Which Airlines Have The Best First Class?

Luxury air travel has reached new heights in 2025, with carriers worldwide battling it out for best first class glory. These premium cabins are not just seats but personal sanctuaries at 35000 feet, complete with gourmet dining, lavish service, and exclusive amenities. Below is our ranking of the top 10 best first class airlines you can experience right now. And hey, if you have ever fought someone for an armrest in economy, you will appreciate the privacy doors, caviar, and possibly even a shower up in the skies. It is almost enough to make you look down at those cramped seats and say, "Economy who?"

Just do not try to tell your relatives at Thanksgiving dinner that your seat came with a chandelier. They might ask you to share your wealth. Joke is on them — you used miles to book it, right?

10. Garuda Indonesia – First Class

Flying Garuda’s first class is like stumbling upon a secret VIP lounge, very few people know it’s there, and those who do can’t stop raving about the warm Indonesian hospitality. The cabin has only eight private suites on a single aircraft, making this an elusive gem for luxury enthusiasts. Think onboard chefs whipping up satay at your request and flight attendants beaming like you’re a long-lost friend.

• Pricing: Round-trip fares on the single 777-300ER route can top $12,000.
• Suite Setup: Enclosed suites with seats that convert into a spacious bed.
• Service Style: Cabin crew widely regarded as among the friendliest in the skies.
  Dining Perks: Onboard chef cooks personalized meals, signature Indonesian dishes are a highlight.
• Added Touches: Genuine welcomes, local design motifs, and a VIP lounge experience on the ground.
  

9. SWISS – First Class

SWISS First Class is all about refined luxury and attention to detail. As part of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS has crafted a first class product known for its sleek design and consistently high quality. 

• Pricing: Typically $10,000–$14,000 round-trip on intercontinental routes.
• Cabin Feel: Eight suites in a 1-2-1 layout, open yet private thanks to sliding screens.
• Service: Polished, professional, and just friendly enough to make you want to move to Zurich.
• Dining: “Taste of Switzerland” menu featuring gourmet Swiss dishes and—of course—top-tier chocolate.
• Ground Lounge: Exclusive lounge in Zurich with fine dining, private day rooms, and VIP transfers.

8. Lufthansa – First Class

Lufthansa’s first class is like a classic luxury sedan: no outlandish bells and whistles, yet everything oozes quality. From the signature rose at your seat to the caviar course, Lufthansa never forgets it’s pampering you, though the real star might be the dedicated First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. Yes, an entire terminal just for you.

• Pricing: Fares usually hover between $10k–$14k round-trip, sometimes dipping to $7k in rare sales.
• Seats & Layout: Eight open seats in the nose of the 747-8 or on select A380s.
• Service Style: Polite, detail-oriented, and quietly attentive—think “German precision with a wink.”
• Dining: Multi-course feasts, caviar served on fine china, and always a glass of excellent bubbly.
• Ground Extravagance: The Frankfurt First Class Terminal, private security, cigar lounge, and a chauffeured Porsche ride to the plane.

7. Cathay Pacific – First Class

Cathay’s first class might not have doors, but the seat is so big you could invite your friend from economy to lounge on the ottoman (not that they'd ever want to go back). Factor in plush bedding and a dedicated service ethos, and you’ve got a true contender for best first class airlines in Asia.

• Pricing: $14,000–$18,000 round-trip between Hong Kong and major global cities.
• Open-Suite Design: Six wide seats with high walls that still let you feel the cabin’s airy elegance.
• Service: Attentive yet subtle; you’ll never have to press the call button twice.
• Dining: Caviar and Krug champagne, with the option to have a buddy join you for face-to-face dining.
• Comfort Factor: Bamford bedding that’s often rated the coziest in the sky.
  

6. All Nippon Airways (ANA) – “The Suite” First Class

If you appreciate calm and 4K technology at 35,000 feet, ANA’s “The Suite” is calling your name. Between the impeccably polite crew and the option for multi-course Japanese meals, you’ll feel like you’re in a Tokyo luxury hotel, except the walls occasionally shake from torbulence.

• Pricing: One-way from New York to Tokyo often around $15,000; round-trips can exceed $20k.
• Enclosed Suites: Sliding doors, huge 43-inch screens, and a personal closet.
• Hospitality: Deep bows, top-notch English proficiency, and near-telepathic attentiveness.
• Food & Drink: Choose between a lavish kaiseki menu or French-inspired cuisine plus unlimited champagne.
• Bonus: Free unlimited Wi-Fi so you can stay connected and show off the luxury

5. Etihad Airways – First Class Apartments (& The Residence)

Picture a tiny apartment in the sky, with a separate chair and bed. Now add a shower spa, a personal chef, and flight attendants so attentive they might fluff your pillows twice. That’s Etihad’s A380 Apartments. If you really want to show off, book The Residence, a three-room suite where a Savoy-trained butler awaits your every command. (Just don’t ask them to walk your dog. It’s still an airplane.)

• Pricing: Apartments typically $8k–$10k one-way; The Residence can soar past $20k.
• Apartment Layout: Big leather seat, separate bed, and sliding doors for maximum privacy.
• Dining: On-demand meals from a custom menu—ask for extra truffle oil at 2 a.m. and watch magic happen.
• Shower Spa: Available to all First Class passengers for a mid-flight refresh.
• High-End Touches: Butler service in The Residence, luxurious amenity kits, and an onboard lounge to stretch your legs.
  

4. Air France – La Première

Looking for French savoir-faire at 40,000 feet? Air France’s La Première is so exclusive it has just four suites per 777, each encircled by thick curtains for privacy. It’s like dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant with flight attendants who’d fit right in at a Parisian fashion show, no berets, though.

• Pricing: Typically $9k–$12k one-way for routes like Paris–New York; round-trips can exceed $15k.
• Intimate Cabin: Four suites in a 1-2-1 layout, designed with leather and soft fabrics for the best comfort money can buy.
• Cuisine: Menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs, plus an impressive French wine list.
• Service & Perks: One crew member per passenger ratio, Sisley amenity kits, and a chauffeured ride on the tarmac at CDG.
• Lounge Experience: The La Première Lounge in Paris offers fine dining, spa treatments, and direct car transfers to your flight.

3. Japan Airlines – First Class (Sky Suites)

JAL’s brand-new A350 First Class is so spacious you might wonder if they removed half the passenger seats to make room for that giant sofa. Then there’s the old-school Japanese hospitality, if you blink, the crew might fold an origami crane and leave it on your armrest before you even notice.

• Pricing: One-way Tokyo–New York can hit $12k–$15k; round-trips sometimes hit $20k–$30k.
• Suite Design: Massive 1-1-1 layout, with wide sofas, 43-inch 4K screens, and lots of storage.
• Hospitality: Polite bows, subtle gestures, and the feeling you just arrived at a five-star ryokan.
• Dining: Multi-course kaiseki or Western menus, with top-tier sake and champagne.
• Extras: Unlimited Wi-Fi, lavish amenity kits, and pajamas so comfy you’ll consider wearing them outside.

2. Singapore Airlines – Suites Class

Have you ever shared a double bed in flight? Singapore Airlines says, “Sure, why not?” Two adjoining suites can become one big bedroom, complete with separate recliners and a stand-alone bed. Warning: your biggest challenge may be resisting the urge to Snapchat your entire dinner, especially the caviar course.

• Pricing: One-way Singapore–London or Singapore–Sydney often $8k–$12k; round-trips can pass $15k.
• Private Cabins: Six suites on the A380 upper deck, each enclosed with walls and doors.
• Champagne & Caviar: Dom Pérignon and Krug on tap, caviar whenever you feel peckish—no judgment.
• “Book the Cook”: Pre-order dishes like lobster thermidor or local Singaporean favorites.
• Lounge Access: The Private Room at Changi Airport, exclusive even by first class standards.
  

1. Emirates – First Class Suites

Emirates turned first class into a global phenomenon with its onboard shower, frequent Dom Pérignon top-ups, and gold-trimmed everything. On the A380, you can shower at 40,000 feet and then head to the lounge bar in your newly minted pajamas. On select 777s, the “Game Changer” suites have floor-to-ceiling doors. Let’s just say the bar’s been set extremely high—literally.

• Pricing: Round-trip from New York to Dubai around $20k–$21k; ultra-long-hauls can go north of $30k.
• Suite Options: Fully enclosed 777 “Game Changer” suites or private A380 suites (with the famous Shower Spa).
• Dining: Unlimited caviar, multi-course gourmet meals, and top-shelf Champagne.
• Onboard Perks: Separate bar to socialize, Bulgari amenity kits, and moisturizing pajamas (yes, that’s a thing).
• Ground Luxuries: Chauffeur drive, an enormous lounge in Dubai, and even a caviar bar if you’re feeling fancy.

Spend those Air Miles wisely 

Welcome to a world where an airline seat can feel more like a private condo, complete with turn-down service, multi-course meals, and enough champagne to fill a swimming pool. Whether it’s the authentic warmth of Garuda Indonesia, the French flair of Air France, or the over-the-top glamour of Emirates, each of these best first class of 2025 cabins brings its own twist to luxury. If you ever find yourself showering at 40,000 feet or eating caviar at midnight just because you can, well, congratulations. You’re living the best first class dream.

FAQ

Which airline offers showers onboard?

A: Emirates (A380) and Etihad (A380) both have shower spas for first class passengers.

Can two people share a bed in flight?

A: Yes, Singapore Airlines Suites can merge two adjoining suites into one double bed—romantic or just really roomy.

Are caviar refills actually a thing?

A: Absolutely. Emirates, for example, is known for offering extra helpings if you dare to ask.

Why are these tickets so expensive?

A: You’re essentially paying for a flying hotel suite, gourmet dining, personalized service, and bragging rights for eternity.

Can I book these with miles?

A: Most airlines release limited first class award seats, so you might need a stash of points and a bit of luck—but it’s not impossible!