what is the best airline1st class cabin and value for money to europe

what is the best airline1st class cabin and value for money to europe

Etihad have the best First Class and their fares are very competative as well.  They have return First Class fares from AUD$9821.00 plus taxes.

Wow that's a bold statement to make. Define "best".

Does this help?

http://www.worldairlineawards.com/Awards_2012/fclass.htm

Yes that would help only if the question reads as follows:

"What is the best airline 1st class cabin, from the perspective of Skytrax, and value for money to europe".

It's all subjective what one defines as best.

I don't know about you but I'd prefer to fly SQ F to Europe if I had an option. Or SQ/LH connecting in SIN.

I'd also choose Qatar over Etihad.

It really depends what you're looking for in terms of the first class service, and how you value it. A spanner in your works is that many airlines don't offer first class from Australia.

My choice (though I've not priced it recently) would be a mixed set (probably via point redemptions, because paying for this one would be pricey): Qantas to Hong Kong on one of the days that the A380 flies, Cathay to London, British Airways from London to Hong Kong, and Qantas back to Sydney.

Emirates also has a great product, and I'm looking forward to trying out Etihad this week. Keep an eye here on AusBT for my thoughts!

Wow - interesting question, and a tricky one to answer, as so much depends not just on the subjectivity of 'best' but the price you can get, and how affordable you consider that (because that's crucial to the ratio which results in 'value for money').

First up: do you want a suite or a seat? I know some people would love to be in a private suite, a la Singapore Airlines and Emirates, and if that's really high on your list then you'll lean towards those airlines.

I like John's idea of sampling all of them, using a mixed points oneworld booking – but if you want to stick with one airline I'd suggest QF on an A380 to London (with their famed degustation menu) or BA to London (superb first class) as seats, or an Emirates or SQ A380 for suites.

Typing in random dates in November for a SYD-LHR rtn I see that EK, QF, BA and EY areequally priced, whereas SQ, CX (note, even with C on SYD-HKG vv in C) and LH are way more expensive. OUt of the three equally priced ones I have flown EK, QF and BA in F and I must say that I would tend to go for EK (or QF) because when you add up the plusses and minuses EK has the better overall product in my opinion. In general I find the quality of the food good on EK (only beaten by QF on flights ex Asutralia) and the wines served are very decent (they serve Dom Perignon and caviarhow can you beat that!). The suites if you fly A380 / 777-300ER are comfortable and the shower on A380 is a bonus. Lounges always very good and in DXB fantastic. Yes, BA has the Concorde room which is neat, but it is located in terminal 5 and if you fly via SIN your flights depart T3 so you cannot make use of it. QF is very good, esp flying from Australia, one of the best F lounges, serving a nice degustation menu onbaord and their wines are definitely on par or even better than EK. You just don't have a suite, but if that is not on your list it does not matter. I guess your loyalty to an airline alliance might influence the choice.

Having never flown EY I have no opinion, stories I hear and read are mixed. Maybe John can shed a light on the product and give us his insights.

I have only ever flow with Qantas in First so my opinion is obviously lacking a comparison point; however, I must say that the design of the Qantas A380 F seat is such that you are screened off from all other passengers when seated.  Yes people can see in when they walk past, but I get the impression from pictures that staff etc can see over the top of the 'wall' into the first suite on say EK/SQ.  The only advantage to the suites I can see is the SQ offer to make up a double suite in the middle...Oh and if you combine the Sydney F lounge with the Cathay offerings in HK I think you hve a winner for lounges etc en-route to LHR.  Certainly better that the current QF/BA offering in SIN.  If prices are similar go with either a QF/CX or a QF option. 

The best value is QF via New Zealand believe it or not. Qantas CHC-SYD-SIN-LHR is $9,400 AUD return, which unbelieveably is circa 2-3000 cheaper than ex SYD despite the additional connecting trans tasman J flights. note that the CHC-SYD-CHC (or AKL/WLG) legs are in J class. To take up this offer you would of course have to add a return airfare to NZ, for say $500. This would still give you a sub $10,000 return to LHR with the SYD-SIN-LHR rtn legs in QF F though!!!