• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home  >  Airlines • First Class  >  Five First Class Products I Should Have Tried By Now
AirlinesFirst Class

Five First Class Products I Should Have Tried By Now

Matthew Klint Posted onJune 20, 2018June 20, 2018 7 Comments

Recently, I listed five “commonplace” business class products that I should have tried by now, but hope to try in the near future. Now I’ll do the same for first class.

As with business class, a primary mission on my blog is to sample as many premium products as possible. Only by actually experiencing competing products will I be able to authoritatively compare and contrast in my flight reviews. Here are five first class products I need to try soon:

Air France

Nearly everyone who flies Air France labels it the superlative first class experience. I’ve been putting off a journey on Air France due to schedule and cost constraints, but need to find a work a flight in. We have not seen any great fare sales lately and the cheap paid fare out of Algiers has been pulled.

Korean Air

I feel like if I do not take advantage of Korean Air soon, I’ll miss out due to a stealth devaluation. Currently, Korean Skypass charges only 80,000 miles for an off-peak award from North America to North Asia (as far south as Hong Kong). Korean is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. This is a great-value award for a carrier that is consistently highly-regarded and generous in releasing award space.

American Airlines

I did fly in first class on American Airlines a few years ago from Chicago to Beijing in first class, but that was on the old 777-200 product. Since that first class product has now been removed, I never published the trip report and do not plan on ever doing so. But the first class seat aboard the 777-300 looks excellent and it appears that American Airlines has stepped up its soft product, at least on longhaul routes to Sydney and Hong Kong.

Oman Air

Oman Air recently unveiled its new “First Class Mini Suite” aboard the 787-9. It’s not much different than the APEX suites in business class and resembles the first class suites I just flew on Malaysia Airlines. But Oman Air often offers excellent business class fares and is a product I’ve wanted to try for years (and a country I wish to re-visit).

China Southern

China Southern is a difficult one. All flight reviews (though there are not many) suggest the product is inferior. Furthermore, China Southern first class awards can no longer be booked with Korean Skypass, meaning this award will be out of reach for many…perhaps for me too (haven’t checked the prices). Thus, the value of this report would be limited. Even so, China Southern is a major Chinese airline that serves Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Additionally, I’m trying to sample A380 first class at least once on every carrier.

Anything I am missing?

Previous Article Review: Iberia Express A320 Business Class Madrid to Palma Mallorca
Next Article United Airlines Condemns Trump Immigration Policy, Echoing American Airlines

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • united airlines award chart increases

    Award Inflation and Economic Inflation: How They Relate

    June 4, 2023
  • united airline pilots strike

    United Airlines Pilots Union Authorizes Strike Vote: What This Could Mean For The Airline And Passengers

    June 4, 2023
  • Frontier Airlines Bomb Threat

    Frontier’s GoWild Pass For Summer Even Less Valuable

    May 7, 2023

7 Comments

  1. Chris Reply
    June 20, 2018 at 1:09 pm

    I flew AA first from London to JFK a couple months ago. It’s very nice but the seat feels very exposed when compared to the excellent new reverse herringbone business class seats on the 77W. It’s really good if you need to do work because he seat swivels towards a section of the seat that becomes a functional desk.

  2. MeanMeosh Reply
    June 20, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    Find a way to fly La Premiere. Just do it. Make sure to get the 77W on at least one leg, though.

    • Arthur Reply
      June 20, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      Agree. Especially departing from CDG.

  3. Supropal Reply
    June 20, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    I flew China Southern A380 First Class (my last A380 First Class) last month and was pleasantly surprised by the soft and hard product. Given the Skypass restriction, I flew roundtrip from CAN-PEK for 30K Skypass miles (as roundtrip within China is still possible using Skypass). It was obviously not the full longhaul experience but not paying cash to fly was worth it.

  4. Chris Reply
    June 20, 2018 at 3:59 pm

    Matthew – Really enjoy your blog.

    I’m about to fly AF business NYC-CDG and then la Premiere 77W on the way back. Living in Charlotte, I’m obviously tied to American and oneworld. Then when I travel to Europe or Asia, I also use Miles & More and all the Star Alliance brands. So this might just be a one time thing. I have no status with any SkyTeam airline, and have not even set up a Delta account. But I’m really excited.

    I plan on doing the 80k transfer from Chase evenutally to fly Korean Air. There are multiple opportunities depending on time of the year to do both the 747i and the A380 first class on one routing. I would prefer the A380 for the transpacific flight though… I’ve heard the bathroom situation on the 747 is not clearly divided from Business Class.

    I would like to try Oman first on a trip to Muscat, hopefully, some day soon. I’m a small guy so I have no problems with First class on 787s (like BA). I know some people find them cramped.

    No real interest in China Souther. Although Guangzhou is the one major city in China I have not visited, so maybe there is an opportunity in the future.

  5. Carl Reply
    June 20, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    Loved Korean Air in F. Food may be the weakest point, but the rest was consistently good. On the other hand, Thai Royal First has some amazing soft product and ground experience, but the hard product is wildly uneven.

  6. Lukas Reply
    June 21, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    I flew AF F recently (both on 77W) but wasn’t impressed with on board service. Perhaps I was expecting too much but I felt like the flight attendant worked in first class for the first time ever.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • united airlines award chart increases
    Award Inflation and Economic Inflation: How They Relate June 4, 2023
  • hilton grand vacations seaworld orlando gathering room
    The Odd Reason To Buy A Hilton Grand Vacations Timeshare June 4, 2023
  • united airline pilots strike
    United Airlines Pilots Union Authorizes Strike Vote: What This Could Mean For The Airline And Passengers June 4, 2023
  • Compelling: Save Up To 50% On Luxury Cruises Worldwide June 3, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines Pins Cockpit Door
    American Airlines First Class Passenger So Angry Over Meal Choices He Pins Flight Attendant To Cockpit Door May 11, 2023
  • Cursing Fight United Airlines
    “Don’t You Ever Tell Me To Speak English!” (Fight Breaks Out On My United Airlines Flight) May 17, 2023
  • Missed VDB United Airlines
    My Foolish $1,000 Airport Lounge Visit May 16, 2023
  • Spirit Airlines Flight Leaves Early
    Spirit Airlines Passengers Enraged After Flight Leaves Early May 8, 2023

Archives

June 2023
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« May    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The @qatarairways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Do The @qatarairways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Doha Hamad International Airport is one of my favorite business class and @oneworld lounges in the world. It does get crowded at peak times, but the food is consistently delicious and always worth a stop. There’s even a separate café with grilled paninis made-to-order. With a second lounge now open (Al Mourjan Lounge at The Garden), hopefully the crowding won’t be as bad around midnight.
A lovely stay at the @fsdoha, one of the best hote A lovely stay at the @fsdoha, one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in.
A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A35 A fabulous flight onboard @qatarairways on the A350-1000 in Qsuite Business Class from DFW-DOH. Qatar offers the best all-around business class product in the world with a spacious suite, plenty of privacy, excellent service, and superb cuisine.
The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

Privacy Policy

© Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.