Tag Archives for first class.
For the past 9 years Swiss has only made its first class award space available to top elite members of the Miles & More frequent flyer program. So if you have United, Air Canada, Avianca or other Star Alliance miles you’ve been shut out from redeeming for this product.
The airline’s Airbus A350s, slated to arrive in late 2023, will offer a one row first class cabin that’s been described as suites.
However what those first class suites would be like has been unknown. From an internal Lufthansa event we know that these first class suites will be ‘fully-enclosed’ meaning doors.
Stay at the Burj al Arab, often described as ‘the world’s only 7 star hotel’. Or enjoy a special Marriott redemption at the incredible Al Maha Desert resort, where meals and activities are included and all accommodations are standalone Bedouin villas with their own private pools overlooking the desert. Use a trip to Dubai to visit the Mideast, or as a jumping off point for the Maldives or other destinations in the region.
Right now there’s fantastic first class award space for two passengers on the Washington Dulles – Dubai, Houston – Dubai, and San Francisco – Dubai routes from August through November.
Three years ago the CEO of Singapore Airlines described what they would do with their new first class on board the upcoming Boeing 777-9 as a “quantum leap” in their design offering.
American Airlines is offering old US Airways first class service now: poor legroom, no seat back video, no power (at least on my flights), and real meals on only a handful of routes. They can’t generate the revenue premium they need – given their cost structure and debt – with a product that customers won’t want to pay for.
Etihad doesn’t have a first class cabin on its Boeing 787-10 aircraft, though it still has these suites on some 787-9s. According to Etihad’s CEO this isn’t the end of first class on the airline but it’s being limited and de-emphasized. They’ll still operate planes with a first class cabin on routes where there’s historic paid demand for the cabin, though we’re already seeing last minute aircraft swaps where it’s scheduled for planes that do not offer the product.
On Wednesday’s American Airlines flight AA1822 from Philadelphia to Charlotte, customers got the first glimpse of a new first class product especially for legacy US Airways A320 aircraft. Seat 3D is extra premium, it comes with a foot rest:
United Airlines is bringing back meals to domestic first class flights over 1500 miles as well as flights between the airline’s hubs that are 800 miles or more. There will be a choice of entree, side dish, and a dessert served wrapped on a tray and this will replace the airline’s hot sandwiches and snack boxes.
Alaska Airlines sent out a program update to Mileage Plan members informing that “Beginning April 1, 2021, Emirates will no longer allow partner access to First Class award bookings.”
It’s possible that this restriction – no first class awards with partner miles – is for Alaska Airlines only. However that’s not what this update says.
Last month we learned details of the new British Airways first class seat, which will have a door for privacy.
They’ve taken delivery of their first plane with these seats, and photos have leaked.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
