We all know that international Business Class continues to improve, soaring to new heights with sliding doors becoming the norm and spacious “business plus” suites ruling the first row like Mint Studio from JetBlue Airways. But, this doesn’t mean the end of First Class, not by a long shot. It is true that First Class has been and continues to be squeezed like never before as Business Class closes the gap. That’s been the inevitable trajectory of this premium cabin since it debuted in the late 1970s (Qantas Airways claims to have invented Business Class in 1979). The cabins saw the improvement of hard products with the introduction of lie-flat beds in 2000 by British Airways and over the next two decades, direct-aisle access and sliding privacy doors have become the norm. Delta Air Lines scrapped their international First Class cabins in 1998 while United Airlines ditched them completely in 2018. Now, with another exciting generation of Business Class on the way, some airlines are opting out of First Class altogether, among them American Airlines and Qatar Airways, while newcomer Riyadh Air says its forthcoming fleet will top out at Business Class. Yet, despite this trend, many other airlines are doubling down on the First Class proposition with plush, spacious suites designed to appeal to C-level executives and high net worth individuals who want the utmost in privacy and pampering on commercial flights. Let's take a look at what's on the horizon for these most exclusive cabins.
Late November of last year saw Japan Airlines introduce their new Airbus A350-1000 which took flight on the premium Tokyo-New York route, crowned by only six first class havens , each of which contains two seats side by side, with one almost twice as wide as the other. The carrier says this provides “a choice of three seating modes: Sofa, Seat and Single or Double Bed,” depending on how each seat is deployed. A concealed wardrobe lurks behind the door panel and there’s also under-seat bag stowage, as their First Class cabin has no overhead luggage bins in order to “create a more open individual atmosphere.” One unique touch are stereo noise-cancelling speakers built right into the headrest, “allowing customers to enjoy the inflight entertainment system without using headphones.”
Air France shared several new details during their Investor Day presentation about their plans for a new First Class that will debut this year and begin flying in 2025. These next-generation La Premiere suites will be larger than their current B777 counterparts, but lean into the same residential “living space” feel, with what the carrier describes as “three modular configurations… a seat, a sofa and a fully flat bed.” This revision is an organic evolution from Air France’s current 777 La Premiere suite, but with some surprises such as a larger footprint (stretching to five windows) and two video screens, one at either end of the suite. Air France says the elegant curtains on the 777 La Premiere suite will be replaced by an actual sliding door or partition.
September should see the debut of a new First Class suite from Lufthansa aboard its newly-delivered Airbus A350-900, Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft. (A modified version of these suites will later make their way onto the carrier’s Boeing 747-8 jumbo jets and potentially their Airbus A380s as these older jets head into the hangar for a multi-million Euro makeover.) The Lufthansa A350s will be among the first aircraft to sport three fully private First Class suites, with the middle one being a twin-berth ‘Suite Plus’ which converts into a 4 1/2 foot- wide double bed so paired-up travelers can create an in-flight experience closer to a private room above the clouds. All suites will be forward facing with ceiling-high walls and closable doors. Another innovation is in-seat heating and cooling, while a personal wardrobe will allow travelers to “remain in their suite as they prepare for sleep and change into Lufthansa First Class pajamas,” the airline says.
All new First Class suites for Swiss International Air Lines, part of the Lufthansa Group, will make their way across the corporate aisle to the Swiss Airbus A350s in 2025, as five of the modern jetliners replace their aging Airbus A340-300s. However, Swiss will redress these suites to reflect its own brand identity using muted tones such as claret and anthracite plus touches of light wood. Like Lufthansa’s new First Class, the new Swiss A350s will have a three-across layout with an extra-wide middle suite, nearly four feet wide for two travelers to share. As you would expect, this product will feature closable sliding doors, a personal wardrobe, a large seat table, seat heating and cooling, a wireless charging station, and a screen display as wide as the suite.
Air India has declared that it will be undergoing a comprehensive makeover as part of its program to bolster consumer trust and enhance services through improved on-time performance and elevated customer service. Among other initiatives, this renaissance includes new uniforms for crew and renovated lounges in both Delhi and New York. Privatized in 2022 and now part of the Tata Group, the carrier made big strides in 2023 to make up for years of neglect. They are also setting out on an ambitious cabin transformation, which will include the launch of doored Business Class suites beginning in the first half of the year, with private First Class suites to follow in the second half. Initially slated as an upgrade on its long-range Boeing 777 jets, the suites might also appear on a batch of factory-fresh Airbus A350s. These First and Business Class suites spearhead Air India’s Project Vihaan, named for the Sanskrit word for dawn, with airline CEO Campbell Wilson going all-out with his “ambition to make Air India a world class airline serving guests from around the globe.”
Late 2025 will also mark a milestone for Qantas Airways and arguably for international travel with the delivery of the first ultra long range A350-1000 jets for non-stop Project Sunrise flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London and New York. And during those 18-21 hour marathons, high flyers will be cocooned in one of six private First Class suites. These top-tier sanctuaries will boast a separate armchair and bed, rather than a seat which converts into a bed – a situation which designer David Caon says demands compromises in both modes – with a personal wardrobe built into the wall panelling and a 32” HD video screen. A padded ottoman facing the armchair enables companion dining across an extraordinary large bi-fold table. In the interest of making these suites feel even more spacious, the A350 First Class cabin won’t have any overhead luggage bins. Instead, there'll be space beneath the ottoman for two cabin bags to be placed side by side.
Champagne-filled glasses, restaurant-quality food, toiletries from luxury brands, high-definition screens and the most comfortable beds in which to sleep for long and restful journeys are what’s in store for a few lucky travelers in these new and soon-to-be upgraded First Class suites in the skies.
Until next time...safe travels.
Ahhhh, so many choices but alas so little money! One can only dream!
Thanks again for these dreams.❤️