Some of the world's most luxurious first class suites include showers, fully enclosed pods, and bars.
EQRoy/Shutterstock
Major US airlines have ditched first class, but the luxe cabin still exists on other global carriers.
Singapore Airlines' first class is considered the best of 2023, according to airline ranking website Skytrax.
Air France, SWISS, All Nippon Airways, and Emirates also made the top five with their hotel-like suites.
While US airlines are ditching international first class, the cabin is still a huge money-maker abroad — and carriers aren't skimping on the luxuries.
Earlier this year, airline ranking website Skytrax released its annual list of the world's best airlines, with Singapore Airlines taking the crown from long-standing winner Qatar Airways. The results were based on traveler satisfaction surveys.
Other awards were also divvied out, with Singapore earning the title as having the best first-class cabin. Air France, All Nippon Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Emirates followed Singapore in the top five.
There were no US carriers on the 2023 list, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. Delta Air Lines and United Airlines sunset long-haul first class years ago, while American Airlines recently announced an end to international first class in favor of an improved business class.
However, the revenue-earning product, which can go for tens of thousands of dollars, is still popular among European and Asian airlines — especially as deep-pocket travelers eagerly return to the skies for both business and leisure purposes post-pandemic.
Take a look at the five best first-class cabins for 2023, according to Skytrax — plus one Insider-picked honorable mention.
5. Emirates
Emirates Airbus A380
kamilpetran/Shutterstock
UAE flag carrier Emirates has a massive widebody fleet based out of its Dubai hub, including the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777.
The carrier has fit its A380s and 777s with an enclosed first-class suite — resembling a mini hotel room. Though, its double-deckers are particularly extravagant.
Taylor Rains/Insider
First class has taken on a number of different looks through the decades, though the industry is starting to see a heightened focus on privacy — prompting the rise of these enclosed hotel-like suites.
Configured in a 1x2x1 layout on the A380s second level, travelers will find typical premium perks like delicious meals and a giant television loaded with hundreds of shows and movies.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Underneath the television is a small work table complete with a mirror and reading lamp, and in an attached drawer travelers can find a notepad and pen.
The television is controlled by a handheld tablet next to the seat, and travelers have access to their own personal mini bar to elevate the experience.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The mini bar is one of the key things that sets Emirates first class apart. Though, the touches around the TV — as well as a hidden closet — are also a big plus.
In addition to entertainment, travelers can enjoy an adjustable lounger with lie-flat capabilities. And, sleeping is private thanks to the sliding door.
However, what makes Emirates' first class one of the best is the shower and lounge, which is exclusive to the A380.
Emirates
The lounge has a fully stocked bar, making it perfect for socializing or just stretching your legs
Emirates' 777 may not have a spa or bar, but travelers in the middle two seats can enjoy virtual windows — an industry-first, according to the airline.
Emirates
Plus, the 777 first class has true floor-to-ceiling privacy, meaning the suites are even more cocooned than those on the A380.
4. Swiss International Air Lines
MICHAEL BUHOLZER/AFP via Getty Images
SWISS is the flag carrier of Switzerland and operates a widebody fleet of Airbus A330s, Airbus A340s, and Boeing 777s — all of which are fited with first class.
Sporting the same 1x2x1 layout as Emirates, SWISS' first class is a pod-like suite with a large lounger that converts into a lie-flat bed.
EQRoy/Shutterstock
The bed connects to an ottoman at the front of the suite, which can also double as a second seat for a fellow passenger.
Also available is a television, as well as a tray table for dining on premium meals like smoked salmon.
EQRoy/Shutterstock
According to SWISS, the meal service is equivalent to eating in a fancy restaurant. And, passengers can choose when they want to start eating rather than following the airline's schedule.
Moreover, there is a remote control for the television, as well as a closet, plenty of storage, pajamas, and an amenity kit.
EQRoy/Shutterstock
The closet, amenity kits, and plentiful storage are typical of first class, though the goodies inside the kit can vary airline to airline.
Typically, travelers will find toiletries like lotion, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
Note: The closet is not on the A340, but it does have a place to hang clothes.
While SWISS already has a glamorous first class, the carrier is actually planning to update the product come 2025 — so its current seats won't be around for too much longer.
SWISS
According to SWISS, the new seats will be retrofitted onto A330 and 777s, with new Airbus A350s being delivered with they cabin already installed.
Each suite will feature nearly floor-to-ceiling privacy, more closet space and seat heating and cooling. Moreover, the center seats can be converted in a large suite for two people traveling together.
The airline's 777s and A380s sport first class, which has been dubbed "The Suite."
ANA
ANA also has its business class counterpart appropriately called "The Room," which is like a small hotel room. It's similar to Qatar Airways' Q Suite business class, which is considered the best in the world.
As expected from the name, "The Suite" is a giant private living area full enclosed thanks to a sliding door.
ANA
Both the 777 and the A380 have eight suites configured in a 1x2x1 layout, with the latter having the seats on the second level.
Although "The Room" business class is already large with a fully closed door, "The Suite" is even bigger, boasting a lie-flat bed and other common features of first class.
ANA
ANA offers its travelers pajamas, an amenity kit, a closet, a large tray table, and luxury meals. Completing the space, however, is the 43-inch flatscreen TV that transforms the suite into a little movie theater in the sky.
2. Air France
Eric Piermont/AFP via Getty Images
Available on most of its Boeing 777s, Air France's "La Premiere" first class is considered the height of luxury with only four exclusive seats onboard.
The La Premiere cabin spans just one row across in a 1x2x1 layout, making the space almost like one private flat split into four separate apartments.
Some of the world's most luxurious first class suites include showers, fully enclosed pods, and bars.
EQRoy/Shutterstock
The row has two window seats and two aisle seats, meaning there is a spot for both solo travelers and couples flying together. Plus, the middle seats even have a curtain to block off the aisle, and a center divider to create two cocoons.
The cabin comes with the expected luxuries like a lie-flat bed, table, ottoman, and television, while its grey and red color scheme gives it a uniquely luxe look.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Travelers can also enjoy the remote control, an amenity kit, storage space and a dimmable side lamp. Meanwhile, the lie-flat bed sports a memory foam mattress.
Moreover, pajamas will be provided, as well as noise-canceling headphones — another common item in first class — and gourmet cuisine.
Air France
According to Air France, inflight menus are prepared by Michelin-starred chefs and are rotated every four months to give passengers a diverse experience.
1. Singapore Airlines
A view of a Singapore A380 being boarded via two lower jet bridges at Paris' CDG airport.
ERIC PIERMONT/AFP via Getty Images
Skytrax's 2023 surveys revealed Singapore as the best of the best in terms of first class. The carrier has two different products, one on its Boeing 777s and its famous suite onboard its Airbus A380s.
While Singapore has a luxe 777 first class — albeit no privacy doors — its award-winning product is on the A380.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The 777 first class resembles the carrier's business class on its A350, both having winged partitions for added privacy rather than doors.
Accessible via a grand staircase, the suites are the closet thing to a hotel room in the sky as one can get — and they're huge.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The door and walls surrounding each suite stand very high, making it nearly impossible for anyone to look inside and disturb your privacy.
In fact, the suites are so big that Singapore has managed to fit both an adjustable recliner and a twin bed inside.
A first class suite onboard a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380.
Singapore Airlines
The recliner and the bed are separate, giving people flexibility to work and sleep without having to adjust the seat.
And, the recliner can swivel to two different tables around the cabin, or travelers can just sit back and watch TV.
Taylor Rains/Insider
One table is complete with a vanity, mirror, tablet, storage, and amenity kit, while the other is good for working or eating.
Travelers will also find a closet and large mirror inside the room.
Although it doesn't have a shower, there are two bathrooms exclusive to the six first class passengers, both sporting a vanity table.
Singapore Airlines
Emirates having a shower is very rare, with most airlines opting against one due to the added operating costs of carrying water.
The biggest perk of the suites is that two can actually be combined into one giant room, making it perfect for couples and families.
Singapore Airlines
Once combined, the space features a double bed, two recliners, and two televisions — making it bigger than some college door rooms at 100 square feet of living space.
Although not listed in the top five by Skytrax, there is one first-class cabin that takes luxury to an even higher level.
An Etihad Airways Airbus A380.
Fasttailwind/Shutterstock.com
UAE-based Etihad Airways ranked 13th in Skytrax's first class list, but it actually sports one of the crown jewels of the industry.
Costing tens of thousands of dollars, travelers can book Etihad's famous A380 first class cabin known as "The Residence" — which is 25 square foot bigger than Singapore's suites.
Etihad
The cabin is almost in a league of its own as the world's only three-room suite, complementing Etihad's "First Class Apartment" seats.
The product includes a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom — and travelers can even enjoy an onboard butler.
Etihad
The bathroom even features a private ensuite shower, putting Etihad's exclusive "Residence" cabin on par with Emirates — though the bucket list trip won't be cheap as it can cost over $40,000 roundtrip.
The price tag is nearly double that of Singapore, which is typically around $12,000 one-way.
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