By TIM ROBERTSON
November 10, 2025 – 4:33 PM PDT

For most travelers, the idea of spending 22 hours on a plane sounds like the ultimate endurance test. But Qantas Airways is betting that with the right design, lighting, food, and space, those 22 hours could actually feel… enjoyable.

The airline’s bold new initiative, Project Sunrise, aims to connect Sydney directly with New York and London – no layovers, no stopovers, just one seamless journey halfway around the world.

Launching in 2027, these flights aboard the Airbus A350-1000ULR will be the longest commercial routes ever flown, marking a new chapter in luxury and wellness-focused air travel.

What Is Project Sunrise?

Project Sunrise takes its name from a legendary World War II mission when Qantas pilots flew marathon routes so long they saw two sunrises. The modern version keeps that spirit of endurance – but swaps military grit for modern luxury.

Each A350 will carry just 238 passengers, about 40% fewer than typical long-haul configurations, allowing more space per traveler and a focus on comfort, privacy, and wellbeing.

Inside Qantas’s New Cabins

First Class: Boutique Hotels in the Sky

At the very front are six First Suites, designed as “mini boutique hotels.” Each offers:

• A fixed bed and a separate recliner lounge chair
• A 32-inch ultra-high-definition TV
• A fold-out dining table for two
• Personal wardrobe and ample storage
• Sliding privacy doors

Business Class: Smart Comfort and Space

The 52 Business Suites feature:

• Fully flat, two-meter-long beds
• Leather ottomans and personal storage
• 18-inch touchscreens
• Wireless charging and multiple outlets
• High walls and sliding doors for privacy

Even premium economy and economy passengers can expect thoughtful touches: free high-speed Wi-Fi, Bluetooth connectivity, and a dedicated Wellbeing Zone mid-cabin for stretching and hydration breaks.

The Science Behind the Comfort

To make 22 hours in the air actually restorative, Qantas partnered with University of Sydney sleep and health scientists to fine-tune everything from lighting and movement schedules to meal timing and cabin design.

Designer David Caon says every detail was shaped around the human body’s needs.

“All the design and service elements work together to improve inflight comfort and minimize jetlag,” Caon said.

The result? A cabin experience that doesn’t just help you survive long-haul travel – it helps your body adapt to it.

Turning Duration Into Luxury

From a marketing standpoint, Qantas is flipping a long-standing pain point – time – into a premium feature.

By eliminating connections and reducing seats, Qantas is making the longest flight in the world also one of the most exclusive. Think of it as the modern-day Concorde effect: fewer seats, higher prices, and a deeper sense of privilege.

Instead of “Can you handle 22 hours in a plane?” the message becomes:
“Are you among the few who can experience it?”

A New Kind of Travel: The 40,000-Foot Wellness Retreat

Project Sunrise may be the world’s longest flight, but it’s also trying to become the most rejuvenating.

By blending design, science, and psychology, Qantas is redefining ultra-long-haul travel as a kind of airborne wellness retreat – a journey where time is spent regenerating rather than enduring.

If the airline succeeds, passengers might just step off that 22-hour flight not only ahead in time zones, but ahead in how they feel.

Why It Matters for Travelers

• No more layovers: Direct routes from Australia to the U.S. and U.K. mean less time in transit and fewer travel headaches.
• Wellness-first flying: Designed with sleep, movement, and nutrition in mind.
• Exclusive experience: Limited seating, premium amenities, and high comfort standards.
• Tech upgrades: Free Wi-Fi, Bluetooth audio, and wireless charging in every class.

Final Takeaway

Qantas isn’t simply trying to set records. It’s reinventing what flying can be – from a test of endurance into a state of flow.

As air travel enters its next chapter, Project Sunrise could make 22 hours in the air feel less like confinement – and more like transformation.

TIM ROBERTSON
Robertson is an age-group triathlete based in San Diego and is a national contributor for AWE specializing in culture and travel.

The post Qantas Is Redefining Long-Haul Luxury With 22-Hour Nonstop Flights appeared first on AWE.

At Los Angeles International Airport, a different kind of traveler slips quietly through a sliding glass door marked only “PS.” There’s no security line here, no fluorescent chaos, no shouted boarding calls. Instead, a concierge takes your passport, pours a flute of Krug, and leads you to a private suite where the only sound is the soft clink of glassware. When your flight is ready, a BMW 7-Series whisks you across the tarmac directly to the aircraft. The jet bridge? Optional.

Welcome to the gilded underbelly of global aviation – a hidden network of private terminals and invitation-only lounges where the world’s wealthiest travelers experience the airport as something closer to a five-star spa than a holding pen between cities.

The Quiet Revolution in Air Travel

The airport used to be the great equalizer – the place where even billionaires waited in line for the same X-ray machine as everyone else. Not anymore. Around the world, elite flyers are reclaiming time, privacy, and peace of mind through a fast-growing ecosystem of ultra-exclusive ground experiences.

The model began with PS (formerly The Private Suite) at LAX, which charges from about $995 per visit for a private lounge, gourmet dining, and personal TSA screening. Its sister facility in Atlanta now offers similar treatment, complete with airside BMW transfers. “We think of ourselves as a private terminal, not a lounge,” says Amina Belghiti, PS’s head of hospitality. “Our guests spend an average of 90 minutes with us – it should feel like an escape, not a wait.”

The Global Arms Race of Airport Luxury

From Doha to Frankfurt, the most powerful airlines are racing to redefine what it means to wait for a flight.

At Hamad International Airport in Qatar, the Al Safwa First Lounge resembles a desert palace – 10-meter ceilings, trickling water features, and a private museum wing stocked with original pieces from the Museum of Islamic Art. Travelers can book spa treatments or dine on lobster thermidor while their luggage is loaded below.

Emirates’ First-Class Lounge in Dubai stretches nearly the entire length of Concourse A – a full kilometer of champagne bars, fine dining, cigar rooms, and even a duty-free boutique reserved exclusively for those holding first-class tickets. A personal attendant calls guests when their flight begins boarding downstairs.

In Frankfurt, Lufthansa’s First-Class Terminal operates as an entirely separate building with its own immigration officers and on-demand Porsche chauffeurs to the plane. In Tokyo, ANA’s Suite Lounge and JAL’s First-Class Lounge merge Japanese hospitality with Michelin-level cuisine and nap suites clad in hinoki wood.

“The new competition isn’t about seats in the sky,” says aviation analyst Maren Koller of AirInsight. “It’s about experiences on the ground – because that’s where passengers spend most of their emotional energy.”

Architecture, Art, and the Aesthetics of Calm

Today’s premium terminals borrow as much from modern art museums and wellness retreats as they do from airports. Designers like Joyce Wang in Hong Kong and David Collins Studio in London have brought tactile luxury – limestone floors, bespoke lighting, curated art collections – to what used to be sterile transit zones.

Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport, while open to all, demonstrates how public space itself can become an experience: a rainforest-filled glass dome where even economy passengers can wander beneath the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. The effect is theatrical – but also symbolic of a global shift toward human-centered airport design.

The Economics of Privacy

The surge in high-end ground services traces back to the pandemic, when travelers discovered that seclusion was the ultimate luxury. What began as health-driven precaution has evolved into a permanent tier of premium travel. Private-terminal memberships, concierge subscriptions, and invite-only lounges are proliferating in cities from London to Sydney.

“Air travel used to be about status; now it’s about sanctuary,” notes sociologist Dr. Lila Hernandez, who studies consumer behavior in hospitality. “For the affluent, the greatest indulgence is control – the ability to move through the world untouched by friction.”

The Future of the Pre-Flight Hour

The next generation of luxury airports will combine technology and discretion. Expect biometric boarding that recognizes elite passengers automatically, AI-driven personal concierges, and limousine transfers synced to aircraft movement data. Some carriers are already experimenting with city-center check-in suites – miniature PS-style lounges miles from the airport, allowing travelers to arrive at the gate just minutes before departure.

As aviation redefines comfort and privacy, the lines between hospitality, transportation, and architecture continue to blur.

A Last Sip Before Takeoff

Back in Los Angeles, a traveler in crisp linen finishes a glass of champagne as a concierge returns her passport. The car is waiting. In sixty seconds they will be seated in 1A, having spent her layover in perfect silence.

In a world obsessed with speed, the most exclusive travelers have rediscovered something rarer: stillness.

TIM ROBERTSON
Robertson is an age-group triathlete based in San Diego and is a national contributor for AWE specializing in culture and travel.

The post Beyond the Lounge: Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Airport Experience appeared first on AWE.

As the chill of winter rolls across the U.S., luxury travelers are looking beyond ski slopes and fireplaces for something a little different this season. From Montana’s wild landscapes to Arizona’s sunlit desert, high-end destinations are reinventing what winter luxury looks like – and it’s not always about skiing.

Big Sky, Montana: Wilderness Meets Refinement

Long celebrated for its expansive mountain views, Big Sky is evolving into a high-end hideaway where adventure meets indulgence. The newly opened Montage Big Sky offers modern alpine elegance, complete with a sweeping spa and locally inspired fine dining. Nearby, the soon-to-open One&Only Moonlight Basin promises ultra-luxury cabins and curated wilderness experiences set against Montana’s rugged peaks.

Beyond the slopes, travelers can find the soul of Big Sky in its wild, snow-covered terrain. Join Spirit of the North Sled Dog Adventures for an exhilarating ride behind a team of Alaskan huskies, or experience a more tranquil side of winter on a horse-drawn sleigh ride to a log cabin dinner at Lone Mountain Ranch – complete with live music and a roaring fire.

For active travelers, Lone Mountain’s 85 kilometers of Nordic trails offer a serene alternative to downhill skiing, with guided tours that weave through Yellowstone country’s frozen beauty.

Aspen, Colorado: High Design in the High Country

Aspen remains the country’s most iconic winter playground, but its luxury appeal now extends beyond the mountainside. The W Aspen brings sleek design and social energy to the Rockies, complete with rooftop pools, fire pits, and panoramic mountain views. Just steps away, The Little Nell continues to define classic five-star alpine hospitality, beloved for its flawless service and elegant après-ski scene.

Off the slopes, Aspen’s cultural and culinary scenes shine bright. Spend a morning exploring the Aspen Art Museum, housed in a striking Shigeru Ban–designed building, or browse the boutiques and design galleries that line the town’s downtown streets. For a uniquely Aspen evening, book a horse-drawn sleigh to the Pine Creek Cookhouse, where diners enjoy elevated mountain cuisine deep in the snowy wilderness.

Evenings here aren’t about the après crowd alone – they’re about the rhythm of a fire crackling in a hotel lounge, a perfectly mixed cocktail, and the art of slowing down.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Winter in the Warmth

For travelers seeking luxury without the chill, Scottsdale offers a warm-weather winter escape where wellness and design take center stage. The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is an oasis of calm, with desert-inspired treatments, yoga terraces, and panoramic views of Camelback Mountain. The Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows blends mid-century aesthetics with Sonoran soul – think open-air bungalows, poolside dining, and immersive art programs.

Winter days in Scottsdale are for soaking in sunshine. Visitors can explore the Scottsdale Arts District, where galleries and outdoor sculptures come alive during the weekly ArtWalks, or enjoy a private chef’s tasting at one of the city’s fine dining venues. At luxury resorts, guests alternate between pool cabanas, guided desert hikes, and rounds of golf or pickleball – all under a soft winter sun that rarely dips below 70°F.

The New Winter Luxury

Across America, the definition of winter luxury is shifting. It’s no longer just about slopeside access or snowflake-dusted chalets – it’s about curated experiences, meaningful connection, and atmosphere.

In Big Sky, that might mean mushing your own sled dog team through quiet pines before returning to a candlelit tasting menu. In Aspen, it’s sipping champagne after an afternoon at the museum instead of the mountain. And in Scottsdale, it’s trading cold for calm – letting desert air and design-driven comfort redefine what winter feels like.

Wherever travelers choose to wander this season, luxury has less to do with the destination – and everything to do with how deeply they experience it.

TIM ROBERTSON
Robertson is an age-group triathlete based in San Diego and is a national contributor for AWE specializing in culture and travel.

The post The Luxe Side of Winter: America’s Hottest Cold-Weather Escapes for 2025 appeared first on AWE.

For most travelers, a hotel suite is a haven at the end of the day – a soft bed, a good view, and perhaps room service on speed dial. But for the world’s elite, a “suite” means something entirely different. It is not merely a place to sleep; it is a statement, a stage, a sanctuary. From private underwater bedrooms to palatial penthouses above Fifth Avenue, these seven suites redefine what it means to check in.

1. The Mark Penthouse – The Mark Hotel, New York

When Meghan Markle hosted her now-famous baby shower here, the world caught a rare glimpse of New York’s most secretive address. At more than 10,000 square feet and spanning two floors, The Mark Penthouse is a private palace suspended above the Upper East Side. Designed by Jacques Grange, it fuses contemporary Manhattan minimalism with the sophistication of a Parisian salon.

A grand staircase leads to a rooftop terrace that wraps around the suite, offering panoramic views of Central Park and the skyline. Inside, there’s a formal dining room for 24, a library, and a living room with soaring cathedral ceilings. The penthouse is often booked during the Met Gala season – a convenient refuge for the world’s most photographed guests seeking privacy after the flashbulbs fade.

2. The Royal Penthouse Suite – Hotel President Wilson, Geneva

Geneva’s Hotel President Wilson is known for discretion – the kind that attracts presidents, billionaires, and rock legends who prefer not to be noticed. The Royal Penthouse Suite occupies the hotel’s entire eighth floor, with twelve marble-clad bedrooms, bulletproof glass, and panoramic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.

At roughly $80,000 per night, this suite is equipped like a diplomatic residence: a grand piano, private gym, billiard room, and a security system befitting a head of state. Michael Jackson once stayed here during his European tours, while Bill Gates has been a returning guest. In a city where power often travels quietly, this suite is the ultimate address for the discreetly powerful.

3. The Muraka – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The Muraka feels like a vision from another world – and in many ways, it is. This two-level villa reimagines luxury living beneath the sea. The upper floor floats above the lagoon with sun decks, infinity pool, and butler quarters; the lower level descends 16 feet below the surface into a glass-walled master suite surrounded by coral reef and marine life.

Here, guests can dine, sleep, and dream beneath the ocean – in total privacy. Accessed only by private seaplane or speedboat, The Muraka comes with a dedicated chef, butler, and even a personal fitness trainer. Kris Jenner and the Kardashian family famously filmed their stay here, turning the underwater villa into a pop-culture icon – proof that even in the Maldives, fame finds a way to shimmer.

4. The Empathy Suite – Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas

Las Vegas has always been a city of spectacle, and the Empathy Suite is its grandest showpiece. Conceived by artist Damien Hirst, it’s the world’s first livable art installation – two floors of contemporary design where luxury and surrealism collide. Butterfly motifs, glass vitrines filled with medical paraphernalia, and the artist’s signature formaldehyde shark make this one of the most visually arresting hotel spaces ever created.

Priced at $200,000 for a two-night minimum, the suite includes two salt therapy rooms, a private gym, and a cantilevered pool with panoramic views of the Strip. Guests have included music royalty like Cardi B, who celebrated her birthday here surrounded by custom cocktails, commissioned art, and Vegas’ ever-present promise of excess. Staying here isn’t just a night out – it’s an act of performance art.

5. The Penthouse Suite – Hôtel Martinez, Cannes

Perched above the Boulevard de la Croisette, the Hôtel Martinez Penthouse Suite is as much a symbol of the Cannes Film Festival as the red carpet itself. Its vast terrace – one of the largest in Europe – overlooks the Bay of Cannes, offering front-row seats to the Riviera’s glamour. Inside, the décor evokes 1930s art deco elegance with white lacquer furniture, soft creams, and gold accents.

During festival season, the suite becomes a high-security enclave for Hollywood’s elite. Julia Roberts famously stayed here during her barefoot debut on the Cannes red carpet – a moment that captured the effortless chic the Martinez embodies. Between film premieres and private champagne receptions, the suite remains a cinematic hideaway where stars can exhale in privacy while the world watches below.

6. The Royal Suite – Burj Al Arab, Dubai

The Royal Suite at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab is nothing short of theatrical. Spanning two floors connected by a gilded spiral staircase, the suite features 24-karat gold leaf, silk wallpaper, and rotating canopy beds fit for royalty – both literal and figurative. Guests arrive via chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce or private helicopter, greeted by an army of staff whose precision rivals a royal household.

Every element is designed for awe: marble columns, towering mirrors, and Hermes amenities in every room. Justin Bieber and Gigi Hadid have both stayed here, adding a touch of global celebrity to one of the most recognizable hotels in the world. In a city built on spectacle, the Burj Al Arab remains the definitive icon – and its Royal Suite, the ultimate statement of success.

7. The Grand Riad – Royal Mansour, Marrakech

Commissioned by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, the Royal Mansour is not just a hotel – it’s a masterpiece of Moroccan artistry. The Grand Riad, its crown jewel, is a four-bedroom private palace hidden within the medina’s ancient walls. Intricately carved cedarwood, hand-laid zellij tiles, and silken draperies create a setting that feels more royal residence than resort suite.

Guests enjoy a private hammam, rooftop plunge pool, and dedicated staff who move through secret underground passages to ensure total privacy. Beyoncé spent time here during a Moroccan escape, perfectly matching the property’s blend of elegance and cultural soul. For those who enter through its unmarked gates, the Grand Riad offers not just luxury, but immersion – a dream in mosaic and light.

Luxury You Can Name

From the hushed diplomacy of Geneva to the underwater dreams of the Maldives, these suites share one defining trait: they are destinations in themselves. Each has hosted moments of quiet opulence, personal milestones, and celebrity intrigue. They are where the world’s most recognizable names retreat – not to be seen, but to disappear, if only for a night, behind heavy doors and infinite views.

In the end, the true luxury of these spaces isn’t their price tag or the pedigree of their guests – it’s the rare feeling that the world outside has been momentarily paused.

TIM ROBERTSON
Robertson is an age-group triathlete based in San Diego and is a national contributor for AWE specializing in culture and travel.

The post Inside the 7 Most Lavish Hotel Suites on Earth – and Who Stays There appeared first on AWE.