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- Even More Of The Airlines With The Most Deluxe Seating
Millions of economy-class travelers know what it's like to peek through the first-class curtain on an airplane and wonder: What's going on in there? Plenty, that's what. Those first-class guests are sipping free champagne, eating caviar from a silver spoon, and getting ready to convert their seats into fully flat beds for the overnight flight. Soon they'll change into their comfy, organic cotton loungewear, another gift from the airline.
First class is for well-heeled travelers since those hefty airfares typically will cost between 5 and 10 times the economy fare, meaning that a $500 one-way ticket in the economy too, say Paris, will translate to somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 for first class. So each traveler has to decide whether it's worth the cost. For those new to first-class flying, here's a sampling of what flyers can expect in the luxury category, based on highest-review data from Skytrax, the U.K.-based firm that owns World Airline Awards, an airline and airport ranking site.
UPDATE: 2023/02/23 14:42 EST BY AARON SPRAY
Even More Of The Airlines With The Most Deluxe Seating
Airlines take their first-class seating very seriously and make for a very relaxing flight. Some airlines can have onboard bars, double beds, and even massages in the departure lounge before departing. This list was updated and expanded with more of the top luxury seating options offered in first class around the world.
13 ANA All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airlines features first-class seats that convert to fully flat beds and have doors for privacy on the Airbus A380 aircraft. Each seating area has wide-screen TVs and ample storage space. A new first-class suite on the B777-300ER aircraft can be configured to accommodate two passengers traveling together. The ANA Sky channel offers everything from Hollywood blockbusters to new Japanese releases, and there are games for children. Japanese, as well as international cuisine, is featured onboard the airline.
12 British Airways
British Airways' first class passengers enjoy private suites, with seats that turn into flat beds, quilted mattresses, and cotton duvets and pillows. Passengers can slip into complimentary loungewear by Temperley London and begin to relax. First-class guests can create their own dining experience with the airline's Dine Anytime policy, with menus that showcase British ingredients. Entertainment offers include 1,000 hours of programs offered on inflight channels, and free Wi-Fi is available.
11 Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific claims to have the softest beds in the sky. These seat conversions are fully flat, of course, and feature a thick mattress, 600-thread-count linens, several soft pillows, and even a calming pillow mist. Mealtime is whenever a first-class passenger desires and all meals are prepared to order. The airline's menu features Hong Kong flavors and several signature favorites. Noise-canceling headphones drown out any aircraft noise, and entertainment includes Hollywood's top hits and TV shows, podcasts, and music.
10 Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways features partitioned seat areas for privacy, with seats that convert to flat beds, where guests can chill out and watch movies or TV shows or tune in to playlists and podcasts. First-class flyers choose from a boutique wine list for pairing options for each course of their meal, which is a la carte and served anytime. Free WiFi and an Italian wellness amenity kit are provided to all first-class guests.
9 Emirates
Close the doors to an Emirates first-class seat and start dreaming about dinner. Meals range from gourmet hors d’oeuvres to caviar to a multi-course meal featuring ingredients like Australian Angus beef and produce from local farms in Japan. Meals can be ordered to each first-class private suite at any time, and they're served on Royal Doulton fine chinaware. Seats convert to fully flat beds, and entertainment options include HBO Max, hundreds of streaming services and channels, and live TV. Before arriving at their destination, first-class guests can enjoy a refreshing shower spa.
8 Japan Airlines
Seats that convert to lie-flat beds with retractable privacy partitions make Japan Airlines' first-class service a secluded experience. Each seat console area has woodgrain furnishings, a storage compartment, and entertainment controls. Chef-created menus feature Japanese cuisine dishes such as vegetable curry with Japanese potatoes and onions. Movies, videos, ebooks, and games are among the wide variety of entertainment options for first-class guests. And all first-class passengers receive “relaxing ware” clothing made of 100 percent organic cotton.
7 Lufthansa
Lufthansa boasts that its ergonomic first-class seats can be perfectly adjusted to suit each passenger, and those who wish to sleep can request that cabin attendants convert the seat into a flat bed with a temperature-regulating duvet, so no more chilly flights. First-class passengers on Lufthansa can choose from more than 100 movies in eight languages, plus 200 TV programs and sports channels. Passengers who prefer audio entertainment can choose from a large selection of available CDs, audiobooks, and podcasts. Lufthansa promises Michelin-quality cuisine. Meals are a la carte, and passengers can decide when they wish to eat.
6 Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways provides first-class passengers with fully lie-flat beds for a super relaxing ride. Meal service is a la carte, allowing passengers to choose exactly what they'd like to dine on. Qatar offers its signature caviar service to those in first class, and the delicacy is served on handcrafted Italian crystal. According to the airline, Osciettra caviar is served with a basket of warmed buttermilk blinis and Melba toast bread. There are roughly 4,000 entertainment options offered onboard.
5 Singapore Airlines
First class in Singapore Airlines means mood lighting, curved seat partitions for extra privacy, and extra-wide seats that can convert to lie-flat beds. First-class suites on the Airbus A380 offer double-size beds. Entertainment is abundant, with 1,800 options, and Wi-Fi is available on board all Singapore Airlines aircraft except the Boeing 737-800NG. Entertainment is enhanced with a video touchscreen handset and a 24-inch HD-enabled personal LCD monitor with headphones. The airline's inflight meal service features the pre-ordering of meals up to 24 hours before flight time.
4 Air France
Luxurious first-class suites on Air France have seats that convert to flat beds, electronically controlled window shades, mood lighting options, and even a cashmere blanket. Retractable partitions can be raised for privacy. Already known for its above-average food in any class, Air France has recently unveiled new Michelin-starred menus for first class and business class. Think shrimp in lobster sauce perfumed with tarragon, red rice, and baby spinach, for instance. Entertainment options include choices from 1,000 hours of programs, with hundreds of titles available in different languages.
3 China Eastern Airlines
China is now home to a number of the world's leading airline carriers. One of the leading airlines with first-class luxury seating is Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines. China Eastern Airlines is a SkyTeam member, and their luxury seating even features double beds (even some of the top-rated airlines like Emirates don't have double beds). In bed mode, the seat is 26.5 inches wide and 79 inches long, and there are a total of six of these beds/seats to select from in first class. They also come with a sliding door for complete privacy.
2 Garuda Indonesia
Guarda Indonesia is the flag carrier of the massive country of Indonesia and is arguably one of the most underrated first-class airlines in the world. They offer top-notch first-class services on their 777-300ER aircraft (with routes to Tokyo, Amsterdam, Jeddah, and London. The tickets for these seats are expensive and also difficult to find availability. Their first-class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with a total of 8 seats in the cabin.
1 Thai Airways
Thai Airways offers some of the exotic luxuries of Thailand's royal tradition. Thai Airways is a Star Alliance member (although it doesn't actually fly direct to the USA). On these flights, first-class passengers are spoiled with oversized armchairs, an hour-long massage, and the best of Thai hospitality. Passengers embarking in Bangkok are escorted to the Royal First Class Lounge and Spa, where full body oil massage or other traditional Thai-style massage awaits.