The world's best airlines to fly first class, ranked by passengers

As airlines across the industry bolster their premium offerings to attract higher-paying passengers, first-class amenities are only getting more luxurious. In some first-class cabins, travelers can enjoy private suites with double beds and food by Michelin-starred chefs. Other airlines offer spacious pods with multiple seating options and headrests with built-in speakers. Between September 2025 and August 2026, travelers from over 100 nationalities filled out an airline passenger satisfaction survey conducted by Skytrax, an aviation rating company, to determine the best airlines to fly first class. Here are the winning first-class carriers in Skytrax’s 2026 World Airline Awards. 10. Qatar Airways Qatar Airways made the top 10 of Skytrax’s ranking with amenities such as an à la carte menu, Diptyque amenity kits, and loungewear from The White Company. 9. Qantas Airways First-class travelers on Qantas can enjoy perks like armchair seating with in-seat massages and a self-service bar and lounge. 8. ANA (All Nippon Airways) First class on ANA includes sliding doors, lie-flat seats, and lavish meals featuring items such as sashimi, wagyu beef, and miso soup. 7. Japan Airlines First-class suites on Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350-1000s come with double beds, headrests with built-in speakers, wardrobes, and 43-inch TVs. 6. Swiss International Air Lines Swiss International Air Lines’ first-class cabins include armchairs that transform into lie-flat beds, pajamas designed by Zimmerli of Switzerland, and Cuvée Louise Champagne from Maison Pommery. 5. Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay Pacific’s first-class suites feature luxuries like 600-thread-count sheets, BOSE noise-canceling headphones, and an extensive wine selection. 4. Emirates In addition to flying in private suites, first-class passengers on Emirates’ Airbus A380 fleet also have access to a shower and lounge. 3. Lufthansa In a 2023 press release unveiling Lufthansa’s new first-class suites, Lufthansa Airlines CEO Jens Ritter said that the design “conveys the feeling of privacy and individuality similar to a hotel room.” Skytrax named Lufthansa the third-best airline to fly first-class. 2. Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines’ first-class suites are spacious enough for a bed plus a reclining chair, and two suites can be combined into a double for two people. It’s the runner-up in Skytrax’s ranking of the best first-class airlines. 1. Air France Skytrax named Air France, whose first-class cabins offer a nearly 38-square-foot La Première suite and food created by Michelin-starred chefs, the best airline for first-class travel.