As a global capital of fashion and history, Milan has a lot to offer its tourists. I visited for the first time in the middle of August and instantly fell in love with the city. From its diverse architecture to its historical landmarks, Italy’s second largest city should be one on your European bucket list. Many of the attractions on this list are within walking distance of each other and public transport, such as buses, taxis, and a metro line, are easily accessible within the city. 

Within the heart of Milan is a luxurious hotel property outfitted with gorgeous rooms, fine dining establishments, and spacious facilities. It captures the modern luxury of the city blending comfort with the signature pleasing aesthetics present in Mandarin Oriental hotels. If you’re planning a hotel stay in the Fashion Capital, then the Mandarin Oriental Milan should be one on your list.

Known for its rich culture in fashion, history, and cuisine, Milan is a popular destination in Northern Italy. Among the airlines flying from the New York City area to Milan, you have Delta Air Lines, American, and Emirates from JFK. Meanwhile, United and La Compagnie fly nonstop from Newark to Malpensa International Airport (MXP). A trip in mid-August from Newark to Milan gave me the perfect opportunity to experience United’s Polaris Business Class on the 777-200.

Despite having been around since 2018, United’s Polaris Lounge in Newark (EWR) still holds its luxurious charm. There aren’t many lounges in the U.S. that capture the same exclusivity and tranquility as the Polaris Lounge. With several amenities and seating options that cater towards all travelers, the Newark outpost is one of United’s best lounges. 

Qatar Airways is consistently ranked as having the world’s best Business Class experience. Of course, this is all thanks to their industry-leading Qsuites. Additionally, the airline is known for having the world’s best Business Class Lounges at its hub in Doha. Qatar has two Al Mourjan Business Lounges, which may be convenient depending on where your flight is departing from. A recent Business Class flight itinerary from New York to Ahmedabad via Doha gave me the perfect opportunity to visit the Al Mourjan Lounge North (by the Orchid Garden) for the first time.

On my way home from a fantastic vacation in South Africa, I was booked into United Polaris Business Class on a flight departing Johannesburg. My Star Alliance Business Class ticket granted me access to the Business section of the South African Airways International Premium Lounge, where I spent nearly three hours before my flight to Newark. 

Not too long ago, an all-new airport lounge for Delta Air Lines opened in Atlanta. The airport received its newest Delta Sky Club Lounge in almost a decade. As Delta’s headquartered city and largest hub, the new Sky Club will allow a greater capacity, making this Delta’s largest lounge in ATL. Additionally, this is the first-ever Delta lounge in Atlanta with the airline’s new club design concepts. 

Business Class lounges make for a great space to relax before flying. Usually, you can expect to find elevated food offerings and comfortable seating. However, some airlines hype up their lounges and offer amenities such as showers, a full service bar, and a relaxation area. A perfect example of a Business Class lounge that’s fun and cool is the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London’s Heathrow Airport. 

Are you looking for one of the best safari experiences in South Africa?

Look no further than the Londolozi Game Reserve in Sabi Sands of Kruger National Park. With several amenities in a peaceful environment surrounded by endless nature and excellent safaris, this is the lodge to stay at during your safari trip. Every room is a spacious suite with thoughtful touches that enhance the guest experience. 

As one of South Africa’s largest cities, Cape Town has quite a few luxury hotels. Among that list is the One & Only Cape Town, where I had the chance to stay a few nights during my 10-day vacation. From the friendly staff to the great rooms and delicious food, this hotel does a great job capturing South African luxury and hospitality. 

With rolling vineyards and peaceful landscapes, Stanley Ranch by Auberge Resorts is certainly a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of nearby San Francisco. On-site wellness amenities, fresh farm-to-table dining, and luxurious rooms with outdoor showers all make this a wonderful property in the Auberge Resorts collection. 

Delta Air Lines has an extensive airport lounge network with numerous Sky Clubs across the United States. The Sky Clubs can become very crowded spaces, especially at major Delta hubs. Notable among one of the most crowded Delta Sky Clubs in the portfolio is at New York’s JFK. The airport features one of Delta’s flagship and largest clubs, which can be found in the carrier’s hub at the B Gates.

Flying Emirates First Class is a luxurious once-in-a-lifetime experience that normally costs thousands of dollars. In the aviation industry, there are very few things that truly amaze me in the same way Emirates A380 First Class does. Spacious suites with enhanced privacy, an onboard bar and lounge, and inflight showers all make this an incredible flight experience. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to experience such an amazing flight on one of my favorite airlines.  

As one of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways is known for their luxurious Qsuite Business Class product. However, the carrier offers a whole range of Business Class seat types across their entire fleet. While it’s not as private and sleek as Qsuite, Qatar Airways offers a solid and comfortable Business Class product on their 787-8 Dreamliner. This reverse herringbone seat is also found on their Airbus A380s and some A350-900s, making it a pretty common seat type in the Qatari fleet. I had the chance to test out the Dreamliner Business Class seat on a recent flight from DOH to AMD, which also marked my first time aboard the -8 variant of the 787. 

Not too long ago, Delta Air Lines invested heavily into the airport lounge experience, with the introduction of its first-ever Delta One Lounge at JFK. The lounge is incredibly stunning from inside and has several luxurious amenities that make it very comparable to several international Business Class lounges. Without a doubt, this is the best lounge in New York’s JFK, if not in the entire country. Every small little detail has been carefully thought of, ranging from the wellness amenities to the food and drink. 

Citi and American Airlines have grown their partnership, which allows AA to be one of the card issuer’s transfer partners. This new arrangement allows travelers to transfer points and book award flights operated by American. In addition to the new transfer, Citi has created a new way to access Admirals Club Lounges. The Citi-American agreement should attract more flyers who value award travel using ThankYou points and casual American Airlines flyers that might be happy with lounge access.

In the coming months, American Airlines will not only begin flying Premium Economy on its transcontinental routes; they will be deploying widebody aircraft between New York and LAX for the first time in years.

Flying between London and New York is a very competitive route. And while British Airways offers the most daily flights between the two cities, Virgin Atlantic wants its travelers to know that they’re the best option. Both airlines offer a premium Business Class product across the pond, and I had the chance to try both Club World and Upper Class in the latter quarter of 2024. Continue reading to find out which airline came out on top!

A recent flight from San Francisco to New York in American Airlines Flagship Business Class was the perfect opportunity for me to visit the Admirals Club in SFO. It’s a slightly smaller Admirals Club Lounge, but still offers several amenities and feels cozy compared to the United Club in Terminal 3. If you have access to the club and are passing through Harvey Milk Terminal 1, where the lounge is located, then it might be worth stopping by to relax.

As the newest Club Lounge on the U.S. west coast, The Club SFO spans 12,000 square feet and offers its guests a comfortable experience. It features several amenities, a better food spread than most other domestic airport lounges in San Francisco, and an inspiring ambiance. With great seating and a gorgeous design, SFO’s The Club is a lounge in the Priority Pass network that you won’t want to miss out on.