Despite our relatively small population, travellers in Australia still benefit from access to some of the world’s best First Class products.
In this guide, I take a look at the top ten First Class products flying from Australian airports and, crucially, how to book an award seat using frequent flyer points.
What makes for a good First Class product?
I’ve judged these products based on the:
- comfort of the seat
- privacy of the seat
- food and drinks you’ll enjoy onboard
- service you are likely to receive
- extra amenities such as an onboard shower or bar
A ranking of the top 10 First Class products flying from Australia
10. Singapore Airlines 777-300ER First Class
Singapore’s flag carrier provides excellent customer service and delicious food and drinks on its flights no matter the aircraft. (Tip: make sure to pre-order your main course using the Book The Cook service.)
The oldest of their First Class products can be found on some flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore. It’s definitely a step-down from the other two versions mentioned later in this guide.
However, regardless of the aircraft, First Class passengers on Singapore Airlines can enjoy a caviar service to kickstart their experience onboard.
You’ll need access to KrisFlyer miles or Velocity Points to book a redemption flight.
9. THAI 747 First Class
Jetting between Sydney and Bangkok, you’ll enjoy friendly service, a private seat and a comfortable on-ground transfer process in Bangkok.
The food is downright exceptional.
Departing Sydney, you’ll get access to the not-so-fantastic SilverKris First Class Lounge run by Singapore Airlines. However, when flying out of Bangkok, you can enjoy a complimentary 60-minute massage before your flight.
This flight is bookable with KrisFlyer and THAI Royal Orchid Plus (an American Express Membership Rewards partner) miles. United MileagePlus and Avianca LifeMiles have lower redemption rates, though.
Just be aware that THAI is notorious for equipment swaps, so you may be downgraded to an inferior aircraft like the A380 or older 747 at the last minute.
8. Singapore A380 (old) Suites Class
This product was launched back in 2006 and is showing its age but it’s still a solid option. You’ll enjoy a high degree of privacy in your closed suite:
and if you’re travelling with someone else, you can have two centre seats made into a double bed.
Given that this version of the aircraft has 12 First Class seats and the newer one (later on this guide) has half that number, you are much more likely to find an award seat on one of these flights. For comparison purposes, there are only 4 First Class seats on the 777-300ER mentioned previously.
This older product can be found on flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Singapore, but it will most likely disappear from the skies by the end of this year. If you want to try it out, book it now.
7. Qatar Airways A380 First Class
This Gulf carrier has arguably the best Business Class product in the world (the Qsuite). However, you can also fly with them in First Class on its Airbus A380 services from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
The cabin is set up in a 1-2-1 open suites configuration, which isn’t the greatest for privacy. However, the seat and bed are comfortable.
You’ll also get access to the best onboard bar of any airline.
The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha is one of the most luxurious in the world. And departing Sydney and Melbourne, you’ll get access to Qantas’ excellent International First Lounges.
Qantas Points and Asia Miles can be used to book a redemption flight.
6. Korean Air 747-8i First Class
Warning: you’re unlikely to fly this product. That’s because Korean Air often changes its aircraft and it is more common to find the Airbus A380 (pictured below).
However, if the 747 is scheduled on the Sydney – Seoul route, then you’re in for a treat. This is the seat in which I’ve had the best sleep ever on a plane due to its comfortable bed and sliding privacy door.
You’ll get attentive service, but the language barrier can cause minor frustrations.
The downside in booking: you’ll need access to Korean Air SKYPASS miles. How do you get them? You have to transfer from Marriott Bonvoy, which is an American Express Membership Rewards partner. (Etihad Guest miles can be used for travel on Korean Air but only in Business and Economy Class.)
5. Qantas A380 First Class
Update: On 10 March 2020, Qantas announced significant cuts to its international route network through to September 2020. This includes suspension of flights and aircraft swaps, including the grounding of a majority of its A380 fleet. Further information can be found in this guide.
Get ready for one of the best beds in the sky. Qantas’ top premium product on its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft offers cushy foam mattresses and pillows, which are important on its long flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong.
This cabin is set up with 14 open suites in a 1-1-1 configuration.
The airline’s A380 fleet is currently getting a refresh, expected to be completed by the end of this year. However, there will be only minor changes in this cabin, with a bigger inflight entertainment screen and new seat fabrics.
Here are some tips to secure this redemption:
- Book 11-12 months out
- Hold Qantas Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status
- Use Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles for the cheapest redemption rates and lower taxes than Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Focus flights to Asia rather than to the US or London
4. Japan Airlines 777 First Class
Qantas’ Japanese partner flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Tokyo, but its First Class product has been absent for the past couple of years. Luckily, it’s returning from 1 September 2020 on its daily flight from Sydney to Tokyo Haneda.
First Class is set up in a standard 1-2-1 configuration, with eight open suites across two rows. As you can see it’s an older-style product. However, it still shines in its fantastic service and comfortable bedding.
The food is incredible and you can dine with a travel companion in the same suite, like on Cathay Pacific.
You can book Japan Airlines flights with Qantas Points or Asia Miles. If you want to fly around the world in First Class using Qantas Points, this is a great option to include in your trip.
3. Etihad A380 First Apartment
‘Darling, it’s not First Class—it’s a First Apartment!’ This is one of the most aspirational redemptions in the world and isn’t actually available on many routes. We’re lucky to see it fly between Sydney and Abu Dhabi.
The nine private suites are set up in a 1-1 configuration:
which permits enough space for each passenger to enjoy a separate seat and bed.
The dining options and customer service could be improved. You’ll get a hot shower and access to an onboard bar but neither is as good as on Emirates. Essentially, where this product shines is in its space and elegance.
The cheapest way to book an award seat is with American Airlines AAdvantage miles. However, you can also use Etihad Guest miles or Velocity Points. (If you’re booking through Velocity, just watch out for the hefty Etihad Airways Carrier Charge.)
2. Emirates A380/777 First Class
This Qantas partner shines with private suites, top-notch food and excellent customer service. It’s blingy, it’s over-the-top and it’s a pleasure to fly.
On A380 flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to Dubai as well as Sydney to Christchurch, you’ll get access to the best onboard shower of any airline.
Whilst you can enjoy a beverage in your suite, you can also venture to the onboard bar, which is shared with Business Class passengers.
On 777 services to and from Australia, you won’t have the shower or bar but the service is generally more attentive on this aircraft. (Note that Emirates’ newest First Class product does not fly to Australia.)
This is one of the best uses of Qantas Points or Emirates Skywards miles, and can be some of the cheapest First Class flights to redeem when flying within the Middle East. Here is why I think Emirates’ product is better than Etihad’s.
1. Singapore A380 (new) Suites Class
This product’s understated elegance and class-leading space matched with Singapore Airlines’ excellent soft product makes for the best First Class product available to travellers in Australia.
Again set up a 1-1 configuration but this time with only six private suites, you’ll have a larger area than on Etihad to walk around.
You’ll also enjoy the separate bed and seat. (The seat is, unfortunately, a little odd, which you can read about in our full review.)
Whilst there is no onboard shower (or bar), the bathrooms are modern and spacious:
and you can enjoy a glass (or bottle!) of Dom Pérignon or Krug back at your seat—sorry, suite!
The good news? This upgraded product is already flying from Sydney and will prbably be available from Melbourne sometime later this year. The bad news? It’s hard to find award seats at the Saver level, so you’ll probably have to burn more KrisFlyer miles on a pricier Advantage award.
Summing up
With airlines generally preferring to invest mostly in improving their Business Class seats, a select few have decided to upgrade their First Class products. This means they have become even more luxurious, with individual seats, sliding privacy doors, caviar service and onboard showers raising the standard.
As frequent flyers, we can choose to save up our points and redeem them for these uber-opulent experiences.
With over half of the airlines featured in this guide offering quite different products across their fleet, the aircraft type is what counts most. Therefore, it is important to make sure exactly which plane you are on when going through the booking process.
For more in-depth information, you can check out all of our First Class reviews here. And these are the top 10 Business Class products flying to and from Australia.
I would love to hear from you. Do you agree with my rankings? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Qantas is aware that most of its First seats are filled not by First Class paid tickets, but overwhelmingly with its op-upgraded status customers (CLs & the odd P1/P), those who upgraded on points from Business, and those on reward/senior staff seat tickets.
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It’s large First cabin reflects this situation – it’s more of a loyalty cabin than a profit one, so they know they don’t have to be the leading First provider. If First wasn’t such a prestige thing, I suspect Joyce/Qantas would have already happily ripped those seats out on the A380.
Qantas First doesn’t belong in the top 10 IMHO. The hard product is great, but the food is patchy and on our last trip, both of our meals were nearly cold.
That would not be good in economy, but is completely unacceptable in First.
We also flew both the old SQ A380 recently and the new Suites class and they are in the right spot in this list.
The new Suites class is a very worth first place holder 🙂
With Singapore Airlines, First means good food & beverage, professional service, & great IFE. The rest is more mixed. The old SQ A380 Suite wasn’t that private because those pull down mesh windows didn’t offer much privacy from those in the aisle & were a bit naff in my view and much like the new Suite, the seperate bed/chair design were not that great really – the bed in particular was on the hard side.
Have flown Qatar First a lot (more than any other). The major takeaway for Qatar First is a huge jump in food & beverage (over their already decent Business catering) – even if the caviar service isn’t as nice as it used to be in my view (individual jar vs just dolloped put on plate – because you knew exactly what you were getting with the individual jars), but it does come on a nicer platter now with some salmon in lieu. While the seat isn’t anywhere as comfortable as the one in Business (being quite hard), it is much wider and longer and much better in terms of giving you an open space to sleep. The Qatar First PJs are also really nice and one of the few I bother wearing at home in the winter. Those two huge bathrooms (showers are a gimmick mostly, unless you like low pressure showers) are a major plus too with a 1:4 toilet to pax ratio. The IFE screen is huge but given Qatar censor heavily, I rarely watch anything. I also appreciate the decent storage space, although there is not a lot in reach from the seat, but you can store a cabin bag under the footrest, and you have a personal locker, plus the storage on either side of the crew seats up front.
Qantas First isn’t really that competitive a product in my view and Qantas pinch the pennies a bit tight. The First bathrooms are pretty small and the ratio isn’t that great. Qantas typically only stocks a couple of bottles of the premium wine they are promoting that flight so it typically runs out before landing. The food can be good but often is pretty light on for the premium dishes. The seat is firm but the bedding helps. Service can be a bit hit and miss, but if you are lucky, you’ll get a star performer. Like most big First cabins, the feeling isn’t as refined and peaceful as airlines that fly with less First seats. PJs aren’t as nice as some others.
Etihad First Apartment I actually prefer Etihad’s Dreamliner First Suite over its A380 First Apartment (unfortunately Etihad doesn’t fly its three class Dreamliner consistently to Australia anymore). Yes, it was a revolutionary product when it first launched, but it doesn’t change the fact the seperate seat & bed are not as good as a seat/bed and while the Apartment has extra floor space, most of it isn’t that usable or that ergonomic (plus the wear & tear on these Apartments shows these days). The hard bench bed is just uncomfortable and the limited movement seat isn’t that great either. Etihad has also cut back and tightened its belt, and it shows even in First with its food & beverage these days. The two larger sized bathrooms are a plus though, and I actually like the Etihad shower slightly more than Emirates’ one (even if it isn’t as spacious). Service is pretty variable. It’s still a fancier product than say Qantas’, but it is a case of what could have been with Etihad.
Emirates First Emirates high-density First on the A380 or its more boutique unrefurbished 777 First are both decent (although not as fancy as it’s New First Suite on some 777s, ironically flying medium haul vs long haul routes like to Australia). The seat design is actually pretty good on Emirates, although still pretty firm (how I miss the well cushioned seats of yesteryear) – but the thick mattress pad can help with that. Food & beverage is pretty strong. IFE is exceptional of course. Seat storage is very good and bags can be stored in your suite. Mixed feelings about the current PJs but I really miss the three size selection of slippers they used to provide (slippers are always too small for me, but the old Emirates L size were perfect). The large oversized bathrooms with showers on A380 are beloved by many (although you’ll have a better shower on the ground) – the 777 has to make do with a less exciting normal airplane toilet. A real bar on the A380 is a plus for the social. Service usually good, especially on 777 (A380 crew get a bit rushed).
Just quickly, Emirates New First Suite I got to try this out last year. Very advanced product, feels exceeding luxurious, but still not perfect in my view (but comes close). Still an amazing product. Weird though that you get these cheap tiny hand soaps though in the bathroom rather than hand wash – was just a pain & didn’t feel premium.
Rankings
Qatar seems hard done by at #7. Etihad & Qantas feels overrated #3 & #5 respectively.
Etihad Apartments are mind boggling, but strangely the cabin service approach and catering just don’t grab me (mind you they credited 15,000 miles within 15 minutes of deplaning at AUH for a malfunctioning shower, yet were completely f*k you at AUH First check-in when daylight saving changeover reduced my onwards connection time on VA Syd-Mel to an hour; it seems despite direct booking, that the customer is at fault- even in First! Just have to love the attitude.)
SQ F is great, but in the end I have a sweet spot for TQ’s 747 First. The FAs are engaged, service is awesome, as is their proper Caviar service with hyper chilled vodka. And its a 747…bullet proof and you get rocked to sleep by turbulence. (ps have been the sole pax in F on two other TQ F 747 flights, no caviar ex HND at midnight, but your own personal cabin with 3 FAs!)