Рубрика: General

These represent some of the last whisky to be distilled at the Karuizawa distillery before it closed. These represent some of the last whisky to be distilled at the Karuizawa distillery before it closed.

The all-electric VLE is a rolling first-class cabin with a 31-inch cinema screen, massage seats, and a turning circle smaller than a CLA. The all-electric VLE is a rolling first-class cabin with a 31-inch cinema screen, massage seats, and a turning circle smaller than a CLA.

British chef Elliott Grover is cooking for the stars for the fourth year running. 

The Oscars 2026 ceremony will be held on March 15, at the Dolby Theater. It’s not until the Best Picture title has been named (will it be One Battle After Another or Sinners that clinches the top award) that guests descend the stairs to the Grosvenor Ball for their meal. “You can hear them coming and you know it’s go-time,” Grover says.

This is the fourth year running that the head chef at London’s carnivorous Cut at 45 Park Lane (sister to The Dorchester hotel just over the road) has been entrusted with cooking for Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show. Still though, he works under the lead of Austrian-American chef to the stars, Wolfgang Puck, who has led the menu for the Grosvenor Ball (otherwise known as the official Oscars afterparty) since 1994. “He is very fun,” says Grover, “but he’s crazy, so I go in with the mental preparation of knowing something will change.”

I spoke to Grover almost three years ago to the day ahead of his first Oscars, and back then, bold tenacity was the main thing that got him the job. “I asked if I could go along and Wolfgang said ‘Yes, why not?’” he said in 2023. Fast forward to 2026, and it’s a given that the London-born chef is on the line up. “I just keep going along,” he shrugs.

See also: The Best Private Dining Rooms in London

The years have instilled a sense of calm. “I was so nervous back then. I was in the kitchen days ahead of time trying to prepare. It’s no stress for me whatsoever anymore.” Instead of a prepped, organized approach, Grover is heading to the kitchen for the first time just two days before the ceremony, without a plan. “I’ll find everything out tomorrow morning,” he says. “I’m gonna enjoy it and that’s it – there’s no point worrying about it.”

While the final menu might be up in the air until the last minute, what Grover does know is that fish and chips will once again be on it, as it has been every year. “We get slammed on the fish and chips – and thankfully it’s the easiest thing to make,” he says. 

More a canape-style snack than the greasy, newspaper-wrapped seaside staple of Britain, Grover’s Oscar’s fish and chips is a mere handful of chips, with a delicate goujon of fish and a dollop of tartare sauce. “In an ideal world, we’d use haddock, skin-on, but for a couple of years, we’ve used seabass, skin-on,” Grover says. “It all depends on what’s best in LA at the time.”

See also: Are Gordon Ramsay’s Sky-High London Restaurants Worth the Hype?

He’s also prepared to speculate that a beef dish will make the final cut. While Grover’s inaugural year intentionally skipped red meat (“they know their steak over there … I want to put British food on the map,” he stated at the time), in 2024, he served a delicate slice of Wagyu in a classic Yorkshire pudding, and in 2025, the team took on the notoriously tricky beef Wellington. “It was our biggest challenge so far – I was worried I’d miscalculated the timing,” he says. 

Grover is betting on a Wellington – “it’s the most impressive,” he says. Fortunately, Cut’s head chef Ibrahim Arif is out in LA to help: “he’s very good at wrapping Wellingtons.”

Surprisingly, given the calibre of guests, off-menu requests are rare. “The most common thing we’re asked for is just chips,” Grover says. “That’s easy.” While in previous years Grover has run his Oscars menu for a limited time at Cut restaurant, this year the only people who get to taste it are those invited to the 98th Academy Awards.

The Oscar’s menu 2026 in numbers

• Number of guests served: approx. 1,200
• Number of chefs in the kitchen: 200
• Number of Yorkshire puddings made in 2024: 1,000
• Approximate time spent preparing: 4 days 
• Hours in the kitchen on the day: 16
• Estimated number of kitchen meltdowns: a few!

The chef is expecting to churn through about 200 pounds of dry-aged ribeye and 30 pounds of Kaluga caviar at Sunday’s Governors Ball. The chef is expecting to churn through about 200 pounds of dry-aged ribeye and 30 pounds of Kaluga caviar at Sunday’s Governors Ball.

A fleet of eVTOLs could take off as early as June, the US Department of Transportation announced. 

As early as June, a new generation of aircraft will begin appearing in American airspace as part of a major federal pilot program, according to the US Department of Transportation. The initiative will allow companies developing electric air taxis to begin real-world testing across multiple states, marking one of the most significant steps yet toward a new era of urban air mobility.

While commercial services are still a few years away, the coming trials will see these aircraft move beyond demonstration flights and into operational environments. Regulators, engineers, and transport planners will begin testing how they could safely integrate into busy skies. In other words, the flying car is no longer a futuristic fantasy.

Despite the exciting nickname, the aircraft expected to appear in US skies this year are not cars with folding wings. Instead, they belong to a category known as electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles, or eVTOLs.

See also: How Much Does NetJets Cost?

Powered by electric batteries, these aircraft are designed to lift vertically like helicopters before transitioning into forward flight more like an airplane. Most are built to carry between two and six passengers, including a pilot, and are intended for short regional or urban journeys.

Several companies are racing to bring the first commercially viable models to market. Among the most advanced are Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, and Wisk Aero, all of which are developing aircraft designed to function as short-distance air taxis.

Archer’s aircraft, known as Midnight, is designed to carry four passengers and a pilot on short flights between cities or airports, while Joby Aviation is developing a five-seat aircraft capable of travelling roughly 100 miles at speeds approaching 200mph.

At the consumer end of the market, companies are also experimenting with personal flying vehicles. One of the most widely discussed is the Alef Model A, which has reportedly attracted thousands of early reservations despite an estimated price of around $300,000. Meanwhile, the Slovakian-developed Klein Vision AirCar, which recently completed a successful intercity test flight, is expected to cost more than $800,000 once commercial production begins. However, widespread ownership remains a distant prospect.

“I expect a tiered rollout, more like what happened with Tesla,” Anton Geier, CEO of BCS Bus tells Elite Traveler. For now, Geier suggests flying vehicles are likely to remain the preserve of wealthy early adopters and luxury travel operators.

There are also practical barriers. In most cases, operators would still require specialized pilot certification, meaning an ordinary driving license would not be sufficient to operate the aircraft. Even so, the industry is moving quickly. US regulators have recently introduced new rules for powered-lift aircraft, creating a regulatory framework that could eventually allow air taxi services to operate commercially.

Despite the excitement surrounding flying cars, most people will not be purchasing one anytime soon: the first generation of aircraft is expected to operate more like ride-hailing services in the sky. Passengers would book a seat via an app and travel between designated landing hubs, or vertiports, located on rooftops, airports or specially designed transport hubs.

“The FAA recently finalized powered-lift category rules, which sets the industry on a path toward air taxi services,” says Geier. “A few years from now, you might not need to own one. If you want the experience, it could simply be something you book through an app.”

See also: The Best First Class Airlines in the World

Companies such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are already exploring this model, with the aim of gradually reducing the cost of aerial travel over time. “They’re working toward bringing the cost per seat-mile down to something closer to premium rideshare,” Geier says.

In the longer term, the biggest transformation may come from how cities themselves adapt to aerial mobility. “A decade or two from now, the biggest change will be infrastructure,” Geier explains. “You may see vertiports built into existing train stations, office rooftops, and even parking garages.”

If that vision materializes, flying vehicles could significantly alter how people move around cities – and even where they choose to live. For luxury travelers, the appeal is perhaps even clearer. “Imagine travelling from a high-rise balcony directly to a remote island without dealing with a congested city street,” Geier adds. “The elimination of dead time in transit is a powerful selling point.”

While widespread adoption is still some distance away, it could only be a matter of months before hail-a-flying-car becomes a mainstream option for travel.

Octola II is hidden in the wilderness – Elite Traveler checked in for review. 

Robb Report was the first media outlet to pilot this six-figure Wood & Pickett Mini by Callum. Robb Report was the first media outlet to pilot this six-figure Wood & Pickett Mini by Callum.

His co-star is a sleek titanium Connected Calibre E5 with a vivid red rubber strap. His co-star is a sleek titanium Connected Calibre E5 with a vivid red rubber strap.

These commercial airlines bring the utmost comfort and relaxation to domestic and international travel. 

The world of private jets will always remain, well, private. But with the influx of newcomer airlines, fractional programs, and jet cards available, business aviation is quickly becoming more accessible than ever. As a result, the commercial sector is responding by investing huge sums in their business and first-class offerings – with some rivaling the private sector in their excellence and exclusivity.

In 2026, the criteria have evolved. It’s no longer just about which airline offers the biggest seat or most luxurious amenities – it’s about consistency across every stage of the journey: from personalized ground services and curated menus to cabin innovation and in-flight entertainment. Independent airline rankings and passenger surveys now reflect these multi-layered experiences, pitting storied superjumbos against emerging long-haul contenders.

See also: Fine Dining at 35,000 ft: The Best First‑Class Airline Menus in the World

While Singapore Airlines continues to be celebrated for its airline-award-winning suites with private doors and hotel-like luxuries, Qatar Airways has reasserted itself on the global stage – securing the title of World’s Best Airline for 2025 from Skytrax, with standout scores in first-class experience, cabin crew service, in-flight entertainment, and airport lounges.

From ultra-private suites and exclusive lounges to unparalleled service innovations, this year’s roster of best first-class airlines represents the pinnacle of global aviation luxury. But with so much choice, separating the best first-class airlines from the ordinary can be tricky. To help, we’ve rounded up our favorites.

Best first class airlines

Qatar Airway’s renowned first class offering is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. Found only on the double-decker A380 and the smaller 777, the airline’s most premium service is designed to be adaptable to fit individual flyers’ needs, with the option to transform the spacious seats into either a workspace, complete with WiFi and power point, or a relaxation zone with a fully lie-flat bed.

Amenities are plentiful, with everything from a comprehensive entertainment system to signature welcome kits complete with products from the likes of Diptyque and The White Company. The onboard food offering is top of the range too, with a signature caviar service, an on-demand à la carte menu and extensive wine spirits selection.

qatarairways.com

Lufthansa

Lufthansa recently announced a complete overhaul of its first class service, which is set to debut in 2024. This will include an incredible Suite Plus room, complete with a double bed and fully closable door. While individual suites are nothing new at this level, Lufthansa’s global reach means first class customers will have more choice when flying ultra-long-haul. Touted as a ‘private room above the clouds,’ the Suite Plus offers ceiling-high walls and an entertainment system that can be integrated with your smartphone.

Dining service will also be elevated, with guests able to choose when their gourmet meal is served. The suite comes complete with a large dining table, so this too can be taken in privacy. The seating, temperature, lighting and entertainment systems can be controlled with a dedicated tablet, giving passengers autonomy over their environment from start to finish.

This overhaul comes as part of the $2.6bn Allegris program, which will see improvements to every passenger class across its fleet.

lufthansa.com

American Airlines

Flying to over 70 different countries worldwide, as well as a variety of domestic destinations, American Airlines is always in the running when booking travel for your next trip. Luckily, its first class provisions are top-notch in the Flagship First cabin. Available on all Boeing 777-300 aircraft, the Flagship Suite Seat is fully reclinable and has guaranteed aisle access, with amenities and services engineered to fulfil every comfort.

American Airlines has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to ensure that the in-flight menu has been designed and approved by a team of professional chefs, with example dining options including Artichoke ravioli and dark chocolate budino. An excellent ground experience will also maximize ease of travel and movement, even during long-haul international flights. The Flagship First check-in and lounge (available in certain cities) provides fine dining, personalized service, a premium cocktail bar and wine table, as well as the opportunity for guests to have a shower and refresh before the next part of their journey.

americanairlines.com

See also: How Much Does NetJets Cost?

Delta Airlines

Like American Airlines, Delta Airlines is a legacy carrier. As one of the more established commercial airlines, it is therefore typical and expected that it delivers a higher quality service than other companies, and the Delta One provision does not disappoint. Although the 180° flat-bed seats are found on all its normal models in first-class, the A350 and A339 flights now include the Delta One Suite, with full-height doors and dividers to allow for total privacy even in the company of fellow fliers.

The Delta Sky Club gives guests airport lounge access and Sky Priority accelerated check-in. It is notable that Delta has its own master sommelier, Andrea Robinson, who is in charge of curating the wine and spirits selection at the lounge bar (as well as the in-flight options). Regional wines are also promoted alongside the seasonal, local ingredients presented by the dining options. In this way, Delta One allows you to connect with a country’s cuisine and style before your feet even touch the ground.

delta.com

British Airways

This esteemed carrier connects UK and US soil. If you’d like to enjoy a British afternoon tea before your arrival in London, the British Airways First Class dining and amenities options leave nothing to be desired on the 787-9 Dreamliner. With only eight seats compared to the usual 14, guests have plenty of space to stretch their legs and relax during the flight, or watch the latest movies and TV programs on the wide personal screen.

Even the ‘his & hers’ amenity bags are designed to reflect British tastes, provided by luxury skincare brand Elemis. Its a la carte ‘dine anytime’ menu includes canapes and signature dishes, such as pan-fried stone bass and aged Herefordshire beef, served with contemporary crockery and heritage crystal glassware. Exclusive lounges are dotted across several key destinations, most famously the Concorde Rooms found at London Heathrow and New York JFK. Tastefully decorated and thoughtfully assembled, this lounge offers private cabanas and a contemporary business suite, enabling your travel between these two metropolitan hubs to be as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

britishairways.com

Hawaiian Air

The team at Hawaiian Airlines describes their first-class cabins as the first taste of island life. Looking at the services on offer and the nature of the airplane’s hardware, that certainly seems to be the case. The airline’s ongoing Featured Chef Series sees renowned and upcoming culinary talent prepare menus that showcase Hawaii’s vibrant food culture. On North American to Haiwaii routes, executive chef Dell Valdez features dishes such as chicken shisomboca with soy yuzu capers and fried rice, and portabello mushroom napoleon with tomato. Hawaii-made spirits and wines are selected by master sommelier Chuck Furuya.

There is also a clear emphasis on service motivated by warmth and hospitality. From the moment you leave the first class Plumeria Lounge on the ground and step onto the plane, guests will understand the Hawaiian hospitality concept of Aloha. Another nice touch is the real-life recordings of the island’s native bird songs and nature sounds that are provided as a sleep aid. It’s the little details that truly elevate this first class experience.

hawaiianairlines.com

Emirates

For an airline whose economy class already feels premium, it should come as no surprise that the UAE flagship airline won the World’s Best First Class 2020 Traveller’s Choice award. Once the door slides closed, the A380 Airbus’s reclining seat becomes your own private suite, complete with ambient lighting and a cinematic personal screen. The only downside of the on-board shower spa and cocktail lounge is that once the plane touches down, you won’t want to leave.

Say goodbye to strict dining schedules, as its a la carte dining system can be ordered at any point during the journey (provided that there is no turbulence, of course) and an extensive selection of wines and spirits are available to sample throughout the flight. Notable examples include a Chivas Regal 18-year-old Scotch whisky and Dom Pérignon 2008 champagne.

emirates.com

Etihad

A smaller carrier than Emirates, Etihad has gone with a boutique approach to commercial flying. This has allowed it to get creative with its cabin design, and its A380 Airbus is complete with two ‘Apartments’ and ‘The Residence’, a mini-apartment in the sky with three separate living areas.

With a double bed and a separate sitting area, as well as a private bathroom, guests staying in The Residence will have a private butler service, bespoke menus arranged before the flight, and exclusive rooms within the airport lounge. The Etihad First Lounge is equipped with a fitness room, feature bar, clothes pressing service and shower facilities, a VIP room, and a dedicated host service for refreshments.

etihad.com

See more: Airbus ACJ320neo: Inside the $110m ‘Suite in the Sky’

United Airlines

Another famous international carrier, the United Airlines first class experience allows guests to travel comfortably to domestic destinations and beyond. Its premium seating features stylish two-tone leather seats and granite cocktail tables, but comfort is not forgotten, and all seats come equipped with six-way adjustable and padded articulating cushions.

Through partnering with The Trotter Project, United’s executive chefs Gerry McLoughlin and Gerry Gulli have designed a fine dining menu that can be stunningly executed even at maximum altitude. The master sommelier, Doug Frost, works with the dining team to find the perfect wine pairings for the on-board cuisine.

united.com

Singapore Airlines

When it comes to first-class travel, Singapore Airlines is undoubtedly the star of the show. Like Etihad, the international airline is also embracing the opportunity for guests to travel privately. They even have an option for a divider between the rooms to be lowered, creating a double suite for those traveling in pairs. Exclusively available on the Airbus A380–800 aircraft, the Singapore Airline Suites creates such a cosy and personal experience that one may well feel as though they are traveling on their own private jet.

Designed by French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, the suites are kitted out with full-swivel chairs and a separate bed, finished in cream and brown and accented with ultra-leather padded compartments to recreate the feeling of a luxury hotel.

Of course, anyone who has flown with Singapore Airlines before will know that this comfort and luxury extends to the service and amenities. Its ‘Book the Cook’ service allows guests to reserve meals 24 hours before you fly, and there will be a choice of fine dining creations hand-selected by international culinary panels, all served on Wedgwood bone china tableware.

singaporeair.com

See more: The 10 Best Hotel Suites in Singapore

Cathay Pacific

Last but by no means least on our list of the best first class airlines in the world is Cathay Pacific. The flag carrier of Hong Kong flies to over 60 countries and 200 destinations across the planet. As the airline’s main travel hub, Hong Kong International Airport boasts the most impressive of the stunning first class lounges, The Wing. Here, you can relax in a private cabana complete with a day bed, rain shower and bath before stopping for a bite to eat at the gourmet restaurant.

When you fly first class with Cathay Pacific you won’t have to lift a finger from the moment you step foot on the plane. The airline has thought of everything to ensure you have a comfortable flight from the selection of ethical organic toiletries to the BOSE noise-canceling headsets.

Passengers are treated to their very own ultra-exclusive private suite featuring a seat that transforms into a spacious fully flat bed topped with a comfy mattress, selection of soft pillows and 600-thread count bed linen.

As for dining, expect an array of culinary delights throughout the flight. The varied menu champions sustainable producers while elevating traditional Hong Kong flavors to dizzying new heights. Highlights include the Braised abalone with flower shiitake and choy sum-layered bean curd, and the indulgent Grilled beef tenderloin with a thyme jus, buttery French beans with sesame seeds and sweet potato puree. Of course, there’s also an extensive selection of top vintage champagnes to choose from, all served with pillowy blinis topped with caviar, chives and crème fraiche.

See also: The Difference Between First Class and Business Class

British atelier Connolly has teamed up with Spanish shoe designer Álvaro González to create an instant classic. 

Connolly represents the zenith of quality in two very different industries. In business for nearly 150 years, the British brand rose to prominence as the foremost supplier of fine leather to the automotive industry (it was the go-to for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for 100 years), and to this day remains the preference for marques including Ferrari and Jaguar. But in recent decades, Connolly has quietly established itself as one of Britain’s leading luxury clothing brands.

The two sides of the business have rarely overlapped, aside from a few understated design nods to its automotive heritage on leather goods. Its new driving loafer, however, says it out loud.

“We wanted the little details that no one had ever done,” says Álvaro González, an old friend of Connolly owner Isabel Ettedgui and a notable shoe designer, with credits at Loro Piana, Valentino, and Jimmy Choo. Discussions between the pair, González remembers, began two years ago at his archive in Florence, where he presented an edit of random (but pertinent) shoes to Ettedgui to spark inspiration. “Indian moccasins, trainers, Japanese shoes…” he says. “There were something like 20 very different pieces to start the conversation.”

See also: Why 2026 Is Already the Year of the Tie

The traditional driving-loafer category is largely owned by one design in particular: Tod’s Gommino. The word means ‘pebble’ in Italian and refers to the little dots of rubber that serve as the slip-on’s sole. It’s been the cornerstone of the Tod’s business for half a century. But it wasn’t the first. That was by another Italian brand, Car Shoe — later purchased by Prada — and very neatly, Ettedgui stocked it at Connolly when she first opened the store three decades ago. She has, she says, had “a bee in my bonnet ever since to create a driving shoe that is really actually comfy to wear when driving.”

So González wanted to rework the design, preferring a solid but ultra-thin sole for wear both inside and out of the vehicle, like those you might find on professional racing footwear. “We use a glove construction that is stitched and turned,” he says. “The rubber sole is only stitched on the toe and on the heel, so that gives you that flexibility.”

The toe of the Connolly iteration is almond-shaped, which González says is more ergonomic than the usual rounded driving loafer. “When we started looking at the toe, I was wearing Gucci loafers from 1999, without the horse bit. But it was square, and too ‘fashion.’ Instead, we wanted a silhouette that you can wear for the next 20 years.”

Cut from the finest Italian suede and nubuck, with the men’s and women’s versions built on the same last, the shoe’s automotive detailing whispers rather than shouts. The cross-stitching on the vamp is lifted from classic steering-wheel design, and each sole is colored in British Racing Green. But that’s it: no flashy logos, no go-faster stripes.

“I wanted Connolly to have a shoe that looked like it had been in the brand for the past 50 years,” says González. “Not something created now, but something timeless that you might find in your parents’ wardrobe.”

connollyengland.com