Even with the recalls and manufacturing glitches associated with new planes, there’s nothing more thrilling than a long-haul flight on an all-new aircraft. But unless you know what airlines and which routes to book right now, it maybe years before you ever actually get to fly on any of them.
While no carrier has yet to debut anything as fabulous as the First Class Shower Spa on Emirates, British Airways is debuting its own A380 configuration from Heathrow to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Johannesburg that feels remarkably similar to its 747-service albeit with larger lavatories and much-quieter takeoffs. Air France’s A380 from Paris to New York, LA, Jo-burg and now Shanghai is a bit fancier with private bar of free-flowing Taittinger Comtes de Champagne. Thai Airlines features a small lounge in their A380 premium service between Bangkok and Frankfurt, Paris and Hong Kong. But our favorite A380 experience is still the Marc Newson-designed First Class on Qantas between Sydney and Dubai, London or LA with that incredible Neil Perry cuisine.
Lufthansa adds in Porsche Design on its new A380s and even longer 747-8 that’s relocated First Class to the quieter, lower-level nose of the aircraft. American is touting its new fleet of bigger 77W’s between LA or NY and London with sleek galley bar for premium classes. United is rolling out its 787-Dreamliners on routes like SF to Chendu (China’s fourth largest city) or LA to Tokyo while Norwegian will inaugurate a budget service between LA and SF to Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen made possible by the 787’s incredible fuel efficiency.
