Winston Aldworth: When first class isn't quite flash enough

In the post-GFT world, some of the big airlines are coming up with more blinged flight options to keep the moneyed mob on the frequent-flier list.Photo / Thinkstock

Among the unexpected booms from the Global Financial Thingymajig was a new market of first-class airline passengers. A heap of mega-rich people starting flying in first and business class. The poor wee poppets had had to put their private jets on TradeMe and learn how the other 99 per cent flies.

Well, kind of. Don't expect to see these guys digging for coins in their pockets to pay for a cup of coffee back in the seats by the last toilets on the plane. This crowd didn't trade their Bombardier Global 7000s to ride with the rest of us in economy. Or even premium economy. The move from private jets to scheduled flights was pain enough.

Those private jets ate up money while sitting on the tarmac, so when their latest Ponzi scheme went whiffy, some found it paid to fly with a scheduled carrier on a scheduled service.

Now, in the post-GFT world (we are, aren't we?), some of the big airlines are coming up with more blinged flight options to keep this moneyed mob on the frequent-flier list.

Singapore Airlines' Suite Class aboard their A380s - voted the most luxurious cabin in the world - comes with all the lobster a gazillionaire can eat, and champagne to wash it down. (For a look inside this five-star experience, type "derek low singapore airlines" into youtube and prepare to hate the guy).

Over at Etihad, they're pretty pleased about their "Residence", a three-room suite in the sky with a TV screen almost twice as wide as most economy seats. And to think some people complain about legroom ...

Of course most of us will never experience this kind of flight (although I certainly think Herald readers deserve to read an informed review of such services ... ahem). But hearing about these ultra first-class services is fun for anyone who used to get a kick out of watching Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. In a weird way, it keeps alive the romance of flight.

At least, that's what I'll tell myself next time I'm digging around in my pocket for change to buy a biscuit and a coffee on an early-morning flight to Queenstown. "Oi! Butler! Black coffee and the finest chocolate chip bikkie you can find..."