5 Most Comfortable First Class Seats You Can Book Today

First class is disappearing around the world, but a select few airlines still offer this exclusive cabin and continue to invest in it, making it undoubtedly the most luxurious cabin you’ll find on any airliner. These cabins come with larger seats that typically feature privacy doors and the largest screens on the plane, along with onboard service and catering that rivals nice restaurants and a deliciously extravagant ground experience.

While there are significant differences between most first class cabins, ranking one over the other often comes down to personal preference. As such, it’s difficult to objectively rank specific airlines at the highest level. Instead, we’ll be exploring five of the most comfortable first class seats (focusing less on the ground experience) and covering the aspects that make them stand out in a travel class that’s all about standing out.

6

Looking At “Business Class Plus” Seats

This sixth or “bonus” entry is not technically a first class seat or a type of first class seat, but it’s essentially replacing first class at many airlines. The concept is simple: rather than having the space ahead of front-row seats occupied by a footwell monument, install a footrest or ottoman, higher ceiling partitions, include a larger screen, and sell it for a premium. The concept has become popular with airlines worldwide, including names like JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Condor, American Airlines, and more.

While this doesn’t exactly match most traditional first class products in terms of space or innovation, it’s rarely priced as such either. Additionally, airlines typically offer upgraded services that closely mimic much of what is offered, with superior catering, more extensive amenity kits, and improved bedding. When you consider that these products are often priced lower than traditional first class, these seats are an excellent “bang for your buck.”

Some airlines have now introduced “business class plus” seats as their new first class offering. Taiwanese newcomer Starlux Airlines is the most notable example, as its first class seat is an upgraded variant of the Collins Elements seat used in business class. However, Starlux includes chauffeur service, exclusive lounge areas, and upgraded onboard service, such as first class catering and La Mer gift boxes.

5

Airlines With Three-Abreast First Class Seating

While first class on widebodies typically consists of four-abreast seating configured 1-2-1, there are a select few carriers that have instead opted for three abreast (1-1-1). While this is less space-efficient, it creates a more spacious seating area for passengers. With one fewer seat per row, airlines can make the seats wider and install larger side consoles, although the extra width is usually allocated to the seats.

For years, Cathay Pacific was the most notable carrier to offer three-abreast seating on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (and formerly, its 747-400s). The result? A 36-inch (91.4 centimeter) wide seat, which is more than double the width of most economy seats, along with an 81-inch (205.7 centimeter) long bed, and the incredible soft product that Cathay Pacific is famous for. Furthermore, service can be even more personalized, given that there are only six seats rather than the more common eight.

Japan Airlines introduced a new first class product with its Airbus A350-1000 that includes 48-inch (122.9 centimeter) wide seats arranged three-abreast across two rows, making it the widest single first class seat in the world. Lufthansa and Emirates have also moved to three-abreast seating in first, which will be covered in more detail below. This configuration is becoming increasingly common as airlines seek to differentiate first class from business.

4

The Lufthansa Allegris Center Suite

The rollout of Lufthansa’s Allegris cabins has been far from smooth. However, Allegris is now flying on a select number of Airbus A350-900s, and these planes include first class. As previously mentioned, Lufthansa Allegris first class is arranged three-abreast (with just a single row) and it includes floor-to-ceiling walls, making it only the third airline in the world to do so (after Air France and Emirates). This already makes the standard suites incredibly spacious and private.

The real attention grabber, however, is the center suite. This is one suite with two individual seats, because the center suite is designed to be occupied by two people. This is aimed specifically towards hopelessly romantic couples, as there is no center partition, only one entryway, and a single 43-inch (109.2 centimeter) screen. This concept has faced some controversy over its practicality and business case, but it’s undeniable that this is the most spacious first class suite on a single-decker airliner in the world.

The center suite can be booked by two people on a single reservation or by a single person, for an extra surcharge. Passengers will also enjoy ample storage space and Lufthansa’s innovative climate controls. Allegris first class can be found on select A350-900s (with the rest of the A350s set to be retrofitted) and will also be installed on incoming A350-1000s, Boeing 777-9s, along with retrofitted 747-8s. Additionally, these seats will be installed on SWISS aircraft, branded as SWISS Senses.

3

Air France’s New La Premiere Cabin

Air France La Premiere has long been regarded as one of the world’s best first class cabins. Air France’s ground experience, onboard catering, amenities, and visual design have led many to consider this one of the most refined first class products in the skies. The carrier was also the first to offer full floor-to-ceiling privacy with its famous blackout curtains. However, there is a new La Premiere seat that’s being rolled out onto select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft,

La Premiere is still configured four-abreast because, rather than increasing seat width, Air France elected to add length. La Premiere suites offer five windows, and the airline advertises that the new La Premiere is the world’s longest first class seat. Inside, you’ll find a standard seat meant to be occupied for takeoff and landing, while opposite you is the rear-facing chaise lounge, which extends into a 79-inch (200.7 centimeter) bed.

There are two 32-inch (81.3 centimeter) displays on opposing walls, so that you can view one from either seat. Additionally, storage space is ample, and both seats include touchscreen tablets. With only four seats and limited redemption options, this is one of the most exclusive first class products in the world, and the carrier is renowned for its spacious La Premiere lounge in Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport, making for an experience that is truly magnifique.

2

Emirates’ First Class On The Boeing 777

Reviewer Ben Schlappig at One Mile At A Time once called Emirates’ first class on the Airbus A380 “the most fun way to fly.” The carrier is famous for the onboard lounge designated for first and business class passengers, along with the two massive onboard shower rooms. Additionally, the seats themselves include an enormous screen, a vanity mirror, a fully stocked minibar, along with ample wood paneling with gold accents.

The issue with the A380’s first class cabin, however, is that the seats themselves are comparatively tight. Emirates installs 14 first class suites four-abreast on its A380s, more than any other airline. This is not the case, however, for the carrier’s “Game Changer” first class suites. Like on the A380, the suites include privacy doors. Unlike on the A380, however, the doors and walls are floor-to-ceiling, while the cabin is arranged three-abreast.

Inside, you’ll find a 28-inch (71.1 centimeter) wide seat, along with a 32-inch (81.3 centimeter) display. There’s also a secondary tablet, a zero-gravity function, and the center suites include virtual windows. Currently, these can only be found on nine of the carrier’s 119 Boeing 777-300ERs. However, Emirates is expected to install the “Game Changer” suites on its incoming Boeing 777-9s, of which there are 170 on order.

1

Turning A Twin Aisle Plane Into A Single Aisle Cabin

In 2014, Etihad Airways captured the eyes and imagination of aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Its Airbus A380s, a plane that normally features two aisles on each deck, only have one aisle in the first class cabin. This allowed Etihad to install the “First Apartments”, an incredibly spacious suite with 30.3-inch (76.9-centimeter) wide seats and a separate bed. The forward partition can also retract to create a partial double bed, and the staggered forward/backwards design allowed Etihad to fit 10 “Apartments.”

In 2017, Singapore Airlines unveiled a refreshed first class offering onboard its A380 fleet with a similar concept, dubbed “Singapore Suites.” Singapore Suites eliminates the staggered layout of the Etihad First Apartments, giving passengers more overall space along with a swiveling recliner. As such, Singapore only installs six suites in the same area where Etihad fits 10, and the dividing partition can retract fully, creating a true double bed.

Where Etihad remains unchallenged, however, is with “The Residence”. Slotting above first class, this partially uses the space that would normally be occupied by a standard suite, and also uses space ahead of the passenger cabin on the upper deck to create a three-room suite: a living room with a loveseat, a bathroom with a shower, and a bedroom. The Residence can accommodate one or two people and remains the world’s most exclusive, expensive, and extravagant premium airline seating product.