Mile High Bars

Libations reach new heights with six airlines that carry luxury service above and beyond

- Neha Gupta Kapoor

Real estate in an aircraft is highly precious. Installing anything other than the basics – seats, galleys, and lavatories – is a costly luxury. Perhaps this is why airlines have been taking their time to introduce mile high bars or lounges, in any real sense. Air France and Japan Airlines once boasted of “onboard bars,” but these were nothing to write home about, especially compared to the existing six bars that fly today.

These outposts of cheer are manned by the crew at all times, are exclusive to passengers flying business class and above, and make for interesting spaces to network or work in solitude. Comparing layout, beverage choices, service, seating and roominess, each has its own appeal.

EMIRATES

Swanky is the first word that comes to mind when we talk about Emirates’ bar aboard its A380. Located at the back of the upper deck, it is accessible to business and first class passengers.

The horseshoe-shaped bar’s underlit counter is crowded with nuts, cheese and breadsticks, cut fruit and small bites. The opposite is another buffet with more finger food. Hot snacks can be ordered from an a la carte menu. Bottles packed on two shelves are an indication of the choices here. A 55-inch flat screen displays live updates of the flight.

With interiors in cream and gold hues trimmed in glossy dark wood trim, the lounge bar feels more or less like a living room. Fresh flowers are placed in a wall-mounted vase, and tall floor lamps are positioned beside both window seating options. It is brightly lit, even when the window shades are pulled down at sunset. A crew member is always available even in the middle of the night, should we fancy a cocktail or need a nightcap. Space is large enough to accommodate 26 passengers at a time, with padded bench seating options for eight.