In my first year at Global Traveler, I took on the task of compiling the information for our first- and business-class surveys, which you will find on the following pages. This year, I retrieved that issue, September 2007, and quickly scanned the charts, noting how different they are from the charts we publish today. In 2007, we began to define our understanding of pitch. It was not as common to see 180 degrees in that all-important ‘‘Recline’’ column, and onboard WiFi was virtually non-existent, while today these amenities are practically de rigueur. Even the airlines in each column look a lot less alike in 2007 and 2014. The world changed drastically in those seven years, and the charts are a direct reflection of the new world of premium travel.

And no one knows premium travel quite like you, our readers, averaging around 30 international and domestic flights per year and flying first and business class consistently. But as airlines debut, cease flights to convenient gateways and change up their premium cabins, it’s hard to keep up with the goings-on. That’s where we come in. On the following pages, you will find comprehensive charts detailing the offerings and amenities on nearly every first- and business-class cabin around the globe. The details matter, and they are all here, from aircraft type and seat recline to lounge information and the date of the last cabin overhaul.

LAST YEAR, THE column marked “Year of Last Cabin Overhaul” read “Upcoming” for Air France. And now it’s here. The airline revamped all four of its cabins in June 2014. The La Première first-class cabin features individual suites offering optimum privacy and comfort. The soft ice blues and light grays of the cabin, accented by dashes of Air France’s signature red, envelop guests in harmony. A few things probably not offered on any flights in 2007: ambient cabin lighting, automatic window blinds, bedside lamps, private wardrobes and thick curtains that can close and allow the first-class passengers total privacy. And that’s just touching on a few of the cabin’s unique features.

The three F’s characterize Air France’s new business-class cabin, designed with the feedback of customers, employees, designers and ergonomic experts at hand. The first F: full flat. The seats convert to 180-degree horizontal beds. The second F is for full access, with each seat offering direct aisle access. And finally, full privacy. A protected area through the seat’s enveloping curve provides a true bubble of privacy in the sky.

Not found on the 2007 survey, La Compagnie, which debuted this spring with service to Paris. The all-business-class airline offers 74 seats on its Boeing 757-200. The airline launched on the principle of offering affordable business-class fares between New York and Paris, a popular route for travelers. The fixed-shell seats recline to an angled lie-flat, complete with built-in massage functions, a reading lamp, storage compartments and power outlets. Passengers can enjoy the entertainment options on personal Samsung Galaxy Pro tablets and have access to lounges at both gateways.

With much focus on France in 2014, it’s a better time than ever to plan your next getaway to the City of Light. Also featured for the first time on our charts this year is XL Airways, offering a low-cost business-class option to the Parisian hub.

Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class suite © Virgin Atlantic

Looking ahead to 2015 for European carriers, Swiss International Air Lines announced plans to upgrade and expand U.S. service. Next year, the airline plans to phase in six Boeing 777-300ERs for flights to the United States, increasing capacity and opening the possibility to launch new U.S. gateways. Virgin Atlantic will launch Boeing 787 Dreamliner service later this year. As of press time, the only information available included that the airplane will feature 31 Upper Class seats and WiFi throughout. The airline is investing £300 million in improving the customer experience, with plans to open a Clubhouse lounge, its 11th, at Los Angeles International Airport.

THE LANDSCAPE OF carriers in North America changed dramatically in the last seven years, with six major players in the market consolidating into three. Delta Air Lines and Northwest merged just one year later, in 2008. United and Continental followed suit in 2010, and this year finds American Airlines and US Airways merging. The information listed in these charts for American Airlines represents the integrated airlines’ premium airlines; there is no separate listing for US Airways.

Another service making waves in 2014 and likely just a pipe dream in 2007 is content streaming of entertainment via WiFi-enabled service. Delta Air Lines’ service, which began Aug. 1, offers customers on flights longer than 90 minutes free entertainment options at their seat or through their laptops, mobile and tablet devices. Delta offers 18 channels of live satellite TV on select aircraft and hundreds of movies, TV shows, music and games. On WiFi-equipped flights, passengers can stream free movies and TV directly on mobile devices with the Gogo video player app or the Fly Delta app. The app should be downloaded pre-flight to access streamed content. The world of entertainment is certainly changing on aircraft worldwide.

Debuting for the first time on this year’s survey is JetBlue with its recently launched Mint premium service. The airline’s brand-new Airbus A321 airplanes feature fully flat seats, dining options and affordable rates, around $600 for transcontinental fares.

In the front of the JetBlue cabin are both four private suites and lie-flat seats in a 1-1/2-2/1-1/2-2 configuration. The suites have their own doors, and all the roomy seats have massage functions and adjustable firmness. Premium passengers receive priority services such as dedicated check-in, early boarding, priority tagged bags and complimentary WiFi. JetBlue partnered with New York restaurant Saxon + Parole to create an in-flight small plates menu, and the artisanal snacks are from premier brands including Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, A Colicchio Discovery and Blue Marble ice cream; the amenity kits are supplied by popular Birchbox.

United Boeing 787 BusinessFirst © United

COMING SOON TO the Pacific Rim is United’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with service announced only from Los Angeles to Melbourne thus far, which will be the longest 787 route when launched. The 787-9 is the second in the Dreamliner family, equally as efficient at 20 feet longer as the original, enhancing the aircraft’s capacity and range. United’s will feature 48 BusinessFirst seats offering a 6-foot, 6-inch sleeping space.

Singapore Airlines announced plans in May to spend more than $325 million to upgrade 19 additional Boeing 777-300ERs with its latest generation of first- and business-cabin products, currently available on selected daily services to London and Tokyo. Well received industry-wide, the business-class seat introduced two new seating positions, Lazy Z and Sundeck. We hope those upgrades, expected to begin in early 2015, will bring the innovative new premium cabins to U.S. gateways.

China Airlines’ Premium Business Class © China Airlines

China Airlines unveils its new Premium Business Class cabin on the 777-300ER in late 2014. In addition to WiFi, the in-flight entertainment features Seat Chat, a social chat function for sharing movies, music and messaging with fellow passengers. The lie-flat seats are extra-comfortable with ergonomic memory foam cushions and feature 18-inch touch-screen personal monitors, storage and a multifunction cabinet. The in-flight Sky Lounge, exclusive to business-class passengers, offers teas, coffees, specialty desserts and a diverse collection of reading materials.

BEGINNING NOV. 1, TAM Airlines will discontinue first-class service in favor of an enhanced business-class product on board Boeing 777 aircraft. When reclined, the new seats are 84 inches, 15 percent bigger than the existing design. The seats will roll out across 2015. Also in November, each flight will have a Head of Onboard Service among the flight crew, who will circulate through the cabins to ensure service consistency.

LATAM Airlines Group will debut a new unified cabin design on two new long-haul aircraft in the coming year, the Boeing 787-9 and the Airbus A350-900. This move follows the recent merger of LAN and TAM, with South America acting as the inspiration for the cabin design.

IF THERE’S ONE region where the ante is consistently raised for premium-class travel, it’s the Middle East and Africa. Etihad Airways, which recently announced plans for a three-room private apartment on board select routes, boasts in-flight chefs from top restaurants around the world to prepare made-to-order dishes for first-class passengers. Other luxe amenities include a personal, illuminated wardrobe, Sougha amenity kits and specialty pillow mists to promote relaxation and prevent insomnia.

This year’s charts feature Nigerian airline Arik Air, offering a fully flat business-class product to its hubs in Lagos and Abuja. A staffed onboard Kira Bar and West African/Nigerian cuisine allow for an authentic experience on the flight.

Air Canada’s business class © Air Canada

With so many upgraded cabins in the sky and so much more to come, we here at Global Traveler do not envy the decisions you have to make before your next flight; we just hope to see you there!

First-class charts

Business-class charts