The 20 Airlines I’d Most Like To Review Soon

I’m continuing to try to put a lot of effort into taking review trips, so that I can report back on airline products, airport lounges, and hotels. Recently I shared a list of the points hotels that I most hope to stay at, and in this post I thought it would be fun to recap the airline products that I most hope to review (most are first and business class, but there are also some other concepts on the list as well).

Just for some context, this is basically the list that I currently have in my head, that I’m prioritizing when deciding how to book my next review trips. This is by no means comprehensive, as I’m always happy to review any product that I haven’t reviewed recently. But still, I figured it would be fun to share the list I have, and then I’m of course open to feedback on great opportunities to try these products, learning which products y’all find most interesting, etc.

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This list will exclusively include experiences that are already in service, so I’m not including the new first class and new business class products that are on the horizon (though of course I want to check those out as well, without exception).

I made a similar list last year, and managed to check many of those products off my list, ranging from Boliviana de Aviacion’s A330 business class, to Delta’s A350 business class, to Japan Airlines’ A350 business class, to Kuwait Airways’ 777 first class, to Lufthansa’s A350 business class, to Thai Airways’ 777 first class, to United’s 777 business class, just to name some.

Let’s get right into it, starting with first class products, and then business class products.

Starlux Airlines A350 first class

In the interest of having reviewed every single first class product in the world, I need to check out Starlux Airlines’ Airbus A350 first class. I’ve reviewed the carrier’s A350 business class, which is excellent.

However, I don’t really understand the carrier’s first class strategy — first class doesn’t even look that impressive, yet pricing is astronomical. I’m leaning toward booking first class between Taipei and Singapore, where the pricing is relatively reasonable, at ~$2,000 one-way. That’s a lot of money to spend, but it’s significantly less than the airline charges on transpacific flights. This would also allow me to check out Starlux’s new lounge at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, which even has a first class section.

Does anyone know how limited the service is on the shorter first class segments within Asia, compared to the long haul flights? If only there were a better way to review Starlux across the Pacific (if there’s something I’m missing, please let me know)…

All Nippon Airways A380 first class

All Nippon Airways has a small fleet of just three Airbus A380s, which fly exclusively between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu. Of all the airlines operating the A380, this is the only first class product in the world that I haven’t yet reviewed. It’s easy enough to redeem miles for this at the last minute, so I just need to find the time to build an itinerary where I can make this work.

Garuda Indonesia 777 first class

At this point, Garuda Indonesia has first class on a single Boeing 777, flying between Jakarta and Amsterdam. I reviewed this product many years ago, though a lot has changed since then. Since I’ve historically ranked this product so highly, I feel like I should maybe take an updated look at the experience, especially with Garuda Indonesia seemingly being in cost cutting mode.

Is it worth checking out this product to see how it’s holding up, or is it a waste of time and miles, since it’s only available on a single aircraft, at this point? On the plus side, at least Garuda Indonesia first class can be booked with Flying Blue miles, though admittedly at a steep cost.

Air India A350 business class

Air India is currently trying to reinvent itself, though it’s quite the project, and requires a lot of patience from passengers. At this point, the airline has half a dozen Airbus A350-900s, which have the carrier’s best business class product yet. Not only are the seats much better, but Air India has also improved its soft product.

Given that Air India is now flying its A350s on long haul routes to London and New York, it’s time to finally give the airline a try. Interestingly this is actually an inherited product from Aeroflot, so it’s the same I’ve experienced on Turkish Airlines. However, Air India isn’t expected to get its newest business class product for quite some time.

Cathay Pacific 777 business class

Cathay Pacific recently introduced its new Aria Suites business class, which is the carrier’s next generation business class, also expected to be installed on upcoming Boeing 777-9s.

The catch is that this is being introduced at a slow pace, and currently the product is only available on short haul routes within Asia. I’d love to experience this on a long haul flight, and London is expected to be the first destination. However, that’s delayed, due to the pace of installations. So either I’ll fly it soon within Asia, or hope that the London debut happens.

Emirates A350 & 777 business class

There are a couple of interesting things going on right now when it comes to premium cabin products of Emirates. For one, the airline is finally starting to retrofit its Boeing 777-300ERs with new business class seats, which is long overdue. On top of that, the airline is taking delivery of Airbus A350-900s, an all-new aircraft type for the airline.

Neither of these planes has a cutting edge business class product, as it’s based on the Airbus A380 business class experience. However, I’m still curious to experience both of these, given that they represent the future of the carrier.

Aer Lingus A330 & A321XLR business class

I’d like to revisit Aer Lingus’ long haul product. The backbone of Aer Lingus’ long haul fleet is the Airbus A330, and I haven’t flown that in many years. So I’d like to check that out again, as it’s easy enough to redeem points for.

Aer Lingus also recently took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, which features a slightly different business class product than on the Airbus A321LR. So I’d be open to trying that as well, or in place of the A330.

Iberia A350 & A321XLR business class

I’m due to take an updated look at Iberia’s long haul product. I’ve reviewed Iberia’s Airbus A330 business class, but would like to review the carrier’s two newer business class products. This includes the new Airbus A350-900 business class with doors, as well as the new Airbus A321XLR business class, as Iberia was the launch customer for the plane.

Aeromexico 787 business class

Last year, I tried to focus a bit more on airlines closer to home, including several in Latin America. While I managed to review Aeromexico’s Boeing 737 MAX business class, this year, I’m hoping to finally fly the carrier’s Boeing 787-9 business class. This features reverse herringbone seats, and is the best business class product at the airline.

It shouldn’t be too hard to finally make this happen. Aeromexico sometimes has reasonable business class fares, and otherwise, the airline tends to make business class award seats available at the very last minute.

Delta One 767 business class

Delta has quite the inconsistent long haul business class hard product, as you’ll find massive variance in the quality of seats between aircraft. I recently reviewed Delta’s Airbus A350 business class, which might be the best in the United States.

Now I think it’s time to review the carrier’s Boeing 767 business class, which is much less impressive. The 767-400 has a better product than the 767-300, and I’m open to trying either. I’d also like to check out Delta One Lounges, so I hope to accomplish both of those things with one trip.

Hawaiian Airlines 787 business class

In the spring of 2024, Hawaiian Airlines started flying its new Boeing 787-9s, featuring an all-new passenger experience. The airline elected to install the Adient Aerospace Ascent seat, and it’s time to check out the carrier’s version. I suppose this could tie in nicely with my ANA A380 first class review, since I’d be in Honolulu anyway.

It’s going to be interesting to see how these planes are used in the long run, given Alaska’s takeover of Hawaiian, plus plans to set up a global hub in Seattle.

Austrian 787 business class

If you ask me, Austrian is the highest quality Lufthansa Group airline, despite not getting much attention from the parent company. Austrian’s fleet modernization is coming in the form of picking up some secondhand Boeing 787-9s, featuring reverse herringbone seats in business class.

I hope to experience this product, given that Austrian finally has a solid hard product, combined with an excellent soft product (as has long been the case).

Icelandair 737 MAX Saga business class

Not only have I been wanting to return to Iceland for quite some time, but I’ve also been wanting to review Icelandair business class once again. Admittedly this product isn’t much to get excited about, as it’s more like domestic first class than international business class.

However, Icelandair has a unique business model and route network, and it’s time to revisit this experience. Icelandair is an Alaska Mileage Plan partner, though unfortunately award availability in business class is typically non-existent. The airline does frequently have attractive fares in business class, so that’s probably how I’ll finally fly this product.

Air Greenland A330neo business class

Air Greenland has a single Airbus A330-800neo, which is a unique jet to begin with. The carrier’s business class is in a 2-3-2 configuration, and if the renderings are to be believed, the seats have way too much recline.

I’ve been wanting to visit Greenland, and of course want to fly there on Air Greenland. Now is the time to visit, given that the new airport has opened in Nuuk, which is a game changer for visiting the region.

Air Mauritius A350 business class

Air Mauritius flies both Airbus A330-900neos and Airbus A350-900s, and I’d like to fly either product on a route between Europe and Mauritius. Air Mauritius is an Air Canada Aeroplan partner, making it easy to redeem points on the airline. I’ve heard this is one of Africa’s best business class products, so I’d love to experience it.

Aircalin A330neo business class

I’ve been meaning to fly with Aircalin for years, as the airline operates Airbus A330-900neos to and from New Caledonia. Recently, the airline even started flying between Paris and Bangkok, which might just be the easiest way to fly with the airline.

One unique thing is that Aircalin uses Flying Blue as its frequent flyer program, which is a good opportunity to either earn or redeem miles, depending on award availability and/or the cost of a flight in cash.

Air Astana A321 business class

I’m hoping that this is the year that I finally make it back to Kazakstan. I’ve flown Air Astana in the past, including on the carrier’s relatively swanky Boeing 767s. However, Air Astana is nicely modernizing its fleet, and now flies Airbus A321LRs, featuring flat beds and a staggered configuration in business class.

It’s pretty wild how long some of the routes operated by this plane are. For example, the airline flies the jet from Astana to London, which is blocked at 9hr35min.

Breeze Airways A220 Nicest

I wanted to finish off this list a few domestic products within the United States that I’d like to review. While not officially a first or business class product, Breeze Airways has first class-style seats on its Airbus A220-300s, known as “Nicest.” I wish the airline operated routes that actually coincided with where I need to go, but either way, I’ll go out of my way to try this.

JSX Embraer jet

JSX is an innovative (and controversial) airline that operates point-to-point routes using Embraer regional jets in a premium configuration. The airline doesn’t fly out of commercial terminals, but rather flies out of FBOs, allowing people to arrive closer to departure time, and to not be subjected to TSA security screening. I still haven’t flown this airline, so I’m hoping to change that.

Now, while I appreciate JSX’s innovation, personally I’m skeptical as to whether I’ll love this experience as much as some others do. Yes, this is more comfortable than your typical regional jet, but ultimately JSX flies loud, small planes, and while you don’t have a seat mate, the seat width is still lacking.

Aero Embraer jet

Aero is probably the most luxurious scheduled charter operator in the United States. The airline operates point-to-point routes on Embraer E135s, in what looks like an actually luxurious layout. Based on what I’ve heard, this experience is significantly elevated compared to JSX. The catch is that the airline doesn’t have nearly as consistent of a schedule.

Bottom line

It’s always useful for me to keep a list of the products that I’d most like to review, so that I have some inspiration when I plan my review trips. This list is by no means comprehensive, and there are lots of other products I’d like to review. However, the above are probably at the top of my list for a variety of reasons.

Which airlines would you most like to see reviewed, whether on the list or not?