Business class seats are becoming more luxurious than ever. Some would even consider the flight a vacation in and of itself. To give you an idea of what modern-day business class can look like, we’ve compiled a list of 7 airlines offering some of the most luxurious business class flight accommodations.
British Airways
British Airways first revolutionized business class 20 years ago with its introduction of the first fully lie-flat seat and an innovative “Ying/Yang” seat plan. Since then, British Airways has provided a consistently luxurious business class experience through its wide-body fleet and private seating. Plus, British Airways has gone through a serious upgrade over the past couple of years resulting in improved catering (from an internationally-acclaimed Austrian catering company, DO&CO), excellent bedding, and some of the most stylish amenity kits available in the sky. In addition to this, last July British Airways introduced a new suite concept on-board its A350 planes consisting of direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy, luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, 18.5-inch entertainment screens, and 40 % more storage space per seat (including a vanity unit and mirror).
Emirates
Business-class passengers aboard Emirates’ Airbus 380 fleet enjoy a staggered 1–2–1 configuration, direct aisle access, and the perfect amount of privacy. They even cater to passenger party sizes, with the window Business Class seats being suited for solo travelers and the dual and more intimate center cabin seats being suited for partners traveling together. Throw into the mix large amenity kits, an extensive in-flight entertainment selection, chauffeur service to the plane, a gigantic Dubai airport lounge, and even a spacious, stocked bar on the upper deck, and Emirates’ A380 becomes the quintessential business class experience. However, it’s important to know that this Business Class experience is typically only offered on the Airbus A380 and not the Emirates’ Boeing 777s, which offer an inferior 2-3-2 configuration with no direct aisle access for all passengers.
Japan Airlines
JAL Sky Suites, the name for business class suites aboard Japan Airlines, are completely enclosed for each individual passenger. In other words, all business class passengers have their own private space. Passengers can also control the amount of privacy they want with retractable privacy partitions (which can be lowered when you are traveling with a companion). The JAL Sky Suite III, introduced in 2017, offers an even more spacious 1-2-1 configuration, providing all passengers with direct aisle access. Inside each Sky Suite, passengers have access to ample storage space beneath an ottoman, a 23-inch LCD monitor (one of the largest in its class), and comfortable bedding with a highly resilient airweave mattress and pillow. As far as other perks, JAL offers both Western and Japanese menus created by world-renowned chefs. Without even so much as peaking your head out of your Sky Suite, you can order in-flight meals from an a la carte menu by simply tapping a touch screen. You can also order food at any time, and as often as you wish.
United Airlines
New to the upgraded business class experience is United Airlines. United introduced their new Polaris Business class concept just a couple of years ago, which features staggered seats that allow every other row to have “true” window seats. These seats still maintain a high degree of privacy, and, similar to Emirates, every other row also has “honeymoon” seats in the center section that is perfect for traveling couples. Outside of seating, United Polaris offers bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, restaurant-quality dining with a rotating monthly menu, cozy slippers, premium skincare items from Sunday Riley, earplugs, an ergonomic eye mask, and even pajamas on flights longer than 12 hours. United Polaris can also take advantage of the United Polaris lounge in select airports around the world. Keep in mind that United Polaris is currently only available aboard all United Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-10s, and some 767-300s and 777-200s.
JetBlue
Despite being otherwise known as a low-cost airline, JetBlue’s Business class offers very unique perks not offered by other, higher-end airlines. Mainly, JetBlue is the first to provide business class seats with doors. Otherwise, JetBlue’s Mint Suites provide lie-flat seats (which extend to 6’8″) and plenty of storage space. Outside of the cabins, JetBlue Mint offers artisanal dining, tons of free entertainment, award-winning service, and a complimentary Hayward & Hopper amenity kit. JetBlue Mint can be found aboard all Mint configured Airbus A321 aircrafts.
Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways’ newest business class experience provides seat configurations catering to all kinds of travelers. Solo travelers can enjoy the spacious window seats and couples can enjoy the “honeymoon” seats in the middle of the cabin. Both options offer plenty of privacy and ergonomically-designed, comfortable seating. Other than this, Business Class passengers aboard Etihad Airways benefit from direct aisle access, more than enough storage space, seat upholstery by Poltrona Frau, and 22-inch wide seats that convert into lie-flat beds (which support up to 6 feet and 8 inches in length). There’s even a lounge aboard A380 aircraft located between first and business class that seats up to six guests. In this lounge, passengers can take advantage of a power supply and connectivity ports.
Eva Air
EVA Air’s ‘Royal Laurel Class’ Business class experience maximizes space for its passengers through its reverse herringbone 1-2-1 layout. When it’s time to sleep, seats can be converted into beds approximately 82 inches long providing more than enough space for passengers to stretch out and relax. Passengers can also take refuge in the fact that they can use fixed panels to create their own space and enjoy as much privacy as they like. Like coming home to your apartment, Business class passengers even have a space to hang clothing, a shoe cabinet, a retractable armrest, and a cocktail table. Also provided are amenity kits, noise-canceling headphones, Fiji water, seasonal cuisine, and the over-the-top attendant service (in the best way possible) that EVA Air has become known for. Similar to United Polaris, EVA Air is also one of the few airlines to offer pajamas in Business Class.
