By Mark Ellwood
If you think air travel has lost its luster, see what these five international airlines are doing to regain that shine.
As wealthy travelers recognize that a private jet is far less comfortable long-haul than the pointiest end of a commercial plane, carriers around the world are responding with impressively upgraded top-tier cabins. Here, our pick of the five best flying right now, or soon to take to the air.
Air France’s La Première cabin offers each traveler three standalone spaces: a seat, flat bed, and chaise lounge.
Air France
Prior to takeoff The French flag carrier’s ongoing facelift is part of its attempt to carve out a premium tier above its European rivals.
1A? The three-seat cabin stretches along five windows of the fuselage and incorporates three standalone spaces per traveler: a seat, flat bed, and chaise lounge.
Dining at 36,000 feet Naturally, there’s a frisson of excitement around the food onboard. Triple Michelin–starred chef Emmanuel Renaut remains in charge of appetizers and entrées—yes, there might be foie gras with salsify— while pâtissière Claire Heitzler has created a roster of seven desserts, including a triple chocolate cloud.
Catwalk on the runway Whisper it, but Air France’s uniforms seem a little passé: This year, the Lacroix-designed outfits will have been at work for two decades.
Key route Anywhere the 777- 300ER is operated, especially Transatlantic routes like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Conversation-starter La Première fliers don’t need to mix with the hoi polloi: there’s a dedicated private check-in, and a private passageway leading to the 10,700-square-foot La Première lounge, with food by chef Alain Ducasse. Book one of the butler-managed suites, with bedroom and outdoor patio, for maximum comfort.
Travel Essentials
Long haul travel calls for a few luxe essentials.
Lufthansa’s First Class Suite featuring a double bed with built-in temperature controls.
Lufthansa
Prior to takeoff Lufthansa has code-named the overhaul of its cabin Allegris; improvements will be focused up front, specifically the First Class cabin, which it will retain on its Airbus A350 aircraft.
1A? There’s a frisky spin on the typical 1-2-1 layout: the middle two seats, dubbed the First Class Suite, convert into a double bed; if you’re traveling solo, you can pay extra to luxuriate alone. They’re also heated and cooled, depending on whether you’ve got someone to keep you warm.
Expect an elevated culinary experience aboard Lufthansa’s First-Class cabin.
Dining at 36,000 feet Expect a multi-course extravaganza, from caviar and an amuse bouche to a praline service at meal’s end for a German flourish.
Catwalk on the runway The latest iteration of the airline’s uniform came in 2018, when it controversially nixed its longtime signature canary-yellow logo.
Key route Lufthansa’s service between Munich and Chicago is the best route on which to trial this new cabin—it will begin flying it in March, as well as to San Francisco and Shanghai.
Conversation-starter Sadly, as the new cabins take flight, one longtime perk for premium flyers will disappear: After a two-decade partnership, Porsche will no longer be the default tarmac vehicle for transfers.
At just over 31 square feet and with only 6 seats, JAL’s first class is one of the roomiest cabins in the sky.
JAL
Prior to takeoff JAL has long struggled to earn mindshare in a region where rivals like Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have been world-famous for their premium offerings. It’s finally fighting back with an overhaul of the interiors (just dress in layers: famously, JAL keeps its cabins far toastier than typical).
1A? The 1-1-1 configuration comprises six seats total, and at just over 31 square feet, is one of the roomiest cabins in the sky.
Dining at 36,000 feet Vegan and vegetarian pre-order options include celery root steak with wild rice and sundried tomato. Come thirsty: The standard Champagne is a $1,200 bottle of Salon Blanc de Blancs 2013.
Catwalk on the runway Alexander McQueen alum Yasutoshi Ezumi designed the current uniforms.
Key route Since January 2024 it’s rostered on three routes, all from HND: London, Dallas Ft. Worth, and New York (JFK).
Conversation-starter Speakers built into the headrests are a baller touch—no need to use headphones with the 43-inch seatback screen. And don’t miss the library at the First Class Lounge at HND, which is festooned with mementos from the airline’s 70-plus-year history.
On British Airways, the 36.5-inch-wide Fist Class cabin seat opens into a 79-inch-long flat bed.
British Airways
Prior to takeoff BA is midway through a nearly $8.9 billion makeover that will attempt to recapture the cachet it enjoyed in the Concorde era: fittingly, the curves of this cabin are a nod to the supersonic legend’s wings, and the design is determinedly British, with leather sourced from Glasgow-based Muirhead.
1A? The 36.5-inch-wide seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration, will stretch to a bed length of 79 inches when reclined. Flick the Do Not Disturb sign to stay cocooned behind the 60-inch tall curved wall.
Dining at 36,000 feet Forget the old gags about British cooking— there’s bona-fide gourmet food on offer here, with typical dishes including traditional British roast and Parmesan and mint fritters.
Catwalk on the runway In 2023, BA introduced new uniforms, courtesy of British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng, a Savile Row suit maker.
Key route This cabin will appear on Airbus A380 flights, including London-Miami.
Conversation-starter Heathrow Airport’s First Wing connects directly to the First Lounge (and British Airways is rumored to pay the airport handsomely for the right to allow its most VIP passengers to skip the maze-like Duty Free there).
When Quantas unveils its new First Class cabin next year, each suite will include a bed, armchair, desk, and wardrobe. There will also be an expansive lounge, seen here.
Quantas
Prior to takeoff Qantas has spent eight years prepping for this headline-grabbing operation, dubbed Project Sunrise. A specially equipped Airbus A350-1000 ULR aircraft will now have a third fuel tank, in order to make nonstop, direct journeys more than halfway around the world, starting in mid-2026.
1A? Fifty percent larger than their equivalent on Qantas-operated A380 aircraft, each suite in Project Sunrise will feature a flat bed, armchair, flexible dine-work desk, and full-length wardrobe.
Dining at 36,000 feet The exact menu is not confirmed but expect it to be designed around the body clock: During a test flight in 2019, meals featured chili, chocolate, and caffeine for wakefulness.
Catwalk on the runway Melbourne-born, Paris-based designer Martin Grant debuted his iteration of uniforms in 2016, so they’ll likely be replaced soon.
Key route East Coast of America to Eastern Australia, with flight times of just over 19 hours.
Conversation-starter Every aspect of this plane aims to minimize jet lag and improve the onboard experience. For the lighting alone, the color palette can be customized in each First Class suite for sleep, sunrise, sunset, and more.
