British Airways plane on runway at Seychelles Airport, blue sky

FLIGHT REVIEWS

My Love of Airlines, Aviation & the Joy of Flying

Welcome to The Private Traveller’s curated collection of luxury flight reviews — where my lifelong passion for aviation meets a love for exploring the skies in style.

As a dedicated aviation enthusiast, I’ve spent decades flying with some of the world’s best airlines, experiencing everything from iconic aircraft to exclusive in-flight services. One of my most treasured memories? Flying on Concorde during its final weeks of operation — an unforgettable moment in aviation history.

This section is devoted to sharing first-hand insights into the full flying experience — from planning and booking, to airport lounges, onboard service, and everything in between. Whether you're curious about business class on Qatar Airways, the comfort of Emirates First Class, or lounge access at Heathrow, you’ll find honest, detailed reviews to help you travel smarter and more confidently.

Each review covers:

  • Pre-flight planning & booking tips

  • Check-in and lounge experiences

  • Cabin design, seats, service & dining onboard

  • Overall impressions and recommendations

Whether you're a fellow AV geek or simply seeking the best way to fly in comfort, join me as we explore the skies — one flight at a time.

Let Me Book Your Flight as Part of a Bespoke Journey

As a Fora Travel Advisor, I don’t just review luxury flights — I can also book them for you as part of a fully personalised itinerary. Whether you're looking for the best business class fare to Asia, a seamless first-class trip to the US, or premium connections for your next wellness retreat, I can help make it happen.

From selecting the ideal airline and cabin to aligning your flights with luxury hotels, private transfers, and curated experiences, I’ll ensure every part of your journey runs smoothly — with exclusive perks along the way.

Want to combine your flight with a luxury hotel, wellness retreat, or custom itinerary?
👉 Get in touch to start planning

Finnair The Private Traveller Finnair The Private Traveller

Ultimate Finnair Business Class Review: Helsinki to Rovaniemi (Finnish Lapland) - A First-Time Experience

When I started looking to book our trip to Finland, the obvious choice was Finnair – not only because they seemed to be the only full-service scheduled airline with Business class from Edinburgh to Finland’s capital Helsinki, but also that it was an airline I have wanted to experience for some time now, and this was the perfect opportunity.

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Kenya Airways The Private Traveller Kenya Airways The Private Traveller

Kenya Airways Business Class Flight Review - Zanzibar to Mauritius via Nairobi

Once we had booked international flights to Zanzibar and back from Johannesburg, our original intention had been to stay in Zanzibar for a week (two different locations) before going to Giraffe Manor after a stay at And Beyond Mnemba, then onward to Mozambique with And Beyond too. As it turned out however, we couldn’t (initially) get booked for either And Beyond property, so I changed things around such that we would travel to Mauritius for Christmas, still initially going to Zanzibar and finishing up in Johannesburg for New Year.

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Qatar Airways The Private Traveller Qatar Airways The Private Traveller

Qatar Airways Business Class Flight Review - Edinburgh to Zanzibar via Doha (Al Safwa Lounge Review)

Qatar Airways stands as a pinnacle of luxury, innovation, and unparalleled service in the realm of aviation. Renowned for its opulent cabins, state-of-the-art amenities, and a commitment to delivering an extraordinary travel experience, Qatar Airways consistently elevates the standards of air travel. Stepping into the world of Qatar Airways is an invitation to immerse oneself in the epitome of sophistication, where every flight becomes a seamless blend of comfort, elegance, and world-class hospitality.

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The Private Traveller The Private Traveller

SWISS Air Business Class Flight Review - Return Edinburgh to Zurich

I have a huge interest in spas either as a destination in their own right, or as part of a normal vacation, so I booked to visit the Bürgenstock Resort at Lake Lucerne then I looked to see how best to get there. There was a decent choice of daily direct flights with SWISS Air (albeit operated by Edelweiss Air), or alternatively some indirect options too. The flight times suited for the direct, taking just 2hr 15mins between Edinburgh and Zurich, and the same on the return. There was an early morning flight on the outbound, getting me to Switzerland for lunchtime, then a later afternoon flight on the return.

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Emirates The Private Traveller Emirates The Private Traveller

Experiencing Luxury in the Skies: A Comprehensive Review of Emirates Business Class on the B777-300ER

Flying from the UK to Tokyo Haneda we’re initially flying business class on a Boeing 777-300ER (three class) to Dubai; the onward flight from Dubai is a Boeing 777-200ER (two class only - business and economy). I upgraded both our return flights from Osaka to the UK to first, so will write a business class blog on the way there and a first class one on the way back. Both journeys are on different aircraft so will compare the services on both.

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Aerolineas Argentinas The Private Traveller Aerolineas Argentinas The Private Traveller

Skybound Adventure: Exploring Argentina's Skies with AR 2402 - A Flight Review from Buenos Aires to Mendoza

I’m not going to do a full review here, it was just a relatively short (1hr 55min scheduled) domestic flight and, to be honest, there was just nothing special to merit a full blown review, sorry Aerolineas Argentinas! We were flying on an Embraer 190, flying under the brand Austral.

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GOL The Private Traveller GOL The Private Traveller

Sky High Savings: A Comprehensive Review of Flying Budget with GOL in Brazil

Detailed review of a GOL flight between Iguassu Falls and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Overall the GOL experience was a very pleasant one - helpful staff, good aircraft, exemplary timing and standards, only minor issues were the lack of contact through Twitter (despite being acknowledged and chased), getting to the source of information on their mobile app and the inability to connect to GOL online during the flight.

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Qatar Airways The Private Traveller Qatar Airways The Private Traveller

Suite Dreams: A First-Timer's Flight Review on Qatar Airways' Qsuites

Since Qatar Airways announced the introduction of Qsuites I had always wanted to fly on an aircraft with that service.  Despite flying with Qatar many times it seemed like it was never going to happen - either the route we flew didn’t have Qsuites, or the route did from Doha but the flight times from the UK just didn’t marry up.  

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