Most mortal men think of airline “upgrades” in terms of how many free bags of peanuts they can score or whether they can finagle a free Heineken from the flight attendant. However, if you’re the sort of hotshot who demands more, there’s a good chance you only fly business class or better. After all, who wants to fly in cramped economy seating when they can spread out and actually relax and arrive at their destination?
If you’ve had the chance to fly in a top-of-the-line business class seat, you know what we’re talking about. It’s worth the splurge if you haven’t, especially on a long flight.
To help you choose, we’ve compiled a list of some of the world’s best business class cabins that will get you to your destination in style.
The world’s best business class cabins
Singapore Airways business class
Singapore Airways business class is among the best in the world. Each seat is a cocoon-like carbon composite shell that features Poltrona Frau upholstery and plenty of privacy. Inside is a generous 25-inch-wide seat with 50 inches of pitch that folds into a 78-inch-long bed. Business class passengers in the center row of seats can connect their pods together to form a single bed, which is ideal for couples and families traveling together. There’s also an 18-inch touchscreen entertainment screen, and every gourmet meal service is plated on Narumi chinaware.
Emirates business class
Dubai is a model for excess, consumerism, and an almost absurd level of luxury. So, it’s fitting that their official airline, Emirates, is no different. The brand has long been considered “the gold standard” for airline service and amenities worldwide. Their business class cabins are second to none — luxurious spaces where every passenger has a lie-flat bed, a premium, private cocktail bar, industry-leading in-flight entertainment options, and even complimentary chauffeur service to/from the airport. If that isn’t enough, their Mercedes-Benz-inspired First Class Suites are like mini-luxury hotel rooms in the sky.
Etihad Airways business class
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways continues to nip at the heels of Emirates with a business class cabin that’s almost as good. The airline boasts business studios on its fleet of superjumbo jets, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787. The semi-private seats incorporate an 18.5-inch touchscreen entertainment system, a fold-flat bed with built-in massager, and a boutique hotel-inspired lobby lounge where A380 passengers can mingle among fellow one-percenters.
Qatar Airways business class
Qatar Airways has often been crowned “The Best Airline in the World,” and they have the business class cabins to prove it. Passengers receive access to on-demand gourmet dining, a lie-flat bed, and a dual-screen multimedia entertainment system (play a game on one while watching a Bond flick on the other) with over 3,000 TV shows, movies, and songs. There are even branded amenity kits from Italy’s Castello Monte Vibiano Vecchio and plush cotton sleepwear when all the luxury and pampering are too much for you to bear.
The best of the rest
Many major airlines are upgrading their business class experience in an effort to grab higher-paying travelers, so this list is sure to keep growing over the years. Here are some more business class suites worth checking out.
All-Nippon Airways: “The Room”
The offering from Japan’s All-Nippon Airways is aptly named because all of the suites come with a door for privacy, giving you your own personal room. Inside, you’ll find extra-wide tables, a 24-inch screen, and a huge amount of personal space to stretch out and relax.
Air France: La Première
Air France has recently overhauled its La Première class, upgrading the suites to be reportedly the longest in the world. This is great for flyers who value their personal space. But this is less like an airline seat than it is a flying lounge. These suites come with not only the expected luxury seat, but also feature both a sofa and a fully flat bed, so if you really wanted to, you could have your neighbors over. But let’s face it, you’re just going to use all of that space yourself, and who would blame you?
