This ranking is based on: hard product (seat design, bed, suite), soft product (food, champagne, amenities), service quality, and practical factors like route availability and award booking options.
Top Tier
Singapore Airlines Suites Class (A380)
Six suites on the A380 upper deck. Approximately 50 square feet per passenger—the most space dedicated to each first class passenger of any airline.
- Configuration: 6 seats in 1-1 layout across 3 rows, single aisle
- Suite design: Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Separate swivel chair and wall-mounted bed (no seat-to-bed conversion needed)
- Double Suite option: Seats 1A/2A or 1F/2F can combine into a double bed—the only true double bed in commercial aviation
- Entertainment: 32" swivel TV viewable from seat or bed
- Champagne: Dom Pérignon and Krug both available as standard
- Book the Cook: Pre-order from 30+ main course options up to 24 hours before departure
- Amenities: Lalique pajamas, slippers, amenity kits; Bang & Olufsen headphones
- Wi-Fi: Free unlimited for Suites passengers
Routes: Singapore to New York (JFK), Frankfurt, Sydney, London (Heathrow). Also the Frankfurt-JFK fifth freedom route.
Note on the bed: The mattress is on the firm side—a common observation in reviews.
Award booking: ~86,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles one-way. Transfer partners include Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One. Award availability is limited, especially for two seats together.
Emirates First Class (777-300ER New Suites)
Six fully enclosed suites with floor-to-ceiling walls (not just doors). The first airline to offer complete visual privacy in first class.
- Configuration: 6 seats in 1-1-1 layout
- Suite design: Floor-to-ceiling walls with Mercedes-Benz inspired finishes. Individual climate control and custom mood lighting
- Virtual windows: Center seats have screens displaying real-time camera footage from the fuselage—effectively better than actual windows with no glare
- Entertainment: 32" HD touchscreen plus separate tablet for suite controls and ordering
- Minibar: Built into each suite with drinks and snacks
- Champagne: Dom Pérignon after takeoff (Veuve Clicquot on ground departures from US)
- Food: Dine-on-demand menu, unlimited caviar
- Amenities: BVLGARI amenity kit, Bowers & Wilkins headphones, pajamas
Important limitation: Only 9 aircraft have these new suites. The only US route is Washington Dulles (IAD). Most Emirates first class is the older, less private configuration.
Note for couples: The suite design means you cannot sit together or dine face-to-face with a companion.
Award booking: ~160,000 Emirates Skywards miles plus significant fuel surcharges (~$800+ one-way). Transfer partners include Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One.
Japan Airlines First Class (A350-1000)
JAL's newest first class product. Six suites with exceptional space and thoughtful details.
- Configuration: 6 seats in 1-1-1 layout
- Suite size: Wide enough for two people on the couch plus one on the ottoman
- Entertainment: 43" 4K TV (tied with ANA for largest in commercial aviation)
- Audio: Bluetooth connectivity and headrest speakers (no headphones required)
- Mattress choice: Firm or soft mattress pad—one of the few airlines offering this option
- Wi-Fi: Complimentary for first class
- Tail camera: Watch takeoff and landing from outside the aircraft
- Service: Japanese hospitality with kaiseki menu options and local cuisine
Aircraft note: The A350 is notably quieter than older widebodies.
Award booking: Available through JAL Mileage Bank, Alaska Mileage Plan, and others. Availability to Tokyo generally better than from Tokyo.
ANA "The Suite" First Class (777-300ER)
Eight first class seats with the largest TV in commercial aviation and what many reviewers consider the best first class meal service.
- Configuration: 8 seats in 1-2-1 layout
- Entertainment: 43" 4K TV with HDMI port for personal devices
- Privacy: Closing doors (added in this version), electronic window blinds
- Center seats: Partition can lower for face-to-face dining with a companion
- Champagne: Krug Grande Cuvée
- Food: Japanese kaiseki set menu frequently cited as the best meal in first class. Courses include scallop, salmon roe, abalone, sashimi, multiple simmered dishes
- Wi-Fi: Free unlimited, high-speed
- Service: Approximately 2 flight attendants for 8 passengers; crew introduces themselves individually
Note on the bed: Mattress is firm. Pajamas run small (Japanese sizing).
Routes: London Heathrow, New York (JFK and Newark), Frankfurt.
Award booking: 105,000-115,000 miles depending on program. Aeroplan, LifeMiles, United, and Virgin Atlantic (120,000 for roundtrip) are options. More availability on flights to Japan than from Japan.
Excellent Products
Cathay Pacific First Class (777-300ER)
Six seats with what's consistently described as the most comfortable bed in commercial aviation.
- Configuration: 6 seats in 1-1-1 layout, angled away from aisle for privacy (no doors)
- Bed quality: Wide, with exceptional bedding—sleep quality is a standout
- Dining: Can move to ottoman to dine face-to-face with companion. Full meal service available even on red-eye flights
- Champagne: Krug
- Service: Consistently attentive; crew responds quickly to call button
Ground experience: The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong includes day suites, spa treatments, and private dining—a significant part of the Cathay experience.
Award booking: Available through Asia Miles, Alaska Mileage Plan, and others. Availability has become more limited in recent years.
Lufthansa First Class (747-8)
The onboard product is good but not exceptional. The reason to book Lufthansa First is the ground experience at Frankfurt.
- Configuration: 8 seats in 1-2-1, located in the nose of the 747
- Onboard: Caviar service, pre-flight champagne, fast free Wi-Fi
- Service: German consistency—predictable and professional
First Class Terminal (Frankfurt): This is the differentiator. A private terminal building with personal assistants, restaurant, bar, bath suites (not stalls), and private car transfer directly to your aircraft in a Porsche or Mercedes.
Award booking: Available through Miles & More, Aeroplan, LifeMiles, United, and others.
Swiss First Class (777-300ER)
Often overlooked but delivers consistently. Better soft product than Lufthansa with excellent Swiss wines.
- Configuration: 8 seats in 1-2-1
- Food and wine: Higher-end presentation, excellent Swiss and international wine selection
- Bedding: Plush and comfortable
- Service: Warm without being excessive
Award booking: Good availability through Aeroplan. Transfer partners include Amex and others.
Qatar Airways Qsuites (Business Class)
Technically business class, but Qsuites with closing doors outperforms many airlines' first class products at lower award costs.
- Configuration: 1-2-1 with closing doors—full visual privacy in business class
- Quad configuration: Four center suites can open into a shared space for groups
- Service: Qatar crews are highly regarded
- Lounge: Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha includes spa treatments and multiple restaurants
Value consideration: At roughly half the miles cost of first class on other carriers, Qsuites often provides better value for the experience delivered.
Good Products
- Air France La Première: Floor-to-ceiling curtains (not doors), exceptional French cuisine and wine, one of the world's best first class lounges at CDG. The hard product is older but the soft product is excellent. New suites expected soon.
- Etihad First Apartments (A380): Visually striking design with enormous suites and an onboard shower. The seat doesn't recline as far as expected and the bed is smaller than the suite size suggests. Only operates to London and New York from Abu Dhabi.
- Korean Air First (747-8): Six seats in the nose of the 747. Spacious, good food and champagne. Weaker entertainment system and no Wi-Fi.
- British Airways First: Older seat design. Worth considering primarily for Concorde Room lounge access at London Heathrow.
US Carrier Premium Cabins
US airlines generally don't offer international first class comparable to Asian and Middle Eastern carriers:
- Delta One Suites: The version with closing doors (A350, A330-900neo, retrofitted 767s) is a competitive business class product. Older configurations are standard business class. See our Delta One Guide for aircraft details.
- United Polaris: United eliminated first class and rebranded business class as Polaris. Solid business class product.
- American Airlines Flagship First: Available on select routes to London and São Paulo. Decent but not comparable to top international first class products.
How to Book First Class
Most first class tickets cost $10,000-20,000+ when purchased with cash. The practical approach for most travelers is booking with points and miles.
Award Programs for First Class
- Singapore KrisFlyer: ~86,000 miles one-way for Suites. Transfers from Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One.
- Emirates Skywards: For Emirates first class. High fuel surcharges but necessary for the new suites. Transfers from Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One.
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Good availability on Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA. ~105,000-115,000 miles. Transfers from Amex, Chase.
- ANA Mileage Club: Low rates to Japan but requires round-trip booking.
- Avianca LifeMiles: No fuel surcharges on Star Alliance partners.
- Alaska Mileage Plan: Partner awards on JAL, Cathay at reasonable rates.
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 120,000 miles for roundtrip ANA first class.
Availability Tips
- Airlines often release unsold first class seats 2-4 weeks before departure
- Flights to Asia typically have better first class availability than flights from Asia
- Two first class seats together is difficult to find—be flexible on dates or book separately
- Amex, Chase, Citi, and Capital One points transfer to most key programs
Getting the Miles
Most first class awards require 80,000-160,000 miles per ticket. See our credit card guide for earning strategies.
Summary
For the experience: Singapore Suites and the Emirates new 777 suites represent the current peak of first class travel.
For practical booking: ANA and JAL offer excellent products with better award availability. Cathay has the most comfortable bed. Lufthansa has the best ground experience at Frankfurt.
For value: Qatar Qsuites in business class delivers an experience comparable to many first class products at roughly half the miles cost.