With a luxury experience that starts long before travelers get off the ground, Air France was awarded the best first class in the industry for its La Première cabin . The designation, part of Skytrax's 2026 World Airline Awards , was awarded due to the carrier's "dedication to delivering total excellence in First Class," per the company . Air France edged out Singapore Airlines in a selective category that only listed ten top airlines instead of the usual twenty. Air France also took first place for having the best first class airline lounge dining for its La Première lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), and for having the best first class airline comfort amenities. Skytrax collects data from airline passengers via surveys over the course of 12 months, allowing any airline to be nominated, and said over 100 different passenger nationalities were represented in the survey population. "From the very beginning of the new La Première cabin project, we set ourselves one clear objective: to offer the world's best First Class experience," Benjamin Smith, the CEO of Air France-KLM, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure . "This is an exceptional and entirely new product, rooted in our heritage and reflecting our unique vision of the French art of travel." The airline worked for three years to design the suites, Smith added. Each features five windows. "Every detail has been carefully considered to offer our customers an experience worthy of a private jet," Smith said. "From the time they arrive at the airport through to their destination, Air France's La Première is undoubtedly our highest expression of travel, and it is a great source of pride for all our teams to see it recognized by Skytrax today." Air France first unveiled a refresh of its La Première cabin in spring 2025, featuring a redesigned seat and a separate chaise lounge that converts to a full-size bed. The space is complimented by soft lighting, floor-level storage compartments with room for two carry on-sized bags, and an individual closet. La Première guests departing from CDG enjoy chauffeur car transfers to and from the airport. Upon arrival, their luggage is handled by a porter and they're escorted to a private reception area, before being led to a private security screening exclusively for La Première passengers. The newly-redesigned La Première lounge offers dishes designed by Alain Ducasse along with treatments at the Sisley spa. Passengers are then brought directly to their aircraft in a Porsche Cayenne hybrid vehicle. La Première is offered only on select routes from Paris on flights operated by the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Each of the four suites on board are separated from the aisle by a floor-to-ceiling curtain. Suites are also equipped with power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging pads, and a holder for smartphones and tablets. Multi-course meals designed by chefs like Daniel Boulud and Laurent Le Daniel are served on specially-designed Limoges porcelain with glassware and cutlery from Christofle. Amenity kits offer four products from French beauty brand Sisley, along with other essentials like earplugs and protective headphone covers. And the sleep experience completes the luxury trip with a pajama set designed by Jacquemus.

In addition to being named the best first class airline for the first time, Air France was awarded the title of the best airline in Western Europe for the sixth consecutive year. This is the full list of the top 10 winners for the best first class airlines. Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Cathay Pacific Airways Swiss International Air Lines Swiss International Air Lines ANA All Nippon Airways ANA All Nippon Airways Read the original article on Travel & Leisure