I first got hooked on the idea of international first class when I was planning our trip to Japan. I found award space using American miles—60,000 miles for Japan Airlines Business Class from the U.S. to Tokyo. Even better, I discovered a connection from Orlando to Los Angeles in American First Class, followed by JAL First Class across the Pacific—for just 80,000 miles total. Was it worth an extra 20,000 miles?
I’d only experienced international first class once before—on ANA, years ago. A lot has changed since these were the best seats on the plane.
That meant I needed to do some research to figure out whether that upgrade was truly worth it.
Business Class vs. First Class
Business class has come a long way: lie-flat seats, direct aisle access, quality Wi-Fi, solid meals, and restful sleep. JAL’s Apex Suite gets plenty of praise for delivering one of the best business class experiences.
But First Class is a different level:
- Exclusivity: small cabins with just 4–8 seats.
- Personalized service: one-on-one attention from crew.
- Luxury touches: premium bedding, pajamas, a selection of champagnes, and caviar served with mother-of-pearl spoons.
- On-demand dining: eat whenever you want.
- Over-the-top perks: Emirates’ onboard showers, Singapore Suites’ double beds, or Air France’s La Première chauffeur service and Michelin-level catering.
Airlines That Still Offer International First Class (2025)
While many airlines have eliminated first class in favor of more premium business class cabins, several still keep it alive. As of 2025, these airlines continue to offer true First Class cabins:
- Singapore Airlines – Suites on A380s and First Class on select 777s.
- Emirates – Game Changer suites on 777s and A380s with onboard showers.
- Air France (La Première) – Exclusive four-seat cabins on select 777-300ERs, with updated suites introduced in 2025.
- Cathay Pacific – Limited First Class is still onboard certain 777-300ERs.
- Lufthansa – First Class available on A340-600, 747-8, and re-introduced on new A350s.
- Japan Airlines – New enclosed suites on A350-1000 introduced in January 2024.
- Qantas – First Class suites available on A380 and A350 aircraft.
- Thai Airways – Royal First Class available on three Boeing 777-300ERs to key routes.
- China Eastern Airlines – First Class with sliding doors on A350s and 777s.
- British Airways – Though its current product is being revamped, they continue to offer First Class and are rolling out new suites.
Additional airlines recognized as offering First Class in 2025 include Etihad Airways, Swiss, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Garuda Indonesia, and China Airlines—all still active in serving First Class on select routes.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
That really depends on your priorities:
- Go for it if you’ve never flown First and want the ultimate luxury in the sky. The personalized service and pampering are unforgettable.
- Stick with Business if your main goal is sleep. Modern lie-flat seats are very comfortable and make business class a fantastic value.
In my case with JAL, the 20,000-mile upgrade seemed reasonable—until the seats vanished. Lesson learned: if you see them, book quickly!
Final Thought
International First Class is rare—but it’s definitely still around. For the airlines that keep offering it, it’s an unmatched blend of luxury, exclusivity, and high-end service.
If you’ve got the miles (or the wallet) and never tried it, it’s a splurge worth making once. But if you’re just looking for a comfortable, restful flight, business class may be everything you need.
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3 comments
I was fortunate enough to try JAL’s first class early this year and it was pretty amazing. I’m inordinately large and tall so I thought the additional space was great but the onboard food and service, and lounge in HND were all pretty rock-the-house. For a comparatively small number of additional miles I’d say it’s absolutely worth it. While I’ve flown ANA first class (once) it just wasn’t as good IMO. ANA does have a better signature curry though.
I booked an JL award in J NRT-ORD with the expectation that F would open a week or two before the flight date. It did, while I was on my way to the airport for the outbound of my 2 week trip in mid-February this year. I called AS and while I headed to checkin spoke to an agent who did the change/upgrade for just 10K extra miles (AS has a better chart than AA, though part of my trip was an AA award on Etihad, JNB-AUH-ICN in J and F for 90K). I got the new ticket email while checking my bag with TK. No regrets, one of the finest service experiences plus finally getting to drink the legendary $600 a bottle Salon champagne. I’m not a fan of the sparkling wine (never understood the blogger mania of flying SQ, CX or EK in F for the Dom or Krug). As you wrote, snooze you loose…and it is a real loss.
Love Berns. Especially the table side Caesar.