Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 world’s best airlines for longhaul First Class
Each year, I share on my travel blog a selection of the 10 best airlines in the world for flying First Class. Unfortunately, First Class is a slowly dying breed since more and more airlines are dropping their most luxurious cabin in favor of an improved and competitive Business Class. These days, First Class is only offered on selected ‘high-yield’ routes with heavy business traffic and enough people willing to pay for the privilege (e.g. New York to London or Singapore to Paris). First Class is, among other things, known for excellent ground service (with limo transfers & dedicated lounges), lie-flat seats (with superb bedding), personalized onboard service, as well as superlative meal service (with high-quality champagne & caviar).
There is more information (with reviews and YouTube videos) below the slide show. Think I missed one? Leave a comment.
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10. SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES
Switzerland’s national carrier offers eight spacious, fully enclosed First Class suites nestled into the nose of its Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330 planes. Each suite exudes a warm ‘color and materials’ palette of browns, greys and accents of European oak wood, while soft walls, woven fabric bulkheads and curtain screens help dampen noise in the cabin. Passengers can use the electric-mechanical window blinds on all three windows in their suite simultaneously. On the carrier’s Boeing 777, each passenger has a personal wardrobe and a sliding door, which creates a partition between the seat and the aisle to offer greater privacy. And onboard entertainment is a pure delight thanks to the 32 inch video screen.
9. LUFTHANSA
Most of Lufthansa’s longhaul aircraft feature 8 generously sized and individually adjustable First Class seats. When you want to sit back and relax, the seat’s independently adjustable backrest and footrest and the moveable ottoman provide the greatest comfort. On request a flight attendant will transform the seat into a super-comfy bed with mattress topper and temperature-regulating duvet. Although there are now newer and visually more striking First Class products available, Lufthansa’s First Class remains one of the most sought-after experiences in the skies, mainly because of the flawless service, delicious food, extremely comfortable bedding, and exceptional First Class lounges (when traveling via its hubs in Frankfurt and Münich).
- Official website: Lufthansa
- Review: read my review of Lufthansa’s First Class in an Airbus A380 here.
8. QATAR AIRWAYS
The First Class cabin on Qatar Airways’ A380 subfleet – which comprises only 10 aircraft – features ultra-wide seats tailored in the softest fabric and with signature design elements. Central and aisle dividers afford more privacy, which can be raised or lowered to provide a feeling of extra spaciousness when traveling with a companion. It is a flexible space: the seat automatically reclines into a fully flat-bed, or the table can be extended to allow two people to dine in style. Sleeper suits, flight slippers, world-class amenities, and Qatar Airways’ stellar onboard service add extra touches of First Class luxury.
- Official website: Qatar Airways
- Review: read my review of Qatar Airways’ First Class in an Airbus A380 here.
7. GARUDA INDONESIA
Inside Garuda Indonesia’s flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, eight luxurious private suites with a 1-2-1 configuration await First Class passengers. The exquisitely designed suites are peaceful sanctuaries that will make you forget that you are sailing high above the clouds. The wide suites are equipped with an ottoman and the ergonomic seats turn into luxurious full-flat beds (with mattress, duvet, and pillows). Let’s not forget the dining options that Garuda Indonesia offers: First Class passengers enjoy the finest culinary delights, served by onboard chefs and handpicked from world-renowned restaurants. Unfortunately, Garuda Indonesia keeps cutting the routes that feature this exclusive product (currently, it’s only offered on the Amsterdam-Jakarta route).
6. JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines’ First Class passengers can indulge in all the warmth and graciousness for which Japan is renowned. The carrier has recently introduced a new First Class product onboard its A350 aircraft, with just six suites (with privacy doors) to create a unique and exclusive cabin environment. The First Class suites aim to offer a stress-free environment with wardrobe and storage space for personal belongings inside the suite. The suites also feature the world’s first headphone-free stereo with built-in headrest speakers, allowing passengers to enjoy the inflight entertainment system without using headphones. Far away one of the classiest of its kind, Japan Airline’s First Class dining sets a high standard with tempting menus, featuring both Western and Japanese cuisine.
5. AIR FRANCE
Air France’s La Première cabin on board its long-haul Boeing 777-300ER fleet features just one row of 4 individual suites in a 1-2-1 layout. Each “haute couture” suite is dressed with thick curtains, held back with leather tiebacks, enabling the passenger to decide whether to be totally isolated or just partially. The suite features a seat that reclines into a bed stretching 2 m (6.5 ft) long and 77 cm (30 inch) across, one of the most spacious beds in the sky. Opposite the seat, an ottoman can be converted into an extra seat, enabling the passenger to invite a guest for dinner or simply for a conversation. Each First Class passenger also has a personal 24-inch HD touch screen. It’s rumored that Air France will soon launch a new First Class cabin.
4. ETIHAD AIRWAYS
The Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways outclassed all its competitors in 2014 by pushing luxury to a sky-high new level and beyond First Class with its ‘First Apartments’ concept on board its (small fleet of) Airbus A380 superjumbos. More than just a seat, the First Apartment has a large leather armchair and separate bed of 208 cm (6 feet and 10 inches). There is even space to walk around after closing the privacy doors. Six of the First Apartments are interconnecting, perfect for when you’re travelling with a companion. Alternatively you might want to invite a travelling partner from First Class to join you in your apartment for a meal or a meeting. Passengers can freshen up in the bathroom with an energizing shower using exclusive amenities, before landing.
- Official website: Etihad Airways
- Review: read my review of Etihad Airways’ First Class in an Airbus A380 here.
3. CATHAY PACIFIC
Following the spectacular refurbishment of their First Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Pacific extended the sophisticated, contemporary style into its First Class. The outer surface of the First Class Suite is a dark, high-gloss material, while inside, the side console and the interior of the seat are wrapped in natural leather with subtle linings and stitching for a clean, refined, sophisticated look. Warm-toned natural leather is used extensively on most interior surfaces of the suite for a soft, luxurious feel. The seat smoothly transforms into a fully flat-bed, and the bedding comes with high-quality fabrics for the duvets, pillows, cushions and the mattress to ensure a comfortable sleep. Cathay Pacific’s First Class service is always consistent and top-notch!
- Official website: Cathay Pacific
- Review: read my review of Cathay Pacific’s First Class in a Boeing 777 here.
2. EMIRATES
Emirates’ most impressive First Class product is found on the airline’s youngest Boeing 777 aircraft. With floor to ceiling sliding doors and sleek design features inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ B777 suites take luxury and privacy to the next level. The soft leather seat reclines into a fully flat bed and can be placed in a ‘zero-gravity’ position inspired by NASA technology, giving a feeling of relaxation and weightlessness. To ensure all First Class customers have a view, Emirates introduced the industry’s first virtual windows for suites located in the middle aisle. These virtual windows project the view from outside the aircraft using real-time camera technology. The suites also come with a service window where customers can be served drinks and canapes undisturbed.
- Official website: Emirates
- Review: read my review of Emirates’ First Class in an Airbus A380 here.
- Review: read my review of Emirates’ First Class in a Boeing 777 here.
1. SINGAPORE AIRLINES
Singapore Airlines’ new First Class product on the A380 features 6 suites within the front cabin of the upper deck (compared to 12 suites on the lower deck of the carrier’s A380s with the old layout). Each suite comes with a separate full-flat bed with adjustable recline and plush, swivel leather chair, enabling passengers to lounge comfortably in the chair or rest in bed without the need to convert the bed from a sitting position. For couples traveling together, the beds in the first two suites of each aisle can be converted to form a double bed. Each suite also has a 32 inch full HD monitor, a full-sized personal wardrobe, specially designed carpet and a feature wall with mood lighting – all exquisitely crafted to give a touch of luxury and intimacy.
- Official website: Singapore Airlines
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ First Class in an Airbus A380 here.
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