Saturday, June 20, 2015

Here's why Qatar Airways was just named the best airline in the world

Qatar Airways was just named the Best Airline in the World for 2015 by leading aviation-consumer website Skytrax.
The Gulf-based carrier also took home gold for best airline in the Middle East and best business-class seat.
The awards are based on votes by 18.9 million passengers across 110 countries, who judge airlines on everything from food to friendliness.
While Qatar has been making a name for itself with its epic Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its incredible first class amenities, it offers an awesome in-flight experience from the front of the plane all the way to the back.

In business and first class, passengers get fresh flowers, chandeliers, sumptuous leather seats, top-shelf liquor, and canapés.

The first-class lounge has leather benches that are a welcome break on long flights.

There's also plenty of room to stretch out.

The first-class cabin on the A380 is pretty swanky. The seats are ultrawide, and there are dividers between them so that you can shut out chatty neighbors. Or, conversely, you can extend the table to have dinner a deux.

First-class seats can be flattened into actual beds, so it's easy to sleep. And pajamas and slippers are complimentary.

First-class seats can be flattened into actual beds, so it's easy to sleep. And pajamas and slippers are complimentary.
AP

Business class isn't so shabby either.

Business-class seats look like cozy little pods.

If you're thinking these look like bucket seats, you're not wrong. Qatar claims to have been inspired by the automotive industry when designing the seats.

Some business-class seats are extra wide and feature a 180-degree lie-flat bed.

A clever little storage area holds amenity kits.

Of course it's a Giorgio Armani amenity kit, which comes with designer pjs, perfume, sleep masks, earplugs, lotions, and lip balm.

Kits vary for first- and business-class passengers.

Watching a movie on a plane will never be like a trip to the cinema, but these screens are pretty massive.

Some bathrooms have leather trim and wood accents.

Qatar's first- and business-class menu was created in collaboration with two celebrity chefs, Nobu Matsuhisa and Vineet Bhatia. Of course it's delicious.

Our guess is Nobu had something to do with this sashimi dish.

Celebrity-chef created or not, this tomato bisque with crayfish and coconut looks delicious.

Breakfast is simple, but delectable. They know what they're doing since eating healthy helps with jet lag.

Economy class is also excellent.

Economy seats feature extra cushy headrests.

Access them with this controller.

Every seat in economy has a power outlet, USB plug, and even a personal phone that lets you send and receive text messages during your flight.

Nobu didn't design the meals in economy, but they still look pretty good.

The Kit Kat is a nice touch.

The Kit Kat is a nice touch.

Feast your eyes on what could be the world's most expensive mega-yacht

The Admiral X Force 145 is not your everyday mega-yacht. The 465-foot vessel takes luxury to eye-popping new heights.
Not only is the yet-to-be-built boat huge; its lavish interiors are punctuated by crystal chandeliers and solid marble floors.
Two pools, two movie theaters, two helipads, a garage, multiple gym facilities, and a bi-level pool area merely scratch the surface of what this incredible boat will offer.
Though the price is only available on request, The Daily Mail estimates it will cost over $1 billion. Would that make it the world's most expensive yacht? Only if it gets built before spring 2018, when 4Yacht's Triple Deuce, a 722-foot leviathan, is set to be completed.
The Italian Sea Group project was dreamed up by Dobroserdov Design in a partnership with Admiral Centro Stile. They provided us an artist's rendering of what the ship will look like when it's commissioned and completed.
Feast your eyes on the Admiral X Force 145. It doesn't get much more luxurious than this.
Feast your eyes on the Admiral X Force 145. It doesn't get much more luxurious than this.

View As: One Page SlidesThe X Force is longer than two jumbo jets or one-and-a-half football fields.
The X Force is longer than two jumbo jets or one-and-a-half football fields.
Admiral YachtsInside, the yacht is packed with extravagant details. This main salon area is massive.
Inside, the yacht is packed with extravagant details. This main salon area is massive.
Admiral YachtsThe centerpiece of the salon is a huge chandelier surrounded by a circular staircase.
The centerpiece of the salon is a huge chandelier surrounded by a circular staircase.
Admiral YachtsThe glittering fixture hangs over an indoor pond accented by glass sculptures.
The glittering fixture hangs over an indoor pond accented by glass sculptures.
Surrounding the water feature is a sitting area for all the guests you could possibly bring aboard.
Surrounding the water feature is a sitting area for all the guests you could possibly bring aboard.
Admiral YachtsToward the front of the boat, the master bedroom is a sight to behold. This entire half deck is reserved for the owner.
Toward the front of the boat, the master bedroom is a sight to behold. This entire half deck is reserved for the owner.
Admiral YachtsSurrounded by a Zen garden, the suite is certainly a place of utmost tranquility.

Surrounded by a Zen garden, the suite is certainly a place of utmost tranquility.
Admiral Yachts
In addition to floor-to-ceiling windows, three skylights let in tons of sunshine.

In addition to floor-to-ceiling windows, three skylights let in tons of sunshine.
Admiral YachtsWith solid marble floors, the hallways are as grandiose as those of a five-star hotel.
With solid marble floors, the hallways are as grandiose as those of a five-star hotel.
The guest suites are smaller than the master room, but not by much.
The guest suites are smaller than the master room, but not by much.
Admiral YachtsThe guest bedrooms also have seating areas ...
The guest bedrooms also have seating areas ...
Admiral Yachts... which open up to their own in-suite balcony.
... which open up to their own in-suite balcony.
Admiral YachtsSuite renderings present an eclectic décor, but that may change in the final ship.
Suite renderings present an eclectic décor, but that may change in the final ship.
Admiral YachtsOther lounge areas dot the boat, some of which feature open-air balconies.
Other lounge areas dot the boat, some of which feature open-air balconies.
Not a single corner was cut in the design of the bathrooms.
Not a single corner was cut in the design of the bathrooms.
Admiral YachtsOn top of their roomy square footage, bathrooms are outfitted with gorgeous baths and marble touches.
On top of their roomy square footage, bathrooms are outfitted with gorgeous baths and marble touches.
Admiral YachtsA full dining room sits on one of the lower decks.
A full dining room sits on one of the lower decks.
Admiral YachtsA bi-level spa and bar at the back of the boat makes for a total party room. Another pool is located on the top deck.
A bi-level spa and bar at the back of the boat makes for a total party room. Another pool is located on the top deck.
Admiral YachtsWhen the sun falls, a 360-degree ring of lights illuminates the yacht's perimeter.
When the sun falls, a 360-degree ring of lights illuminates the yacht's perimeter.

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