At this early point in the year it is not clear if I will push for elite status once again on a US carrier or truly embrace the freestyle life of buying whatever ticket works best based on date, time, and cost. In any case, there are a number of first class products I do hope to try in 2023, which is much less exotic than my business class list.
7 First Class Products I Hope To Try In 2023
This is not an exhaustive list, but I would place these seven products at the top of the list.
Singapore Suites
The “new” Singapore Suites onboard the Airbus A380 have eluded me for many years. This year, I am determined to not only experience them, but experience them on a longhaul flight (last year they were briefly available at saver level between New York and Frankfurt, but that flight is simply not long enough to experience the essence of first class on Singapore Airlines).
Korean Air
It’s a “use it or lose it” year for Korean Air, with award chart changes set to go into effect in March. The problem is that Korean Air does not realize space in advance any longer, so I am going to be taking a last-minute trip to Seoul sometime in the next 90 days or else find my Korean Air miles no longer sufficient for a trip. Somehow I need to get on the 747-8 and the A380. Korean Air is much more generous in releasing A380 space than 747-8 space, but it is the 747-8 that has the latest “Kosmo 2.0” suites.
SWISS
With first class space theoretically available using United miles (well, now it’s gone again…), I need to give SWISS First Class another try, ideally with a long connection in Zurich such that I can make use of both the Schengen and non-Schengen first class lounges.
Etihad
I’d like to give Etihad another try in first class from Abu Dhabi to London to check up on how the carrier is investing in first class as it brings the A380 back into service.
British Airways
I firmly believe that British Airways offers a very undervalued business and first class product and hope to use an oft-cancelled pandemic-era ticket to fly first class on British Airways this year on a longhaul flight, preferably aboard the newly-configured 777-300ER.
TAAG
I hope to visit Angola this year and in so doing, fly TAAG in first class. TAAG is not generally well-regarded in terms of its product or its onboard photo policy, so that itself would be an adventure.
Oman Air
I’ve been to Muscat many years ago, but I’d like to spend more time in Oman and when doing so, sample the flag carrier in first class, which is an Aeroplan partner. I’ve been to the Oman Air lounge several times in Bangkok, but never stepped foot on an Oman Air flight.
CONCLUSION
While I am setting a number of ambitious travel goals now, I do wonder how this year will turn out in terms of travel. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes toward striking the right balance between this blog and my other endeavors, but I am confident everything will fall into place and you will be treated to some fascinating reviews this year.
What first class products are you looking to fly in 2023?
I’ve got Etihad first class booked out of IAD this summer but finding best cabin saver award space for two people is excruciatingly difficult between the US and Asia or Europe so that’s all for now. How do you figure on managing the Singapore suites? Flying a less popular route?
I continue to monitor SQ award space like a hawk on the SIN-JFK/FRA route.
“have alluded me”
FYI, eluded 🙂
And that Swiss cabin is just gorgeous.
Best Wishes on your flights and others in their quest for award seats
I’m on SIN Suite SYD SIN LHR home to IAD on BA First way out in October
July Birthday trip has Qatar First SYD DOH and BA 1st LHR IAD
Japan First in June Home thru GRU MIA in AA Flagship First – Swivel that chair one last time, eh?
Nicely done. Is the SIN space at saver level?
I was at Flagship First Dining in MIA on Thursday… It’s was the best it’s ever been. Enjoy AA F while you still can!
I’m on syd to Doha on Qatar first in July as well! Seems to be some availability. 80-90k aa miles not bad for a long flight. Might try to go to Nairobi from Qatar 🙂
If you fly Etihad exAUH, try to get on the early afternoon London flight. It’s a quiet time at AUH and you’ll have the airport to yourself. I flew to CAI recently around 2:00PM (as a London flight was going) and the entire experience truly felt boutique. I was only in J. I imagine F would be spectacular.
I remember years ago when there were many folks flying Korean Air, both first and business, thanks to pleniful award space and Korean Air Skypass being a member of Chase UR (myself included). Great experience overall despite lackluster lounges, but those days are a bit of a bygone era, like nobody talks about them much as of late.
As for the products on your list, I heard through the grapevine that TAAG Angola is improving? But from bottom of the barrel to not bottom of the barrel I guess. As for Singapore, I had the chance to fly their new Suites class last year, and overall it was a good experience but there were a few annoyances. The biggest of which is when I sat up in bed, my head hit the light mounted on the wall.
Right now my next aspirational flight I am looking towards is ANA in first. In the new one right now, but I’ll still be happy if I get an equipment swap for the old first.
I managed to snag EK F from MXP to JFK for 85k just before the brutal devaluation kicked in, but that’s probably it for this year. I did book a few nice J awards, though.
If you do end up flying TAAG F, at least do yourself a favor and ask the cabin crew for permission to take photos first. I’d hate to read about an adventure in an Angolan prison.
You should do a post on your points balances. To find these trips.
Bonjour. Merci pour tous ces partage. Je suis un voyageur de première et business class mais sans utilisation de miles….et j aime beaucoup vos reportages car je suis passionné de voyages et d avions bien entendu. En 2023 j aurais le plaisir de voyager surAirfrance dont la première en A777 300ER est sublime tant qu ils ne l à supprime pas. Aussi avec Qatar Aurways. Les années passées j ai eu le plaisir de voyager souvent avec Luftansa leur première classe est très agréable le service est perfection. Air Malaysia et Singapour Airlines la première est aussi très agréable vivre un vol de 12h on a le temps de l apprécier. Paris NY A380 avec Air France je ne trouve pas la première renversante. Beaucoup plus agréable l A777 300ER. La première Etihad Airways est aussi très agréable. J espère pouvoir prendre la Suisse Air dont la réputation et le service ont toujours été un must. Merci de partager vos passions. Bien à vous. LMAK
Skip BA. Worst first class service ever. Meal service was truncated because we had a late departure. Didn’t see a single FA after dinner until right before landing. No breakfast before landing because the catering service “forgot” to include it. “Bedding” consisted of fleece coach class blankets because we were told that the service also “forgot” to load the pads, pillows and duvet. Yeah, on landing at LHR, a passenger opened one of the overheads that had been closed at departure to find the huge stack of bedding. I was surprised they hadn’t stuffed breakfast up there too but you could see it conveniently locked away in the galley carts. Skip them. You won’t regret it. Fly Cathay first instead.
Hi Mathew,
Do you have any idea when the new Lufthansa First Class suites will roll out in 2023 and on what aircraft? Thank you.
A350s out o MUC late in 2023. Only select aircraft.
Looks like TAAG might have stopped selling F on the 777s at least to Brazil. Just did a search for a wide swath of dates, and they all come up “first class not available” despite ExpertFlyer showing F8 on all the dates.