A passenger flying in Air France’s new La Première suite is spoiled for choice: five windows, two entertainment screens and both an armchair and a chaise lounge.
Luxury travel demand is at an all-time high, and international carriers, like France’s flag airline, are responding in earnest. “This new experience truly is the highest expression of travel,” Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, said earlier this year.
To get a taste of what deep-pocketed travelers can look forward to, I flew in Air France’s newly revamped first class on a recent flight between Los Angeles and Paris. The French carrier has managed the improbable — raising the bar on an exclusive cabin that, for years, was already deemed by many as the pinnacle of commercial aviation.
Full-grain leather, plush wool and refined tweed adorn the suites, while an elegant floor-to-ceiling curtain ensures total privacy. But the airline’s La Première experience extends far beyond the plane itself. A personal concierge guides passengers through every step of the journey with tarmac transfers in a Porsche SUV at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, 30-minute facial treatments in the lounge and immigration formalities completed on your behalf. First-class luxury starts on the ground.
While airlines in the U.S. have trended away from offering first class, a wave of carriers elsewhere is heavily investing in the pointy end of the plane. As demand for onboard luxury soars, here are the global airlines reaching new heights.
The latest first-class seats
Air France
Onboard Air France’s newest La Première suites, passengers can expect to indulge in European luxury. That includes world-class meals from renowned chefs Dominque Crenn and Daniel Boulud, plush cotton pajamas from Jacquemus and chic floor-to-ceiling privacy curtains.
The latest La Première cabin debuted on Boeing 777-300ER planes in April, with the full rollout expected to be completed by late 2026. Retrofitted cabins are available on select flights between Paris and Los Angeles, as well as New York City and Singapore.
Lufthansa
Step onboard Lufthansa’s new Allegris first class and you’ll be greeted by an exclusive four-seat cabin with three suites (the middle section is a two-person “Suite Plus”). Customization is a key value proposition here, from cooled and heated seat controls to ambient lighting options — all configured through an iPad.
Lufthansa offers its new Allegris first class on a fleet of Airbus A350-900s based in Munich, with more planes rolling out in the coming months.
Japan Airlines
The newest first class on Japan Airlines features a 62-inch-tall door that opens to an expansive suite — more than 100% roomier than the previous generation. In fact, two additional companions (each with its own seatbelt) can join the primary passenger. Travelers in both first and business have the choice of listening to audio through provided Sony headphones, Bluetooth or, in an industry-first, built-in headrest speakers.
The first long-haul-equipped A350 entered service in 2024 and is quickly becoming the airline’s gold standard for international routes, including between the U.S. and Tokyo.
Coming soon
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, these airlines will launch highly anticipated first-class seats. Whether it’s the longest flight in the world or a (relatively) short hop across the pond, we’re looking forward to seeing these carriers raise the benchmark for international luxury.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore already has one of the most coveted first-class suites on its double-decker Airbus A380s, but the airline will also debut a new seat as part of a more than $800 million cabin overhaul. That means adding first class to key ultra-long-haul routes, such as New York to Singapore on the Airbus A350. It’s expected to be unveiled in 2026.
British Airways
The U.K. flag carrier will have a new first-class cabin on its Airbus A380s and future Boeing 777-9 aircraft. New features include a wider and longer seat, a 32-inch entertainment screen, buddy dining and closing privacy doors. It will debut in mid-2026.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific will unveil its next-generation first class with the upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft. Few details are available, but if it’s anything like the airline’s new business-class Aria Suites, expect refined residential luxury when it comes out in 2027.
Qantas
In 2027, Qantas is anticipated to begin flying the longest routes in the world — from Sydney and Melbourne to New York, Paris and London. These nonstop flights on Airbus A350-1000ULRs, dubbed Project Sunrise, will feature an exclusive first-class cabin with six suites, each with a separate seating and sleeping area.
