Cathay Pacific's First Class Service to Asia

On Thursday we lift off for Bali via Hong Kong on one of Cathay Pacific's 777-300 ERs with three-class service. The aircraft seats 301 travelers with six in first class, 57 in business, and 238 in economy.

We decided to burn some of our frequent flyer miles and booked two first class seats. Here are some photos—courtesy of Cathay Pacific—of this cabin. The lie-flat bed will make it so much easier to get some rest and acclimate to the time change.

Cathay Pacific 777-300 ER first class cabin

Cathay Pacific 777-300 ER first class cabin

Roomy seating

Personal closet for carry-on luggage

Dining table

Lie-flat bed

If you've got any tips for making the 15-hour trip from the East Coast to Hong Kong a bit easier, please write a comment!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Cathay Pacific

Snag a Seat on a Private Jet for the Cost of Commercial Business Class

Maybe you've looked into fractional jet ownership before and couldn't quite justify the expense. Now a new company called WannaJet wants a crack at your business. The idea they're floating is this: share a private jet flight for the price of a business class ticket on a commercial flight.

First, decide where you wish to fly within the United States or Europe. Then go to WannaJet's website and either post your travel plans or join an existing group that's going your way on the appropriate date. At least four travelers must request the same route.

Once a full complement of travelers is formed, the itinerary is confirmed and WannaJet contacts its partners that operate private jets and charters one that is appropriate for your travel plans.

The fixed price is provided via the site's online booking engine so you'll know the per seat fee before locking into the itinerary. Figure on an average of $820 per hour in the air. For example, a flight plan that's currently posted on WannaJet's site departs from Westchester County Airport in New York and lands at DeKalb Peachtree Airport in Atlanta for $1,719 per person (one way).

Sixty domestic business routes are available and service onboard the jets rivals or exceeds top first-class offerings—professional attendants, multi-course meals, in-flight entertainment—from the commercial airlines.

What happens if the other passengers drop out at the last minute? Will you have to foot the bill for the entire jet? No. As long as four people are confirmed on your flight, you're good to go. If for some reason the passenger count drops below the required four passengers within 72 hours prior to take off, the company will offer to rebook you on a comparable commercial flight for the same price you agreed upon. That gesture doesn't quite hit the mark though if you've had your heart set on a private jet experience.

For more information, visit WannaJet.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com