Flying up front is a treat, but as expectations evolve and competition between airlines ramps up again, airlines are on their toes to win premium business. Your next first or business-class flight may be swankier than you remember, which is a good thing—especially if you’re flying long-haul.
These days, people want more space, a sense of cleanliness, and perks that make them feel rewarded after two years of not traveling. And while airlines are ready to deliver, it may be more expensive than you remember.
It’s no coincidence airlines are busy making major changes, according to Roberto Leiro, executive editor of commercial aviation magazine Airways. “Innovation is a constant in aviation,” says Leiro. “Many of these upgrades were in the works long before COVID, but the effects of the pandemic only heightened the demand for more privacy,” Leiro says.
When they launch, these new business-class cabins are sure to be some of the roomiest in the sky. Here are the ones we can’t wait to fly.
New seat designs coming this year
This September, Air France is unveiling a new business-class seat with sliding doors for privacy: It will debut on a dozen aircraft starting with flights between Paris and New York JFK, with more destinations to follow by late fall. In late 2023 or early 2024, it will make changes in the La Première cabin, too, which it says will be the longest first-class product on the market. It will have three modular configurations: a seat, sofa, and fully-flat bed. It will also be easier to book first class with Air France soon, since the airline plans to add first-class cabins on more of its aircraft to meet growing demand.
Finnair made a splashy debut for its new business class seat, but it’s a bit different than others: A padded shell surrounds a wide seat, but it doesn’t actually recline in the traditional sense. If you want to go fully flat, you need to sit farther forward in the seat and simply lie down. There’s a flat divider that fills the gap where your legs would go, which extends into a very deep footwell, providing enough space to lie flat. Whether you’re a fan of this design or not will probably depend on your height, but the high-shell surrounding the seat accomplishes an important desire these days: more privacy.
Ultra-long-haul flights getting more comforts
With the announcement that Qantas plans to fly nonstop from Sydney to both New York and London in 2025, the carrier is debuting a new first class suite to go along with it. The airline’s new Airbus A350-1000s, which are operating the ultra-long-haul flights, will have first-class suites complete with a bed, separate lounge chair, and personal closet. These will be the most spacious in the air, plus have a door to separate them from the aisle, as well as an enormous 32-inch TV screen. With such long-haul missions, the planes will also have a wellness zone complete with hydrating drinks, a stretching area, and snacking stations to make the journey more comfortable.
Across the Tasman Sea, Qantas competitor Air New Zealand is also unveiling a new business class seat on its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner planes. In an unusual move, however, it’s not a new seat, but actually an upgrade on the original one. There will be a second tier of business class seats on the same plane, complete with privacy doors. With privacy paramount in today’s environment, passengers can pay an added charge to sit in a seat that can be cut off from activity in the aisle. That’s a welcome move for the Star Alliance airline, which is launching its own ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland.
More space in domestic first class
Stateside, Delta is adding new first-class seats on its latest Airbus A321neo deliveries. Many of these aircraft will be used for transcontinental routes, but will also fly shorter hops. Designed for—you guessed it—additional privacy, they feature a hard shell surrounding the seat with wingtips around the head slightly shielding passengers’ faces from the person in the next seat. In addition to larger overhead bins, faster Wi-Fi, and updated lighting, the seats on these planes benefit from small storage areas and water bottle holders in addition to the traditional amenities. But beware: it can be a bit tight for those in window seats trying to access the aisle.
Although these new perks are sure to ease the stressful air travel experience, high demand for them mean they won’t come cheap. “A mix of high oil prices caused by geopolitical instabilities and strong demand for leisure travel after two years of restrictions are driving airfare up, especially for premium cabins,” Leiro says. “More people are flying in premium economy and business class for leisure trips, offsetting a slower recovery in business travel.”
For passengers, it means airlines have heard, loud and clear, that people want more space and perks when they fly. Just be prepared to pay for it.