• U.S. airlines have ditched first class in favor of upgraded business cabins to maximize space and revenue.
• Some international carriers are adopting a different strategy as demand for on-board luxury goods increases.
• Ultra-wealthy travelers will book first class on routes inaccessible to private jets.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines eliminated international first class on their planes years ago, and American Airlines follows suit.

They consider business class more lucrative for long-haul flights. It can accommodate more seats and is more marketable to more people than an expensive first class ticket.

But many international carriers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East are taking the opposite approach, chasing dollar signs with new first-class cabins, amid a post-pandemic industry shift underway. growing demand for luxury at the front of the plane.

This includes multi-million dollar overhaul plans in an effort to attract more customers, keep up with the competition and improve revenue and reputation. Even though these carriers still offer business class, true first class remains a moneymaker despite taking up the least cabin space.

Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer said CNBC in March that the airline’s first class is here to stay. This was a turnaround from its predecessor, who said in 2023 that first class was not necessary with the popular carrier. Business class Q-Suite.

The five-star Singapore Airlines is also planning launch a new first class as part of a more than $800 million cabin overhaul project. Air France, Swiss International Air Lines and Lufthansa are also present, among others.

A study by Mighty Travels Premium, published in October, showed that the first-class resurgence is largely driven by business travelers from wealthy Fortune 500 companies.

The study, which analyzed airline revenue data, found an increase in international bookings from people who are well-off and willing to pay extra for the swanky perks.

Transatlantic first-class fares averaged about $2,900 one-way between January and August, excluding taxes and fees, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. But this amount can be much higher on more luxury-focused airlines.

Tiffany Funk, travel site analyst Dot.metold Business Insider that Singapore’s new first class is partly driven by ultra-wealthy people who want to fly in style but can’t achieve certain goals. destinations with a private jet.

“The addition of first class in Singapore is a testament to its demographics,” she said. “One of the co-founders of Google who commutes between the United States and Singapore is someone who would book, these are people willing to pay $15,000 to $20,000 for this really nice luxury experience.”

Some airlines add first class to boost their prestige

Funk said airlines like British Airways, Singapore, Emirates and Air France don’t always fill first class but offer it for “prestige.”

Airlines, especially those benefiting from public investment, are willing to make compromises to enhance their reputation or to provide necessary luxuries for their local elites.

“Air France is committed to offering this super premium first class product because it’s Air France,” Funk said. “It doesn’t necessarily make economic sense, and it’s not necessary with only four seats to fill on the plane.”

She cited other examples like Emirates, which can attract more customers in all cabins simply because it is associated with take showers in first class – even if people are not sitting in a seat with access to that shower.

Then there’s British Airways, which Funk says flies the prime minister and the royal family and partly has to maintain first class to have that influence.

“You’re not going to let William and Kate fly business class alongside 85 other people,” she said.

9 airlines plan new first class cabin

With at least nine new international first class cabins coming to market over the next two years, deep-pocketed customers I have a lot to look forward to, especially as some of these luxury seats hit the United States.

Here are nine global airlines introducing a new first class cabin:

• Air India: A new first class be retrofitted to existing Boeing 777-300ERs from 2025 as part of Air India’s $400 million rebranding.
• Air France: The airline’s new first class “La Première” is expected will be revealed by the end of 2024, although details remain limited.
• British Airways: the British national airline is beginnings a new first class on its Airbus A380 and its future Boeing 777X. No official schedule has been announced.
• Cathay Pacific: The Hong Kong-based airline is presentation a new first class on its future 777X planes, but the delivery of these planes and its new cabin is still uncertain.
• Swiss International Air Lines: from 2025, the the carrier will offer a new first class in the form of a pod on existing A330s, Boeing 777s and future A350s.
• Lufthansa: the German national airline is launches its new A350 Allegris first class SATURDAY. The rest is similar to Switzerland.
• Qantas: from 2026, the Australian national airline will launch a new first class on the A350s as part of “Project Sunrise”, which will operate the new world’s longest flights between Australia, New York and London.
• Qatar: The Doha-based airline has released few details about its new first class, but the cabin will be open future 777X aircraft.
• Singapore: Singapore is the latest airline to unveil a new first class, which will debut on September Ultra-long-haul A350-900ULR in the first quarter of 2027.