Aug 1, 2016, 1:42 pm
Last edit by: littlevoices
Since this thread started in 2016, along with the last wiki update in 2018, many airlines have significantly reduced their true first class routes, or just given up and rebranded a few seats as Business Suites or similar.
Of the oneworld airlines (now and future announcements), the following offer true first class flights
American Airlines (AA); British Airways (BA); Cathay Pacific (CX); Japan Airlines (JL); Qantas (QF); Qatar (QR)
This means the following oneworld airlines do NOT offer a first class product:
Alaska Airlines (AS); Fiji Airlines* (FJ); Finnair (AY); Iberia (IB); Malaysia Airlines (MH)#; Oman Airlines (OM)*#; Royal Air Maroc (AT); Royal Jordanian (RJ); Sri Lankan Airlines (UL)
*Future member
# Offers a business elite /studio seat
The below is as of 20 January 2025, and the number of flights is typically from around 19 Feb, so winter season
American Airlines/AA
AA offers two types of true first class. An increasingly diminishing Trans-Continental routes using specially designed aircraft, and International First (Flagship First). This explicitly excludes any domestic first class flights that typically offer 2x2 seating. Note AA executives have made statements about removing First, so this list will likely gradually decrease over time.
Routes Transcontinental on custom A321T planes, type code 32B (1-1 layout)
British Airways/BA
BA offers first class on a variety of B777s and the A380. It remains perceived as a the best business class in the sky, excluding Qatar product. But it does go everywhere. The newer generation of planes has fewer seats, but the typical layout has 14 first class seats, so it is hardly private or exclusive.
Between London Heathrow and
North America
Middle East & Africa
Cathay Pacific/CX
Very limited services have resumed after COVID. Many of the First class planes are now on routes and sold as business class with a nice seat for Diamond (top tier) status members. Cathay does have First class planned on their upcoming B777X deliveries, but with delays these may not be available for many years. Offers a 1-1-1 layout
Between Hong Kong, using a B777-300ER and
Offered on two aircraft, an older 777-300 (1-2-1 layout), and the new A350-1000 (generally thought of as the best first class in oneworld at the moment with 1-1-1 layout).
Between Tokyo Haneda and
Only offered on the A380, but with Project Sunrise they are planning a new improved first class on ultra long range A350-1000s. Offers 14 seats but they are enormous as set out in a 1-1-1 layout.
Between Sydney and
Offered on two planes a number of A380s (1-2-1) and ex-Cathay B777-300ER (1-1-1) planes (still using the same CX seats). The prior CEO wanted to end First Class, but the new CEO intends to improve and offer a limited First class service. This explicitly excludes any domestic Middle Eastern first class flights that typically offer business class seating and service to locations such as Dubai, Cairo and the wider Middle East.
Between Doha and
==> Finally, and just for completeness, noting the business elite products (still book into A/F class), so not true first class, but would earn you the miles!:
Malaysian Airlines/MH
Between Kaula Lumpur and
Retired all of their A330 flights which reduced their network further
Between Muscat (MCT) and
Of the oneworld airlines (now and future announcements), the following offer true first class flights
American Airlines (AA); British Airways (BA); Cathay Pacific (CX); Japan Airlines (JL); Qantas (QF); Qatar (QR)
This means the following oneworld airlines do NOT offer a first class product:
Alaska Airlines (AS); Fiji Airlines* (FJ); Finnair (AY); Iberia (IB); Malaysia Airlines (MH)#; Oman Airlines (OM)*#; Royal Air Maroc (AT); Royal Jordanian (RJ); Sri Lankan Airlines (UL)
*Future member
# Offers a business elite /studio seat
The below is as of 20 January 2025, and the number of flights is typically from around 19 Feb, so winter season
American Airlines/AA
AA offers two types of true first class. An increasingly diminishing Trans-Continental routes using specially designed aircraft, and International First (Flagship First). This explicitly excludes any domestic first class flights that typically offer 2x2 seating. Note AA executives have made statements about removing First, so this list will likely gradually decrease over time.
Routes Transcontinental on custom A321T planes, type code 32B (1-1 layout)
- Los Angeles (LAX) New York (JFK) -> Multiple times daily (9)
- San Francisco (SFO) JFK -> Multiple times daily (3-4)
- JFK Orange County (SNA) -> One flight a day
- LAX Boston (BOS) -> One flight a day
- LAX Miami (MIA) -> Appears to have switched to a none transcontinental but is still listed on the website, so now only offers normal domestic first
- Charlotte International Airport (CLT) London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) -> 1x daily
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) -> 2 x daily
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) -> 1x daily
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Buenos Aires' Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) -> 1x daily
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) -> 1x daily
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Sydney Airport (SYD) -> 1x daily
- Miami International Airport (MIA) London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) -> 2 x daily
- Miami International Airport (MIA) Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) -> 1x daily
- Miami International Airport (MIA) Buenos Aires' Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) -> 1x daily
British Airways/BA
BA offers first class on a variety of B777s and the A380. It remains perceived as a the best business class in the sky, excluding Qatar product. But it does go everywhere. The newer generation of planes has fewer seats, but the typical layout has 14 first class seats, so it is hardly private or exclusive.
Between London Heathrow and
North America
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas (DFW)
- Houston (IAH)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK, EWR)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington DC (IAD)
- Bermuda (BDA)
- Barbados (BGI)
- Mexico City (MEX)
- Santiago (SCL)
Middle East & Africa
- Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Abuja (ABV)
- Bahrain (BAH)
- Cape Town (CPT)
- Doha (DOH)
- Dubai (DXB)
- Jeddah (JED)
- Johannesburg (JNB)
- Kuwait (KWI)
- Lagos (LOS)
- Riyadh (RUH)
- Male (MLE)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
- Shanghai (PVG)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Sydney (SYD)
- Tokyo (HND)
Cathay Pacific/CX
Very limited services have resumed after COVID. Many of the First class planes are now on routes and sold as business class with a nice seat for Diamond (top tier) status members. Cathay does have First class planned on their upcoming B777X deliveries, but with delays these may not be available for many years. Offers a 1-1-1 layout
Between Hong Kong, using a B777-300ER and
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 1x daily
- Tokyo Haneda (HND) -> 1x daily
- Beijing (PEK) -> 1x daily
- New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) -> 1x daily
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) -> 1x daily
- Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) -> Suspended for in late 2024
Offered on two aircraft, an older 777-300 (1-2-1 layout), and the new A350-1000 (generally thought of as the best first class in oneworld at the moment with 1-1-1 layout).
Between Tokyo Haneda and
- New York (JFK) > New A350-1000, 1x daily
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) > New A350-1000, 1x daily
- London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) > New A350-1000, 2x daily
- Bangkok (BKK) > B773, 1x daily
- Singapore (SIN) > B773, 1x daily
- Sydney (SYD) -> B773, 1x daily [suspended for the northern summer season after 1 May 2025]
- Helsinki (HEL) -> B773, 1 xdaily [allegedly according to this article, but not yet showing in ExpertFlyer, summer season 22 April to 29 September 2025]
Only offered on the A380, but with Project Sunrise they are planning a new improved first class on ultra long range A350-1000s. Offers 14 seats but they are enormous as set out in a 1-1-1 layout.
Between Sydney and
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 1x daily (via Singapore) -> 1x daily
- Singapore (SIN) -> 1x daily (travels on to London Heathrow) -> 1x daily
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) -> 1x daily
- Johannesburg, South Africa, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) -1x daily
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 1x daily
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) -> twice weekly?
Offered on two planes a number of A380s (1-2-1) and ex-Cathay B777-300ER (1-1-1) planes (still using the same CX seats). The prior CEO wanted to end First Class, but the new CEO intends to improve and offer a limited First class service. This explicitly excludes any domestic Middle Eastern first class flights that typically offer business class seating and service to locations such as Dubai, Cairo and the wider Middle East.
Between Doha and
- Hong Kong (HKG) -> 1-2x daily using B77W planes
- Bangkok (BKK) -> 1-2x daily using A388
- Maldives (MLE) -> 1-2x daily using B77W
- Sydney (SYD) -> 1x daily using A388
- Perth (PER) -> 1x daily using A388
- Istanbul (IST) -> 0 to 1x daily using B77W [irregular, not every day]
- Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) -> 0 to 1x daily using A388 [irregular, not every day]
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 2x daily using A388
==> Finally, and just for completeness, noting the business elite products (still book into A/F class), so not true first class, but would earn you the miles!:
Malaysian Airlines/MH
Between Kaula Lumpur and
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 2x daily using A359
- Tokyo (NRT) -> 2x daily using A359
- Doha (DOH) -> 1x daily using A359
- Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) -> 1x daily using A359 [in the summer]
Retired all of their A330 flights which reduced their network further
Between Muscat (MCT) and
- London Heathrow (LHR) -> 1x daily using B789
- Bangkok (BKK) -> 1x daily using B789
OW first class routes thread
Aug 19, 2013 | 11:27 am
#106
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, SK Gold; Accor Diamond; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meli/HH/Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,682
... would be my preferred option. Book open jaws and/or make good use of stopover rules. Buy 'local' flights for cash or miles depending on what's a good deal, choosing the class of travel based on how long the segments are.
Your question and its responses will be moved soon, I hope, as this thread actually has a different purpose: a reference thread listing routes on which OW carriers operate F service.
Last edited by IMH; Aug 19, 2013 at 12:26 pm Reason: corrected typo OQ for OW
Aug 19, 2013 | 12:19 pm
#107
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K, SA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 534
I will consider that. That said, what are the best intra-Asian One World flights in F? I think that seems consistent with this thread...
Sep 17, 2013 | 4:00 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K, SA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 534
Looking around for F flights on OW, can't seem to find anything between PEK and NRT.
Can folks help me find the best F flights if I want to go to these cities?
BOS-HKG-NRT-PEK-PNH-HTY-BOS
I want to keep BOS-HKG bc I can take CX via JFK. But the rest I'm not so picky about. Suggestions?
Can folks help me find the best F flights if I want to go to these cities?
BOS-HKG-NRT-PEK-PNH-HTY-BOS
I want to keep BOS-HKG bc I can take CX via JFK. But the rest I'm not so picky about. Suggestions?
Sep 17, 2013 | 8:54 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: USA
Posts: 224
[QUOTE=tennisboy;21461804]Looking around for F flights on OW, can't seem to find anything between PEK and NRT.
JAL is the only oneworld carrier flying direct PEK-NRT or PEK-HND and neither city offers first class configurations. To get first class between these two cities using oneworld in Asia you could try PEK-HKG on Dragonair (A333 has First seats) and then use Cathay HKG-NRT or HKG-HND on a few of the flights that do offer First (77W and certain 744).
JAL is the only oneworld carrier flying direct PEK-NRT or PEK-HND and neither city offers first class configurations. To get first class between these two cities using oneworld in Asia you could try PEK-HKG on Dragonair (A333 has First seats) and then use Cathay HKG-NRT or HKG-HND on a few of the flights that do offer First (77W and certain 744).
Sep 18, 2013 | 5:51 am
#110
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K, SA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 534
But if HKG is my first stop, and then I want to go to PEK and Tokyo, how could I do it in F? Can I go HKG-PEK on Dragon and then PEK-NRT or HND in F on JAL? I did notice one flight a day is on the 787, albeit in business.
The other option is to go BOS-NRT on JAL on the 787, but I hear that is an inferior F product to CX's BOS-JFK-HKG product. Thoughts on that too??
Thanks
The other option is to go BOS-NRT on JAL on the 787, but I hear that is an inferior F product to CX's BOS-JFK-HKG product. Thoughts on that too??
Thanks
Sep 18, 2013 | 10:49 am
#112
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 7,016
Sep 18, 2013 | 3:37 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K, SA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, IHG Plat, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 534
Ouch, OK. Good to know re the 787 on JAL. We may be forced to fly NRT-BOS or BOS-NRT if our routing works out to have too many HKG's in the segments, but with Malaysia Airlines on board now we may use KUL as a secondary jump off point (to HKT or Siem Riep) to avoid too many HKG segments.
People have told me to add Kyoto and Karabi and Bali and Myanmar too. We can't do all of those on top of PEK, HKG, NRT, HKT and Siem Riep but we can maybe add one or so. Thoughts on these?
People have told me to add Kyoto and Karabi and Bali and Myanmar too. We can't do all of those on top of PEK, HKG, NRT, HKT and Siem Riep but we can maybe add one or so. Thoughts on these?
Sep 18, 2013 | 7:17 pm
#114
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 17,148
I don't like CX's F seat. It has narrow foot space. Haven't tried the new F bedding but the old one was simply uncomfortable as you can feel the bumps easily. Not to mention the catering definitely and service level consistency have a lot of room for improvement.
Sep 19, 2013 | 5:33 am
#115
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,421
[QUOTE=JALPak;21468155]I don't like CX's F seat. It has narrow foot space. Haven't tried the new F bedding but the old one was simply uncomfortable as you can feel the bumps easily. Not to mention the catering definitely and service level consistency have a lot of room for improvement.[/QUOTE
"I don't like CX's F seat"
SHOCKER!!!
"I don't like CX's F seat"
SHOCKER!!!
Sep 19, 2013 | 8:47 am
#116
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,519
[MODERATOR HAT ON]
Please limit posts in this thread to discussions of Oneworld first class routes, rather than specific itineraries, issues with individual FFP award rules, and so on. Questions and comments regarding airline FFPs should be directed to that airline's forum, not the Oneworld board. Thanks for keeping this thread on point.
[/HAT]
Gardyloo
Oneworld moderator
Please limit posts in this thread to discussions of Oneworld first class routes, rather than specific itineraries, issues with individual FFP award rules, and so on. Questions and comments regarding airline FFPs should be directed to that airline's forum, not the Oneworld board. Thanks for keeping this thread on point.
[/HAT]
Gardyloo
Oneworld moderator
Sep 24, 2013 | 9:49 am
#119
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 7,016
Sep 24, 2013 | 8:02 pm
#120
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 17,148
It's up to the one paying for the ticket to decide. This thread is not to list routes with F service which we think are good use of a segment. It is to maintain a list of routes with F service so people can easily decide and plan for their itineraries. That's why I pointed out those routes are missing from the list.