FROM PRIVATE BUTLERS AND CAVIAR SERVICE TO INFLIGHT SHOWERS AND DESIGNER BEDDING, THESE ULTRA-PREMIUM FIRST-CLASS CABINS INVITE PASSENGERS TO CROSS THE SKIES ATOP CLOUD NINE (IN SILK PJS, NO LESS)

BY AMANDA McCOY

ETIHAD “THE RESIDENCE” Airbus A380

Etihad’s Airbus A380 features just nine ultra-premium first-class cabins that consistently rank among the best passenger plane experiences, but top-ticket passengers aboard the double-decker carrier are treated not merely to a private suite, but their very own apartment in the sky. Dubbed “The Residence,” the exclusive multi-room cabin can host up to two guests and features a cozy bedroom, private shower room, and a separate living area with a massive 32-inch LCD screen that can be split into two if you and your travel companion have opposing cinematic tastes. Sink back into the dual-seat reclining sofa cloaked in Poltrona Frau leather and choose from hundreds of film and TV titles while butlers deliver House of Devaux Champagne before dinner is served. Meals begin with signature caviar service followed by a deluxe spread of appetizers like seared Australian venison with sweet potato puree, sweet potato and kale soup, and a selection of hot and cold Arabic mezze.

Main courses range from juicy braised lamb to delicate red grouper, and dessert unfolds like a symphony of sweets (think blood orange cake, dark chocolate fudge torte, or artisan cheeses). There’s also an afternoon tea service available at any hour, complete with freshly crafted finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries alongside sippers of tea, coffee, and bubbles.

When dreamland calls at 30,000 feet, passengers are gifted a pair of Giorgio Armani PJs before falling into a true double mattress with silky bedsheets. The bedroom is sound-dampened and whisper quiet, with only the soft hum of the aircraft to soothe you to sleep. Upon waking, ESPA amenities await to freshen up before deplaning in Abu Dhabi, London, or New York after you’ve feasted on poached egg shakshuka and buttery pastries, of course. etihad.com

JAPAN AIRLINES Airbus A350

In October 2023, Japan Airlines lifted the curtain on its new flagship craft, the Airbus A350-1000, revealing a reimagined top-class cabin that epitomizes Japanese design excellence.

Where some makers favor pomp and flash, the Eastern philosophy calls for quiet luxury but make no mistake, this $15,000 ticket is dripping in decadence. There are only six suites, each fully enclosed, with a massive seat that can be positioned three ways: extra-wide sofa, a seat and single bed, and a plush double bed with enough room to roll around and stretch. Tossing and turning is highly doubtful, though, as passengers can choose between a soft or firm mattress along with dual-mode pillows designed to support the head and keep the spine in ideal alignment. The seats also feature an industry first headphone-free stereo with built-in headrest speakers, thus no headphones are needed while binging the latest Netflix titles on the 43-inch TV (and yes, the headrest reclines, so you can watch a movie in bed). The menu is divided into Japanese and global selects from the airline’s resident chefs. Past examples span crab and grilled scallops with sweet vinegar sauce and herring roe with broccoli rabe for the Eastern bites, while a seafood cocktail salad with lobster, seared Chilean seabass, and USDA Prime beef tenderloin round out the international spread. jal.com

SINGAPORE AIRLINES SUITES Airbus A380

Singapore’s double-decker mega-jet reserves the entire nose of the upper deck for just six palatial suites that could pass for Parisian flats in size and swank. Each super-suite pairs a wide, plush Poltrona Frau leather armchair that swivels and reclines, lending new meaning to the gesture, “Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.” There’s also a completely separate fold-down bed topped with feathery linens, and when couples book two adjoining suites, the partition drops to form an expansive double bed across rooms, resulting in a cozy love nest in the clouds. Close the sliding door, tap the motorized window shades, and settle in to cross the Pacific in front of a 32-inch HD touch screen with Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling headphones, or use the workdesk to shave a few tasks from your to-do list. There’s even a nifty handheld tablet to tune the lighting, from bright ness to color.

On the culinary side, Singapore’s “Book the Cook” option allows flyers to pre-order signature dishes – think the airline’s cult-favorite Lobster Thermidor over a week before takeoff, while onboard service can open with classic caviar and satay before moving to mains curated by its international chef panel. Top-shelf pours match the menu: Singapore struck an exclusive deal to serve Louis Roederer Cristal 2015 in Suites and First, and in 2025 restored a three-champagne selection on many f lights. Turn-down brings Lalique bedding, amenity kits, and pajamas for a silky night’s sleep at 30,000 feet. singaporeair.com

EMIRATES FIRST CLASS Boeing 777

Inspired by Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Emirates’ first-class cabin was unveiled at the Dubai Air Show back in 2017, and eight years later, the experience remains one of the most sumptuous sky experiences short of flying private. The Dubai-based carrier blends sumptuous comforts with high-tech surprises. (For example, nabbing a middle seat – and by seat, we mean fully enclosed, floor-to-ceiling private suite is no longer the short straw, as virtual windows open to reveal real-time HD projections of the horizon.) Modeled after the German marque’s flagship saloon, the suites were designed to pamper like personal spas in the sky: the seat, crafted in creamy bull hide leather, features a zero gravity function to find the body’s natural resting position, and a wide range of climate and mood lighting controls lets you create the perfect cocoon. Emirates teamed with Swedish perfumer and beauty brand Byredo for an exclusive skincare set that includes hydrating goodies like a facial toner, eye cream, and a cleansing face towelette, along with a chamomile-kissed sleep oil and pillow mist for delicious slumber. Once you’re properly settled with a Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage in hand, flight attendants deliver a pair of vitamin E-infused Hydra Active pajamas, cozy slippers, and an eye mask, along with yet another amenity chest, this time whipped up by Bvlgari. The kit includes designer lip balm, moisturizers, and other niceties (including an after-shave balm for him, and gold-lacquered mirror for her). emirates.com