Best First Class Carriers in the world ?

[travelnutjohn]

surprisingly enough there seems many reviews on indivudal first class, or A vs B comparisons, and the other rankings seem to be very varied

after looking at heaps of youtube videos and reviews

my impression is that the best one by far is Emirates
then comes Etihad apartments
then comes Singapore Suites
then comes BA/Qantas

For me personally, first class should be another level above business class,
so should ideally be suites, on demand food (not during set times), shower, onboard bar, dom perignon/equivalent or higher, lobster/wagyu, and first class lounge access

however it seems that the only airline that does that is emirates
Maybe my expectations are high but if I did F and none of the above were included, id be disappinted, and id probably travel business class for the airline in future

What does everyone else think as the best F trips.?

I saw a video of qantas First class and was a bit disappointed by Moet Champagne which is $60 per bottle ish

 

[sjk]

It's such a personal thing, and culture comes into the equation too. My personal favourites are NH, JL, OZ, and SQ, having also experienced BA, CX, EK, EY, QR, TG, QF, and, um, UA and AA. For me it comes down to whether I actually look forward to the flight itself. I've had some good meals, but none that seriously rival the best I can get on the ground.

I'm afraid Youtube videos will only get you so far.

 

[boomy]

QF F don’t serve Moet. It’s either Pol Roger Winston Churchill, Veuve LGD or Tattinger Comtes.

As the best F ranking goes, it’s individual. For me, EY apartments and new SQ suites are high above the rest followed by old SQ suites, JL, LH and OZ.

 

[travelnutjohn]

thanks everyone,

I understand that everyone has different priorities, eg non drinkers wouldnt care about the champagne, foodies will be all about the food, and some will put a great emphasis on the chauffer or lounge etc.

from my extensive googling/youtubing
what I like about EK EY is the bling, onbaord bar, showers, suites, on demand meals, chauffer, expensive champagne,

only EK and EY have this as far as im aware, despite this many put SQ in the same group, so it must be very damn good with what they have,

for example ive just been reading this
The World's 10 Best First Class Products - One Mile at a Time

Im just trying to be realistic and not expect too much, but do wnat to try the best of the best,

hence why im thinking of trying the A380 over the B777s

 

[sjk]

If you want the bling then go for the bling... EY and EK are indeed perhaps the blingiest.

 

[travelnutjohn]

If you want the bling then go for the bling... EY and EK are indeed perhaps the blingiest.

definitealte,y bling in terms of facilites (and not the colour or shineness) is one of the highlights for me,

I know Singapore private room is very good for lounge as well as etihad and emirates ,depending on where you are

what do other people put as priority (ignoring avaiaiblity/taxes/schedule) for argumetns sake?

 

[sjk]

I know Singapore private room is very good for lounge

I think you'd be disappointed. It's not very ostentatious at all.

 

[Duffa]

I love the "tacky" bling on Emirates - gold and faux wood - so eighties
Mrs D did Etihad F once - loved it
Never been on the Etihad apartment so can't comment
QF F was a few years ago on sheepskin 747
Of the ones I've tried my fave is still SQ suites - the old ones - though I'd love to try the new ones

 

[SOPOOR]

I think you'd be disappointed. It's not very ostentatious at all.

Oh ok.i did read a few reviews saying it was a bit dated and bland and almost too private
For me lounges are important but not a high priority as I know
All serve food and alcohol etc.
Some have showers

 

[kpc]

Have not flown LH, MH, BA, QR A380 F.
For me, on A380 F overall: SQ (new) = EY > EK = SQ (old) > OZ > TG > QF.

My dream A380 F experience would be: EY or EK chauffeur service, TG checkin and buggy service at Bkk, 1 hour massage at Bkk, QF F lounge meal at Syd or EK F lounge meal at Dxb, EY hard product if solo, otherwise SQ new suite as couple (dble bed / mini hotel room), EY food + chef onboard but Sq as I like Asian food, SQ or EY red wines, EK shower and bathroom and on board bar, EY live TV, OZ or SQ new TV screen, EY / SQ wifi, Sq inflight serrvice and QF nice soft bed. (I'm not a champagne drinker)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thanks everyone,

I understand that everyone has different priorities, eg non drinkers wouldnt care about the champagne, foodies will be all about the food, and some will put a great emphasis on the chauffer or lounge etc.

from my extensive googling/youtubing
what I like about EK EY is the bling, onbaord bar, showers, suites, on demand meals, chauffer, expensive champagne,

only EK and EY have this as far as im aware, despite this many put SQ in the same group, so it must be very damn good with what they have,

for example ive just been reading this
The World's 10 Best First Class Products - One Mile at a Time

Im just trying to be realistic and not expect too much, but do wnat to try the best of the best,

hence why im thinking of trying the A380 over the B777s

Lucky's list on onemileatatime is spot on.

Those are the 10 best F classes, but it really comes down to how you personally rank them for the final order. Some people don't like CX F because if you want service you have to use the call bell. Some don't like LH F because it's not a fully enclosed suite. Or they prefer Asian style service over European. I don't like NH F because the seats - IMO - aren't very nice (too short and badly designed to block any view from the windows).

EK and EY don't have the same experienced crews as SQ. So you trade a shower on EK (which you can have in the lounge anyway) for service which is far more personalised on SQ. EK's F food menu is the same as it's J class menu (caviar and one or two extra courses is about the only difference). On SQ the food is nothing remarkable, but it's quite different to J.

Each one has their pros and cons.

I think you are right however - for EK I'd be taking the A380 over the 777.

 

[travelnutjohn]

Have not flown LH, MH, BA, QR A380 F.
For me, on A380 F overall: SQ (new) = EY > EK = SQ (old) > OZ > TG > QF.

My dream A380 F experience would be: EY or EK chauffeur service, TG checkin and buggy service at Bkk, 1 hour massage at Bkk, QF F lounge meal at Syd or EK F lounge meal at Dxb, EY hard product if solo, otherwise SQ new suite as couple (dble bed / mini hotel room), EY food + chef onboard but Sq as I like Asian food, SQ or EY red wines, EK shower and bathroom and on board bar, EY live TV, OZ or SQ new TV screen, EY / SQ wifi, Sq inflight serrvice and QF nice soft bed. (I'm not a champagne drinker)

Lucky's list on onemileatatime is spot on.

Those are the 10 best F classes, but it really comes down to how you personally rank them for the final order. Some people don't like CX F because if you want service you have to use the call bell. Some don't like LH F because it's not a fully enclosed suite. Or they prefer Asian style service over European. I don't like NH F because the seats - IMO - aren't very nice (too short and badly designed to block any view from the windows).

EK and EY don't have the same experienced crews as SQ. So you trade a shower on EK (which you can have in the lounge anyway) for service which is far more personalised on SQ. EK's F food menu is the same as it's J class menu (caviar and one or two extra courses is about the only difference). On SQ the food is nothing remarkable, but it's quite different to J.

Each one has their pros and cons.

I think you are right however - for EK I'd be taking the A380 over the 777.

excellent feedback folks, thank you,

one thing is that in most rankings, the EK EY, SQ, QF, BA, all get mentioned,
but that list had Air france as number one which both intrgiued and shocked me,

so although it looks like fairly plain first class, they must be super in the other areas,
will definitely put it on my list
by the time I get through the main contendors I should have enough to try

 

[MEL_Traveller]

excellent feedback folks, thank you,

one thing is that in most rankings, the EK EY, SQ, QF, BA, all get mentioned,
but that list had Air france as number one which both intrgiued and shocked me,

so although it looks like fairly plain first class, they must be super in the other areas,
will definitely put it on my list
by the time I get through the main contendors I should have enough to try

The rankings also have to do with availability. EK, EY, SQ, QF, BA - all fairly easy to obtain - so plenty of folk fly them and do trip reports.

Air France is ultra hard to get (to the extent you pretty much have to pay for it), and Lufthansa is only released 14 days before departure unless you are a member of Lufthansa's program (and even then, only top tier).

While LH you can get as an award, they are expensive through United (who shows the greatest availability). It's affordable through Lifemiles, but LM doesn't have a lot of availability. And most people don't want to wait until less than 14 days to plan their trips.

Air France's 777 first class - not their A380 - is not really 'plain'. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of gold like EK, but it is going for design over bling. Much the same as Lufthansa. Air France's crockery and service items are superior to anything you'll find on any other airline. And the food is superb. Lufthansa's little touches, like separate PJ tops and bottoms so you get the right fit will be preferable to whether there's a small make-up mirror surrounded by lights.

All these bloggers with their 'I got a $60,000 ticket for just $300' (or similar) are only flying airlines they can redeem miles with.

 

[travelnutjohn]

The rankings also have to do with availability. EK, EY, SQ, QF, BA - all fairly easy to obtain - so plenty of folk fly them and do trip reports.

Air France is ultra hard to get (to the extent you pretty much have to pay for it), and Lufthansa is only released 14 days before departure unless you are a member of Lufthansa's program (and even then, only top tier).

While LH you can get as an award, they are expensive through United (who shows the greatest availability). It's affordable through Lifemiles, but LM doesn't have a lot of availability. And most people don't want to wait until less than 14 days to plan their trips.

Air France's 777 first class - not their A380 - is not really 'plain'. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of gold like EK, but it is going for design over bling. Much the same as Lufthansa. Air France's crockery and service items are superior to anything you'll find on any other airline. And the food is superb. Lufthansa's little touches, like separate PJ tops and bottoms so you get the right fit will be preferable to whether there's a small make-up mirror surrounded by lights.

All these bloggers with their 'I got a $60,000 ticket for just $300' (or similar) are only flying airlines they can redeem miles with.

awesome thanks!!