The road to Milan
En route to Milan Fashion Week, Remix Founder Tim Phin rediscovered the little luxuries of long-haul travel.
With fashion month’s busy schedule, I wanted my travel to Milan to be as seamless as possible, without scrimping on any of the luxuries and comforts I’ve gotten used to in the air. It’s why I love Cathay Pacific, which (in the interest of full disclosure) is very generous in its hosting while affirming its class as one of the best providers in the sky.
It’s a long journey to Europe from little old New Zealand, which is another reason I opted to travel with Cathay Pacific. With a hub in Hong Kong, it’s the perfect place to stop for a while—taking a day to shop, eat, and stay in the epitome of luxury. I had more than 24 hours of flying time ahead of me, so I opted to extend my layover, but the comforts and amenities on its flights would make it incredibly easy to travel direct.
On board, it’s the ideal environment for a business traveller, with the airline’s Aria Suites, which have been dubbed a private hideaway in the sky. Most importantly, the seats lie completely flat, meaning I could rest for as long as I needed, with adjustable lighting, tables large enough to work and eat from, and all the power outlets I needed. While targeted to those working on the go, I’d also suggest Business Class for anyone travelling for leisure.
As most travellers know, it’s very easy for airlines to go wrong with their food offerings—thankfully, it’s one of the standouts of the Cathay Pacific experience. Champagne on boarding, of course, is the perfect predecessor to fine dining and impeccable service. I used the Choose My Meal service, which allowed me to select my meal in advance, and in the air, their menu struck a perfect balance between Asian and Western flavours—each meal was a delightful exploration that drew inspiration from its destinations.
But it wasn’t just about the food; the little luxuries truly defined this experience. I slipped into noise- cancelling headphones and settled in to enjoy the latest films on a state-of-the-art entertainment system. Between work emails and fashion week prep (of which the in-flight wifi was fantastic), I took a few relaxing moments, relishing the downtime before the busy streets of Milan awaited. Although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t already looking forward to the journey home.
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