Flying first or business class involves far more than the in-flight experience. Airlines carefully design lounge access, onboard amenities and personalized services so premium passengers enjoy a seamless, elevated journey from check-in to arrival. Though first and business class make up only a small portion of aircraft seats, they serve as a showcase for an airline’s service, design and hospitality. To stay competitive and protect their reputations, carriers continually update, expand and rethink these premium offerings.
Before boarding, international first- and business-class travelers often rely on airport lounges to relax, dine and prepare. Korean Air recently announced plans to upgrade its Prestige Class lounges at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2. The project will add new Prestige Class Garden lounges in both the east and west wings. The existing Prestige Class Lounge in the east wing will double in size, while the First Class and Prestige Class lounges in the west wing will be renovated, with an anticipated reopening in April 2026. When work is complete, Korean Air will operate six lounges at Incheon and has signaled upgrades to its premium lounges in Los Angeles and New York as part of a broader international lounge refresh.
PHOTO: © CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific reopened The Bridge at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1 after a full redesign. The refreshed space includes a dedicated area for first-class passengers and Cathay Diamond members, featuring a Food Hall with an oven-to-plate concept serving international dishes. The Bridge also offers a cocktail bar, barista-made coffee, bespoke Solo Chairs and original pieces from the airline’s Gallery in the Skies, combining culinary and design-focused touches for an elevated pre-flight experience.
PHOTOS: © LOT POLISH AIRLINES
LOT Polish Airlines also improved its airport lounges this year, notably the Polonez Business Lounge at Warsaw Chopin Airport. Renovations added 60 seats, a conference room and a self-service bar with apron and terminal views. The expansion introduced the separate Polonez Gold Lounge, featuring a dedicated relaxation zone with optional privacy partitions and loungers. Premium skincare treatments are available at a new Relax Spot by Phenomé x LOT, and the brand’s products are now included as amenities aboard LOT’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Southwest Airlines is undergoing a major shift in its operations and recently removed first-come, first-served seat selection. While the carrier has not confirmed any lounge plans, its evolving focus on top-tier members and premium passengers has raised expectations that branded airport lounges could appear in Southwest’s hub cities in the future.
PHOTO: © AIR FRANCE
Onboard product innovation remains central to premium travel. Air France introduced a new La Première offering this spring with four suites on select Boeing 777-300ERs. Each suite spans nearly 12 feet, includes five windows, a seat and a chaise lounge that converts into a 6.5-foot bed, and is enclosed by a full-height curtain for privacy. These suites deliver about 25 percent more space than the previous La Première cabins and are currently available on routes from Paris to New York, Singapore, Tokyo and Los Angeles.
PHOTO: © SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIR LINES
Swiss International Air Lines unveiled the SWISS Senses cabin concept for its new Airbus A350-900s, representing the carrier’s largest product investment to date. Debuting on long-haul routes starting this winter, the new SWISS First suites feature closable sliding doors, heated and cooled seats, a large table, a wardrobe, wireless charging and an integrated screen that spans the suite. Suites are designed to accommodate two travelers together and include an updated lavatory tailored to the new cabin layout. The redesigned SWISS Business cabin adds additional seating configurations, including seats with sliding doors, all of which convert into lie-flat beds and offer heating/cooling and wireless charging.
PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES
United Airlines has continued to refine its Polaris product and this year introduced the United Elevated interior on new Boeing 787-9s. The update includes two new business-class suites, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink connectivity and other premium touches. The standout additions are eight United Polaris Studio suites in the first row of each business-class section. These studio suites provide all-aisle access, 25 percent more space than standard Polaris seats, privacy doors, an additional ottoman for a companion, exclusive entrée choices, upgraded amenity kits, wireless charging and Bluetooth connectivity. The studio suites also feature a large 27-inch seatback screen, among the largest in the U.S. market. In flight, business customers receive upgraded amenities such as hoodie pajamas, slippers and noise-cancelling headphones.
Japan Airlines began operating its new Airbus A350-1000 between Los Angeles and Tokyo with four cabins featuring entirely new seats. The first-class suite on the A350-1000 includes a door and an adaptable sofa that converts into a single or double bed, creating a hotel-like private space. For the first time on this type, JAL also introduced fully private business-class rooms with built-in headrest speakers, a 24-inch monitor and tailored cabin features.
Beyond hard product improvements, airlines are enhancing dining and service details in premium cabins. Brussels Airlines partnered with star chef Arabelle Meirlaen to expand long-haul business-class dining options, adding refined cheeseboards, elegant desserts and fresh fruit choices. The carrier emphasized a hand-delivered dining experience and plans a major cabin overhaul slated to debut in 2027, along with renovations to its award-winning THE LOFT lounge.
Looking ahead, Singapore Airlines—recognized for Best First-Class Seating in 2025 by the Skytrax World Airline Awards—plans to introduce a next-generation business class in mid-2026 on its long-haul Airbus A350LR and Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The new seats will feature higher walls and sliding doors to enhance privacy.
Overall, the race to deliver the best first- and business-class experiences continues. Airlines are investing heavily in lounges, cabins, dining and service to entice premium travelers and raise the bar across the industry—good news for passengers seeking comfort, privacy and exceptional service.