which is where the body finds its natural resting position. A console next to the seat lets you control the temperature in the suite as well as pick from any of the ten colours of lighting according to your mood. You can also dim the lights altogether for a more relaxed atmosphere.

Another highlight is the wide range of Byredo products available for personal use. The allergy-free skincare collection, which includes eye cream, facial mist and sleep oil, is made exclusively for Emirates.

Food served in this class is our favourite part. Dishes are served according to the destination and duration. So, if the flight is heading to or coming from Australia, options on the menu will include cheeses from the Yarra Valley and Australian Angus beef. The à la carte dining experience includes an assortment of wines, spirits, beer and the Dom Pérignon 2008 champagne. Available exclusively in First Class is the Dalmore King Alexander III, the world’s first single malt to be matured in six exquisite casks.

Another perk of flying in this class is that the airline provides a chauffeur-driven car to and from the airport in select cities.

Air France

The First Class in Air France, also called La Première, is all about luxury redefined right from the starting point of your journey. The airline provides a personal Hertz DriveU ride to and from the airport in select French cities.

You will be received at the airport by a crew member and escorted to the Boeing 777 aircraft, which houses the La Première cabin with four private suites constructed using suede, soft leather, wood, metallic finishes and tweed trim textile fabrics. Privacy is ensured in each suite with curtains, that can be drawn, and partitions in the middle row that can be raised with the push of a button.

Each seat can be converted into a comfortable bed that has a memory foam mattress, a large duvet to snuggle in and a pillow that will help catch the Zs before you land. A bedside lamp helps you manage the light settings.

You can watch a movie, documentary, TV shows, listen to music and even play games from the 1,000 hours of on-demand entertainment available on a touchscreen that can be enjoyed with the Denon over-the-ear headphones. All the content is available in 12 languages. A smaller seat, an ottoman, meant as a footrest is positioned just below the touchscreen to help you stretch your legs.

For additional comfort, pyjamas, slippers and socks are also provided along with a specialised Air France travel kit containing Carita skincare products like Crème des lagons moisturising cream and lip balm. The kit contains an eye mask, earplugs and other essential travel accessories too.

Meals in La Première can be chosen from a gourmet menu that is tailored according to the destination. If the flight is departing from Paris, the menu will feature original recipes from renowned French chefs Régis Marcon, Emmanuel Renaut and Michel Roth as well as dishes in the memory of culinary icon Joël Robuchon. The food is served on Bernardaud porcelain plates and bevelled Christofle glasses and flatware. Paolo Basso, named the world’s top sommelier in 2013, along with wine experts Bettane and Desseauve curate the wines and champagnes from French vineyards to be served on board.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Travelling in the All Nippon Airways (ANA) First Class is something food lovers would perhaps enjoy the most. The on-board menu is tailored down to season, destination, age and allergen-free preferences. Meals have been created for ANA by some of the best-known chefs in Japan and outside, including the likes of Ginza Okuda owner Toru Okuda, Alexandre Gauthier of La Grenouillère, Masayasu Yonemura of Yonemura and Yoshihiro Takahashi who is the 15th generation owner of the over 400 years old Hyotei restaurant.

Dishes may include seared cutlassfish wrapped in aromatic cherry blossom leaves with green peas and fresh cheese ravioli, smoked duck, grilled Wagyu fillet covered with fermented whole-grain mustard, and Wagyu shabu shabu, a thinly sliced Wagyu sirloin lightly boiled after dusting with arrowroot powder.

Among the many beverages on offer are Krug Grand Cuvée champagne, Château Branaire Ducru 2011 wine, sake by Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute “Yamahai Miyama Nishiki” and tea by Dallmayr.

The design of the compartment in this class depends on the aircraft. If you are flying the Boeing 777-300ER, you may opt for ‘The Suite’ or the ‘ANA First Square’. The former has a seat cushion made in collaboration with Nishikawa which can be converted into a flatbed. A sliding door ensures the passenger’s privacy. Inside ‘The Suite’ is a 43-inch 4K monitor for in-flight entertainment and closets for jackets and other items to be stored.

‘ANA First Square’ on the other hand is like an office cubicle with high-panel walls designed for maximising comfort by utilising space as best as possible. There are multiple storage spaces, including one on the outer part of the walls, for jackets, headphones and other personal items. A 23-inch touch-panel LCD wide-screen monitor with digital noise-cancelling headphones provides on-board entertainment.

A 32-inch LCD widescreen monitor in Airbus 380’s first class is the only feature that makes it a little different from ‘The Suite’.

If you feel like, you can change into ANA’s eco-friendly knitted organic cotton top and bottoms set. Also provided for your comfort are the Tenerita blanket, a pillow made with high-quality Hungarian white duck down, Nishikawa comforter and AiR bed pad for maximum possible relaxation thousands of miles in the air.

The Ginza Essence Empowering toiletry set contains a toothbrush set, an eye mask, earplugs and more skincare products.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has a special class called ‘Suites’, which is different from their First Class.

Available on Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 777 aircraft, the First Class is basically a private section for the flyer with an extra-wide seat — which can be rolled into a flatbed — made of hand-stitched, luxurious leather down to the footrest. Comfortable seating in any position is ensured with its diamond-stitch pattern. High-quality linen, duvet and pillow are provided for additional comfort. Among the amenities is a 24-inch HD-enabled personal LCD monitor where 1,800 entertainment options can be accessed. Sound is provided by Bang & Olufsen noise-cancelling headphones.

Travelling in the ‘Suites’ is an entirely different experience. Available on Airbus A380, its unique feature is that the bed is separate from the seat. And when the central partition is removed, it can be transformed into a double bed. The swivel, reclinable seat has a Poltrona Frau full grain leather upholstery. A sliding door adds to your privacy. You can access several features via the handheld wireless tablet and the capacitive controls on the sideboard, including the in-flight service. The sit-down vanity counter has products from Lalique for relaxing and rejuvenating the body.

In both First Class and ‘Suites’, passengers can use the “book the cook” service for meals. You can reserve your main course 24 hours before getting on the flight. The menu includes creations of internationally renowned chefs and wine experts on Singapore Airline’s International Culinary Panel, including Carlo Cracco of Italy’s Ristorante Cracco, Indian celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, James Beard recipient chef Suzanne Goin from the US, legendary French chef Georges Blanc, and Jeannie Cho Lee who is the first Asian to be awarded Master of Wine. Meals are prepared according to preferences such as religious, dietary and for children.

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Lufthansa

In select cities around the world, you’d be provided several facilities from the moment you arrive at the airport to fly First Class with Lufthansa. From personalised information about gates and lounges to escorting through security, a personal assistant will help you with everything till you board the flight. If the flight is taking off from Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Geneva or Zurich then you also get a chauffeur-driven limousine or exclusive minivan which will directly take you to the aircraft.

The First Class comfort is available in three different aircraft in Lufthansa’s fleet: Boeing 747-8i, Airbus A380 and Airbus A340.

In all three, the seats can be converted into a two-metre-long bed. For comfort, a mattress, temperature-regulating duvet and top-quality bed linen are provided. The seats can be reclined and the lights adjusted according to need. Soundproof curtains will ensure your privacy.

If you love wine, travelling First Class on Lufthansa will be a joy. Created by world champion sommelier Markus Del Monego, the selection offers red and white wines, each in four different varieties, every month from the world’s best wine-growing regions. As for the exquisite cuisine, Lufthansa has tied-up with selected hotels that provide the food onboard.

There are over 100 films, 200 TV programmes, live TV channels, a large selection of CDs, audiobooks, and podcasts from all over the world for your in-flight entertainment. But nowhere can the experience become more immersive and realistic than on Lufthansa because it has the unmatched sound quality of Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

Etihad Airways

The First Class option is available on both Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 of Etihad Airways. On the 787, the reclining seat can be converted into a full-length bed with all necessary bedding provided for a peaceful sleep.

In-flight entertainment is available through a personal screen on which 100s of hours of movies, TV shows, music or Live TV can be accessed. You can call the in-flight chef to help choose dishes and drinks from an à la carte menu and boutique wine list.

If you are flying A380, you can opt for the First Class or go for what Etihad calls ‘The Residence’. The First Class has ornamentally designed suites with longer ottomans in each, along with all other features and facilities you receive on the Boeing B787 First Class.

But it is ‘The Residence’ which should be considered the next level of luxury flying. Imagine yourself in an actual three-room hotel suite, up in the air. Meant for two people, it is divided into three sections — living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom. The living room is for seating, enjoying meals, reading, working and entertainment. When you move to the bedroom, you would just want to snuggle into the luxurious bedding provided by Duxiana. And, then there’s the bathroom which has a full-height shower for your proper reinvigoration.

‘The Residence’ on A380 has a 32-inch screen with two video-touch handsets for smooth viewing. The doors are 5.4 feet in height, perfect for the required privacy. Besides inflight chef, a butler is also provided for any of your other needs.

In all the first classes, you are provided with an amenity kit by Italian lifestyle and fashion company Acqua Di Parma, containing a Colonia lip balm, body lotion and cologne. It also contains an Eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. You can request a comb, earplugs or shaving kit separately from the crew.

All Etihad First Class passengers are driven to the airport by the Etihad Chauffeur service, can priority check-in and access the lounge.

Swiss International Air Lines

If you are flying Swiss International Air Lines, the one item sure to be on your menu is chocolate. And here you’d be treated to the taste of the delectable delicacy by Swiss luxury confectionery maker Confiserie Sprüngli, which has a history of around 175 years in this business.

Food is certainly one of the biggest highlights among the facilities provided for First Class flyers on Swiss International Air Lines. There is the famous Swiss Birchermüsli, as well as Balik smoked salmon from Toggenburg, which is prepared by hand adhering to a traditional process. You can also choose your own menu from the assortment of culinary delights provided by the carrier. Under the SWISS Taste of Switzerland concept, menus are created by renowned chefs with regional specialities featuring prominently.

You can eat comfortably on the large veneered oak table which can be set-up in between your seat and the ottoman. Or you might use it to work or read the newspaper.

The cabin and the compartments have an eye-catching minimalist design with subtle colours and tones, which infuses a soothing vibe. As for the seats, the armchairs are built for long haul comfort and can be turned into comfy beds too. The airline provides Zimmerli pyjamas, a cover and a pillow too.

The airline has partnered with Swiss luxury fashion brand Bally for its amenity kit which comprises La Prairie cosmetics and other essentials such as toothpaste, toothbrush and earplugs. Women are also provided with a brush and vanity kit, while men get a comb and shoehorn.

Hero and feature image credits: Etihad Airways and Lufthansa/Facebook

This article first appeared in Lifestyle Asia India 

Related: Airplane Emergency Exit: What Happens When Passengers Open The Door?

TRAVELING THROUGH SOUTHEAST ASIA is an amazing adventure full of color, fascinating culture, and mouthwatering flavor. A holiday in the region is guaranteed to broaden your horizons with new music, art, and cuisines. Quite simply, Southeast Asia is an unforgettable feast for the mind, body, and soul.

Sampling the quintessential dishes of a new location is one of the simplest and most authentic ways to experience a destination, providing a taste of the national palate and local concepts of hospitality and guest care.

IHG Hotels & Resorts is an expert in providing unique dining experiences in far-flung destinations across the globe. Southeast Asia is no different — and with a range of luxury hotels across the region, enhanced by IHG One Rewards membership — the brand has some suggestions guaranteed to leave you drooling with anticipation!

Here are some of the restaurants and bars IHG can recommend from its rich portfolio in Southeast Asia and South Korea.

Singapore

Inspired by the intricate details and colors of the vibrant Katong neighborhood, Baba Chews Bar & Eatery (at the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong) is a beautiful space. And patrons will find time easily slips away as they sip on quality coffee from local roasters in a traditional but super chic environment. 

Open all day, Baba Chews is a wonderful introduction to local architecture and artistic spirit, as well as being an ambassador of Singapore’s thriving coffee scene.

Thailand

Bangkok has a reputation for its exciting nightlife dating back to the mid-20th century. And if you fancy traveling back to a time synonymous with uninhibited fun, then you must check out Bangkok’78 Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection.

Channeling the golden era of Thailand’s capital in the 1970s, Bangkok’78 pays homage to the decade with a menu of local classics, including Pad Thai Goong, Tom Yum Soup, Khao Soi, and the iconic Mango Sticky Rice.

Indonesia

Making a reservation for an evening meal at SugarSand, part of Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach, is always a good idea. 

A mainstay of the thriving Seminyak beach restaurant scene, SugarSand offers a uniquely Balinese experience. Guests can dig into its superb collection of cocktails and local seafood while kicking back in oceanfront surroundings and soaking up the sun.

Vietnam

If you are traveling to Vietnam and are keen to check out the country’s traditional food culture, Citron at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is essential.

Dining here is like participating in a whistle-stop tour of the entire country as it incorporates local recipes from North, Central, and South Vietnam. Dedicated to using the best ingredients available, Citron is particularly proud of its take on the iconic Hanoi-style pho and Vietnam’s famous comfort food, Hoi An chicken rice.

Furthermore, members of IHG’s refreshed loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, can add even more value to their dinner dates by taking advantage of the Dining Privileges program across Southeast Asia and Korea. By doing so, members will receive 20% off their bill at participating IHG restaurants and bars and also earn up to 250 bonus points per USD 25 spent. 

In the new year, the program will provide more savings and rewarding experience, with a lower earning threshold where members will earn up to 100 bonus points for every USD 10 spent. To view the full list of participating restaurants and bars, click here.

The new platform, IHG One Rewards app lets you keep points, rewards, and adventure with you — wherever you go!

As part of their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, IHG Hotels & Resorts has revamped its long-running loyalty program, IHG Rewards Club, in favor of a model based on customer responses. The new platform, IHG One Rewards, lets loyalty members control how and where they spend points and allows them to customize the benefits they receive.

IHG One Rewards is tech-forward, powered by the company’s brand-new mobile app.

Describing the transition to the new system, Claire Bennett, Global Chief Customer Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “This is one of the largest and most comprehensive investments that IHG Hotels & Resorts has made in recent years. It’s also the biggest development we’ve made in the loyalty space since introducing the industry’s first loyalty program. We’re truly transforming guest experiences by giving our members more of what they want — more value and exciting benefits individually delivered via new technology.”

The IHG app is the key that unlocks the power of IHG One Rewards, creating a new, more customer-friendly, and personal UX. The app enables users to check in and interact with their destination hotel before, during, and after their stay, increasing flexibility and allowing them to keep updated on any changes. Members can access the new platform simply by updating the existing version via Apple’s App Store or the Google Play store.

Jolie Fleming, Senior Vice President, Guest Products and Platforms, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: We have designed an entirely new experience for the next generation of our award-winning app, simplifying the user experience and allowing for continuous innovation moving forward.” 

This means that IHG One Rewards delivers more personalized, targeted offers to guests, rolls out new functionality faster, enhances the booking experience, and allows guests to manage their experience at every step of their journey. These impactful changes create better experiences for members.

Customization is Key

So, how does the new setup work for IHG One Rewards participants? Put simply, IHG One Rewards is designed to reward customers with more loyalty points accumulated at a much faster rate coupled with the expanded opportunities to spend them. 

Member benefits include enhanced choices, including free breakfasts for Elite members and access to Reward Night Discount Promotions for Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members. And the extended scope for Elite members means they can enjoy early check-in and late checkout (if available), as well as room upgrades. 

After conducting comprehensive research and consulting thousands of customers, IHG understood that loyalty customers all have different wants and needs. These are reflected in the introduction of Milestone Rewards, which allow members to pick reward options that best fulfill their requirements. 

Milestone Rewards kick in after just 20 nights spent in IHG hotels, with participants in the program receiving a range of gratuities to pick from every tenth night, including $20 F&B Rewards, Annual Lounge Membership, and Confirmable Suite Upgrades.

All member benefits – including the launch of Milestone Rewards – are available now.

To learn more, please visit ihg.com/one.

Article sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts.
All Images Credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Did someone say free nights?! From everyday spending to airline point integration, IHG One Rewards listened to what members wanted.

With the worst of the pandemic slowly disappearing in the rearview mirror, international travel is once again thriving. This is one reason IHG Hotels & Resorts has introduced its innovative new loyalty program, IHG One Rewards.

Taking the opportunity to give back to its customers and help them return to travel swiftly and efficiently, IHG One Rewards puts hotel guests in the driver’s seat regarding perks. The experience is built around IHG One Rewards members’ individual wants and needs, providing increased benefits, additional ways to pick up points, and enhanced options. 

Claire Bennett, Global Chief Customer Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “IHG One Rewards has a fresh look and feel and puts guests in control of their journey. It recognizes that no two members are the same and celebrates it — allowing guests to travel and mark milestones in their own way. Every day, we welcome more guests to our hotels, and while a love of travel is universal, the reasons and ways people travel. With IHG One Rewards, our members can create the rewards that are right for them.” 

Best of all, the whole platform is ultra-easy to access and operate through IHG’s powerful new all-in-one app. The new, modern integration is more personalised, offers streamlined booking, and lets all members control their rewards, check their status, stay informed, check-in quicker, and stay connected to their favourite hotels and destinations.

After reaching out to a cross-section of its customers and taking their comments to heart, the powerful hotel group also surveyed hospitality writers and travel influencers. Compiling the data from these groups and countless global consumer studies, IHG One Rewards now offers the best and most guest-centric benefits in the industry, or as Claire Bennett puts it, “With IHG One Rewards, our members can create the rewards that are right for them.”

Check out some of the best IHG One Rewards benefits:

Did Someone Say Free Rooms?!

IHG One Rewards members will, depending on where they stay, earn ten points for every US dollar spent, and standard award nights start at 10,000 points. This means guests can swiftly build enough points to grab a free stay. In addition, exclusive to guests who book using IHG branded credit cards is the chance to snatch up a fourth awards night absolutely free.

The simplicity of earning rewards assures that guests can add value to their stay with more opportunities for perks like complimentary breakfasts, early check-in, late checkout (if available), and room upgrades, according to the level of membership and personal preferences for sleeping in or fluffy omelets.

Up in the Air

IHG has established links with more than 40 airlines, including American, Qantas and BA. This enables IHG One Rewards members to build up points and convert them into air miles, letting them participate further in these carriers’ frequent flyer programs if that suits them best. 

Online Choices

For guests that don’t want to be pinned-down to when they are traveling, IHG One Rewards enables them to spend what they have accrued on day-to-day expenses. For those in the US using the IHG Chase credit card, that means shopping at places such as Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and on Uber trips — plus a dizzying selection of digital entertainment, including downloading movies, music and video games to keep the synapses sparking.

To learn more, please visit ihg.com/one.

Article sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts.
All Images Credit: Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts.

More than 35,000 hotels worldwide are in the Orbitz LGBTQIA+ Inclusive directory, pledging zero-tolerance for discrimination.

ORBITZ WANTS TO ENSURE everyone feels safe, secure and satisfied on their travels around the globe. And that begins by helping people identify the spaces that are right for them.

In honor of Pride Month, Orbitz unveiled a new LGBTQIA+-welcoming hotel search that highlights the more than 35,000 hotels that signed the company’s Inclusivity Pledge against discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual identity.

“We want travelers to start their trip search feeling welcome wherever they’re headed. It was important for us to spend time recruiting partners to sign on to this project to really signal that they are committed to these same values,” Carey Malloy, brand director at Orbitz, shared in a statement. “Especially because we know that LGBTQIA+ travellers often do this research on their own. We’re hopefully giving all our customers a new starting point and opportunity to support and stay at places that are inclusive.”

According to Orbitz, hotels that sign on to the pledge vow to, at minimum, “enforce a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory behavior.” Of course, some have gone even further to add on training programs for staff on gender identities, and more.

“Most of us plan a trip with the fundamental expectation that we’ll find a place to stay where we can be ourselves, but that’s not a reality for all travellers today,” Malloy adds.

The company even conducted a survey to find out what its LGBTQIA+ customers want and, according to Malloy, found “more than a quarter of respondents said that they feel the need to downplay their LGBTQIA+ identity while travelling. Today, we’re helping them start their trip search with a place where they’ll feel welcomed.”

To help people get out and explore more, the company teamed up with “Mean Girls” star Jonathan Bennett to get the community excited about LGBTQIA+-inclusive travel.

“Being the owner of an LGBTQIA+ travel business myself, (OUTbound Travel) I know how important it is for our community to not simply feel supported but celebrated when it comes to travel. It’s time to make inclusion the norm. Let’s keep shining the spotlight on those who are doing good and resources like Orbitz’s new LGBTQIA+-welcoming hotel search that put safety and acceptance for all travellers at the forefront.”

And with Pride events taking place around the world, there’s never been a better time to start planning a trip.

“Coming out of the pandemic and I think we’re all looking for ways to invest in the communities and people and places we care about more than ever. Whether it’s staying a property that shares your values or lifting up LGBTQIA+-owned businesses, that’s what’s important right now,” Malloy says. “If we can give you an extra incentive to support what you already care about, that’s money well spent. And that’s how we want to reward travelers.”

Ready to book? Check out all the hotels celebrating diversity and inclusion here.

Images courtesy of Orbitz.