1st class world
By Frank Vanderlugt

Who wouldn't want to trade crowds and long lines for spas, personal attendants, 1st class world dining, and a little privacy? Most people can only dream of living in the 1st class world full-time, so they look to travel as the one time in their lives when they can "upgrade" and treat themselves to a little 1st class world living.

While most American airlines have phased out much of their 1st class world airfare in favor of expanding the business class, many airlines in other parts of the world have truly turned their 1st class sections into the 1st class world in the sky.

Emirates is one that caters to the 1st class world: each 1st class seat is in its own separate compartment, fixed with a private flat-screen TV and a luxurious chair that can be converted to a bed. Cathay Pacific Airlines offers real hotel-like suites, complete with private dining tables and a large kitchen (for which all of the cooking is provided, of course).

Other airlines offer Jacuzzis and libraries. Some 1st class world airlines will turn your seat into a massaging bed for you while you change into designer pajamas in a large private bathroom. Talking about living in the 1st class world seven miles high!

The price for a one-way passage through the 1st class world in the sky? Somewhere between $6900-7400. Despite the steep price tag, 1st class world-style airfare is popular in Europe and Asia.

Of course, if you are used to a 1st class world life, you probably wouldn't be able to give up amenities like 1st class airfare--or the 1st class world lounges at airports. One of the perks of living in the 1st class world is that you can avoid long lines in terminals and have access into 1st class world-style lounges while you wait to board your flight.

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow Airport, for example, offers its 1st class world clients spa treatments, fine dining, billiards, retro video games, a large screen TV, and a library for the hour or so they wait until they continue their 1st class world treatment in the sky.

But what's traveling without staying in a 1st class world hotel? You might want to try the 1st



class world in the Seychelles and have an exclusive villa on a private island for about $3200 per night. However, there's another resort in the Seychelles that will charge you a mere $2500 a night.

But since you're truly living in the 1st class world, you might want to rent a room at The Mansion at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for $5000 per night and have your own private pool and spa as well as two chefs on call just for you. Of course, you might want to rent out an entire villa there instead, which will cost you $15,000 a night.

Living a life in the 1st class world is most anyone's dream, but even "treating" yourself to one or two short visits to the 1st class world lifestyle can put you heavily in debt. Unless you're already a member of the 1st class world, this stuff isn't really for you. You would do better to put that money in investments so that you can actually strive for a 1st class world life.