ONE of the things on my to-do-list is to travel business class.

Some of you may be reading this and thinking that is pretty lame.

So when an offer of trying out a ‘five-star’ airlines business class food came along, I jumped at it.

Even if it meant sitting on the runway at Manchester Airport.

And as it meant a 10 minute commute rather than a 45-minute commute to work then it made the offer even sweeter.

The Guardian was the guest of Chinese airliner Hainan Airlines as it showed VIPs - yes, really - a glimpse of what is on offer in its business class for customers looking to head to the Far East.

Chinese Premier Xi Jinping helped to launch the carrier’s Manchester to Beijing route - which flies four times a week using a Airbus A330-300 – with former PM David Cameron on his visit in June.

The press corps were shown around a A330-200, which according to a quick Google search reveals it has more cargo space than the A330-300. I promise there will be no more geeky aircraft facts.

I have been lucky to travel a fair bit - mostly thanks to cheap flights and the boom of the early 21st century tourist sector - but I was unaware that ‘five-star airlines’ was a thing.

But Hainan is in that exclusive group, along with All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

We were treated to a tour of the business class cabin, with the chief air stewardess showing off the treats for passengers including Bose headphones and Bvlgari products to keep customers fresh on the 10-hour flight to the Chinese capital.

Other features of the cabin are the lie-flat, adjustable seats, offering 74 inches of leg room, and the touch screen inflight entertainment.

After a walk to the back of the plane to take in economy class - which was pretty spacious - it was on to Manchester Airport’s Royal Lounge to taste Afternoon Tea.

The menu offered in business class flights is two hot meals and one cold meal, with meals varying depending on the route taken.

Despite it being 10am that did not put me off and the food was exactly the opposite of what is often seen as the norm for aeroplane food.

Hainan’s menu has been designed by Michelin starred chef Richard Phillips, owner of Kent-based Thackery’s, who has created a range of dishes for business class passengers.

The cakes were very tasty, the macaroon being my favourite, while the scones with clotted cream were devoured in record time.

The carrier revealed it had been happy with its first foray into the UK.

It is looking to expand with further services in the future from both Manchester and London Heathrow.

nFor more information you can visit hainanairlines.com.