I’m an airline product geek, and I like to keep an updated list of some of the best products out there, ranging from the best first class lounges, to the best business class airlines, to the best business class lounges, to the best business class seats.
In this post, I’d like to share my updated rankings of the world’s best first class airlines for 2026, updating my previous rankings from 2024. Since the last time I updated this list, we’ve seen some airlines (Air France, Lufthansa, and SWISS) introduce new first class products, and we’ve seen some airlines (Garuda Indonesia and Oman Air) more or less eliminate first class.
First, I’d like to talk briefly about my method for ranking first class airlines, and then I’ll get into my rankings, with an explanation of each.
In this post:
Why you should trust OMAAT flight reviews
Hopefully, I don’t have to explain this to regular OMAAT readers, but I feel like this is worth mentioning for those who aren’t regular readers…
All the time I see mainstream media outlets ranking different first class airlines, though almost without exception, they’re just going off stock media images and how airlines describe their first class products, rather than actual firsthand experience.
Why should you trust OMAAT flight reviews?
- I pay for virtually all of my own flight tickets, either with cash or miles (in the past 15 years, I’ve taken one free flight, and that was for the inaugural flight of the new Air France La Premiere, for which I couldn’t even book a ticket, and it’s a product I’ve flown since and have paid for)
- I’ve flown every single first class airline that I rank, and for that matter have flown almost every single first class product in the world (the only exceptions are Air Côte d’Ivoire and Starlux Airlines first class)
- I don’t have any sort of financial relationship with any airline
- This is my passion, I’ve been reviewing airlines for 18+ years, I’ve written hundreds of flight reviews, and have logged millions of miles
There aren’t many sites that can say all of the above, and in the case of some other rating agencies (like Skytrax), I certainly wish we’d see a bit more transparency regarding the financial relationship they have with the airlines they rank.
My method for ranking first class airlines
Let me note upfront that my reviews are subjective, and that’s by design.
Some might say “well you should make this as objective as possible and use a scorecard to rank them.” I certainly could, but I don’t think that does justice to the special touches that some airlines offer, and also the variability in the experience from flight-to-flight.
A lot of what makes a first class experience great isn’t something you can rank on a scorecard, but rather is this intangible feeling you get when flying an airline, where you feel “wow, they really get it.” As far as I’m concerned, airlines also deserve bonus points for consistency across various flights, because it’s nice to know exactly what you’ll get.
The other issue is that the top first class products are all really exceptional. On a 100 points scale, I suspect all of these airlines would score a 90+ from me.
To give an example of the issue with a scorecard approach, high speed inflight Wi-Fi is something I personally value, but not all of the airlines offer it in first class (some don’t offer it at all, and some have really lousy speeds). If I said Wi-Fi was worth 10 points on a 100 point scale, that would automatically put any airline without it in last place, and that doesn’t seem right, since it’s something that many people don’t care about.
Again, I’m admitting my rankings are subjective, and what I rank as number one might be number 10 for you, and vice versa. And that’s totally fine — I don’t think that makes anyone wrong.
I’ve taken flights on every single one of the airlines on the below list and said “that’s one of the best flights I’ve ever taken.” If anything, I recommend the takeaway from this being the airlines that I put on this list are all excellent, rather than reading too much into the specific order of the rankings.
Let me also say that I’m not factoring in “value” here, because airfare varies so wildly based on your origin and destination, whether you’re traveling one-way or roundtrip, etc., so it’s really hard to compare that. Let me say upfront though that Air France first class is without a doubt the world’s most expensive, on average, by a wide margin.
The world’s 10 best first class airlines
With the above explanation out of the way, below are what I consider to be the 10 best first class airlines, starting with the best. Let me emphasize that the post is specific to the onboard experience, and I rank first class lounges separately. You can click on each headline to read a review of that product.
As I mentioned above, my rankings are admittedly highly subjective, though if I had to group these in terms of leagues, I’d say numbers one through three could all easily be considered the world’s best, numbers four through seven are of similar quality, and then numbers eight through 10 are in a similar league. At least that’s how I see things.
1. Air France first class (Boeing 777-300ER)
There are great first class products, and then there’s the perfection that is Air France first class, marketed as La Premiere. Air France introduced its new first class product in 2025, and it really took the experience to the next level. Air France’s Boeing 777-300ER first class cabin consists of a single row of seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration. The cabin is so elegant, and rather than offering suites with doors, the airline instead has curtains you can pull around your suite.
What really sets apart Air France is the first class soft product. The food is among the best you’ll find on any airline, the service is flawless and oh-so-French, and every part of the experience is thought out.
When it’s time to sleep, Air France has some of the most comfortable bedding in the sky, and I love being able to draw a curtain around my seat for privacy.
The cabin also has excellent technology, from two entertainment screens, to wireless charging, to bluetooth audio. All Air France planes with the new La Premiere cabin have Starlink Wi-Fi installed, which is fast and free. It’s the only airline on this list where every plane has Starlink, and I think that’s a major advantage when you consider the amenities that passengers value.
The way I see it, Air France first class is the world’s most well-rounded first class product, between the incredible ground experience and the top notch onboard experience. In many ways, Air France seems like it’s competing more with private aviation than commercial aviation… and the pricing largely reflects that!
2. Emirates first class (Boeing 777-300ER)
Emirates introduced its “new” first class on select Boeing 777-300ERs all the way back in 2017, and the product is spectacular. Emirates was the first airline to introduce truly fully enclosed suites with doors in first class.
The suites don’t just have doors that add privacy, but rather are enclosed floor-to-ceiling (Air France has curtains that go floor-to-ceiling, but I consider that to be different). As someone who sleeps better when I feel like I have a fully private space, I love that.
The seat is also thoughtfully designed, with impeccable attention to detail. The suite is spacious, the TV screen huge, the bed extremely comfortable, and you can control the lighting and temperature in the suite.
The soft product is also hard to beat, from free-flowing Dom Perignon and the best wine selection in the sky, to a dine on-demand menu with all kinds of great options (including unlimited caviar).
While Emirates A380s don’t have seats that are as impressive, they have the advantage of having onboard showers and an onboard bar, so that’s a treat as well.
The only issue is how few Emirates 777s have these suites. Nine years after installation of this product started, Emirates only has these first class suites on nine of its planes, and there are no plans to retrofit existing planes with these seats. Upcoming Boeing 777Xs should feature these seats, but that plane has been delayed by seven years now — hopefully it finally joins Emirates’ fleet in 2027.
3. Japan Airlines first class (Airbus A350-1000)
Japan Airlines introduced its Airbus A350-1000s in 2024, and these are the carrier’s new flagship aircraft. These planes have all-new cabins, including a brand new first class, which is spectacular. The first class cabin consists of just six seats, in a 1-1-1 configuration, and this really takes usable first class space to a whole new level.
The first class suite is massive, wide enough to seat two people on a couch, plus one person on an ottoman. Not only is the suite huge, but the design is so thoughtful, with incredible tech, including a massive 43″ 4K television, bluetooth audio, headrest speakers, a tail camera, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more. The bed is also super comfortable, and you even have your choice of a firm or soft mattress pad.
On top of that, since this is a Japanese airline, you can expect impeccable service, and delicious food and drinks.
4. Singapore Airlines Suites (Airbus A380)
Singapore Airlines is known for being one of the best airlines in the world, and the carrier is particularly known for its Airbus A380 Suites. Singapore Airlines’ A380s have just six first class seats, spread across three rows on the upper deck, in a 1-1 layout. The airline dedicates more square footage to each first class passenger than any other airline.
Each Suite has both a seat and a separate bed, which is a mighty nice feature.
What’s even more special is that if you’re traveling with someone, you can actually create a double suite, so that you have an extra large bed. This is by far the world’s best first class product for those traveling with a companion. What’s not to love here?!
On a good day, Singapore’s Suites might be the best first class soft product in the world. On a lunch or dinner flight departing Singapore the catering is typically excellent, and there’s usually caviar, satay, etc. You can even “book the cook” in advance, and order from a huge menu that’s not otherwise available onboard.
Singapore Airlines also has an amazing champagne selection, with the choice of three options.
Service on Singapore Airlines is typically excellent as well, among the best in the world.
Based on the above, you might wonder why I’m not ranking this as the world’s best first class product. While this is an exceptionally good product, there are some things I don’t love about it. For example, each passenger is allocated such a huge space, though I wish that Singapore Airlines actually made the bed larger and more comfortable, as it’s not particularly big.
This is still a world class product, all things considered. However, despite the amount of space Singapore Airlines invested in the Suites, I can’t help but feel disappointed in the fact that the space wasn’t used in a more creative way, to create the world’s most comfortable bed on a plane. The airline certainly had the space to do so.
5. Etihad Airways first class (Airbus A380)
Etihad was the first airline to have a single-aisle configuration in first class on its Airbus A380s.
The First Class “Apartments,” as they’re called, will take your breath away. I remember being speechless the first time I boarded an Etihad A380.
Etihad has a dine on demand menu with some customization options, an onboard shower, and the second most square footage dedicated to each first class passenger.
However, there are some areas where Etihad is style over substance, in my opinion. While the suite is huge, it isn’t actually that practically designed, as the seat doesn’t recline that far back, and the bed isn’t that large. This is the same issue I have with Singapore’s new Suites.
Etihad unfortunately also has a small Airbus A380 fleet. The planes operate a limited number of routes from Abu Dhabi, to destinations like London, Toronto, etc. Note that Etihad’s A380 first class hard product is much better than what you’ll find on the Boeing 787s with first class.
6. All Nippon Airways first class (Boeing 777-300ER)
All Nippon Airways has an excellent first class product on a portion of its Boeing 777-300ER fleet. The seats are perfectly comfortable and competitive, with privacy doors, huge televisions, and functional design.
However, it’s the soft product that really delights, from excellent amenities, to complimentary Wi-Fi, to unbelievably good food, service, and drinks (including Krug champagne). Japan is such a special country, and you really feel that on ANA.
I should mention that ANA’s Airbus A380 first class is just about equally good, so I would be just as happy flying that. Admittedly that small fleet is a bit quirky, though.
7. Cathay Pacific first class (Boeing 777-300ER)
Cathay Pacific exclusively has first class on select Boeing 777-300ERs. First class has just six seats, in a 1-1-1 configuration. While the seats aren’t fully enclosed, they’re angled away from the aisle and sufficiently spacious so that there’s no need for them to be. It makes the product feel less claustrophobic, which I appreciate.
Cathay Pacific has one of the most comfortable beds in the sky — the bed is wide, and the bedding is some of the best out there.
I also love the ability to dine face-to-face with a companion. Caviar and good champagne at 37,000 feet is a heck of a date night. I also appreciate that Cathay Pacific offers a full meal service even on departures in the middle of the night.
Cathay Pacific crews are also consistent and attentive. They’re always there during the meals, and when you need something during the flight, they appear in just a couple of seconds after pushing the call button.
Unfortunately the only catch is that Cathay Pacific’s first class is only available on few routes, as the airline is increasingly reconfiguring these planes with its new Aria Suite business class, and eliminating first class in the process. The airline is expected to introduce an all-new first class on its upcoming Boeing 777Xs, and something tells me that it’s going to be a game changing product.
8. SWISS first class (Airbus A350-900)
In late 2025, the new SWISS Senses concept was introduced, which is the carrier’s all-new long haul product standard, initially debuting on newly delivered Airbus A350-900s. This includes a new first class cabin, modeled after Lufthansa Allegris.
The cabin has just three(ish) seats, with two identical window suites, and one double suite in the center (though a solo traveler can also reserve this at no extra cost). It’s a pretty sleek and impressive hard product.
I’d say SWISS’ catering is plentiful and well executed, though it doesn’t consistently have the premium touches you’ll find on other airlines, like caviar. Instead, SWISS consistently serves balik salmon, along with a variety of other appetizers.
I find service on SWISS to be mixed, but typically pretty good, especially in first class. SWISS’ first class bedding is plush and comfortable, so a great night of sleep on SWISS is a given.
Note that while SWISS eventually plans to retrofit its other long haul aircraft with this product, that project isn’t yet underway, so you’ll find a different product on other aircraft, like the Boeing 777-300ER.
Let me mention that I think it’s mostly a coin toss as to whether SWISS Senses or Lufthansa Allegris first class is better, since the hard product is identical. I’m giving SWISS the edge here simply because the airline has individual air nozzles at seats, while Lufthansa doesn’t.
9. Lufthansa first class (Airbus A350-900)
In 2024, the new Lufthansa Allegris concept started to be rolled out, which is the carrier’s new long haul product standard. This included a new first class, initially only being installed on newly delivered Airbus A350-900s.
This is a very solid hard product, with one row of seats, in a 1-1-1 configuration, with the center suite seating up to two people. Aside from the cabin finishes, it’s identical to the hard product above.
Lufthansa did also recently overhaul its first class soft product, and it represents a significant improvement over the old experience. There are many aspects I like about Lufthansa’s first class, ranging from the roses, to the signature caviar service, and more.
Lufthansa has great bedding in first class. If you can snag the double suite, you’re especially in for a treat, as there’s not a first class product with a more spacious bed.
Let me emphasize that you’ll only find this product on Allegris configured A350s based in Munich. Lufthansa also has first class on Boeing 747-8s, Airbus A340-600s, and Airbus A380s, but that’s a different, and more outdated, product.
10. Qatar Airways first class (Airbus A380)
Qatar Airways’ only long haul, purpose built first class product is on its fleet of Airbus A380s, which operate a small number of routes. The first class cabin has a total of eight seats, spread across two rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Truth be told, the hard product is nothing special, though the cabin does feel spacious.
The airline also has great amenities, food, and drinks, so it’s very well rounded.
While it’s not even exclusive to first class, I also love how the airline has a bar on the upper deck, at the back of business class, which is a great place to hang out.
I have to be honest, I think one of the reasons there’s not such a “wow” factor to Qatar Airways’ first class is simply because the carrier’s Qsuites business class is so good. There’s limited differentiation in the soft product between first class and business class, so it makes first class feel less special, by comparison.
We do know that the airline is planning a new first class on its upcoming Boeing 777Xs, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with, as I think it should be significantly better than the current product.
Honorable mention: Etihad Airways The Residence (Airbus A380)
To be thorough, I should probably mention what’s likely the most exclusive product in commercial aviation, which is The Residence. Above I covered Etihad’s Airbus A380 first class, but the airline actually has a product above first class, which is known as The Residence. This is a three room suite, with a living room, a private bedroom, and a private bathroom with shower.
There’s simply nothing else like this in commercial aviation. This is bookable as an upgrade from first class, so the idea is that if you ticket a first class reservation directly through Etihad (whether using cash or miles), you can then upgrade it with cash, space permitting.
The only thing worth mentioning is that the soft product isn’t differentiated all that much from first class, though you do get a much better ground experience, better champagne, and more attentive service.
What about Garuda Indonesia first class?
I should acknowledge that in the past, I’ve ranked Garuda Indonesia first class on the list of top first class products. So why is it no longer on the list? Well, Garuda Indonesia has sort of discontinued this product. At this point the airline only has first class on two Boeing 777-300ERs, and one of them is generally used by Indonesia’s president.
So if you look at the current state of things, you’ll notice that Garuda Indonesia isn’t selling first class on any international flights at the moment, and therefore, I’m not going to put it on my list. If the product does come back on a regular basis, I’ll certainly consider adding it back!
Garuda Indonesia first class historically offers a phenomenal soft product, from the excellent service, to the very good food and drinks.
Bottom line
There you have it. Those are what I consider to be the world’s 10 best first class airline products. I’d like to once again emphasize that I think anyone would be reasonable to think that the above products should be in a different order, but hopefully this is at least a useful list in terms of the 10 all around best first class products.
For anyone curious, I think I know what I’d rank as the next three first class products (11-13), roughly in order — Qantas, Thai Airways, and Korean Air.
What do you rank as the world’s best first class airlines?
I used to travel a lot on AF FC between CDG and HKG (Not anymore, as the plane used now, is the A350, without FC) Always found the food to look great, but lacking in taste. More than. twice, i was served cold steaks. I also always found; the Pilots having to come-up to your seat and have a 'chat', very awkward. The seats with the curtains felt very private, better than having doors IMHO; wondered why other airlines didn't adopt this 'screening' method.
I was really lucky to have gotten an airplane swap in February and got to try the Emirates Gamechanger (2), and it blew me away with how good the hard and soft product was. The only issue I had was the FAs were too generous with their pours and I slept 7 hours straight and missed the lunch service (I was woken up when they were preparing for landing).
Only other first class products...
I was really lucky to have gotten an airplane swap in February and got to try the Emirates Gamechanger (2), and it blew me away with how good the hard and soft product was. The only issue I had was the FAs were too generous with their pours and I slept 7 hours straight and missed the lunch service (I was woken up when they were preparing for landing).
Only other first class products I’ve tried have been Singapore (Old) Suites (amazing) and BA (one of my first ever flights entering the points game, so I loved it at the time). Will be flying Cathay First next month, and I’m hoping for another stroke of luck to score an upgrade to La Premiere in January.
I’ve flown BA A380 F and EK B773’s “old” F. BA didn’t have caviar but the service was incredible. EK was on BOG-MIA and that was the best three-hour flight ever!
JAL first class on the A350 is the best not Air FranceS
@Jacob, maybe JAL First class would be best out of Tokyo only? Seats, service, and drinks are excellent but the food is questionable. I flew JAL first class in 777 out of ORD in 2019 and in A350 out of JFK in September of last year. I got the Western meal out of Chicago and it was excellent but later I ordered Japanese delicacies from the A La Carte menu and it was terrible. On...
@Jacob, maybe JAL First class would be best out of Tokyo only? Seats, service, and drinks are excellent but the food is questionable. I flew JAL first class in 777 out of ORD in 2019 and in A350 out of JFK in September of last year. I got the Western meal out of Chicago and it was excellent but later I ordered Japanese delicacies from the A La Carte menu and it was terrible. On my flight out of JFK I ordered the Japanese meal and it was terrible. And I love Japanese food! However, I ordered the Japanese meal in Business out of Tokyo in 2019 and it was excellent. My meal out of Tokyo in First last year was also excellent. Other people have also commented on the quality (or lack thereof) of the Japanese meals out of USA stations.
Can AF be number one when it’s not excellent from every departure city? Ever flown LP from JFK?
@ NSS -- I have flown La Premiere from JFK. I'm curious, what was your issue with the experience? They escort you all the way from check-in to the gate (via the lounge), there's a dedicated first class lounge area with solid dining and elevated drinks, etc.
Let’s start with VIP One. Not a smooth, elevated experience, right? Waiting on the side of the line, hoping TSA notices you and lets you in. Then the escort put me through but he went to the back of the line with my carry-on, so I stood there waiting for him to emerge. Took about 10 minutes.
The lounge. So small. Are there even outlets? Sure, there was an attendant there. She brought me...
Let’s start with VIP One. Not a smooth, elevated experience, right? Waiting on the side of the line, hoping TSA notices you and lets you in. Then the escort put me through but he went to the back of the line with my carry-on, so I stood there waiting for him to emerge. Took about 10 minutes.
The lounge. So small. Are there even outlets? Sure, there was an attendant there. She brought me some food and a drink, and then spent the rest of the time attending to four other people, with lots of Hermes bags. She basically ingored me once they showed up. I dunno, maybe they were VIPs, but I still paid a lot for that ticket.
Escorted to the plane. Yes, in theory. The gentleman who brought me to the lounge from security asked if I wanted to board first or last, and then told me what time he’d pick me up. At 15 minutes past the time he said he’d get me, I left and walked to the gate. Now this is funny. When they saw my boarding card at the gate, they flipped out that I wasn’t with the escort and wouldn’t let me board until he arrived. To walk me down the teeny jetway and onto the plane.
FA? Great. Food? Good. Cayenne to the arrivals lounge? Excellent.
But from arriving at T1 until I was in my seat on the plane? Not good.
@ NSS -- I hear you, obviously the JFK ground experience isn't as good as at CDG. However, there's not an airline in the world that tries to elevate the outstation ground experience as much AF does, even if it's not always perfect. Virtually every other airline puts almost no effort into the first class ground experience.
Have you tried flying EK or JL out of JFK? They do nothing for first class passengers. I...
@ NSS -- I hear you, obviously the JFK ground experience isn't as good as at CDG. However, there's not an airline in the world that tries to elevate the outstation ground experience as much AF does, even if it's not always perfect. Virtually every other airline puts almost no effort into the first class ground experience.
Have you tried flying EK or JL out of JFK? They do nothing for first class passengers. I of course agree that Terminal 1 at JFK sucks, but that's hardly something that can directly be blamed on AF.
I have not flown AF First Class products. But all seats looks so misaligned to the facing ottoman/companion seat. Plus i like the pods with a door. Curtains just don't cut it for me. So listing it number one just doesn't cut it for me.
@ BBT -- And of course you're entitled to that take! I'm curious, what do you prefer about doors vs. curtains? I think the latter are actually much more functional in terms of their flexibility, and they also afford more privacy.
People knock on doors. How do you knock on curtains. If someone trips over the curtain your privacy is gone.
Again, I'm a pleb. So have not done much of first class traveling. But based on pictures and videos I would much rather prefer the lufthansa Allegris side seats to this.
@ BBT -- I hear you, but there's not generally much "knocking" going on with aircraft doors, as there's not really a practical way to do that, and the loud engine noise would make that hard to hear.
When you're in first class, you typically tell the crew if you'd like to be woken at a certain point for a meal, and then they'll wake up, regardless of whether there's a door or curtain.
I'd...
@ BBT -- I hear you, but there's not generally much "knocking" going on with aircraft doors, as there's not really a practical way to do that, and the loud engine noise would make that hard to hear.
When you're in first class, you typically tell the crew if you'd like to be woken at a certain point for a meal, and then they'll wake up, regardless of whether there's a door or curtain.
I'd also say that a curtain provides more flexibility. For example, while you're having the meal, maybe you only want to use one of the two curtains, so that you don't feel too enclosed. With Emirates' A380 first class doors, for example, they have to move at the same time, and the electric movement can be quite slow.
And I've never heard of anyone tripping over a curtain, given the lack of foot traffic plus that they don't drag on the ground.
At least that's my experience. :-) I know curtains may not "seem" as good as doors, but I really think they're sort of genius, and are more functional all around.
Fair points, Ben. You've actually flown these products and I haven't, so I'll certainly defer to your experience on how well the curtains work in practice.
For me, I think it's less about whether curtains objectively provide more privacy and more about the psychological feeling of having a solid door. A door makes the space feel like an actual private suite, whereas a curtain, even a very effective one, still feels like a curtain to...
Fair points, Ben. You've actually flown these products and I haven't, so I'll certainly defer to your experience on how well the curtains work in practice.
For me, I think it's less about whether curtains objectively provide more privacy and more about the psychological feeling of having a solid door. A door makes the space feel like an actual private suite, whereas a curtain, even a very effective one, still feels like a curtain to me.
That said, based purely on the photos and videos, I'd still take the enclosed feeling of the Allegris First Class side suites over Air France. Maybe actually flying La Première would change my mind. But still it take out of this world service for me to convince that's a number one for class product in the world.
So, you paid for all of your own flights, except the one ranked #1? That's a credibility problem.
Hi. You're new here.
Stay a spell, and get a lay of the land. Understand the history of Ben's flights, and get a sense of his disclosures (many), experience (much), and relationships (unparalleled in the blog world).
Then leave comments that don't cause you to embarrass yourself.
Ben clearly disclosed that AF's inaugural flight was not even available to the general public. Nobody could possibly buy a ticket, it was all by invitation only.
To be fair, Ben did disclose his flight on new la première was paid for Air France, but he also claims to have flown the product on his own dime since :" and it’s a product I’ve flown since and have paid for," however Ben did not review this one flight that he paid for, nor did he not disclose how much he paid for it, if indeed he did, considering his reluctance to pay...
To be fair, Ben did disclose his flight on new la première was paid for Air France, but he also claims to have flown the product on his own dime since :" and it’s a product I’ve flown since and have paid for," however Ben did not review this one flight that he paid for, nor did he not disclose how much he paid for it, if indeed he did, considering his reluctance to pay for difficult to redeem first classes like Starlux. So I think the comment is actually justified and some clarifications are warranted.
One could too easily understand that in the difficult miles and point world, with a close collaborator having left for Air France, that there would be more ties that meet the eye between OMAAT and Air France that would justify or amplify the amount of raving.
@ Barbarella -- I have Flying Blue Platinum status, so I can redeem for La Premiere. The awards are super expensive, but I take advantage of transfer bonuses, which helps a little bit with the value.
Tiffany's decision to work for Air France-KLM had nothing to do with me, and while I value her a lot as a person and friend, that certainly doesn't sway my objectivity on any product, and I don't think I've changed my tune on anything related to the airline.
Thanks for the clarification!
I was surprised to see you mentioned you flew the new product since the inaugural flight as I did not see you mention it elsewhere (I might have missed it) and I thought it would be valuable to your readership to learn how different or similar the product is when it's not the curated inaugural experience. It would also provide some return over investment to you considering the redemption cost....
Thanks for the clarification!
I was surprised to see you mentioned you flew the new product since the inaugural flight as I did not see you mention it elsewhere (I might have missed it) and I thought it would be valuable to your readership to learn how different or similar the product is when it's not the curated inaugural experience. It would also provide some return over investment to you considering the redemption cost.
Now, obviously your whole travel life is not on this blog and, for example, you don't share every burger you eat on a plane (wait actually you do ^^)
Oh, Willy… Gene’s been around since forever. Maybe he’s more of a feature at VFTW and LALF, but he’s an O.G.
And dont forget it! :)
Then he should know better.
@ Gene -- As I explained, it's a product I've also flown since, but I wanted to be very upfront in terms of what I disclose.
Let me perhaps explain it this way. Back in 2024 (when I last published my rankings), Air France's old first class was number three on my list, and that was when there wasn't even consistently Wi-Fi on the planes, and the tech was super outdated. When you add a...
@ Gene -- As I explained, it's a product I've also flown since, but I wanted to be very upfront in terms of what I disclose.
Let me perhaps explain it this way. Back in 2024 (when I last published my rankings), Air France's old first class was number three on my list, and that was when there wasn't even consistently Wi-Fi on the planes, and the tech was super outdated. When you add a new hard product with greatly updated tech and Starlink Wi-Fi, I think it's not too hard to figure out how one could come to the conclusion that it tops the list.
Ben, I note the absence of Starlux First Class? Despite the fact that there's no bulkhead between First and Business, it certainly is a "proper" First in all other respects.
I don't think Ben has flown Starlux F yet. I remember some old posts where he mentioned the lack of reasonable points redemption options and absurd cash fares.
@ GM -- Yeah, I still desperately want to fly Starlux first class, and as I noted in the post, it's one of the two first class products in the world I haven't flown. I've still yet to find any sort of a deal on a Starlux first class long haul flight (as soon as I do, I'll try it!).
I certainly could be wrong, but I have a hard time imagining the product would...
@ GM -- Yeah, I still desperately want to fly Starlux first class, and as I noted in the post, it's one of the two first class products in the world I haven't flown. I've still yet to find any sort of a deal on a Starlux first class long haul flight (as soon as I do, I'll try it!).
I certainly could be wrong, but I have a hard time imagining the product would make the list, when there's not even a curtain between first and business class. I say that not from an "exclusivity" standpoint, but in terms of noise, lights, etc.
Was surprised the Ethiad bed was so hard and narrow. A real drag on what was otherwise a great product.
On the flip side the qantas (not mentioned) bed is great even if the food is so so. I’d take the westbound flight down under above pretty much everything for the >10 hours of great uninterrupted rest!
@ michbob -- You're right, Qantas' beds are super comfortable. But with 15+ hour flights and the A380s still not consistently having Wi-Fi, I have a hard time giving the airline a top rating, at least for now.
When it comes to long haul premium travel, people care about different things and weigh different categories immensely. For instance, I’d happily make sacrifices on lounge and soft product for a superior hard product, especially if sleep is desired. @Lucky can you go category by category? Hard product vs. on-board soft vs. ground?
@ Sel_D -- All good points! I'm rating ground product separately, with a post about the best first class lounges, and that incorporates the overall ground experience.
I think the issue is that even with hard product, it's so variable based on what you're looking to do on a flight. Do you value having a suite with a separate bed and seat? Do you just care about having the most comfortable bed? Are you traveling...
@ Sel_D -- All good points! I'm rating ground product separately, with a post about the best first class lounges, and that incorporates the overall ground experience.
I think the issue is that even with hard product, it's so variable based on what you're looking to do on a flight. Do you value having a suite with a separate bed and seat? Do you just care about having the most comfortable bed? Are you traveling alone or with someone?
I do think the first three on the list are absolutely the best hard products in terms of balancing bed comfort and overall features.
Let’s not forget the delicious and super expensive Salon Champagne that JL offers in F Class
@ Jason -- Which is definitely awesome, but with only one bottle catered per flight (or have they upped it to two now?), it's a bit of a gimmick. Definitely not on Emirates' level, where they seemingly never run out of anything.
Only 1 unfortunately. I agree- a total gimmick. Last time out of ORD I received 2/3 of a glass as my side of the plane had a slower FA.
Qantas and BA on the 380's and their respective lounges in Sydney and London plus engaging crews with personality deserve an honorable mention at least.
Lounges are not included in this comparison. Ben ranked Qantas SYD lounge #5.
Personally, my wife and I even loved the Melbourne lounge, but while I thoroughly enjoyed the A380 F, my wife was relatively unimpressed (it was very good but not great, in her mind).
girl food .
Only done a few of these, definitely been a lot tougher since 2024/2025 to redeem points for F class on many of these
Too many mentions of fatty fat fat baleine de blanc. Any airline should be disqualified if they use that waddling flatulent diabolical beast.
Honourable mention: Singapore First on 777
While this isn’t enclosed, same exceptional service as the A380 Suites, but with just 4 seats you essentially have a private cabin. Have had entire cabin to myself previously, and also had entire cabin to myself + traveling companions. PJ anyone
@ SSS -- I do also love Singapore's 777 first class, even though it's not that "flashy." I'm always amazed by how big that walkway is behind the single row of seats.
glad I did Japan and Singapore last year :) .. next goal is Emirate and Ana
Sorry, but La Première cannot reasonably be described as "perfection". Firstly, the new seats are ultra-buggy (especially the tablet that consistently malfunctions), and secondly and more egregiously, the wine list is utterly mediocre compared to competing F products, which is particularly insulting for the flag carrier of France of all countries.
I realise that this may sound like first-world problems, but a product that costs 15-20k USD per leg really does need to be perfect,...
Sorry, but La Première cannot reasonably be described as "perfection". Firstly, the new seats are ultra-buggy (especially the tablet that consistently malfunctions), and secondly and more egregiously, the wine list is utterly mediocre compared to competing F products, which is particularly insulting for the flag carrier of France of all countries.
I realise that this may sound like first-world problems, but a product that costs 15-20k USD per leg really does need to be perfect, and La Première simply isn't.
@ VladG -- There's no denying that Air France's wine selection isn't as impressive as Emirates', for example, you're absolutely right. As I said, I'm not factoring in value in this equation, given how variable pricing is (though Air France is consistently the highest priced).
So yes, maybe "perfection" is overstated, you're right. On balance, though, I think the cutting edge tech (including Starlink Wi-Fi) makes up for that, on balance. At this point Emirates'...
@ VladG -- There's no denying that Air France's wine selection isn't as impressive as Emirates', for example, you're absolutely right. As I said, I'm not factoring in value in this equation, given how variable pricing is (though Air France is consistently the highest priced).
So yes, maybe "perfection" is overstated, you're right. On balance, though, I think the cutting edge tech (including Starlink Wi-Fi) makes up for that, on balance. At this point Emirates' "new" first class is a decade old, and it's kind of embarrassing that it's still only installed on nine planes.
@Ben, although it is not purpose-built, how would you rate QR's F on board the ex-CX 777s? Would it be #10 too? Is CX's soft product better than QR's?
Side notes: Can't wait to try #10 later this year and #6 in 2027 for the first time! My only F experience so far was the old LH F (RIP award availability through *A).
@ hbilbao -- I'd say Cathay Pacific's first class soft product is better than Qatar Airways', so I'd still rank it higher. I'd say the ex-Cathay Pacific 777 and the Qatar Airways A380 first class hard products are roughly comparable, but I'm trying to stick to "native," purpose built products, rather than inherited planes that are temporarily being flown by an airline.
Enjoy your ANA and Qatar Airways flights! If you've only done old Lufthansa...
@ hbilbao -- I'd say Cathay Pacific's first class soft product is better than Qatar Airways', so I'd still rank it higher. I'd say the ex-Cathay Pacific 777 and the Qatar Airways A380 first class hard products are roughly comparable, but I'm trying to stick to "native," purpose built products, rather than inherited planes that are temporarily being flown by an airline.
Enjoy your ANA and Qatar Airways flights! If you've only done old Lufthansa first class, then I think you're in for quite the treat! :-)
I totally disagree with JAL A350 "Impeccable Service" JAL first class has been the worst service I have ever had on a first class cabin ,and I'm not the only one indicating this .
@ ginob -- Worst service ever in first class? On a Japanese airline? Wow! My I ask what went wrong?
well ive only done 4,5, and 6 so clearly I'm slacking and need to hit 1,2,3.
Also absolutely hilarious that Emirates did 9 planes with their flagship first class product in 9 years, meanwhile air france has already updated more planes to the new LP in the past 1.5 years. EK is a joke
"Also absolutely hilarious that Emirates did 9 planes with their flagship first class product in 9 years, meanwhile air france has already updated more planes to the new LP in the past 1.5 years."
I went to heart this comment, but the "Helpful" feature isn't working.
100% agree. I'm not sure I'd call Emirates a "joke" but at the very least, they're pretty misleading (cynical?) in using photos of a "new" product that's on...
"Also absolutely hilarious that Emirates did 9 planes with their flagship first class product in 9 years, meanwhile air france has already updated more planes to the new LP in the past 1.5 years."
I went to heart this comment, but the "Helpful" feature isn't working.
100% agree. I'm not sure I'd call Emirates a "joke" but at the very least, they're pretty misleading (cynical?) in using photos of a "new" product that's on <10% of their 777 aircraft to sell first class.
Hearts are working again.
And hearts stopped working again :(
Air France only provides on pillow in LP. There need to be at least two, and AF should fix that.
In the meantime, if you want an extra pillow (especially for their longest flight, the HND-CDG segment), there are only two extras on each flight, so be sure to ask early if you want one of them, because when the two are taken, you'll need to hope that there are unused pillows in business that the FA can snag for you.
Now that is a first world problem.