The Ideal Airplane

The New York Times Magazine Travel Special recently asked, "If the perfect plane could be spliced together using the best innovations of the world’s carriers, what would it look like?" 

Basically, they took nine aspects of flying and found which airlines do it the best.  Here’s what they had to say: 

First-Class Seat:  Emirates‘ huge ultraluxe “suite” provides a flat-bed seat, minibar, and “Do Not Disturb” sign. 

Business-Class Seat:  Qantas Airways’ 6 ½ foot ergonomic pod with built in shoe box and PC outlets. 

Premium Economy Seat: Virgin Atlantic’s all leather two position footrests and extra seat tilt (38 inch pitch). 

Economy Seat:  Cathay Pacific Airways’ 17.5 inch seats and Emirates 34 inch pitch.

Interior:  Air France’s restful wood and oatmeal scheme in first class and a sleek gray and navy palette everywhere else.

Entertainment: Lufthansa’s Wi-Fi Internet coupled with Virgins’ on-demand movie selection. 

Meals: Air New Zealand’s entrees, which were advised by chef Govind Armstrong of Table 8, combined with Lufthansa’s wine list and Continental Airlines’ ice cream sundaes.

Lavatory:  Malaysia Airlines triple-size first class bathroom and Southwest’s spring-loaded lid and seat.

Attendant:  A Eurofly looker wearing a British Airways pinstripe suit accompanied with the charming demeanor of the Air Tahiti staff.