From spacious seats and an exclusive airport experience to a specially curated menu, here’s what you can expect when flying first class with American.
The cabin is available on several transcontinental US routes and international flights to Europe, South America, and Asia. However, not all flights will offer it (the first cabin is only available on the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft), and availability will continue to decrease as aircraft are reconfigured.
Photo:Â First Class Photography | Shutterstock
All awards with Mileage Plan are priced dynamically. Starting price levels are published for all partners based on region. Rates can increase above this – as yet, however, experience shows that most partner flight awards are priced at this starting level (with award seats either available or not).
Related How To Spend Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan uses dynamic award pricing but still offers some good value partner awards.
For example, for US to Europe routes (using the Mileage Plan Europe chart), the starting rates for first class would be as follows:
Routes between 1,501 and 3,500 miles: 67,500 miles Routes between 3,501 and 5,000 miles: 82,500 miles Routes between 5,001 and 7,000 miles: 105,000 miles Routes between 7,001 and 10,000 miles: 130,000 miles Routes over 10,000 miles: 165,000 miles
Photo: Alaska Airlines
There is also excellent value on offer with the ability to add a stopover. Mileage Plan allows this on all international awards, but only at the main hub transit location of the airline.
For more ideas on how to make the most out of the stopover option, see our guide
Booking first class with British Airways
British Airways is another excellent option for those traveling to and from North America. The UK-based airline has a widely available first class on North American routes, plus many other destinations from London. The cabin is available on several aircraft, including the Airbus A380, some Boeing 777 aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 (but not the 787-8 or the A350).
Related Which British Airways Aircraft Have First Class Cabins?
Despite having a large and diverse portfolio of aircraft, only five types in British Airways’ long-haul fleet offer a first class cabin.
Routes can change but currently include:
All A380 flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas, and Washington Dulles. Some Boeing 777 flights to New York JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego Some 787 flights to Boston, Chicago, Houston, Newark, Seattle, Washington DC
Routes between the US and Europe would be priced using the same European chart as American Airlines, with starting rates for first class of:
Routes between 1,501 and 3,500 miles: 67,500 miles (including JFK to LHR) Routes between 3,501 and 5,000 miles: 82,500 miles Routes between 5,001 and 7,000 miles: 105,000 miles Routes between 7,001 and 10,000 miles: 130,000 miles Routes over 10,000 miles: 165,000 miles
Photo:Â Alaska Airlines
Multiple sectors are permitted on one award. So, for British Airways, an onward flight within Europe could be added – likely for the same mileage. For a first class long-haul flight, obviously, lower cabins can be mixed for connecting flights (with the whole award pricing based on first class rates).
Using miles for Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Qantas
Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines both offer first class on several routes, including to/from the US. These airlines have excellent first class products and service – worth saving your miles for!
Cathay Pacific only has first class on some of its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
The cabin is normally offered on flights to New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and some flights to San Francisco. It also operates to London and Paris, and on some regional flights in Asia.
Japan Airlines has first class on the Boeing 777-300ER and the new Airbus A350-1000.
It is currently found on US routes, including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The Boeing 777 is also found on flights to London.
Related Japan Airlines Reveals New First Class Airbus A350-1000 Suites For New York Flights
The new aircraft will debut on Tokyo to New York City flights later this year with innovative beds, privacy doors, and HD entertainment screens.
Qantas now only offers a first class product on the Airbus A380. It currently flies this to Los Angeles, London, and Singapore.
Routes to/from Asia, and within Asia for Cathay regional flights, are priced using the Mileage Plan Asia Pacific chart. The starting rates for first class are:
Routes between 1,501 and 3,000 miles: 75,000 miles Routes between 3,001 and 5,000 miles: 90,000 miles Routes between 5,001 and 7,000 miles: 110,000 miles Routes between 7,001 and 10,000 miles: 130,000 miles Routes over 10,000 miles: 195,000 miles
Using miles for Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways currently operates first class on a small portion of its fleet – including 10 Airbus A380s and six Boeing 777-300ERs. First class can be found reliably on London routes, plus some other Asia and regional routes, but not on any routes to the US.
Related Which Qatar Airways Planes Have First Class Cabins?
Just 16 of the airline’s 266 aircraft feature a first class cabin – which are they?
Qatar Airways used to offer first class more extensively (as do other Middle Eastern airlines) but has scaled back. This could be changing now though, with a new cabin planned.
Related The New Qatar Airways CEO Is Planning To Bring Back First Class Cabins
Qatar Airways is developing a new first class concept.
Using miles for non-oneworld airline partners
Mileage Plan is unusual among oneworld airlines, in having an extensive set of non-oneworld partners allowing miles earning and spending. These currently include:
Aer Lingus Air Tahiti Nui El Al Israel Airlines Hainan Airlines Icelandair Korean Air LATAM Ravn Alaska Singapore Airlines STARLUX Airlines
For first class, 
Singapore Airlines would of course be the most appealing. Its first class and Suites product are perhaps the best in the sky. Unfortunately, these cannot be booked using partner loyalty programs.
Of the other partners, Korean Air and STARLUX Airlines offer very limited first class miles booking options.
Korean Airoffers first class on the Airbus A380, Boeing 747-8, and the Boeing 777. It is not found on its Boeing 787 or Airbus A330 widebodies. The 747 and A380 offer a suite style first class product, with several older types still used on the 777s. These operate several routes to the US, plus other regional routes.
Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock
starlux airlines has included a small first class cabin on its A350 aircraft. One row of four seats is integrated into the business class cabin, but offer slightly more space and privacy. This operates Taipei to Los Angeles and San Francisco services.
Related Starlux Airlines Plans For A First Class On Board Its Airbus A350s
Both Korean Air and STARLUX Airlines flights (to the US and regional in Asia) will price using the Mileage Plan Asia chart – with starting rates as follows:
Routes between 1,501 and 3,000 miles: 75,000 miles Routes between 3,001 and 5,000 miles: 90,000 miles Routes between 5,001 and 7,000 miles: 110,000 miles Routes between 7,001 and 10,000 miles: 130,000 miles Routes over 10,000 miles: 195,000 miles
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Publish date : 2024-10-17 17:32:00
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