Is First Class Still Worth Paying For in 2026?
As business class has improved with privacy doors and lie-flat beds, the gap to First Class has narrowed. But on some airlines, First is still a fundamentally different experience.
Last updated 2026-05-01
Key facts
- Compared
- First Class (worth it) vs First Class (not worth it)
- Categories compared
- 8
- First Class (worth it) wins
- 6
- First Class (not worth it) wins
- 2
- Ties
- 0
- Overall winner
- First Class (worth it)
- Last updated
- 2026-05-01
Head-to-head
| Feature | First Class (worth it) | First Class (not worth it) |
|---|---|---|
| Emirates First A380 | Worth it — shower, suite, lounge | — |
| Singapore Suites A380 | Worth it — separate bed, Private Room dining | — |
| ANA The Suite 777 | Worth it — vast enclosed suite, top service | — |
| Lufthansa First 747-8 / A380 | Worth it — Munich First terminal alone | — |
| Air France La Première | Worth it — exclusive, separate ground experience | — |
| British Airways First | — | Marginal — closer to good business than true first |
| Qatar First Class | — | Marginal — Qsuite is almost as good |
| Cathay First | Worth it — Pier lounge + intimate cabin | — |
Verdict
First Class is worth it on airlines where it's clearly differentiated — Emirates, Singapore, ANA, Lufthansa, Air France, Cathay. It's harder to justify on BA and Qatar where business class is already excellent. The biggest factor is the ground experience (First terminal at Munich, Al Safwa at Doha, The Private Room at Singapore).
Frequently asked questions
Is First Class (worth it) better than First Class (not worth it)?
First Class (worth it) beats First Class (not worth it) in 6 of 8 compared categories. First Class is worth it on airlines where it's clearly differentiated — Emirates, Singapore, ANA, Lufthansa, Air France, Cathay. It's harder to justify on BA and Qatar where business class is already excellent. The biggest factor is the ground experience (First terminal at Munich, Al Safwa at Doha, The Private Room at Singapore).
Which has better emirates first a380, First Class (worth it) or First Class (not worth it)?
First Class (worth it) has the better emirates first a380 (Worth it — shower, suite, lounge) compared to First Class (not worth it).
Which has better singapore suites a380, First Class (worth it) or First Class (not worth it)?
First Class (worth it) has the better singapore suites a380 (Worth it — separate bed, Private Room dining) compared to First Class (not worth it).
Which has better ana the suite 777, First Class (worth it) or First Class (not worth it)?
First Class (worth it) has the better ana the suite 777 (Worth it — vast enclosed suite, top service) compared to First Class (not worth it).
Which has better lufthansa first 747-8 / a380, First Class (worth it) or First Class (not worth it)?
First Class (worth it) has the better lufthansa first 747-8 / a380 (Worth it — Munich First terminal alone) compared to First Class (not worth it).