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Best airlines with First Class
You all know how much I love to fly first class when traveling internationally. There’s no better way to fly. From Emirates to Lufthansa, there are a number of airlines that offer a first class product to U.S. destinations. International first class may have disappeared completely on all but one U.S. carrier, but there are plenty of international airlines with first class cabins. Here I’m going to list all of them out, their U.S. destinations, and some quick luxury award flights booking tips.
Air China
Air China is only first on the list since they come first alphabetically. While I have never flown their first class product, it isn’t up to the typical international first class standards as many others, as far as I understand.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: 777-300ER, 747-8
- U.S. Destinations: Currently none?
- How to Book: Star alliance airline miles
- Special Details: None
Air France
Ah, Air France La Premiere. There might not be any first class product that makes itself as inaccessible and prestigious from a points and miles perspective. Air France first class is one of those products that is only offered to their own elites as an award. You’re welcome to pay cash, but the prices are ridiculous.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 777-300ER
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, ORD, SFO, LAX, ATL, MIA, BOS
- How to Book: Flying Blue miles (cost is 200,000 to 220,000 miles one-way between Paris and the U.S.)
- Special Details: Must be a Flying Blue Gold elite or higher to book
All Nippon Airlines (ANA)
First class on either of Japan’s major carriers is amazing. The seat, service, and food make it a product you should definitely look into booking. Luckily, you can easily book ANA first class using miles.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 777-300ER
- U.S. Destinations: HNL, LAX, SFO, ORD
- How to Book: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, United MileagePlus, Avianca LifeMiles
- Special Details: Virgin miles still offer the best deal for round-trip tickets
American Airlines
As the only U.S. carrier with a first class cabin, American Airlines stands alone. There are only select routes where it is available. Otherwise you’ll have to settle for business. You’ll only find their Flagship First internationally on their 777-300ER aircraft.
Related: American Airlines Business Class Review (777-200) During COVID 2021
British Airways
Great Britain’s flag carrier has offered first class on many of their aircraft for as long as anyone can remember. They have been moving toward a fleet that ends with just business class, though, which is a bummer. The upside is that it is a nicer business class on their A350 planes.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 777, 787
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, ORD, SFO, LAX, DFW, SEA, DEN, IAH, MIA, and more
- How to Book: American Airlines miles (80,000 to 110,000), Alaska Mileage Plan
- Special Details: Expect to pay a ton in fees and surcharges
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific first class is an awesome product to fly long-haul between the U.S. and Hong Kong. The carrier has a nice business class as well, but first takes things up a notch, as they serve excellent champagne and have great catering.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: Boeing 777-300ER
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, BOS, LAX, SFO
- How to Book: Alaska Mileage Plan (best rates), American AAdvantage, Asia Miles
- Special Details: More seats are often available through Asia Miles
China Eastern
I’ve flown China Eastern first class, and while they offer a fantastic seat, their staff and service leave you wishing you booked another carrier. They normally fly their first class product to a few U.S. destinations, but right now they’ve reduced things to once a week between Shanghai and NYC.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: 777-300ER
- U.S. Destinations: JFK
- Special Details: None
China Southern
Based in the province of Guangzhou near Hong Kong, China Southern is one of the largest carriers in China. They also have a good number of aircraft that offer first class.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A330, A380, 777, 787
- U.S. Destinations: Currently only LAX
- How to Book: Maybe American AAdvantage?
- Special Details: Partners with both American and Delta, but no longer an alliance airline
Emirates
Emirates is known for their excellent first class cabin on their flagship A380 aircraft. Their 777s offer it as well, but it isn’t the same seat. In either case, you can expect top-notch catering. Unfortunately, they have made it more difficult to book their first class cabin by eliminating partner airline redemptions.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 777
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, BOS, IAD, ORD, DFW, IAH, MCO, MIA, SFO, LAX, SEA
- How to Book: Emirates Skywards (distance-based award chart)
- Special Details: Can no longer book this product with partner miles.
Etihad
Alongside Emirates, Etihad is another excellent Middle Eastern carrier that offers first class on many of their aircraft. They fly between a couple of U.S. destinations and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. You can connect there onward to many destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A330, A380, 777-300ER, 787
- U.S. Destinations: LAX, JFK
- How to Book: American AAdvantage, Aeroplan, Etihad Guest
- Special Details: Not an alliance airline
Japan Air Lines (JAL)
The smaller of Japan’s carriers isn’t one to overlook if you are looking for airlines offering first class between the U.S. and Asia. They are known for having an excellent first class seat, wonderful staff, and an excellent soft product. They fly to a handful of U.S. cities, so make sure you check them out for a potential trip.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A350, 777
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, ORD, SFO, LAX
- How to Book: Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage, JAL Mileage Bank, Avios
- Special Details: Generally lower fuel surcharges than other airlines
Korean
Korean Airlines, flag carrier of South Korea, offers first class on many of their long-haul aircraft. While the routes they currently fly are nowhere near what they used to fly before the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still a couple that you can enjoy in first class between the U.S. and Korea. As travel continues to rebound, hopefully we see even more U.S. destinations.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 747, 777
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, LAX
- How to Book: Korean SkyPass Miles
- Special Details: Cannot book with partner miles
Lufthansa
Lufthansa might be the nicest airline that offers a first class cabin to fly between the U.S. and Europe. The excellent catering includes top shelf champagne and caviar. Booking Lufthansa first class is highly restricted, however, as the carrier only released award spaces to partners a couple weeks before departure. You can also expect to pay a ton in surcharges unless you use a couple specific award programs.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A330, A340, A380, 747-8
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, MIA, ORD, IAH, LAX, SFO
- How to Book: United Miles and Avianca LifeMiles (to avoid surcharges), other Star Alliance miles
- Special Details: Only available 15 days or less from departure for partner award redemption
Guide: MileagePlus United Excursionist Perk
Qantas
Who knows when Australia will reopen to travelers from the U.S., but once they do, you’ll certainly want to fly Qantas first class on your trip down under. There is no better way to fly to Australia. The carrier only offers the cabin on their Airbus A380, which keeps your options pretty limited. Luckily, Qantas typically flies these planes to West Coast gateways.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380
- U.S. Destinations: None right now (typically SFO and LAX)
- How to Book: Alaska Mileage Plan, American AAdvantage
- Special Details: Award space can be difficult to find, and often only one seat available
Qatar
Qatar is known for Q-Suites (it’s best in class business product) but they do still have an impressive First Class product on a few routes (not regularly from the US but it happens occasionally). The most notable differences are the access to Al-Safweh Lounge at Hamad International and obviously the only thing I care about- the champagne selection. First class offers Krug and one of my personal favorites- Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380
Singapore
Singapore Airlines is known for their first class suites product. There is only one U.S. destination where this is typically offered, but there are other destinations where you can fly their “normal” first class, which also looks excellent. They do restrict long-haul international first and business class award space where you can only book these cabins with Kris Flyer miles. Booking with Alaska Mileage Plan might be the one exception.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A380, 777-300ER
- U.S. Destinations: JFK (A380 suites to FRA), LAX, SFO
- How to Book: Singapore KrisFlyer, Alaska Mileage Plan (maybe?)
- Special Details: Hard to find at times. Often, you’ll want to waitlist for a saver award.
SWISS
Like Air France, SWISS makes their first class product inaccessible to non-elites. You have to be either a Miles & More Senator or HON Circle member to book with Miles & More miles. Want to book with partner miles? Forget about it. It’s a bummer, but it is what it is.
- Aircraft with First Class Cabin: A330, A340, 777
- U.S. Destinations: JFK, BOS, MIA, ORD, SFO, LAX
- How to Book: Lufthansa Miles & More (only)
- Special Details: Obscene fuel surcharges. But it’s your only option.
Amex Travel: Top 10 Ways to Save Money with American Express Flight Offers
Final Thoughts
There are a handful of other airlines with first class cabins but either don’t fly it to the U.S. or don’t have any routes to the U.S. These include Garuda Indonesia, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Oman Air. Hopefully this list of airlines offering first class gives you some ideas for what to book on your next vacation. Virgin Atlantic is very nice as is Delta one.
I think the only carrier with first class you’re missing is Oman Air on their 789s between Muscat and London. I believe the only practical way to book that with points or miles is to do so via Aeroplan.
Malaysia Airlines and Asiana both used to offer first class, but don’t anymore; the first class hard product still remains on some of their respective aircraft, but it’s now marketed as premium/ehanced business class.