Flying Every European First Class (Back to Back)

Today, I'm flying every European airline for the next 80 hours entirely in first class. I'll compare all four airlines back to back with a sticker price of over $30,000. I'll show you exactly what it's like from being driven to my plane in a Porsche, multi-course fine dining, to my own bedroom in the sky. Let's pick up my mammoth journey then on the ground in Thailand. Well, hello there and welcome back to the channel. You join me at the Four Seasons Hotel here in Thailand, where we begin our incredible first class adventure. So without any more to say, let's head right over to the airport. The drive is around 30 minutes, made all the more comfortable by the Four Seasons transfer service. So which airline are we starting with? Of course, the national flag carrier of Switzerland, Swiss, previously known as Swiss Air, founded back in 1931 and headquartered out of Zurich. In the 1950s, they began operating transatlantic routes, which is when first class was introduced to the airline. For years, Swiss Air was known as the flying bank due to its reputation for financial stability and high quality service. Shall we see how this stacks up today? Swiss shared check-in facilities with other Lufthansa Group airlines. Though thankfully the first class check-in is empty and within moments, I'm completing the required formalities to issue my boarding pass. Next, a Swiss representative appears to escort me through security and to the lounge. It's a polished service and within moments, I'm entering the Royal Thai Orchard Lounge, which Swiss utilizes here at BKK. There's a separate roped off section specifically for first class, which includes a restaurant, small buffet and comfy seating to the rear, which is where I'm heading. I'm offered a menu, but I'll be saving my appetite for the onboard cuisine. Instead, a caffeine hit is in order. It's not all too long before it's time to head over to the S gates for my departing flight. Introducing our five-year-old Boeing 777-300ER, which will be taking us over to Switzerland today. A quick scan of my boarding pass and I'm off down the jet bridge, assisted by a member of the friendly ground staff. Well, hello to my new home, One Alpha. Let's get my bag stowed in the dedicated overhead bin and settle down into my suite. I'm offered a welcome drink of my preference, sparkling water, some warmed cashew nuts, along with a refreshing scented towel. As boarding is completed, the jet bridge begins to retract and we're invited to fasten our seatbelts as the safety video begins to screen. You are obliged to have your seatbelt fastened whenever you're seated until the aircraft comes to a full stop. So where exactly are we flying today? We'll fly for the next 6,000 miles and 12 hours, all the way over to Zurich, Switzerland. It's not all too long before we reach our cruising altitude of 38,000 feet. Should we take a proper look around our aircraft? The Swiss Boeing 777 boasts capacity for 320 passengers over four classes of service. Our first class cabin has room for eight in a one-to-one configuration and I've selected the aforementioned One Alpha for this trip. The suite itself, whilst not exactly cutting edge, is functional, classy, and comfortable with a large armchair, ambient reading light, and 32-inch television screen. There's intuitive seating controls to your left along with concealed storage containing a power outlet and IFE remote. It does show some signs of wear though, despite not being a particularly old cabin. Other seat options include the middle, which would be my pick if you're traveling as a couple. I make it time for some lunch. Should we take a peek at the menu? Now this is meant to be dine-on-demand but does not seem to be offered by the crew today, odd given the length of the flight. Let's retract the tray table and prepare for our meal. I'll start with the champagne, which strangely is poured in the galley, not at my seat. But upon asking, the bottle is proudly presented to me. We have a rather special Pommery Cuvée Louise. My table is set and I'm offered some freshly baked bread to compliment my meal. To begin, I opt for the selection of Swiss air-dried meat specialities. For my main, I've ordered the beef tenderloin with creamy mushroom orzo and a side of broccoli and garlic roasted carrots. I'm offered no preference with the beef, but it's cooked medium rare and tastes delicious. To finish, of course, we have to have the cheese plate. Switzerland, after all, is known for its incredible offering. This is shortly followed by some signature Swiss chocolates. With lunch out of the way, I'm gonna get more comfortable. So let's boot the Tims off. And replace them with these super squashy looking slippers. Now to try out the in-flight entertainment. This means putting on the provided headphones, which whilst noise canceling, appear to be unbranded. They do the job, but I expect better in first class. Movie selection is not bad. It's not Emirates ice level, but it's more than fine for a 12-hour flight. If you'd rather stream your own content, this is possible via the inclusive wifi, which I found to be fast and usable for most of today's flight. Movie time over, I think it's time for an afternoon nap. Naturally, this involves changing into the provided PJs. Let's head to the bathroom. Swiss have two of these at the front of the first class cabin and are kept spotless throughout our flight. It's no Emirates shower spa, but it's a decent washroom featuring pricey Sicily cosmetics. Additionally, I've been provided with an amenity kit containing yet more Sicily products, along with a dental kit and earplugs. Let's get changed into the designer, Zimmerli PJs. These are fab. Gone is my armchair and in its place a six foot two bed with mattress topper, duvet and fluffy pillow. I'll stow my clothes in the suite's wardrobe, which works as so, and hop into bed. For additional privacy, you can close this partition at your suite. And if you want to be fully enclosed, you can even open your wardrobe door, though that does feel a bit clunky. Anyway, catch you in a few hours. It's not all too long before landing, so we best get out of these PJs. With my seatbelt fastened, we begin our descent with our flight path tracking us right over the Swiss Alps. Welcome to Switzerland and indeed Zurich, the hub of Swiss Airlines. It was overall a great flight, though we found the suite a little dated and service felt rushed at the start, redeemed by the tasty food and comfy bed. As for now, myself and the five other first class passengers I led down some stairs adjacent to the jet bridge and over to a Swiss branded minibus. Where other airlines offer a private car, I guess Swiss prefers a more communal approach. It's appreciated nonetheless. While everyone else continues to arrivals, I'm dropped off at the first class connections, passport control and indeed the lounge. This is the Swiss A lounge, which is for Schengen zone passengers, i.e. those connecting onto countries shown here. It's a solid lounge with a full service bar, comfy seating, help you sell food and beverage stations and a restaurant of which we're going to sample. Of course, I couldn't very well come all the way to Switzerland and not try fondue. Served with potatoes, pickles and fresh bread. Certainly one of the more extraordinary meals I've had in an airport lounge. So in order to catch our next first class flight, we need to make it to another European country. This means a connecting Swiss flight is needed, leaving from B gates down a level in the terminal. Now you may be surprised to see an Air Baltic aircraft meeting us at the jet bridge. This is because Swiss has had to wet lease a bunch of their A220s to facilitate a lack of their own aircraft due to maintenance and supply chain issues. Anyhow, let's settle into this short one hour hop. As you'll have no doubt have spotted, this flight will be taking us the 300 mile journey over to Paris. ♪ Fly me out to Paris, I'm the baddest. ♪ ♪ I just want the money I can manage. ♪ ♪ Bust it down, I want a ring with the carats. ♪ We have an overnight layover here before continuing on our next European airline in the morning. For tonight's accommodation, I thought I'd book into arguably the best hotel in town, the Four Seasons George V, once voted number one in the world. To be honest, I can see why. The attention to detail here is flawless and the room is breathtakingly beautiful. They're known to research each guest beforehand. I think it's fair to say they did their research well. Well, it's a beautiful good morning from the lovely Paris and we've got the sun shining. I can't quite believe that just 24 hours ago, I was in Thailand and now I have a coat on, but anyway, that's the nature of this challenge. After a brief morning stroll, there's just enough time to indulge in a Four Seasons breakfast before getting into my awaiting Mercedes to whisk me back to the airport. Of course, Air France is up next, the flag carrier of France since its founding in 1933. Air France began with daily air services throughout Europe and like Swiss initiated transatlantic operations in the 1950s. Throughout the years, premium cabins have always been glamorous, but none have come close to the prestige of Concorde from 1976 to 2003. But what does first class look like today? Let's find out. I'm invited to use this private entrance separate to the main passenger terminal. Welcome to La Première. I'm invited to take a seat in this beautifully appointed lounge and serve the sparkling water. Meanwhile, my check-in formalities are completed whilst I relax. With my tickets to hand, I'm escorted over to a private security screening and then to a waiting Porsche. This is far from the communal Swiss van. The purpose of this transfer is not to take me to the plane, but to take me over to the lounge so that I don't step foot in the main terminal building. Welcome to the Air France La Première lounge. There's comfortable seating, a nap room, shower suites, a spa with complimentary treatments, and a restaurant. Having not long ago eaten breakfast, I'll only order a light snack here. I'm initially served a DC along with fresh bread, followed by a selection of French charcuterie. Not really a light snack, but hey. It's not all too long before I'm led over to another Porsche, this time to be driven over to the aircraft. Here we are then, our awaiting 20-year-old Boeing 777-300ER. Let's head up to the jet bridge and go get on board then. Let's firstly stow my bags in the overhead bin before settling into my suite, One Lima. I'm served my go-to sparkling water along with some French chocolates. Within a few minutes, the fasten seatbelt is illuminated. As the safety video, well, it doesn't run, so a manual one is undertaken. The next segment of our journey will take us some 3,500 miles all the way over to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. About 15 minutes after takeoff, we reach our cruising altitude of 39,000 feet. Should we take a look around our aircraft then? This Boeing 777 has room for 296 passengers across four classes of service. We're in one of the four first class suites, which occupy a single row of this plane in a one-to-one config. It's a simple yet elegant cabin as well as being refreshingly unique. Following this minimalistic theme, your IFE controls are hidden in this cubby along with some decent Denon noise-canceling headphones. One of this suite's party pieces is being able to shut this floor-to-ceiling curtain, providing the illusion of complete privacy. Anyway, should we take a look at today's menu? What's more, being a French airline, there's a comprehensive wine list, which includes a rather special 2015 Piper Heinsick Rare Champagne. And unlike Swiss, this is poured at my seat, along with some mixed nuts and cheese biscuits. Now to get that tray table out and commence food service. Can you believe we've flown for over 12 hours so far in first class and caviar hasn't even been mentioned? Time to change that with Le Premier Signature Caviar Service. As we fly back over the Alps we passed just yesterday, my cream of carrot and cumin soup is served, along with a selection of fresh breads. It's pasta time in form of cannelloni filled with spinach, alpine cheese and mushrooms. Still with us, for my main I've chosen the lobster fricassee. To finish I'm offered a selection of desserts from tarts to ice cream, but instead go for the cheese board again, which is most impressive and a jump up from the Swiss offering. With food service out of the way, let's turn our attention to the in-flight entertainment. Here's the first real disappointment of the flight, it's not working. I do understand though, these things happen and thankfully the wifi is working, albeit a bit on the slow side. In an attempt to wind down from today's excitement, I'm served some jet lag tea, which was a fantastic recommendation from my proactive flight attendant. As I enjoy my tea, the captain comes over to my seat to apologize for the IFE not working and to hope that I'm having a good experience flying Le Premier. What a thoughtful and meticulous touch. Now to try on the provided pajamas and check out the amenity kit. Both are stowed in this wonderful red suede lined Ottoman in front of my seat. There's one bathroom located past the galley at the front of the first class cabin. Size-wise it's near on identical to Swiss and it's fully stocked with Sicily products, as is the recently launched amenity kit, which also features an eye mask, pen and comb. These are possibly the most substantial PJs I've ever had on board a flight and are of breathable heavy duty cotton. During my absence, my fantastic flight attendant has turned down my suite into a bedroom. There's no wardrobe per se, so my clothes will be stored in the overhead bin for now. The curtains close with ease and join in the middle with magnets embedded into the material. It makes for one of the most secluded private spaces, by illusion at least, in the sky. All these time zones are for sure starting to take their toll. Let's get my Timbs back on and fasten my seatbelt as we begin to make our final descent into Dubai. Welcome to the United Arab Emirates. We thankfully have a relatively short taxi to our stand and begin to disembark our aircraft in no time. I'm met by an airline representative who escorts me over to a waiting buggy. This will take me as far as immigration. My next flight is in the morning, so for now I'll freshen up in the Four Seasons downtown. Well, a very good morning here from Dubai. I slept wonderfully. I expect unsurprisingly, given the amount of distance that we've traveled, there's just enough time to have a quick look around this gorgeous pool area and grab some breakfast before we head back over to the airport. As we glide across Dubai to departures for our next first class flight, let me tell you how I no longer need to worry about my personal data being bought and sold online. And that's all down to today's video sponsor, Incogni. They search online for your private data and within minutes find where your data appears and have it removed instantly. 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Incogni are giving you a 60% discount when you use my promo code TREKTRENDY at incogni.com forward slash TREKTRENDY. Welcome to DXB Terminal 1. This is where you'll depart and arrive into Dubai if you're not flying on board Emirates. So who are we flying now? Next up is my very own flag carrier, British Airways. Launched in 1974 as a result of the merging of British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways. The 70s also saw BA operate the Concorde, which at the time was the pinnacle of premium travel. Over the decades, BA has been quite the pioneer, even introducing the world's first fully flat beds in business class back in the year 2000. Some say they've lost this trailblazing personality. I guess we need to find out. Check-in is brief and oddly deserted, given how big BA's presence is here in Dubai. With my tickets in hand, let's head over to departures and security. No fast track here for first, and I'm through in about 20 minutes. Now to find our lounge. It's good to see BA have their own outpost here. After a scan of my boarding pass, I'm directed through to the business class section, which in itself looks pretty good, and over to the bar, which is exclusively for first class passengers. There's an array of different wines and soft drinks, spirits, but strangely no champagne. The space offers a la carte dining and comfy seating to lounge in, of which we absolutely have to try. As I've had breakfast already, I think I'll wait until I get on board to indulge, but a diet Pepsi will suffice for the moment. It's time to head to our gate, D2, where our aircraft is awaiting departure. We'll be getting on board this 28-year-old Boeing 777-200ER, delivered new to BA back in 1998. It's actually one of BA's oldest aircraft. Let's hope the cabins have been updated since. I'll stow my carry-on in the overhead bin and settle into one alpha. As much as I love the blue ambient lighting, I've got to get some natural light in here, if anything to help combat the jet lag. Next, I'm presented with a cold towel, sparkling water, some olives, nuts, and cheesy biscuits. Within a few minutes, the jet bridge retracts, and it's time to fasten my seatbelt as the safety video begins to screen. Your devices, including laptops, must be switched off and placed in your luggage for takeoff and landing. So where exactly are we going? We'll be flying some 4,500 miles over the next seven hours to London. It's not all too long before we reach our cruising altitude. Therefore, it's time to take a proper look around. Our 777 has space for 235 passengers, over four classes of travel. In first, there are eight seats, of which five are occupied today. These suites were launched all the way back in 2010 and are certainly past their prime. There's a footrest cum buddy seat for couples dining, a pull-out 15-inch television controlled via IFE remote stowed to your left. Like with Swiss, there's even a closet space, though this does not double as a door. In all, it's a particularly dated but still very comfortable product. Should we take a look at the lunch menu then? BA offer a dine-on-demand concept and I'm proactively asked when I'd like to eat. Given it's been a few hours now since breakfast, I think we'll go for right away. My tray table retracts out of the console to my left, providing substantial space for my meal. As my table is set, I'm offered some champagne, Laurent-Pierre Grand Siècle, or how BA frequent flyers refer to as LPGS. Now for my amuse-bouche of cheese-stuffed pepper, grilled artichoke, and Kalamata olives. As I'm presented with some warm bread, my appetizer is served. The dill-marinated smoked salmon with heirloom tomatoes, burrata cheese, and pesto. For main, I go for the grilled beef steak with roasted garlic, confit cherry tomato, and a green peppercorn jus. To conclude proceedings, it's time for dessert. I've selected the warm carrot, almonds, and walnut cake, which is frankly rather dry. For comparison purposes, I sample the cheese plate, which is decent but not a touch on Air France. With food out of the way, I think it's time we take a look at the provided amenity kit and PJs, which is a huge dick in the box for BA. I rate this as one of the best amenity kits in the sky, stuffed to the brim with Elemis products, a pen, eye mask, and earplugs. Time to boot the Timbs off and get these comfy slippers on. Not quite as good as Swiss, but better than Air France. In order to change into these, unfortunately I cannot use the first bathroom as it's broken. So instead I'm relegated to the business class facilities. This is where you can really see this aircraft's age. But to be fair, this specific lav offers the most space out of all the airlines we've tested so far. Much better. These are super comfy and much lighter weight than the Air France PJs, which if I'm honest, did get a little warm. Back at my seat, it's been turned down into a bed, complete with plush mattress topper, duvet, and pillow. I'll stow my clothes in the ensuite wardrobe, which fold in nicely. Rather than sleep, I'm gonna watch a movie. BA provide these wonderful noise-canceling Meridian headphones for your use on board. Unfortunately, the IFE screen is simply not acceptable at 15 inches wide. If instead you prefer to watch your own content, this can actually be streamed for free using BA's wifi. Would you believe that our flight is not far off final descent? There's just enough time for a quick DC before I need to get the Tims back on and fasten my seatbelt, ready for landing. Welcome to London and indeed the United Kingdom. It's a strange feeling arriving back home, but this is not the end of my journey. Oh no, I'm heading straight for flight connections. And after a short security scan, I'm through into terminal five departures. Of course, this is the home of BA and it's time we give their flagship lounge a try. I introduce you to the Concorde room. Our onward flight is not on BA first, but we're able to use this thanks to arriving in this cabin class. It's a great space featuring ample comfy seating. There's a full service bar, terrace restaurant, which incidentally features a Concorde nose cone along with other related memorabilia. The bathroom facilities, unfortunately, are where this lounge falls significantly short, but enough about that. Let's instead head to the dining room. I'm impressed to find a pretty extensive menu here. From steak to fish pie, to what I've gone for, a burger. It's about time we start heading over to B gates for our next flight. We have a brief hop on this Airbus A320, the backbone of BA's short haul fleet. Not a huge amount to report here, aside from the fact intra-European business class is not great and is essentially economy with a blocked middle seat. Our flight will take us Southeast some two hours over to Germany. Welcome to Munich. We've arrived on one of the last flights of the evening, which as a result means a bus gate, of course. It's not all bad as we dropped right by passport control. And within moments, I'm in my transfer heading to the city center. Tonight, I'm booked into the Rosewood, the newest luxury hotel in town. For me, that means two things, time for a shower and time for sleep. Well, good morning and welcome to Munich. Of course, we arrived quite late last night, but there's enough time this morning to stretch the legs and explore the old town. Now, the next leg of the journey is gonna be on the national flag carrier of Germany, Lufthansa. Lufthansa was founded in 1953, commencing operations across Europe and later to North America by means of their Super Constellation flights. This is also where first class was introduced, called Senator Service back then. Over the years, this has evolved into their 747 offering. And as of this year, a brand new first class product. Let's get into our Mercedes transfer and go give this a try. Welcome to Munich International Airport. Regular check-in facilities are here, but for first and business class, there are entirely separate areas. Within moments, I'm provided with my boarding pass and invited to use the fast track facility. Next up, the lounge, accessible only to those in first class. It's a huge space featuring a full service bar and an a la carte restaurant with a fantastic buffet. Should you need to freshen up, you can make use of the bathrooms, complete with tubs, a rarity in airport lounges. Should you want to kick back, there's plenty of comfortable seating and even an outside terrace with fabulous sweeping apron views. I, however, opt for the armchairs with their own Avgeek friendly view. All seats can have F&B delivered directly to them and the menu is extensive. Though I'll be sticking to just a coffee for now, served alongside a sparkling water and my Lufthansa duck to take home. It's time to board our Lufthansa flight over at gate L21. This also grants us our first look at our aircraft, this two-year-old Airbus A350-900. Whilst the aircraft was delivered some time ago, first class was only installed a few months back. First up, I'll get my bag stowed under the seat. Sadly, this doesn't fit and with no overhead bin, this proves problematic. Thankfully, the crew managed to find somewhere and I instead stow my rucksack here. Initial impressions are wow. This is an entirely different world to yesterday's BA flight. I'm promptly served my requested sparkling water along with some olives and warmed nuts. It's not long before I need to get my seatbelt fastened as the safety video screens. Cover your mouth and nose with the mask. Always fit your own mask first before helping others. So where exactly are we going? We'll be flying for the next nine hours, some 5,000 miles all the way to Chicago, USA. As we reach our cruising altitude of 38,000 feet, I think it's time we take a proper look around our aircraft. There's capacity for a total of 267 passengers. I've selected one kilo in the first cabin, which features floor-to-ceiling privacy in among one of the most spacious seats in the sky. There's ample storage in your seat's cubby, also housing USB-C and A ports, along with AC power below and a wireless charging pad. This tablet stowed to your left can be used to control the various functions and most surprisingly, even the suite's temperature. What you won't find on the marketing material, however, it's not a true floor-to-ceiling suite like the Emirates Game Changer with noise and light let through above. The doors are also flimsy fabric with large door handle holes in them. Another seating option would be One Delta and Echo, which are combined into a single suite. I'm pretty sure this can only be booked for couples traveling together or else that would be one awkward flight. Anyway, I think it's time to take a look at today's in-flight menu. I'll start off with the champagne, another Laurent-Purier Grand Siècle, just like BA. Let's get the tray table out then as my amuse-bouche of carrot tartar is served. Next, I'm presented with some freshly baked bread and my table is set. Of course, this means it's caviar time. Fun fact, Lufthansa Group are the world's largest consumer of caviar, which is why it's strange to see no mother of pearl spoon provided. Next, I've gone for the soup with semolina dumplings and sauteed spinach. For main, I've chosen the beef roulade with potato and leek puree. Now for the dessert trolley with an impressive selection of cheeses and sweet items to choose from. I've gone for the selection of cheese for comparison's sake and, of course, the creme caramel to satisfy my sweet tooth. As we cruise over the icy landscape of Greenland, I'm offered some artisanal German chocolates and boot the Timbs off. With Swiss being in the Lufthansa Group, it's no surprise to see similar slippers provided, which are equally as comfortable. Let's grab my PJs and amenity kit and journey over to the bathroom at the front of the first cabin, just beyond the galley. Certainly the most custom bathroom of the trip with faux wooden features and ambient lighting. Not forgetting the signature rose and Augustina's bada cosmetics. I'm also in love with the Rimowa-style amenity kit, containing more fancy cosmetics and the Porsche-designed pajamas. Back at my suite, my fantastic flight attendant has turned this down into a bedroom, complete with plush duvet, fluffy pillows, mattress topper and soft blanket. I'll stow my clothes in the en-suite wardrobe located to the left of the space, take my slippers off and hop in. As mentioned, the doors are rather flimsy, but Lycare France provide the illusion of privacy, which is really all you need at 38,000 feet. I slept wonderfully. There's simply so much space here, which is probably neck and neck with Air France's bed. Time to test the IFE. Lufthansa provide these wonderful Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones, which for the first time I've ever seen on board a commercial aircraft are wireless. I'll use the tablet to navigate the movie selection, which is pretty extensive and settle in to watch Christopher Nolan classic. If you're after wifi, it seems you're out of luck, as whilst this is included, it wasn't working for the entire flight. Would you believe our final flight is coming to a close? Let's get changed and prepare for landing. We'll run through the rankings and the all-important cost when we're on the ground. Welcome to the United States of America, specifically Chicago. Now for a transfer downtown, which takes approximately 45 minutes. Okay, so firstly, how much did all this cost? First up, the Swiss flight, which was booked in the same ticket as Lufthansa and a total of $13,000. Next up is Air France Le Premier, which thanks to my platinum flying blue status, I was able to book an award ticket for 183,500 miles. For reference, cash tickets on this route, around $7,000. Lastly, British Airways, coming in at the lowest cash price at $3,800. This brings the grand total for this trip to just under $17,000. But which airline was the best? Of course, a subjective answer, but from my experience, Air France wins this from the flawless ground service, classy and comfortable in-flight product, and fantastic cabin crew. That said, here are my final rankings by airline. Let me know if you agree or would have placed these airlines in a different order down below. Well, hello from a particularly cold Chicago. That concludes our incredible adventure across the world. Do let me know what you think in the comments down below and I'll catch you all again next time.