Residences, shower spas and private lofts: The most luxurious airline experiences ranked

Etihad Airways tops AirAdvisor’s list with The Residence, a three-room suite offered to travelers at 40,000 feet and beyond. The award highlights a private bedroom, an ensuite shower and a separate living area, along with pre-flight options such as home or hotel check-in, chauffeur transfers and a personalized welcome at the airport.

Emirates places second with its A380 Shower Spa, a feature available to first-class flyers that includes a dedicated shower room, a vanity area, and heated flooring while in flight. The ranking notes this amenity is exclusive to Emirates’ first-class product.

SWISS claims the third spot with its First Grand Suite, unveiled in 2025 and rolled out in 2026. The setup combines two adjoining first-class suites to form a private space that can function as a bedroom, office or meeting room for up to three travelers.

The list, compiled by AirAdvisor, focuses on experiences that go beyond standard lie-flat seats and lounge access, evaluating extravagance, rarity, privacy, access, and the beyond-the-seat experience. The evaluation period considered information available as of September 2026.

Rounding out the top five are Air France La Première, which offers a private 45 square meter suite before boarding, and Singapore Airlines Suites, a cabin class featuring a separate seat and a double bed. The study excludes private aviation and discontinued amenities to maintain a focus on publicly available, current experiences.