I paid cash for this one. I don't have status or miles on AA or BA and probably wouldn't have burned them on BA First if I did. My miles are with another alliance and I'm saving them up for an around-the-world trip with an Asian airline. Cathay/Singapore/Emirates/Etihad are the only first class products worth blowing miles on, IMHO.
I've flown pretty much every single first class long-haul product. There are some great first on non-Asian airlines too. You name Emirates / Etihad. I'd say my all time favorite first class is Swiss, and Lufthansa is great too.
Here's the full list I'd consider aspirational and worth flying in long-haul first:
- Swiss
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Garuda Indonesia
- Singapore
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Korean Air (on 748i and 77W only)
- Thai
Not quite at the same level but still great:
- JAL
- ANA
- Qatar
- Asiana
- Cathay Pacific
