It’s the most wonderful tiiime flight of the year. With 2025 just around the corner, I want to share an updated list in our personal favorite flights around the world. Drum roll please… it’s time to reveal the winners!
🏆 Singapore Airlines A380 Suite Class
I was lucky enough to take this on my 40th birthday and to me personally nothing beats this bedroom in the sky. The reigning champion… an airline that needs no introduction
Just look at this real estate. The suite is bigger than our old New York apartment! It’s a flying bedroom in the sky. Just don’t sleep like Miki and Chloe please… it’s a dream experience to enjoy consciously.
Even when you don’t score the double suites, the single suite is equally epic.
🥈 Japan New First Class (A350-1000)
This flight honestly felt like Christmas morning. Just by chance, I did a speculative booking and the stars happen to align with our travel schedule. This new generation of Japan First Class is everything the original one has plus cabin upgrades. It is designed for 3 passengers — even Chai Bear gets his own seat
If you get lucky and there’s no one in First Class, you can ask the flight attendant to make the bed next to you to take up the entire cabin.
🥉 Emirates A380 First Class
This is Paul Chai’s definition of flying. Emirates A380 is a celebration of life for First and Business Class on the upper deck. So many baller movies get inspired by this product — it is by far the most fun way to fly. I mean, what airline gifts you the opportunity to party with your family like this!
4. ANA New First Class (B777-300ER)
With the second largest 4K screen in commercial aviation, this is a theater in the sky. I’m not much of a movie guy, but on this long flight I watched three movies back to back.
A bonus mention that’s noteworthy is if you fly from Japan to Hawaii, there’s a special sea turtle plane you can experience that’s almost identical to ANA New First Class. It’s also the rarest A380 plane in the sky.
5. Japan First Class (B777-300ER)
Personally this is Miki’s favorite way to fly! Thanks to the magic of miles, we’ve been very fortunate to be able to fly this many times. When it comes to Michelin omakase dining, no airline in the world can beat this. Don’t be fooled by its understated luxury, this airline product is one of the best.
6. Emirates “Game Changer” First Class
With such limited routes, the “Game Changer” is probably one of the most unattainable experiences on this list. It is like flying a mini private plane. If you crave minimal interaction with the maximum amount of luxury, this is without a doubt the best way to commercially fly.
7. Etihad A380 First Apartment
This airline was the first one in the world to have a single aisle configuration. Like Singapore Suites, the real estate to this product is unreal. To this day, I still think about sipping on my morning coffee after showering in the sky…
8. ANA Original First Class
“Old” but gold, don’t judge this product by its cover. This airline gives you a taste of Japanese luxury without even setting foot in Tokyo. Not to mention, this is Chloe’s first ever international flight so it holds a special place in our travel hearts.
9. Thai Airways New First Class (B777-300ER)
The story behind this product is that the King of Thailand personally requested the airline to make a First Class for his favorite destinations. Just like Emirates Game Changer, there are very limited routes that have this on Thai Airways. As luck would have it, the King of Thailand loves traveling to Japan too. How’s the champagne princess….
10. Cathay Pacific First Class
This Hong Kong airline used to be our frequent go-to hub when we route to Asia. Like Japan, we have countless memories with Cathay Pacific. One of the most special moments is the airline surprising Miki with a birthday cake!
There you have it, the winners of the World’s Best First Class. Overall, we feel very lucky to be able to access so many aspirational flights that people get to rarely experience. Once upon a time, all of this felt unattainable too. When I was a kid, I still remember being a little boy wondering what life was like on the other side of the curtain.
This post is a daily reminder that with perseverance, a fantasy like this can become anyone’s reality. What’s your best first class flight? Love to hear your thoughts. And hopefully one day… we’ll see you on the next First Class flight 😉
Chai Bear World 