A lot of us count ourselves lucky if we bag an aisle seat when we check in for a flight. But, if you’ve got deep enough pockets, flying can mean a double bed, a hot shower or even your own three-room apartment, and a new ranking has just named the most extravagant of them all.
The list comes from travel advisory company AirAdvisor, which scored airline perks out of 100 across five categories, namely extravagance, rarity, privacy and exclusivity, how hard they are to get hold of, and how far they go beyond a standard seat. It left out private jets, discontinued products and anything not yet available to the public, as well as the usual business class staples like lounge access, amenity kits and lie-flat beds, and capped it at two entries per airline.
RECOMMENDED: This is officially the world’s best city for public transport
Taking the top spot with a near-perfect score of 98 is Etihad Airways’ The Residence, which is very close to a private apartment on board an Airbus A380. Up to two passengers get three separate rooms, including a living room, a bedroom with a double bed and an ensuite shower. The pampering starts before you even leave the house with home or hotel check-in, chauffeur transfers and a personal welcome at the airport. AirAdvisor said it scored almost full marks for luxury, rarity, privacy and how far it goes beyond a regular airline seat.
In second place, with 91 points, is the Emirates A380 Shower Spa. First class passengers on Emirates’ superjumbos can freshen up mid-flight in one of two shower rooms at the front of the upper deck, complete with a changing area, vanity mirror and heated floors. Landing looking like you haven’t just spent half a day on a plane? Sounds good to us.
Third place, with 88 points, goes to the SWISS First Grand Suite, the only European entry in the top three, which launched this year. It combines two neighbouring first class suites and the aisle in between into one fully private space the airline calls a ‘loft aloft’. Up to three people can share it, and it works as a bedroom, office or meeting room, so you can sleep, work or simply spread out with company.
In fourth place is an on-the-ground perk. Air France’s La Première passengers can book a private suite at Paris Charles de Gaulle measuring around 45 square metres, with a double bedroom, a bathroom, an outdoor patio and access to the airline’s Sisley spa, scoring 85 points. Singapore Airlines’ A380 Suites took fifth with 82 points, thanks to a separate armchair and bed in every suite, plus adjoining suites that open up into a shared double bed for couples.
The 10 most luxurious flight experiences in 2026, according to AirAdvisor
- Etihad Airways, The Residence (98/100)
- Emirates, A380 Shower Spa (91/100)
- SWISS, First Grand Suite (88/100)
- Air France, La Première private airport suite (85/100)
- Singapore Airlines, A380 Suites (82/100)
- Lufthansa, Allegris First Class Suite Plus (80/100)
- Japan Airlines, A350-1000 First Class (78/100)
- Emirates, A380 Onboard Lounge (76/100)
- Qatar Airways, Al Safwa First Lounge (72/100)
- Virgin Atlantic, Retreat Suite (68/100)
ICYMI: The world’s best cities for public transport in 2026, according to locals.
Plus: It just became a whole lot easier to visit Machu Picchu – here’s why.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.