The Pinnacle of Luxury: My Top 5 Best First Class Airlines

Updated on February 20th, 2026 at 03:34 pm

Following my ranking of the world’s top Business Class airlines — which was great fun to put together. Now it’s time to step things up.

This follow-on ranking reveals my Top 5 Best First Class airlines in the world in 2026 — the very best of the best in commercial aviation.

I’ve limited this list to five rather than ten because true international First Class is becoming increasingly rare. Many major carriers, including American, Asiana and United, have eliminated First Class altogether, with others steadily moving in the same direction. As airlines focus on premium Business Class cabins, the traditional long-haul First Class experience is quietly disappearing — making the remaining products all the more special.

So what really separates First Class from Business Class?

It starts with space and privacy. Suites are larger, cabins are more intimate, and the sense of exclusivity is immediate. But the real difference lies in the refinement: deeply personalised service, exceptional dining often featuring caviar and the finest champagnes, and a seamless private ground experience with dedicated check-in and exclusive lounges.

In short, First Class isn’t just a bigger seat — it’s a completely elevated journey from curb to cabin. And when done right, it remains the pinnacle of commercial air travel.

The Ranking Process

To keep things as consistent as possible I will largely use the criteria’s I applied for Business Class ranking with one specific addition. In essence, even on the same benchmark, what we are looking in the scoring is something that is of a higher quality, delivery more polished.

Ground Service –  As in Business this considers check-in experience, a more intimate lounge experience with complimentary spa treatments, fast track security, escorts to /from the plane etc

Staff – Here I would consider such things as communication, general manners and friendliness, ability to deliver above and beyond. 

Service standards – This is one would factors in crew availability, ratio of crew to passenger/responsiveness, wider airline communication, true dine-on-demand,  personalised welcome and turn-down, ability to control own cabin temperature and ambience

Physical Product – This includes the seats, layout of the cabin, privacy, noise levels, cabin ambience and lighting, storage etc

Food & Beverage – Including quality, range of choice, ability to order in advance. Here we are looking for availability of top shelf champagnes, cuisine designed by world renounced chefs, served in the finest China and with finer attention to detail with presentation

Entertainment – Range and quality of offering from movies, documentaries/Sports, Music, Interactive Games, Connectivity etc. The main differentiator here from Business would be much larger and higher definition IFE screens and 

Bed & Amenities – The length and width of the bed,  it’s a given that First Class beds do not have any restrictions in feet area, bedding and choice of pillows provided, some airlines provide separate beds entirely to the main seat

Customer Service – Everything before & after flying. Some airlines have dedicated support lines for First Class passengers where any requests can be expedited

Wow Factor – This is a new one here that is specifically relevant for a First Class experience. By very definition, a First Class experience should not be anything ordinary.

Airlines can achieve this wow factor in various ways, whether that is through a spectacular hard product bordering on private jet level of space, bars, shower spas, private escorts and chauffeur service. What is the airline doing to provide an experience above and beyond the ordinary?

As before each criteria will have a score out of 10, so the total will be out of 90. But to make things easier, I will convert them as a percentage! Now, enough of the criteria’s, lets see which airlines make it to the top 5!

Top 5 Best First Class Airlines 2026

5. Cathay Pacific ( Score 86% )

Ground Service: 9 Staff: 8.5 Service Standards: 9 Physical Product: 9 Food & Beverage: 9 Entertainment: 9 Bed & Amenities: 10 Customer Service: 8 Wow Factor: 6

Cathay Pacific has a top notch product offering in First with the soft product in particular that shines through. Cathay has the lounge game nailed down with not one but two superb First Class Spa like lounges in its Hong Kong base, offering impeccable quality of service. The Wing is one of few airport lounges to have a Hotel Suite style bath cabanas. No one else does this better. For airlines like have Lufthansa have tried ! The hard product found only on 777s, while very decent by First Class standards, are now also showing age.  A New First Class product is in the works and expected some time in 2027 with the delivery of 777X which keeps getting delayed and out of Cathays hands. I would expect this would indeed keep Cathay in the top league of First Class for years to come.

4. Japan Airlines ( Score 87% )

Ground Service: 8 Staff: 10 Service Standards: 9 Physical Product: 9 Food & Beverage: 9.5 Entertainment: 8.5 Bed & Amenities: 9 Customer Service: 9 Wow Factor: 6

Cracking into the top 5 best First Class airlines, Japan Airlines offers a very traditional but indeed refined experience in the most pointy end. While the hard product itself is in desperate need of a refresh, there is no denying it still fulfils the level of comfort and space expected from a good First Class Suite. Add to that the excellent restaurant quality catering, Cristal or Salon 2007 Champagne and superb soft touches from Organic cotton PJs and Shiseido products and incredible crew. It’s hard not to love a JAL First Class experience. You can read my full review of what it’s like to Fly Japan Airlines First Class here

3. Etihad Airways ( Score 88% )

Ground Service: 9 Staff: 9 Service Standards: 9.5 Physical Product: 9 Food & Beverage: 9 Entertainment: 8.5 Bed & Amenities: 9.5 Customer Service: 8 Wow Factor: 8

Etihad has been through quite a ride over the last few years, but it has now come back stronger than ever.  After grounding ALL A380s – most are now back in the skies with the uber luxurious Etihad Apartments & The RESIDENCE.  Etihad First Class footprint have shrunk considerably, however. Only select 787’s have a more standard First Class ( which is still a superb product ) whilst 777s with First Class are gone. Etihad First experience in brand new Zayed International Terminal 2 is an experience to devour with fine dining and SPA treatments to chose from as well as complimentary chauffer service to and from select hubs. There is no news of any new First Class product in the pipeline, so where they will be in the coming years is a mystery.

2. Singapore Airlines ( Score 91 % )

Ground Service: 9 Staff: 10 Service Standards: 9 Physical Product: 9.5 Food & Beverage: 9 Entertainment: 9 Bed & Amenities: 9.5 Customer Service: 9 Wow Factor: 8

Singapore First Class has always seemed like a dreamy way to fly, whether that is in the 777 First or the pinnacle of Suites that is it’s A380 Suites product. They have by far one of the most attentive, friendly and sociable crews out there. Everything is done with elegance and flair. Start of your journey with personal check-in, and then in the exclusive Private Room (recently renovated post Covid) that feels like a sanctuary meets restaurant. The new A380 Suites is where the idea of First Class is elevated to a whole new level. So much so it’s hard to believe you are on a commercial aircraft! It is the worlds biggest First Class commercial product in sheer footage. It features 2 bathrooms that would not look out of place in a luxury boutique hotel!

 

1. Emirates ( Score 93% )

Ground Service: 9.5 Staff: 9 Service Standards: 9.5 Physical Product: 9.5 Food & Beverage: 9.5 Entertainment: 10 Bed & Amenities: 10 Customer Service: 8 Wow Factor: 9

Coming in First place, Emirates epitomizes First Class travel. It is the pinnacle of luxury travel like no other. Admittedly it all started in a very in your face style of bling which is gradually but slowly being toned down. It always had the substance to back it up. Substance in spades really. Fantastic lounges with direct lifts to your aircraft? Tick. Top notch service? Tick. Mind blowing product? Tick. Wow factors like fancy onboard bars and spa showers bigger than your home? You bet! Some may say it’s too superfluous. Do you need all that pezazz? Off course not! But that’s not the point. It’s playful and offers an experience out of the ordinary. And it’s just oh so fun!

 

Overall Thoughts

I would consider flying First Class on any of these airlines an absolute treat. Some of these airlines can provide a very different experience across different aircrafts, for example an Emirates newer 777 features the spectacular Game Changer product but does not feature the bar or shower Spas of it’s A380.

Similarly, Singapore Airlines 777 features a more standard First Class product whereas it’s A380 Suites is entirely another league. For simplicity, I have scored the airlines on each criteria across the board. I could have easily done a top 10 where both Emirates & Singapore Airlines would feature twice!

I also ranked, ANA First Class ( 84%) Lufthansa First Class (80%) & British Airways First Class  (76%) coming in each 6th, 7th & 8th position respectively. I recently flew Oman Air First Class but did not rank them as they only have 2 aircrafts with First Class mostly flying to London only.

Notable airlines and product missing here would be SWISS Senses First Class – which I only recently checked out on a crew familiarisation flight. Air France, which I plan to fly hopefully next year.

What do you think of these rankings?

My Best First Class Airlines 2023

7. British Airways ( 76%)
6. Lufthansa ( 80% )
5. JAPAN Airlines ( 83% )
4. All Nippon Airways ( 84% )
3. Cathay Pacific ( 86% )
2. Singapore Airlines ( 91% )
1. Emirates ( 93% )