Flying First: The First-Class Experience 

By: Riaan Jacob George

While most airlines, given the new configurations of aircraft, have decided to phase out their first class cabins, opting for super-enhanced, luxurious business class products, a few airlines continue to cash in on their top-end product.  

There’s a major cabin premiumisation phenomenon that’s sweeping the aviation industry, experts say. “In the recent years, airlines have gone above and beyond to enhance the business class seat to make it even more premium and luxurious. This therefore negates the need to have a first class product even above that. To put it simply, today’s business class passenger is getting a product that would have classified as first class, five years ago,” says Mumbai-based Manish Vohra, leading luxury travel curator at MEITICKETWORLD. 

That’s one side of the luxe travel coin — but airlines like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Air France, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways continue to offer a first class cabin, catering to that select niche. “We see first class demand from very high-profile clients like celebrities, those in the field of legislature, doctors and businessmen, for whom time, privacy and comfort matters more than cost. For them, the extra space, the exclusivity and the ability to arrive rested makes all the difference,” says Aparna Manghnani, who owns a popular high-end travel agent East West Travels & Tours specialising in high-profile clientele.  

Whether it is celebrities avoiding attention or CEOs needing rest before packed schedules, first class cabins are prioritised over business class for enhanced privacy, discretion and maximum comfort.  

Which routes and airlines see the most demand for first class travel? As you would expect Mumbai/Delhi-London sees huge traffic in the premium segment. There is also a lot of celebrity traffic between India and London flights. British Airways as well as Air India offer first class cabins on these legs, which see many takers. East West’s Manghnanin says “Demand is, as expected, highest on routes like Mumbai/Delhi-London, New York, Dubai and Singapore, with Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Etihad taking the lead.” 

Inflight Extravagance 

Three first class ‘suite’ cabins stand out when one is looking at the top players in the industry. Emirates with its First Class Suites, offers a personal minibar, a fully enclosed suite, vanity mirrors, Bulgari amenities and Dom Pérignon to sip on. Singapore Airlines, consistently known to win best inflight experience awards, offers a cabin called ‘Suites’, which is in addition to its existing first class. Etihad was ahead of its time in 2014, when it launched The Residence on its A380 aircraft, featuring a living room, bedroom and private bathroom, serviced by a butler, sommelier and chef. While the suite concept may be the norm, for first class cabins, Air France decided to shake things up and launched its new La Première first class cabin by entirely eschewing the suite format. The result is a delightful exercise in design, with an enclosure that spreads across 5 windows of the Boeing 777-300ER. Other perks include Jacquemus pyjamas, Sisley amenity kits, Michlin-star chefs who curate meals, Pierre Hermé pastries and the head sommelier from the iconic Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. Other personalised touches include a dedicated concierge, a tarmac transfer in a Porsche Cayenne and a private vestibule lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.  

Singapore Airlines has consistently been ahead of the first class curve with its beyond first class product, Suites. Here, every guest is consistently addressed by name as they settle into the Poltrona Frau armchairs, next to a full-sized bed. Two Suites can be combined to be made into a double room with a double bed. You can expect Lalique amenities in the spacious bathroom, an air sommelier to pour the recently added Louis Roederer Cristal 2015 and a separate lounge in Singapore Changi Airport called The Private Room.  

Dubai-based Emirates, has long adopted the suite concept for its first class. This airline has adopted a largely consistent first class product across all its fleet, with a strong branding aspect and amenities to match. After enjoying à la carte meals and wellness therapies at Dubai International Airport’s First Class lounge, passengers settle into their suites to enjoy a high-tech experience including an ultra-wide HD touchscreen, a personal minibar, personal stationery, a vanity drawer with Byredo amenities and a fully-stocked amenity kit by Bulgari. Emirates also has two dedicated shower spas on their A380 aircraft to let first class passengers enjoy a shower during the flight. The more recent cabin product on the Boeing 777-300ER features an entirely enclosed suite with a floor-to-ceiling door, a faux window with HD cameras for those on a middle seat to create a window experience and even binoculars to look outside.  

And finally, the most indulgent of the lot, Etihad, with its Residence product, featuring a multi-room suite for up to two passengers. Here, you can enjoy a lounge, a separate bedroom and your own private bathroom. The product is serviced by inflight chefs, specially trained butlers and have a private escort usher you through terminals. Etihad’s Residence product is still going strong with many luxury travellers opting for this ultimate splurge.  

According to a report by CAPA Centre for Aviation, Emirates has the highest share of first class seats in the aviation industry, given its huge wide body fleet, followed by British Airways that continues to see high demand through its London Heathrow home hub. The same report also suggests that first class cabins represent 0.6 per cent of the global share of inflight cabins from all the full-service airlines in the world.  

“While business class today is already such a luxurious product, first class is chosen by that small niche of ultra-high-spending individuals, who really want that level of privacy and exclusivity on board and at airports. Which is why concierge, private check-in areas, terminal escorts, tarmac transfers in luxurious cars and ultra-secluded lounges in the pre-boarding area, are important talking points,” says Arnabh Banerjee, aviation commentator and Mumbai-based frequent flyer.  

Today, while only a few airlines continue to offer first class product, the demand continues to exist and, as such, the offering is still very much relevant. Remains to be seen how airlines successfully widen the gap between this and their increasingly premiumised business class cabins.  

Our Favourite First Class Cabins 

Emirates First Class – We love the personal wardrobe, minibar, amenity kits by Bulgari and flowing caviar with Dom Pérignon. The shower inflight is an added plus.  

Singapore Airlines Suites – The elegant design of this Suite is a big talking point with leather and pastels, along with a plush bed. The iconic Singapore Airlines service is unmatched. 

Air France La Première – We do appreciate how the airline has infused French savoir-faire into the experience from design, food, wine and its experience partners like Jacquemus and Sisley.  

Etihad Residence – The ultimate indulgence for two people to travel in a private jet feel, but still on a commercial airliner. The inflight experience is phenomenal.  

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