Taylor Rains
Singapore's first class was again named the world's best for 2024.James D. Morgan/Getty Images
- Singapore Airlines won the 2024 Skytrax award for the world's best first-class service.
- The airline's Airbus A380 planes sport a hotel-like suites that can convert into double rooms.
Singapore Airlines is heralded as one of the most luxurious carriers in the world, earning loyalty for its nice cabins, attentive flight attendants, and reliable operation.
It fought Doha-based competitor Qatar Airways for Skytrax's 2024 title of world's best airline, winning in 2023 but losing to Qatar this year.
However, one Skytrax awards category Singapore has consistently won since 2018 is Best First Class for the hotel-like suites on its Airbus A380s.
Although some travelers savvy enough with points may snag a seat, the exclusive cabin is widely booked by deep-pocket business and leisure passengers, as roundtrip tickets can cost up to $30,000.
Outside the suite, customers can freshen up in one of the two giant lavatories reserved for first-class.
The two lavatories sit at the front of the cabin on either side of the staircase, though one is larger than the other.
Six people will be sharing two bathrooms, which is a much better ratio than in economy.
Passengers will find a vanity, toilet, toiletries, a baby-changing station, and a full-sized mirror in each restroom.
The vanity in the smaller lavatory is connected to the sink, though the one in the larger bathroom is separate with its own chair and mirror.
It sits between the toilet and the sink as a divider, which makes the space feel even bigger.
The bathrooms do not feature a shower, though.
Unlike Emirates and Etihad's first-class showers, Singapore does not include one because carrying the water would be a costly added weight.
Those hoping to experience the world's best first-class have just a few places to catch a ride — but none are in the US.
Cirium data shows Singapore flies its A380s on select routes between Changi and Asia, Europe, and Australia.
These include flying to Mumbai, Delhi, Frankfurt, London, Shanghai, and Sydney. The US fell off the list last year.
Singapore used to fly its A380 to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport via Germany but replaced it with a Boeing 777-300ER in May 2023.
The plane change cut capacity in half as Singapore found more revenue opportunity flying the mammoth plane to Australia instead.
However, the jet still has first-class — albeit not as bougie. Nor does it meet the luxury of rival top-notch first-class A380 cabins that fly to the US, such as Etihad and Emirates.