Wider seats, better food, and chichi toiletries. But increasingly, the real pampering starts before you get on the plane. Business 2.0 magazine has the details on some of the world’s most lavish layovers.
One such hotspot is the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow. Offering a nice break from the usual sofas and oyster bars, the Heathrow Clubhouse has been designed to give the feel of a private members club. A long cocktail bar, backed with rose tinted glass, opens into the lounge area where streams flow soothingly down a Japanese water wall into the pool. A gallery overlooking the airport offers views of planes tooing and froing.
For sheer luxury you can visit the in-house Spa for a cleansing facial or a relaxing massage. There’s even a hair dresser if you need to neaten up your locks before boarding. You’re not cut off from the outside world either as the whole lounge has wireless internet and laptop points. A breath of fresh air compared to your usual departure lounge, the Clubhouse might persuade you that airports aren’t so ghastly after all. It’ll certainly make you feel smugly superior to everyone else at Heathrow.
These places are great if you have a nice rewards cards and charge alot, but otherwise I rather fly coach to save a bit of money.
Just be sure you don’t have so much fun that u miss your flight!
SWANKY!
man… i never fly… i am scared to do it.
Club Privacy is the best pre-boarding (airline) policy (plan).
I fly business class because its better for my back, particularly long-haul if you get an airline like BA that has seat beds.
If you want a decent pre-boarding venue there is a service called Priority Pass that gives you access to decent private lounges around the world without having to juggle lots of loyalty cards and flying to the moon and back every month.
http://www.prioritypass.com/
if this is the business class of the future…. would they upgrade the economy class a bit to allow us commoners a bit of awe and wow?
In the past month I’ve flown to London Gatwick airport 4 times and must say its worth paying more to get a decent seat… and layover. That places looks like a nice stopover… in comparison to the overcrowded areas. At least there’s no smoking now in London in public areas…
My suggestion for flights (if you are on a budget), is to fly on a cheap charter and go first class. I tried the cheap way twice and both landings were sketchy to say the least, not to mention the lack of service. How is it that water has become optional as a service??
Although the lounge looks nice and business class flying is more comfortable, is it really worth it to pay so much more. I’d sooner buy cheap tickets, tolerate the discomfort of coach and so be able to make more trips.