The World’s Best First Class Airline Lounges

Every year I like to publish a list of what I consider to be the world's best business class seats, the world's best first class airlines, the world's best first class lounges, etc.

First, I want to talk about my methodology for ranking first class airline lounges, and then I will explain my rankings with an explanation of each.

OMAAT lounge reviews are why you should trust them.

Hopefully I don't have to explain this to regular OMAAT readers, but I feel like this is worth mentioning for those who aren't regular readers...

Most of the time I see media outlets ranking first class lounges, but they usually just go off stock images and descriptions of the lounges.

Why should you trust the OMAAT lounge reviews?

I pay for my flights with cash or miles.
I don't let the airlines know that I'm reviewing their products, and go out of my way to remain anonymous.
I have visited almost every first class lounge in the world, so I have a lot of context for what makes a great lounge.
I don't have a financial relationship with any airline.
I have been reviewing airlines for 15 years and have written hundreds of airport lounge reviews.

I wish that we could see more transparency regarding the financial relationship that rating agencies have with the airlines they rank.

My methodology for ranking lounges.

My rankings are designed to be completely subjective. Everyone is looking for something different when reviewing airline lounges.

Bedrooms in airline lounges are almost like hotel rooms. If you have a long layover, that is valuable, but worthless if you have a short one. If you are between long haul flights and aren't hungry, other lounges have top notch food. It depends on the circumstances, but other lounges can save you time.

I will try and balance the above amenities, but you can choose which lounge is best for you. I think most people can agree with my general list of the top lounges, though I am not saying anyone should be in the same order as mine.

I only put one lounge from each airline on the list, even if that carrier has multiple great lounges.

I am not updating my rankings this year.

It has been difficult to update my list of the world's best first class airline lounges since the start of the Pandemic.

Many international first class airline lounges are still closed due to the lack of long haul business travel.
I wonder if some of the first class lounges will stick around after the airlines downsize their fleet.
Lounge services have been scaled back to minimize contact between people.

I think there is value in keeping this list updated.

I will not change my rankings compared to early 2020.
I will note the general status of the lounge, whether it is open or not, and what the likelihood is that it will reopen.

I hope to be able to update these rankings in a way that fully reflects the long-term changes airlines are making to their lounges.

The world's 11 best airline lounges.

I think the 11 best first class airports are starting with the best.

1. The Air France First Class Lounge is in Paris.

The whole package is what Air France's first class is. Air France has one of the world's best first class inflight products, and the carrier's ground experience in Paris is equally impressive.

If you are connecting in Paris, you will be picked up at your plane and driven to the first class lounge, and then later on will be driven from the first class lounge to your connecting flight.

Air France has a lounge car service.

The Air France first class lounge has so much to recommend it, but my favorite thing is the restaurant, which has a menu by the chef. It is the best food in any airline lounge in the world. The food quality is excellent, but the service and presentation are equally good.

Air France has a first class lounge.

Air France has a first class lounge.

Air France has a first class lounge.

There is not a ground experience in the world that has as much attention to detail. Air France has thought of all the details, no matter where you are in the world.

You must be flying Air France first class the day you want to access the lounge.

Air France is different from other airlines in that it has a first class ground experience that is more or less operating as usual right now.

2. The first class terminal of the airline.

The First Class Terminal at Lufthansa is a step up from the first class lounge. You can skip the main terminal at the airport altogether, and instead drive up to the First Class Terminal, where you can board your plane when you're ready. The lounge is where check-in, security, and immigration are handled.

The exterior of the terminal is first class.

The lounge has a great restaurant, a cigar bar, nap rooms, and collectible rubber duckies.

The bar is for the first class terminal.

Being driven across the apron to the plane is my favorite part of aviation. I hope my plane is parked as far from the terminal as possible.

First class car service from Lufthansa.

Why isn't Lufthansa the number one? The experience is not consistent. If you are just in transit, the experience isn't nearly as seamless as if you are in Frankfurt.

If you arrive at a remote stand, you will be picked up from your flight by car. If you have to walk thousands of steps and navigate your own way through the maze at the airport, you will be in trouble. The fear.

You must be flying a first class airline to use the lounge, but you can use it if you are a HON Circle member.

The First Class Terminal reopened in September 2021. First class is only available on 747-8s now that the A380s have been retired.

3. The SWISS First Class Lounge is in Switzerland.

The first class lounge in SWISS is gorgeous.

The lounge entrance is first class.

The SWISS lounge has an excellent restaurant, and after the Air France lounge, I would say it is my favorite restaurant in an airport lounge.

The lounge dining area is first class.

There are two other things that make this lounge exceptional. The lounge has private bedrooms for people with long layovers. The beds are as comfortable as the ones you would find in top hotels, and the bedroom has a view of the tarmac and runways, which made me not want to sleep.

The lounge bedroom is first class.

The lounge has a large terrace with views of the gates. Guests will be able to enjoy ice cream in the summer.

The lounge terrace is first class.

You must be flying a first class airline to use the lounge, but you can use it if you are a HON Circle member.

The SWISS first class lounge in Zurich is currently closed, though hopefully it will reopen in the coming months.

4. The Pier First Class Lounge is located in Hong Kong.

The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong is one of my favorite lounges. The lounge is designed in a way that makes you feel like you are at home, rather than at an airport.

The entrance to the lounge of the airline.

The lounge bar of Cathay Pacific is first class.

A la carte dining is available at the Pier restaurant.

The lounge dining area is first class.

The lounge has private rooms where you can relax or watch planes.

The lounge room of Cathay Pacific is used for nap rooms.

The 10 foot massage is a nice treat.

The lounge area of Cathay Pacific is first class.

Oneworld Emerald members can use the lounge in conjunction with a same day oneworld ticket, regardless of destination or class.

The first class section of The Pier is currently closed, and it is anyone's guess when it will reopen. Hong Kong saw a slump in business travel before the Pandemic. I wouldn't be surprised if the lounge never returns in its original form.

5. The Qantas First Lounge is in Australia.

The lounge is all about the basics. The lounge has lots of natural light and panoramic views.

Qantas first class lounge seating.

I like the food in Qantas lounges. The menu at Rockpool Bar & Grill has nothing to recommend it, but my favorite is the salt & pepper squid.

Qantas first class lounge dining.

Passengers can choose between a facial or massage at the spa.

The Qantas lounge spa is first class.

Oneworld Emerald members can use the lounge in conjunction with a same day oneworld ticket, but they must be flying first class.

The Qantas first class lounge reopened as of November 2021, and is currently open to select other passengers, as the business class lounge hasn't yet reopened.

6. The first class lounge of the airline is in the city of Doha.

The lounge is like a museum. The ceilings are 40 feet tall. Personally, I like the minimalist and industrial design. The lounge feels empty even though it is full.

First class lounge seating on Qatar Airways.

The lounge water display is first class.

The restaurant in the lounge is not as good as those in the Air France or SWISS lounges. Private bedrooms for passengers with long layovers are one of the best features of the lounge, and they are the second best airport bedrooms after the SWISS lounge.

The lounge bedroom of the airline is first class.

The lounge has some confusing policies. All treatments at the lounge are outrageously priced. The lounge has a hot tub. That will cost you $5. Lounge agents seem to have different rules about who can use the bedrooms.

The lounge is great, but it could be better if they didn't have such inconsistent policies.

If you are flying first class on the same day, it is possible to buy access to the lounge for 600QAR per person.

The first class lounge of the airline is open for business again, and operating as usual.

7. The Thai First Class Lounge is in Bangkok.

Another airline that does a great job is Thai, they take care of you at the airport. The airline will pick you up at your arriving flight and take you to your departing flight later.

The lounge buggy service on Thai Airways is first class.

The lounge has several semi-private living rooms for passengers to use, with more privacy than you will get in most lounges. There is a lot of a la carte food, but it is not quite as good as in other lounges.

First class lounge seating on Thai Airways.

The lounge's highlight? First class passengers can receive a full body massage. That is a great way to relax. This is the best spa treatment offered by any airline.

Thai Airways has a lounge spa.

You have to be a Star Alliance first class passenger to access this lounge.

The Thai Airways first class lounge is currently closed, and I wouldn't be surprised if it was permanent. The airline is planning to retire its Boeing and A380 fleets, leaving them without first class planes.

8. The First Class Lounge of the airline in Abu Dhabi.

The lounge has a restaurant, gym, spa, and other things.

The entrance to the lounge is first class.

The lounge gym is for first class passengers.

The food in the lounge is good, but the airline has cut back on the food they serve.

The lounge dining area is first class.

The lounge doesn't have a proper nap room, only a relaxation area with seats that recline a bit.

The first class lounge area has a nap area.

This is a very solid lounge.

You need to be an Etihad Guest Platinum member to access the lounge.

The first class lounge of Etihad Airways was reopened, but with limited hours. I don't think this lounge will stick around in its current form, given that the airline may retire its entire A380 fleet, meaning only five Boeing 787-9s with first class. The airline might not keep a dedicated first class lounge for just five planes.

9. The First Class Lounge is in the city of Dubai.

The first class lounge is more of a concourse than a lounge. The lounge spans the entire length of the terminal. On the other hand, that is very impressive. You have a lounge that is tens of thousands of square feet, and at times there will only be a few guests.

The lounge seating on the plane is first class.

The lounge seating on the plane is first class.

The lounge has a restaurant with a la carte dining, a cigar bar, a spa, and more. If your flight leaves the A Concourse, you can board your flight directly through the lounge.

The lounge dining area is first class.

The problem? The lounge feels sterile and unwelcoming because it is so big. You feel like you are sitting in a terminal rather than in a lounge. The lounge doesn't have an intimate and residential-feeling design like the one in Cathay Pacific's lounge.

This is the first time in history that a lounge has been complained about.

You must be flying first class on the same day, or be a Skywards Platinum member, or you can buy access for $200 if you travel in economy or $100 if you travel in business class.

The first class lounge of the airline is open and running as usual.

10. The private room is for Singapore Airlines.

The Private Room is a lounge. It doesn't have amenities like nap rooms, spa treatments, or escort to/from the gate, but it does have a great restaurant with a la carte dining, and an all around elegant atmosphere.

First class lounge seating on Singapore Airlines.

The dining area of Singapore Airlines is first class.

The lounge dining at Singapore Airlines is first class.

You have to be flying Singapore Airlines Suites or first class the day you want to access the lounge.

The Singapore Airlines Private Room is closed, and we don't have a timetable for when it will reopen.

11. The first class lounge of the sultanate.

A few years ago, the first class lounge at the airport was opened by Oman Air. The lounge is so large that the airline will only have two planes with first class.

The lounge dining area is first class.

The lounge has a spa in the business class section, a la carte dining, and attentive service.

The lounge dining is first class.

You must be flying first class on the same day to access this lounge.

The first class lounge of the airline is open. It is possible that oneworld Emerald members will eventually get access to this lounge, because of the interest in joining the oneworld alliance.

This isn't a first class lounge and can't be included on the list. I am talking about the lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport that is only open to passengers booking the Residence suite.

They take care of you from the moment you arrive, from the private lounge you get, to the massages, to the meals. You don't have to check in.

The lounge is for the residence.

The lounge service of the airline.

The lounge of the residence.

The end of the Etihad residence is likely to come with the retirement of the entire A380 fleet. The lounge service will probably not be around in the future.

The above lounges make spending time at an airport a pleasure, as most people dread having time to kill at the airport. These lounges have everything from a full body massage to a private bedroom that makes you feel like you are in a hotel.

I think anyone would be reasonable to think that the above lounges should be in a different order, but hopefully this is at least a useful list in terms of the 11 all-around best first class airline lounges.

We could see changes to the services that these lounges offer in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if the Thai Airways first class lounge reopens, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Etihad first class lounge doesn't stick around.

I am curious to hear what OMAAT readers think of my rankings. Is there any other lounges that should have been on the list?

Ben is the founder of OMAAT.