TWA pioneered the luxurious First Class concept in the mid-1950s, and airlines have embraced the romantic allure of unparalleled elegance and comfort in air travel ever since. Opulent and refined cabins provide discerning travellers with unrivalled exclusivity, superior space, unmatched privacy, and supreme service. Yet, First Class cabins are becoming even more exclusive in the rarefied air of luxury travel as the popularity of ever-impressive and widely-available Business Class products increases.
While the First Class experience encompasses every aspect of air travel, from VIP chauffeur services, private and dedicated check-in, breathtaking airport lounges, and exceptional cuisine, this article focuses on the best First Class seats for passengers travelling as a couple.
From sumptuous suites with double beds to private cabins adorned with the finest amenities, we've curated a list of the crème de la crème of airline seats designed for lovebirds, promising a voyage that transcends the ordinary and soars to new heights of extravagance.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the 12 Best First Class Seats For Couples:
Etihad Airways – The Residence – Airbus A380
Arguably, the most lavish experience in the skies is found on the upper deck of Etihad's Airbus A380s on select routes – this is privacy, space, and luxury on another level. The Residence is designed for up to two guests and spans three individual rooms – comprising a living area, a private bedroom and an ensuite shower room. With only one Residence per aircraft, this is truly exclusive. A dedicated butler and chef are on hand to serve gourmet dine-on-demand cuisine from the extensive à la carte menu and offer excellent wines from the boutique wine list. The lounge area consists of a large Poltrona Frau leather sofa and a leather bench beneath the 32-inch HD monitor. Two large foldaway tables create the perfect space to dine together. Just along the corridor, the cosy bedroom has a large double bed, a restful custom-made mattress, luxurious bedding, and a second independent TV screen. The bathroom has a soothing shower, signature Acqua di Parma amenities, soft linens and robes and even a heated floor. The Residence is an exceptional experience.
What We Love
- Class-leading privacy, space and comfort
- Customisable dine-on-demand menu
- Personal butler service
Champagne:
2002 Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru Millesime or Devaux & Chapoutier Sténopé 2009
Etihad Airways – First Apartments – Airbus A380
As well as the unique and magnificent Residence, Etihad also offers First Class passengers on the Airbus A380 with nine sizeable First Apartments. Although the Apartments are designed for one passenger, the clever design allows for the partition wall of adjoining Apartments to open halfway along the length of the wall, allowing couples to converse with ease and sleep 'together', though still in their individual Apartment beds. The seating is just as luxurious as in The Residence, with a wide leather seat and a long leather-clad bench that converts to the bed with turn-down service and luxurious bedding. Other luxuries include a wide IFE monitor with a vast selection of entertainment, a minibar, a large vanity mirror, a fabulous dine-on-demand à la carte gourmet menu, boutique wines, and signature Cognac service. Privacy comes courtesy of tall sliding doors, and customer service is exceptional. Although Apartments do not have private lavatories, the First Class cabin offers two lavatories, one with a shower, though this is not as large as on other airlines such as Emirates. The A380 also provides a relaxing lounge area. Passengers can refresh with designer Acqua di Parma amenity kits and get comfortable in soft pyjamas and slippers.
What We Love
- A truly first-class experience
- Customisable dine-on-demand menu
- Excellent personal service from an international crew
Champagne:
2002 Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru Millesime or Devaux & Chapoutier Sténopé 2009
All Nippon Airways (ANA) – The Suite – Boing777-300ER
The First Class experience on All Nippon Airways (ANA) is incredible. The Suite, its newest inflight product, features on its new 212-seat Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and is available on routes including Tokyo to New York and London. Each suite offers substantial space and high levels of comfort from 38-inch (96.5 centimetres) wide seats with a lie-flat bed length of 76 inches (193 centimetres). Features include one of the largest 4K in-flight entertainment screens in the sky at a massive 42 inches (106.7 centimetres). With only eight seats in the First Class cabin, the suites are arranged over two rows, with the centre two connecting seats perfect for couples travelling together. Sliding doors provide good levels of privacy, and a central removable divider makes for easy conversation with a partner. The excellent dine-on-demand menu is designed by ANA "connoisseur" chefs, with mix-and-match Western and Japanese menus and an extensive wine list. Restaurant-style presentation, along with impeccably friendly service, is a hallmark of the entire service.
What We Love
- Spaciousness and comfort of "The Suite"
- The Japanese cuisine and impressive drinks menu
- Impressive IFE display
Champagne:
Krug Grande Cuvée or Champagne Charles Heidsick Blanc de Blancs.
SWISS – First Armchairs – Boeing 777-300ER
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is the only major airline in the world offering First Class on all its global long-haul flights. SWISS long-haul aircraft feature eight First Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The best cabin, with privacy doors, can be found on the Boeing 777-300ER. The Airbus A340 has the same suite, but the cabin is narrower, while the A330 does not have privacy doors. Couples travelling together will benefit from the two central connected seats, which are enclosed with head-height privacy doors, and benefit from a retractable central divider to make communication easier. Each mini-suite has a wide ottoman for companion dining. SWISS First flight attendants are highly trained and engaging, welcoming passengers by name. Customers receive specially designed luxury pyjamas, slippers, and an upscale amenity kit from Bally containing high-end La Prairie-branded products. Large IFE screens have excellent picture quality paired with noise-cancelling headphones. The 'SWISS Taste of Switzerland' experience is akin to dining in a gourmet restaurant, with multi-course dine-on-demand haute cuisine and a fine wine list, highlighting discovery wines from featured cantons or neighbouring regions.
What We Love
- SWISS First Lounges at Zürich Airport
- 'SWISS Taste of Switzerland' gastronomic concept
- Premium in-flight customer service
Champagne:
Pommery Cuvee Louise Millesime 2006
Emirates – First Class Suites – Airbus A380
Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East by fleet size and one of the biggest airlines in the world. The Dubai-based carrier embraces the ultimate luxury in commercial aviation with true Arabian panache. There are serious amounts of light woodgrain panelling, deep pile carpets, gold and beige design tones and acres of high-quality leather. Emirates is undergoing a lavish refurbishment of all aircraft. First, Class cabins are being refreshed with private suites featuring zero-gravity seats, a pop-up minibar, mood lighting, individual climate controls, exclusive skincare, and fragrances. The Airbus A380 offers 14 lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration with the two central seats, ideal for passengers travelling together, with a section of the central divider retracing to assist conversation. The Airbus A380s also feature two impressive "shower spas" and walk-up bars. The inflight service is dignified, with an attentive international crew, and the dine-on-demand meal service is something to savour, with passengers able to indulge in unlimited caviar and Champagne. Regarding Champagne, Emirates prides itself on serving the best and most comprehensive drinks selection in the sky and is the only airline serving Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon and Moët & Chandon Champagnes.
What We Love:
- First Class on most flights
- Fantastic wines from special years
- A380 inflight showers and walk-up bars
Champagne:
Dom Pérignon or Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot vintages, plus exclusive limited-time offerings such as Dom Pérignon P2 Champagne. If you adore whisky, you must request a dram of the Dalmore King Alexander III.
Qatar Airways – First Class – A380
First Class is exclusive to Qatar's Airbus A380 and is currently only available on three routes – London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Sydney to Doha, respectively. The First Class cabin at the front of the Airbus A380 Upper has eight lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The cabin has splashes of Qatar's signature burgundy colouring and soft, soothing hues of pink lighting. The seats are not fully enclosed like some other First Class cabins. Although passengers are more exposed, this is still a comfortable environment to rest, watch television on the large IFE screens, work using the complimentary Wi-Fi, or dine – alone or with a seated companion. Couples will prefer the centre two seats with a large removable divider, making chatting easy during the flight. Qatar's superb personalised service is legendary, and exquisite dine-on-demand cuisine is tailor-made by a dedicated chef. The A380 also boasts an impressive bar area – shared with Business Class passengers, and two large and exclusive lavatories for First Class passengers, though neither contains shower facilities. First Class passengers receive exclusive amenity kits and gift boxes from French Perfumer Diptyque, and night flight passengers receive pyjamas and slippers.
What We Love:
- The incredible complete First Class experience
- Inflight cuisine & beverages
- The A380 First Class cabin
Champagne:
Krug 2004, and Champagne Billecart-Salmon Rosé.
Cathay Pacific – First Class – Boeing 777-300ER
First Class service is only available on a subset of Cathay's Boeing 777-300ERs, offering two rows of six open suites arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration and one of the widest and most comfortable flatbed seats in the sky at 36 inches (79 centimetres) and a pitch of 81 inches (206 centimetres). Although the seats are far apart from one another, due to the cabin configuration, they have a large ottoman, perfect for companion dining. When it is time for sleep, the seat transforms into one of the widest fully flat beds available, complemented by a luxurious thick mattress, 600-thread-count bedlinen, and a selection of soft pillows, all from leading organic brand Bamford. A calming pillow mist adds to the comfort. First Class passengers also receive luxury Bamford amenity kits, plus pyjamas, slippers and an eyeshade designed by PYE using some of the finest cotton in the world. A sublime dine-on-demand à la carte menu contains international and contemporary Asian dishes showcasing exquisite local delicacies created by celebrity chefs and presented on white linens accompanied by high-end tableware. An extensive wine selection complements the onboard menu, while a top-rate IFE system with Bose Noise-cancelling headphones provides hours of entertainment.
What We Love:
- One of the widest and most comfortable First Class seats in the sky
- Luxurious Bamford Bedding and Amenity Kit
- Exquisite dine-on-demand cuisine
Champagne:
Dom Perignon, Bollinger, Piper Heidsieck Rare, Taittinger Comtes De Champagne, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle, Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame and 2004 Krug.
Oman Air – First Class Suite – Boeing 787-9
First Class with Oman Air is exclusive to selected routes, such as from Muscat to London, Frankfurt, and Bangkok. A total of eight sliding door suites on the Boeing 787-9 offer a very high level of luxury, privacy, functionality, and comfort from a 1-2-1 configuration cabin. Generous lie-flat seats have positional memory and massage functionality alongside a large ottoman for companion dining. Suites are designed with extra tall, soft-closing sliding doors with a canopy behind each headrest to ensure greater privacy. Centre seats are separated by a large retracting divider, which creates a cosy, private environment for couples to enjoy when open with the outer doors closed. Passengers enjoy a dine-on-demand à la carte menu with a delicious range of Omani, Arabic, and international dining options, including a beautifully presented beluga caviar service and an excellent wine and beverage menu. A large IFE monitor holds up-to-date entertainment, and passengers receive limited free Wi-Fi. Amenities include quilted duvets, fluffy silk-trimmed sleep pillows, cotton sleeper suits with slippers and amenity kits by Amouage.
What We Love
- A state-of-the-art suite
- A delicious dine-on-demand menu and fine wines
- Good levels of privacy from extra tall sliding doors
Champagne:
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime, or Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires 2004, or Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve, or Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé.
British Airways – First Class Suite – Airbus A380
First Class is now offered on only a handful of BA's routes and may not be the most groundbreaking of travel experiences, but it offers plenty to appreciate and enjoy. First Class is designed in a 1-2-1 configuration with nearly two-metre-long electronically adjusted lie-flat seats. The newest Boeing 777-300ERs First Class cabins have only eight suites with the addition of sliding privacy doors. Older suite models do not have a door. Couples will prefer the central two seats with a central privacy screen that can be lowered to enable easy communication. A comfortable ottoman allows for companion dining. Mattress toppers and crisp white bed linen make for a restful flight, and passengers receive luxury Temperley London amenity kits packed with Elemis skincare products and travel essentials, along with soft Temperley London pyjamas. The newer cabins also benefit from larger IFE screens with enhanced content, offering hours of entertainment with noise-cancelling headphones. "Dine Anytime" à la carte cuisine is served on exclusive designer British crockery, cutlery and glassware alongside a specially curated selection of wines, beers and spirits. Wi-Fi is complimentary to all First Class passengers.
What We Love:
- Smaller First Class cabins with privacy doors
- The use of British products
- Impressive amenity kits
Champagne:
- British Airways serves Pommery Cuvee Louise 2006 in the Concorde Room
- Currently on all First Class flights - Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle
- From March - Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 but only between London (LHR) and New York (JFK)
- From March - a rotating selection of Champagne throughout the year, with the first being Lanson Noble Brut 2005
Korean Air – Kosmo Suite 2.0 – Boeing 777-300ER (277 seats)
The flag carrier of South Korea offers First Class of varying seat types, the best and most private of which being the Kosmo Suite 2.0 found on select Boeing 777-300ER and B747-8 aircraft. Couples travelling together will be more suited to the 1-2-1 layout of the B777-300ER with eight First Class suites rather than the B747-8 with six suites in a 1-1 configuration in the nose of the aircraft and more space between each suite. Each Kosmo Suite 2.0 has a sliding privacy door and a wide, lie-flat bed offering 80 inches (203 centimetres) of bed length and up to 32 inches (81 centimetres) of bed width. The two central suites are separated by a sizeable retractable divider, making chatting with a partner easy. Each suite has a personal wardrobe for hanging clothes, adjustable mood lighting and a large 24-inch IFE screen with a combination of international content and noise-cancelling headphones. First Class passengers dine on demand with restaurant-style gourmet meals designed to reflect the character of each destination, and wines vary according to the route. Amenity kits include a skincare set by luxury French brand Atelier Cologne and other travel essentials. Long-haul flight passengers receive a mattress pad, quality duvet and pillow and high-quality pyjamas.
What We Love:
- A stylish cabin
- The dining experience is excellent
- First Class service
The Champagne:
Henri Giraud Ay Grand Cru Brut MV, or Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque, or Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé, or Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé.
Lufthansa – First Class Suite Plus – Airbus A350
Lufthansa's all-new Allegris seats and suites will hopefully feature in 2024, with the luxurious First Class Suite Plus debuting on the airline's Airbus A350s. The new cabin will have seats for just four passengers, making this a truly exclusive experience, with the central Suite Plus designed for two passengers travelling together. Ceiling high walls and sliding privacy doors completely enclose the double suite, while the nearly one-metre-wide independently controlled seats convert to a cosy double bed with no central dividers to hinder mattress comfort. Comfort levels are further enhanced by ample storage space provided by a wardrobe for ease of changing. Passengers receive Van Laack pyjamas, a wonderfully thick pair of slippers, and a designer amenity kit containing top-branded items from Swiss luxury spa brand La Prairie. The seats can be warmed or cooled as necessary, and the 4K in-flight entertainment screen is a colossal 43 inches wide (109.2 centimetres) and comes with wireless noise-cancelling headphones. The onboard dining experience has refined touches, making the experience like a fine-dining restaurant. Expect caviar with all the accoutrements and multi-course gourmet cuisine beautifully plated in the galley.
What We Love:
- A true double fully enclosed suite
- Excellent onboard meal service
- Frankfurt and Munich First Class lounges
Champagne:
2007 Thienot Cuvee Stanislas Blanc de Blancs, Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Duval Leroy or Cuvée Grand Siècle, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, or Cuvée Louise, Champagne Pommery.
Singapore Airlines – First Class Double Suites – Airbus A380
Singapore Airlines' service is legendary, and First Class and Suites passengers will enjoy the crème de la crème of airline experiences. The six First Class Suites on the upper deck of the Airbus A380 are a sheer delight and provide passengers with complete privacy from high walls and personal sliding doors. Each spacious suite has a separate bed complete with plush Lalique bedding and a luxurious reclining and swivelling leather armchair, which can be used throughout the flight, including take-off and landing. Other elegant touches include an ensuite wardrobe to house all hand luggage, a fantastic 32-inch HD touchscreen IFE monitor complete with superb Bang & Olufsen noise-cancelling headphones, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a tablet to control everything from personal service to the electronic blinds. But the best feature is that the suites in 1A and 2A and seats 1F and 2F easily convert into private double suites with a central double bed and twice the luxuries.
What We Love:
- The outstanding and unrivalled quality of the in-flight service. Passengers genuinely do receive a first-class service
- The innovative comfort and spaciousness of the 'Double Suites'. Perfect for a couple wishing to enjoy a flight in luxurious privacy
- Exceptional international cuisine from the 'Book the Cook' service, expertly crafted by a panel of award-winning superstar chefs
Champagne:
SIA airline offers a choice of three premium Champagnes - 2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Krug Grande Cuvée and Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V P Extra Brut, Champagne.
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