Luxury travel by plane – inside the world’s most elegant airlines begins with a global network that connects Germany to every major destination. Routes such as Frankfurt–Shanghai, Munich–Singapore or Berlin–New York operate several times a week, making even faraway cities like Cape Town, Tokyo, Delhi, Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires reachable in well under 24 hours. While many travelers search for the best deal in economy class, the world’s wealthiest passengers pursue something else entirely. For them, comfort, privacy and exclusivity define the journey. As a refined alternative to climate-intensive private jets, leading international airlines attract elite travelers with exceptional First Class experiences. Carriers such as Lufthansa, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific offer private suites, fully enclosed bedrooms, gourmet menus by star chefs, curated wine selections and discreet butler service — all on scheduled flights.
First Class ticket prices: From 5,800 euros from Germany to the world.
Private service, maximum comfort and luxury catering on scheduled flights are clearly reflected in the price of airline tickets. This is shown by comprehensive research on airlines and flight routes connecting Germany and Europe with the world and their First Class ticket prices. In the cheapest case, a First Class flight cost 5,875 euros in the period studied. The almost nine-hour flight from Frankfurt/FRA to the U.S. metropolis of New York City/JFK with Singapore Airlines cost a hefty 11 euros per minute. Leather seats instead of wooden class: First Class offers even more amenities than Business Class. Sophisticated cabin designs promise passengers more privacy, the service is particularly courteous, and you can hardly complain about a lack of legroom. The catering is impressive not only in terms of selection but also in terms of quality, and the entertainment on offer ensures that time literally flies by.
In first class above the clouds, lobster tail and caviar service are included
Unlike in Economy, the high First Class ticket price includes culinary catering, which is served on porcelain plates and served as a course meal. The elaborate menu includes dishes such as sous vide-cooked lobster tail as an appetizer, poached black cod with truffled leek puree for the main course, and yogurt ice cream with warm morello compote for dessert. The menus are often created in collaboration with star chefs and top restaurateurs from around the world. Lufthansa also prominently advertises its caviar service, which can be served as a separate course at any time. In addition to the Boeing 747, Lufthansa’s First Class fleet also includes the Airbus 340-600. The airline uses the European long-haul jet, for example, for its U.S. connections between Frankfurt/FRA and Boston/ BOS or between Munich/MUC and Miami/MIA. At more than €7,500 per flight, the two routes are among the most expensive first-class routes departing from Germany. Lufthansa has announced a renewal of the Airbus fleet’s First Class for mid-2023. At that time, Lufthansa will also introduce a suite system that is already widely used by premium airlines such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines. Suites promise even more privacy and quiet on long-haul flights.
The most expensive flights in the world - For 61,000 euros from New York City to Abu Dhabi
In recent months, high-end airline Emirates has repeatedly announced the expansion of its luxurious facilities. Since its founding, the airline from Dubai has regularly set new standards in the field of luxury scheduled flights. Exclusive cooperations with well-known champagne brands and caviar flat rates are just the beginning of a whole series of marketing offensives with which the world’s first-class airlines woo customers for whom money is no object.
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Nevertheless, the most expensive flight ticket currently available is not Emirates but Etihad Airways. The ticket for the Etihad Airbus A380 suite “The Residence” on the route New York City/JFK – Abu Dhabi/AUH costs a hefty 61,000 euros. The offer of this flight class is beyond First Class and this also explains the hefty price for a scheduled flight. The suite on the upper deck of the Airbus A380 covers 40 square meters and has a private bathroom and a bedroom with a queen-size bed. The flight takes about 12 hours, 30 minutes, and the ticket price includes a chauffeur service to the airport and permanent assistance from a butler trained for royalty.
Emirates offers spa experience at 12,000 meters for 29,000 euros
In view of the dimensions of the “Residence” the 29,000 euro ticket of Emirates with which the airline flies its guests in the exclusive Ambiente of Los Angeles/LAX to Dubai/DXB seems almost like a bargain. The travel experience in the Airbus A380 lasts just under 16 hours, but the long flight time can be spent in many ways, for example in the spa bathroom with exclusive soaps and creams, heated carpeting and wellness shower. Alternatively, passengers can sleep on the flight and do so in style. In less than a minute, the in-flight staff transforms the suite into a fully-fledged sleeping space with five-star hotel comfort.
Korean technology and cinema atmosphere for 26,000 euros
Korean Air has also entered the competition for the most exclusive customers. The airline operates the Airbus A380 on the route between New York City/JFK and Seoul/ICN, offering First Class tickets priced up to 26,000 euros. The tech-savvy Koreans score points with the latest generation of in-flight entertainment and cinematic atmosphere at lofty heights. High partitions provide privacy and the seat can be converted into a comfortable reclining area for restful sleep at the touch of a button.
Cathay Pacific ends Corona break in First Class
After Cathay Pacific briefly suspended its First Class at the start of the Corona pandemic, the luxury class has been back on the Hong Kong-based airline’s regular schedule since December 2022. Demand for first class scheduled flights between London/LHR and Hong Kong/HKG in the Airbus A350 was so great that a ticket currently costs around 20,000 euros. In the course of 2023, Cathay Pacific also plans to serve its well-heeled clientele again with scheduled flights between Paris/CDG and Hong Kong/HKG and between Tokyo/NRT and Hong Kong/HKG.
Everything a little smaller: traveling in mini First Class without windows
While other airlines are focusing on ever larger suites for new First Class concepts, the British airline Virgin Atlantic recently unveiled a mini First Class in the Airbus A330 Neo called “Retreat”. The space at the front of the plane is Virgin Atlantic’s most spacious suite to date, with room for up to four people to eat, play games or socialize together. Probably a no-go for many people: the suite has no window, as it is located in the middle of the aircraft. Further pastime is provided by “The Loft” lounge, which Virgin Atlantic had installed in its Airbus A350, which operates between London/LHR and Los Angeles/LAX. The lounge for first-class passengers seats eight people. A one-way ticket in first class costs up to 20,000 euros.
Research and sources
To determine a list of the most expensive first class flights from Germany, airline ticket prices in the highest ticket category, usually called first class, were researched. For the research, mainly the flight search of the respective airlines with First Class offer as well as the flight comparison website Google Flights were used. Only direct flights were taken into account. The research was conducted in December 2022 and only airline ticket prices until Jan. 31, 2023 were considered. The results reflect only the most expensive airline offers at the time of the research and the 2022 winter flight schedule. Actual airfares may differ. Information on the five most expensive airlines in the world was obtained from international reporting and official press releases and other public information from the respective airlines themselves. The data was selected manually and checked for plausibility. The actual offer as well as air ticket prices may differ.
