Flying first or business class entails far more than just the plane ride itself; airlines carefully curate lounge access, amenities and services to ensure premium-class passengers receive the best of the best throughout the entire travel experience. Although they account for just a small fraction of airline seats, first class and business class enable an airline to show off its talents and hospitality in every way possible. And to maintain excellent reputations, airlines consistently add, expand, redesign and rethink the first- and business-class experience to stand out above the competition.

Before even stepping foot on the plane, passengers flying first and business class internationally often turn to lounges to relax and prep before the flight. Korean Air recently revealed plans to upgrade its airport lounges at Incheon International Airport in Terminal 2. These new Prestige Class Garden lounges will occupy both the east and west wings of the terminal. The existing Prestige Class Lounge in the east wing will double in size, while the First Class Lounge and Prestige Class Lounge in the west wing will undergo renovations, opening April 2026. Once complete, Korean Air will feature six lounges at the airport. The airline also looks internationally to upgrade and renovate its upscale lounges at Los Angeles (LAX) and New York (JFK).

PHOTO: © CATHAY PACIFIC

This past spring, Cathay Pacific’s stylish lounge called The Bridge, located at Hong Kong International Airport, reopened to travelers in Terminal 1 following a complete redesign. Within The Bridge, a section dedicated to first-class flyers and Cathay Diamond members includes a Food Hall where an oven-to-plate concept treats guests to international dishes. The Bridge also boasts a bar serving handcrafted cocktails and barista-made coffee, as well as bespoke Solo Chairs and original artwork from the airline’s own Gallery in the Skies.

PHOTOS: © LOT POLISH AIRLINES

LOT Polish Airlines also worked to improve its lounges this year, particularly its Polonez Business Lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The renovated lounge saw the addition of 60 more seats, a conference room and self-service bar, complete with views of the terminal and airport apron. The lounge was also enlarged to create Polonez Gold Lounge, a separate area with a dedicated relaxation zone with optional privacy partitions and loungers. Premium skincare treatments are also available within the lounge at the new Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT, with the Phenomé brand also available as amenities on the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Already undergoing a massive reconfiguration in choosing to remove first-come, first-served seat selection, Southwest Airlines is also not discounting the possibility of adding airport lounges for its more premium customers in the future. Although nothing has been confirmed, the airline’s shift to cater to more of its top-tier members and premium passengers leaves many hoping Southwest Airlines’ hub cities will soon see some branded lounges.

PHOTO: © AIR FRANCE

Of course, the lounge experience is like the appetizer before the main course: the actual flight itself. Airlines continue to find innovative ways to improve and enhance first and business class cabins. This past spring Air France unveiled its newest, most luxurious La Première experience yet. The airline debuted four suites on select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with each suite spanning nearly 12 feet and boasting a seat, five windows and chaise longue that converts to a 6.5-foot- long bed. These new suites provide 25 percent more space compared to Air France’s previous La Première cabin, and each suite is enclosed by a thick, floor-to-ceiling curtain for total privacy and silence. The new suites are currently available on flights from Paris (CDG) to New York ( JFK), Singapore (SIN), Tokyo (HND) and Los Angeles (LAX).

PHOTO: © SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES

Swiss International Air Lines made headlines this summer with new first- and business-class seats from its SWISS Senses cabin concept at Zürich Airport. Found on the airline’s brand-new Airbus A350-900s, these new cabins become available this fall, marking the biggest product investment in Swiss International Air Lines’ history. In fact, the first long-haul SWISS route to receive these cabins on the new aircraft will operate from Zürich to Boston (BOS) this winter. First-class passengers in the new SWISS First suites can expect complete privacy and comfort thanks to closable sliding doors, large seat table, seat with heating and cooling, spacious wardrobe, wireless charging station, and screen display spanning the suite itself. The suite can also accommodate two passengers traveling together, and a new washroom was also created to fit the new cabin.

Also fully redesigned, the SWISS Business cabin now includes additional seating options, such as seats that can be closed off with a sliding door. All business-class seats convert into lie-flat beds and come with heating and cooling seats and a wireless charging station.

PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES

The popular Polaris suites from United Airlines have unveiled even more upgrades. This past May the airline revealed the United Elevated interior for its new Boeing 787- 9 aircraft, which includes two new business-class suites, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink connectivity and more. The stars of the aircraft, however, are the new United Polaris Studio suites, positioned in the first row of each business-class section. These new studio suites, eight in total, offer all-aisle access seats with 25 percent more space than the standard United Polaris (although even standard United Polaris seats are slated to receive upgrades). Studio suites also boast privacy doors, an extra ottoman seat for companions, exclusive entrée options, new amenity kits with luxury skincare, wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity. And did you know these suites boast the largest seatback screen among U.S. carriers, at a whopping 27 inches? In flight, business-class passengers can relax with exclusive hoodie pajamas and slippers as well as new noise-cancelling headphones.

As of June 30, Japan Airlines began operating its new Airbus A350-1000 on its daily service between Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo (HND), complete with four cabins featuring all- new seats. The first-class cabin of the new aircraft sees a door transform the large suite into what feels like a hotel room for passengers. An adjustable sofa converts to a single or double bed.

For the first time with these aircraft, the airline introduces fully private rooms in business class. This includes seats with built-in headrest speakers, a 24-inch monitor and other custom features.

First and business classes go beyond the physical space, however; Brussels Airlines recently enhanced its long-haul business experience to provide guests with even more options when it comes to dining. The airline partnered with star chef Arabelle Meirlaen earlier this year, and guests can now choose a more elaborate cheeseboard, dessert or fresh-cut fruit after their meal. Brussels Airlines also emphasizes the importance of a personal, hand-delivered dining experience, and it implemented these careful details on its long-haul, business class cabins this past year. Of course, the airline also looks to revamp its actual cabins, and a major overhaul is in the works, with a scheduled debut in 2027. Brussels Airlines also intends to renovate THE LOFT, its award-winning airport lounge.

Looking ahead, Singapore Airlines, named Best First-Class Seating in 2025 from Skytrax World Airline Awards, plans to reveal its next-generation business class in mid-2026 on its long-haul Airbus A350LR and Boeing 777-9 fleet. These seats will replace the current ones, introducing high walls and sliding doors.

In other words, it’s clear the drive to make the best first and business class cabins shows no signs of slowing, but it’s not like we’re complaining, for it means perfection is still attainable.