First Class: The New “Queens” of the Skies

First class in aircraft enters a new era as airlines continually enhance the passenger experience. We’re no longer talking about a seat that turns into a bed, but about private suites—”hotel rooms”—and holistic services before, during, and after the flight. The traditional European players—Lufthansa, Air France, and Swiss—are upgrading their First Class cabins with a common denominator of total privacy and a more “resort-like” approach at an altitude of 35,000 feet.

Lufthansa: The “Allegris” Project

After years of waiting, Lufthansa launched its Allegris suites at the end of 2024, with gradual expansion throughout 2025 and into 2026 on Airbus A350 aircraft. The flagship of the concept is the Suite Plus, a double suite for couples, with floor-to-ceiling walls and a lockable door, essentially a “flying room” within First Class.

The service started with flights from Munich to Bangalore and Mumbai, with gradual expansion to the USA and Asia. Meanwhile, Lufthansa has begun the process of installing the new cabins on a third aircraft type, with the first plane of this type expected to enter service in the coming months.

Air France: The New “La Premi?re”
Air France redefines the concept of a “Pied-?-terre” in the sky. Each suite is three meters long with five windows. Instead of a seat that transforms into a bed, it features a separate seat and an independent chaise longue. The suites are enclosed by heavy, soundproof curtains, offering a warmer and more “French” sense of luxury. The redesigned suites premiered on the Paris–New York route and gradually expanded to flights to Los Angeles, Singapore, and Tokyo Haneda in spring and summer 2025.

Swiss: First Class for the Senses
Swiss’ new offering debuted in the summer of 2025 on the new Airbus A350, bringing a First Class with a more minimal, “Scandi-Swiss” aesthetic. The First and Business Class cabins have been completely redesigned with a focus on tranquility and privacy: soft hues of burgundy, charcoal, and beige, natural textures, and Human Centric Lighting that adjusts to the time of day to minimize jet lag.

With high walls, sliding doors, a personal wardrobe, and a comfortable bed (2.05 meters long), the cabin also features a 10-inch tablet for entertainment control and illuminated touch controls.

Non-European “Cosmopolitan” First Classes

While Lufthansa, Air France, and Swiss redefine First Class in Europe, the ultra-suites game has been played outside of Europe for years.

Emirates: The Game-Changing Suites
Emirates was one of the first airlines to launch the private suite. On their Boeing 777s, the Game Changer Suites offer up to 40 square feet of personal space, with floor-to-ceiling doors, mood lighting, adjustable temperature, and “virtual windows” in some positions.

On their A380s, First Class passengers close the door to their private suite and have access to the famous Shower Spa and onboard lounge bar, taking the experience to a level above the classic “seat” and very close to the feeling of a private jet.

Singapore Airlines: Like a Small Hotel Room
Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites are considered by many to be the most complete First Class experience in the world. There are six “small hotel rooms” with high walls and sliding doors, where passengers enjoy a separate, fully-flat bed and a large rotating leather armchair—no need to “break” the bed to sit. In the first two suite pairs, the beds can be joined to create a double bed for couples.

Japan Airlines: The “Zen” Revolution
Japan Airlines brought a more “zen technological” approach with the new Airbus A350-1000. The First Class features 43-inch screens—among the largest in the market—and the world’s first “headphone-free audio” system, with speakers embedded in the headrest: passengers hear music or movies without headphones, inside a personal “audio bubble.” The suite also offers a sofa-seating area, separate bed, personal wardrobe, and mini bar, with overhead bins removed to give the cabin more of a lounge feel than an airplane.

Etihad: Beyond First Class
Finally, at Etihad, the First Class on the A380 goes a step further with The Residence: a private “three-story” experience in the sky, with a separate living room, a bedroom with a double bed, and its own bathroom with a shower, essentially a small apartment for two passengers.