What's next in first class of the top five airlines?

Business class continues to soar to new heights, with sliding doors the norm and spacious ‘business plus’ suites occupying row 1, but this doesn’t mean the end of first class: soon.

Despite a series of unprecedented challenges – the worldwide pandemic, the end of the A380 and the big four-engine Boeing 747, the ongoing delays on the Boeing 777-9 – many airlines have their next-generation first suite waiting in the wings.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-9 first class

The Singapore-flagged carrier is among several airlines intending to use the upcoming Boeing 777-9 jetliner, of which 20 have already been ordered, as a launch pad for its new first-class cabin.

That launch has been pushed back by a series of delays on the 777-9 – Boeing said the late 777X is now planned to hit airlines from 2025, which could mean a 2026 debut for the SQ.

The airline remains “in discussion” with Boeing over the latest schedule, but a new line of suites and seats for the 777-9 are up for grabs, said Executive Vice President of Commercial, Lee Lik Hsin.

“We’ll have to wait to see what happens with Boeing, but we’re really excited and looking forward to revealing those new products to the world,” Lee said. Executive Traveler earlier this year.

Singapore Airlines’ current first class Boeing 777-300ER: will the doors feature in the 777-9 update?

However, Executive Traveler understand that Singapore Airlines is now taking advantage of the delay to review the design of its next generation of suites and seats and see if there is room for further improvement and refinement, based on emerging trends and technologies.

The Boeing 777-9 is very important to Singapore Airlines as the large twin jets will be the mainstay of the Star Alliance’s post-A380 fleet.

Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong told Executive Traveler First-class aviators should expect a “quantum leap” from the current premium Boeing 777 cabin, with “first class we believed when we launched it would again set the industry standard.”

Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-9 first class

Cathay Pacific is also counting on deliveries of 21 Boeing 777-9s to launch its next-generation first class (and business class), although the airline revealed in October 2020 “delivery of its 777-9 fleet has been delayed by more than 2025” to help beleaguered airlines realize near-term cash savings. to medium.

The 777-9 will see an all-new first class replace the airline’s current Boeing 777-300 first class cabin, which debuted in 2007 (albeit with overhauls in 2013 and 2017).

Cathay’s first class Boeing 777 will pave the way for a new design on the 777X.

Cathay Pacific has worked through a variety of mock-ups, from a high-walled private paradise with sliding doors to something that embraces the more open design of today’s first-class suites.

The suites are now said to be formed under the hands of renowned London-based firm JPA Design, whose relationship with Cathay stretches back to the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 business class in 2011.

A page on the JPA website lists one of the company’s current and “Secret” projects as “Cathay Pacific – the airplane cabin of the future.”

Under the heading “Creating the future of the Cathay Pacific in-flight experience”, the page confirms “We have partnered with Cathay Pacific to design and develop the cabin interior of the next generation of aircraft.”

Lufthansa Airbus A350 first class

While Lufthansa sits near the top of the list for Boeing 777-9 deliveries, the German flag carrier will launch a new first class on ten Airbus A350 jets from mid-2023.

The airline has previously stated it “will join the fleet and take off from Munich … in late summer 2023.”

“Munich Airport was Europe’s only 5-star hub for many years and is popular with Lufthansa passengers… as a leading premium airport offering inspiring travel journeys.”

Lufthansa’s innovative new business class will join the first class on ten A350s.

The new first class suites are said to be limited to the first row of A350 cabins, in which case there will be just four suites ahead of the Star Alliance member’s innovative new business class – replacing the conventional 1-2-1 row. a layout with 1-1-1 rows featuring a middle ‘throne’ seat.

Qantas Airbus A350 first class

The first ‘long-range’ A350-1000 jets for Qantas’ ambitious non-stop ‘Project Sunrise’ flights to London and New York won’t arrive until late 2025, but the airline has revealed where the highest passengers will cocoon during the 18-20 marathon.

A Qantas concept image for its A350 First suite.

Each red-tailed A350 will feature six First suites – in a two-row 1-1-1 configuration – which Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce has explained to Executive Traveler as “super first class”.

This top-level shelter offers a separate chair and bed instead of a chair that converts into a bed – a situation that demands compromise in both modes – and will be enclosed by high walls with sliding privacy doors, as opposed to an ‘open suite. ‘ Qantas A380 design.

A Qantas concept image for its A350 First suite.

Living creature comforts include a wall-mounted personal wardrobe and 32-inch HD video screen.

Qatar Airways Boeing 777-9 first class

Qatar Airways is considering first-class cabins for some of its Boeing 777-9 jets, to fill a gap in the high-end travel market after its Airbus A380 is retired.

However, the luxurious cocoon will appear on “only a handful” of the Gulf carrier’s Boeing 777-9s, said Qatar Airways Group CEO His Highness Akbar Al Baker. Executive Traveler.

In turn, the first class sub-fleet will only appear on a few premium class European routes.

“We are studying the possibility of having a very exclusive first-class cabin with only four seats, for example,” said Al Baker, describing it as a “very special product” aimed at wealthy Qatari travelers.

“We have huge demand in Qatar for two or three European destinations” such as London and Paris, Al Baker explains, “so we can introduce a very small first class cabin for our local passengers who want a very exclusive first class product.”

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