Summary
- First class is slowly being eliminated, but American Airlines still offers an exclusive Flagship First product.
- International airlines, such as Etihad and Emirates, focus on full privacy in first-class cabins.
- Large planes like the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380 often include first class cabins for select airlines.
First class has undeniably been on its way out for a long time as carriers have grown more and more fond of expanding their business class cabins. Amid the rise of private aviation and a heavy shift in consumer sentiments, the need to have an ultra-premium cabin that exceeds the flat-bed offerings of business class has proven unnecessary for many.
Nonetheless, flying first class is still the ultimate luxury and offers passengers an experience that is unparalleled, even in comparison to the nicest business class cabins. For some airlines, operating such a cabin has proven to be worthwhile even if it loses considerable amounts of money, as it will increase a carrier’s prestige.
Nonetheless, fewer and fewer international airlines maintain a first class cabin each year, with just one major US airline offering such a product. In this article, we will take a deeper look at which airlines still offer first-class seats and on what aircraft you might be able to fly.
American Airlines operates America’s last first class cabins
Almost every major US airline operated an international first class cabin just two decades ago, but today that has essentially been reduced to just American Airlines. Most carriers, which previously operated a three-class configuration featuring first, business, and economy, have gradually shifted from first class to premium economy.
As a result, airlines like United and Delta have thrived by offering a middle-tier service in premium economy and leaving their business class products, Polaris and Delta One, to cater to their highest spenders. American Airlines, however, cares to differ and offers its Flagship First class product on many of its most popular intercontinental routes.
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The carrier’s Flagship First product offers an undeniably elevated experience in comparison to the carrier’s business class, with upgraded Flagship lounges, first class check-in, dozens of priority privileges and much, much more. The airline’s website also indicates that the dining experience in first class is also a step up from what is offered in business class, with five-star service and chef-inspired menus.
Photo: American Airlines
The airline’s first class product is only available on a few select aircraft in the airline’s fleet, all of which are Boeing 777-300ER jets. The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration offering direct aisle access, much like the carrier’s business class on the aircraft. In total, American’s 777-300ERs with Flagship First seats are set up as follows:
|
Cabin/seat category: |
Number onboard: |
|---|---|
|
Flagship First |
8 |
|
Business |
52 |
|
Premium economy |
28 |
|
Economy |
216 |
It is important to note that American Airlines also offers one of the few remaining true domestic first class products offered in the United States as well. The airline’s A321T (which stands for transcontinental) jets also feature first class seating arranged in a 1-1 configuration, offering an unparalleled level of passenger comfort for such a domestic flight.
International carriers
Over a dozen international airlines still offer first class cabins, many of which have attempted to introduce new features that differentiate their product significantly from what is offered in business class. Some airlines, especially those that consistently place emphasis on ensuring a luxury travel experience, have introduced new fully enclosed spaces in order to introduce a new level of privacy.
Photo: First Class Photography | Shutterstock
Etihad, for example, operates what is unquestionably the most luxurious suite offered in the sky today, with the three-room Residence onboard its Airbus A380 jets that offers a private bedroom, bathroom and dining/living area. Despite many carriers struggling to fill their first-class cabins, the Residence is alive and well and recently returned to service on the airline’s flagship routes to New York City.
Some other airlines have also emphasized privacy in their first class designs, with rival Middle Eastern carrier Emirates introducing new fully-enclosed suites onboard its 777-300ER jets in first class. Air France’s first class cabin, La Premiere, also offers passengers complete privacy but utilizes an elegant curtain instead of a mechanically closing door.
Other airlines have also created first class cabins that cater to couples traveling together by introducing suites that can combine with others to create unique arrangements with larger dining tables and even double beds. According to Upgraded Points, some carriers that have done this include:
- Etihad Airways (on their A380 first class apartments)
- Singapore Airlines (on their A380 suites)
- China Eastern Airlines (on their 777s)
Big planes often have first class cabins
Overwhelmingly, the airlines that continue to operate first class cabins do so on one of two aircraft, the Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus A380. All three operators of the Boeing 747-8I, the aircraft’s passenger variant, operate a first class cabin, and they are:
- Lufthansa
- Korean Air
- Air China
Photo: ajuangon | Shutterstock
The other aircraft which carriers consistently equip with first class cabins is the world’s largest passenger jet. Nearly all Airbus A380s take advantage of the jet’s space to operate a first class cabin, which includes those flying for all the following airlines:
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- Korean Air
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
Filling the world’s largest commercial aircraft can be difficult, and, as a result, using significant amounts of floor space for a first class cabin can make a lot of financial sense. For smaller jets, however, business class is simply too profitable per square foot to make a first class cabin viable.
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Some airlines have ditched first class altogether.
There are a few remaining carriers that operate a major international first class cabin that has yet to be mentioned, the vast majority of which do so with the Boeing 777-300ER to Airbus A350. Garuda Indonesia, SWISS, and Japan Airlines all operate such cabins, some of which have proven to be popular, award-winning products. A few carriers, such as Oman Air, even operate first class cabins on smaller widebodies like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.