The world’s best airlines for long-haul Business Class include Qatar, Emirates, Etihad, American, United, Delta, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss, Lufthansa, and Cathay Pacific.
Unlike traveling in economy, a trip in Business Class is an enjoyable experience. The queues evaporate, you relax in excellent airport lounges, the staff really seem to care, your in-flight seat is comfortable and most probably turns into a lie-flat bed, and you will be treated to gourmet food and wine throughout.
The Middle Eastern carriers tend to offer the best Business Class and are my top choices. These include Qatar, which has recently introduced a First Class on their A380 (with onboard shower!).
Singapore Airlines is exceptional and comes in 4th in my list. The airline offers the widest in the world with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 forward-facing cabin layout, and the food is restaurant-style and specially created by celebrated chefs.
Finnair’s Airbus A350 XWB (extra wide body) aircraft has an excellent long-haul Business Class product, a bright and spacious Business Class cabin with seating in a 1-2-1 layout.
Next, we pick Japan Airlines with its excellent JAL Sky Suites or pods. These pods offer an excellent night’s sleep with their airweave mattress, pillow, and some of the best Business Class food, with both Western and Japanese menus.
All American Airlines have recently introduced new Business Class cabins and seats. Elsewhere we have discussed which American Airlines has the best new Business Class separately. With their current offerings, they do not come at the top of the list, but a number of the current American Airlines seats that you can book beat British Airways, which currently offers a consistent but narrow “Club Class” seat (a new one is on its way but has not yet launched) with no direct aisle access. Virgin Atlantic has the edge over British Airways, although we feel Swiss has the edge over both with slick cabins and excellent food.
It is worth noting that your Business Class experience will not be consistent across airlines or even the carrier. For many American airlines, the experience varies vastly according to the aircraft you are traveling in, so it is worth working out which plane you will be flying on when booking your seat. This is my list of the world’s best airlines for long-haul Business Class:
The Worlds Best Airlines For long-haul Business Class
Qatar Airways Long Haul Business & First Class Flight Reviews
Luxury Travel Diary staff have flown with Qatar Airways a number of times and have reviewed their long-haul flights in First and Business Class. Trip reports can be found below. I rate the Middle Eastern Carriers; Qatar, Etihad and Emirates as the top airlines for First Class and have compared Emirates vs. Etihad vs. Qatar Airways to rank which is the best Airline in the Middle East. They all also feature in our top 10 best business class airlines in the world.
Review: Etihad Business Class On The A380
In this review, I look at Etihad's Business Class product on the A380 from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. This was, in fact, the second leg of a two-part Etihad journey that started in Hong Kong. You can also read our review of the Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi in Etihad Business Class. You can read all my Etihad flight reviews in Business Class to get a clearer picture of the product. Etihad and Qatar are the best Middle Eastern airlines to fly on, with Emirates coming in third. To find out more read our comparison of Etihad vs. Emirates vs. Qatar Airways.
Singapore Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
Luxury Travel Diary's writers have flown Singapore Airlines many times and reviewed their long-haul Business Class flights. Our trip reports can be found below. Singapore Airlines has a prestigious reputation, offering great service, delicious food, excellent in-flight entertainment, and the always smiling Singapore air hostess. Singapore Airlines currently has 13 A350-900 aircraft in its fleet, with another 56 on order, including seven ultra-long-haul A350-900ULR variants.
Finnair Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
Luxury Travel Diary staff have flown with Finnair a number of times and have reviewed their long-haul Business Class flights. Our trip reports can be found below. While Finnair’s Airbus A330s still features a decent and above average Business Class product with comfortable lie flat seats, the offering on these planes pales in comparison with the Business Class product that is offered on the Finnair Airbus A350. Finnair is part of the Oneworld Alliance. Its hub, Helsinki Vantaa Airport, is a very efficient place for a transit.
Japan Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
I have flown on Japan Airlines (JAL) many times and have reviewed their long-haul First and Business Class flights. My trip reports can be found below. Japan Airlines (JAL) offers a world-leading First class. In-flight, service is faultless with smiling faces. Staff are polite, professional and anticipatory. The food and the drinks menu is one of the best we have seen. The seat is oh so comfortable, especially in bed mode and the amenity kit is great – soft, snuggly pyjamas, a useful unisex kit plus gender-specific Shiseido face care kits.
Delta Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
We have reviewed Delta One, which is Delta's new long-haul Business Class product, along with Delta Airlines Premium Select which is their new Premium Economy offering. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta are the three main North American airlines, and all three have recently launched a new, upgraded business class soft and hard product with improved seats, food, and service. Elsewhere we discuss in more detail which of these new Business Class Suites is best. The new Delta One Business Class Suite will be available on Delta's new Airbus A350.
American Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta are the three main North American airlines and all three have all recently launched a new, upgraded business class soft and hard product, with improved seats, food and service. We've discussed in more detail which of these new Business Class suites is best. In my opinion, the United Polaris Business Class Pod cabins are probably the best looking of the three seats and the fact that these cabins are complemented by matching ground facilities means that this entire product is more of a complete experience than the American Airlines or Delta offerings.
United Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
United Airlines has recently launched a new, upgraded business class soft and hard product, with improved seats, food and service. In my opinion, the United Polaris Business Class Pod cabins are probably the best looking of the seats in this category offered by the three main North American airlines - United, American and Delta. The fact that these cabins are complemented by matching ground facilities means that this entire product is more of a complete experience than the American Airlines or Delta offerings.
Virgin Atlantic Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the two main British airlines that fly from North America to Europe, between New York and London, along with a number of other American cities. Both airlines feature in our top 10 best airlines for long-haul Business Class and we have also compared them directly in my best transatlantic airline for Business: British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic. In a nutshell, when comparing Virgin’s Upper Class to British Airways Club Class, Upper Class wins in almost every respect. The Clubhouse lounge is fun and has better food than BA’s Galleries lounges.
Swiss Airlines Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
Members of the Luxury Travel Diary team have flown with Swiss Airlines a number of times and have reviewed their long-haul flights in Business Class. Trip reports can be found below. Swiss is part of the Lufthansa group and has the reputation of being one of Europe’s best airlines, offering a great onboard product. The cabin design on Swiss is muted but sophisticated in grey and white, high-quality fabrics, and spotlessly clean. Having said that, on our trips, we found the seat was somewhat uncomfortable, even though the service and dining was excellent.
British Airways Long Haul Business Class Flight Reviews
I have flown with British Airways many times and have reviewed their long-haul business class flights in First and Club World as well as Premium Economy. My trip reports in Business Class can be found below. Remember, if you are planning to book a flight or a luxury hotel, contact our luxury travel concierge to get a quote before booking. We offer free upgrades, free breakfasts, deals, and special benefits. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the two main British airlines that fly from North America to Europe, between New York and London, along with several other American cities.
Lufthansa Long Haul Business & First Class Flight Reviews
Luxury Travel Dairy's writers have flown with Lufthansa a number of times and have reviewed their long-haul flights in First and Business Class. Our trip reports can be found below. Overall, our most recent Lufthansa Business Class experience on the 747-800 (pictured above) was good but not great. In particular, if you are a single traveler, the proximity to your neighbor may feel intrusive and there are no seats available except in a pair or trio.
It is worth reading tips on the top 10 Business Class Airlines. Find out the best airlines to fly to Europe in Business Class.
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