12 Best Business Class Seats

Welcome to the elevated world of Business Class travel, where the alchemy of luxury and design combines to create a haven of tranquillity and productivity.

Premium class travellers face a plethora of choices, with the distinction between a Business Class seat and a Business Class suite standing out as a primary consideration. The difference between a good seat and a great one can turn a long-haul journey into an unforgettable experience that leaves you refreshed, relaxed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.

While Business Class seats are typically designed to make long-haul travel more comfortable and productive with comfortable lie-flat seats, Business Class suites take the concept of comfort a step further by offering a personal enclosure, often with a sliding door, ensuring an exclusive, private experience. These airborne thrones are not just seats – they are your office, your personal cinema, your bedroom, and your sanctuary above the clouds.

Whether you are a seasoned executive or a leisure traveller with a penchant for the finer things, join us on a journey where we'll navigate the nuances that make these seats the best in the business.

The BusinessClass.com guide to the 12 Best Business Class seats in the sky: 

Qatar Airways – "Qsuites"

Qatar Airways Qsuite is arguably the best Business Class seat in the air. The Qsuite features on all of the airline's Airbus A350-1000, most of the Boeing 777-200s, and B777-300ERs, and almost half of the Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The Qsuite cabin is set in a staggered, 1-2-1 forward and backward-facing seat configuration.

The Qsuite was first introduced in 2017 and is an ideal choice for solo passengers, couples and groups of four flying together. Carefully designed to offer optimum space, storage, functionality and privacy, the Qsuites are customisable, allowing couples to create a 'double bed' and companions or families in the central quad to have a private suite for up to four passengers.

Each suite can be completely private, thanks to sliding doors and central dividers. The Single Suite is located by the windows with doors that close to the aisle, twin seats in the centre of the cabin provide the most space between pairs of seats, and the Double Suite have central seats alongside one another to create a double bed. The Quad suite has panels that open, allowing up to four people to travel in a large private suite.

The seats and cabin are designed in Qatar's signature burgundy and grey and enhanced with elegant and warm rose gold detailing. All suites have ambient mood lighting, fully lie-flat beds and generous storage space.   

Qatar Airways Qsuite Seat Dimensions: 
Flat Seat Length – 80 inches (203 centimetres)
Seat Width – 21-21.5 inches (53.3 - 54.6 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 10/10

Champagne: 

• Laurent-Perrier Brut, and Charles Heidsieck Réserve

All Nippon Airways (ANA) – "The Room" – Boeing B777-300ER

ANA is another airline that could take the mantle of offering the best Business Class seat in the world with "The Room." Featured on just over half of the airline's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and designed in a 1-2-1 configuration, The Room is a fully enclosed suite providing an extraordinary amount of personal space.

First introduced in 2019, The Room can be found on the B777-300ER seat map by looking for 64 forward and backwards-facing Business class seats ending at row 20. The older product will show as offering 52 or 68 Business Class seats.

The Room features sliding doors offering complete privacy from other passengers, with the functionality to convert into a twin suite with removable partitions for companion travellers. The seat is the width of the suite with supportive cushions for added comfort and reclines into a wide, lie-flat bed. A smaller mini-cabin of just two rows at the front of the aircraft provides an increased feeling of privacy and luxury.

Rear-facing seats offer the best privacy for solo passengers with the table closer to the aisle and also provide companions with the best seating option in the centre rear-facing seats with the side tables on the outside of the suite and the beds closer together.

ANA The Room Seat Dimensions: 
Flat Seat Length – 72 inches (182.9 centimetres)
Seat Width – 38 inches (96.5 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9/10 

Champagne: 

• Champagne Castelnau - Cuvée Brut Réserve

Singapore Airlines

Unlike most other airlines, Singapore Airlines commissions uniquely designed Business Class seats for its long-haul aircraft. The current long-haul fleet features two different seat designs, one on the A350-900 and B777-300ER and another on the A380, and both are worthy of mention.

Seats on the long-haul A350-900 and B777-300ER are some of the widest in the sky and come in a 1-2-1 configuration. They are so spacious that a parent travelling with a small child can easily seat the child next to the adult. Seats have power outlets, storage areas and a sizeable high-resolution entertainment screen as standard.

 In bed mode, it is among the widest beds in the sky, but you will have to turn your body slightly at an angle so that your feet go into the small foot cubby that is only on one side of the seat.

The Airbus A380 features an entirely new seat that transforms into a lie-flat bed without the need to stand up. The centre seats feature a retractable central partition to form a double bed. The partition can also be fully raised to provide privacy, though solo passengers will likely prefer the single window seats. The only drawback is that the new seat is slightly narrower.

All Singapore Airlines Business Class seats are exceptionally comfortable, but bulkhead seats are significantly more spacious due to their design, which offers more expansive leg space.

Singapore Airlines Seat Dimensions:
A350/B777/A380 Flat Seat Length – 78 inches long (198.1 centimetres)
Seat Width – 28 inches (71.1 centimetres). A380 25 inches (63.5 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 10/10 

Champagne: 

• Billecart-Salmon Brut or Deutz Brut Classic

Emirates – Airbus A380

Emirates never fails to make an impression regarding cabin design, with a penchant for flashy décor. Travellers fly on the double-decker Airbus A380 or Boeing B777, the only two aircraft in the airline's fleet. However, there are various seating types and layouts, as Emirates has numerous configurations.

On the flagship A380 aircraft, the staggered, forward-facing 1-2-1 seating is a plus for many passengers who prefer sitting alone. Solo travellers will prefer one of the single lie-flat seats, while those travelling together should opt for pairs of seats. Seats alternate between being closer to the aisle with a side table closer to the window or closer to the window with a side table closer to the aisle.

The Dubai-based airline has invested US$2 billion to completely refurbish 67 Airbus A380s and 53 Boeing 777s at the airline's in-house engineering facilities in Dubai. The significantly more stylish cabin upgrades for the A380 are due for completion by 2024, with the B777 fleet retrofit due to commence after that.

The new Business Class cabin on the upper deck of the A380 features Emirates' sleek new champagne-coloured leather upholstery and complimentary light-toned polished woodgrain finishings seeking the executive jet look, not to mention the personal mini-bar. The brand-new design theme continues throughout the interior with a new colour pallet for carpets and side panels.

Emirates Airbus A380 Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – up to 76.6 – 78.6 inches (194.6 – 199.6 centimetres)
Seat Width – 18.5 inches (46.9 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8/10

Champagne: 

• A choice from The House of Moët Hennessy

Delta Air Lines – Delta One Suites - Airbus A350

Delta One is Delta Air Lines' premium service on international and transcontinental flights between New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline's long-haul fleet comprises Airbus A330 and A350 plus Boeing 757 and 767-300/400 aircraft.

All of these aircraft are fitted with the Thompson Vantage XL Delta One lie-flat Business Class seat with direct aisle access, but the product can vary as the airline has updated its fleet in stages, leaving some planes with more archaic seats than others. All have lie-flat seats with leather covers featuring the airline’s logo, but the width, screen quality and layout vary.

Delta’s best-equipped aircraft is the flagship Airbus A350, which boasts Delta One Suites in a staggered 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with full-height doors that slide closed for maximum onboard privacy. They feature stitched leather seat materials, a spacious side table, easy-to-access power and USB outlets, and the largest screens in the airline's fleet.

While most Delta A350s feature the Delta One suites, the airline also operates a small sub-fleet of former LATAM A350s. While Delta fully refurbished these aircraft, they offer a sub-standard 2-2-2 configuration with the original seating. Always check the seat map to see which A350 you are getting.

Delta One A350 Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 78 inches (198.1 centimetres)
Seat Width – 24 inches (60.9 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8/10

Champagne: 

• Canard-Duchêne Brut Cuvée Léonie

Air France – Boeing 777-300ER 

When you board an Air France flight, the grey, white and navy tones in the Business Class cabin are immediately soothing – a smart choice of colours for long-haul air travel. Air France is undergoing a significant Business Class product upgrade with the introduction of new Safran Versa Business Class seating commencing with the airline's Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

All new Business Class seats have direct aisle access from a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, with good privacy from sliding doors and convert to a spacious, lie-flat bed. The new B777 cabins have 48 sleek-looking seats made of high-end wood, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather materials in a colour scheme of crisp white plastics complementing the generously padded dark blue seat material, highlighted by Air France's signature red embroidery. Other design touches include a backlit winged seahorse adorning the door of the ample-sized storage compartment, plus a "Do Not Disturb" light. The new suites feature state-of-the-art technology such as 4K IFE screens, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports and laptop charging sockets, and have reading lights and a side table.

Try to book the seats in rows one and nine – these are bulkhead seats offering a tremendous amount of space and versatility with an unrestricted ottoman rather than a small footwell. Usually only available to elite status flyers, any unreserved seats become available to all Business class passengers 72 hours before departure.

Air France Boeing 777-300ER Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 2 metres (79 inches)
Seat Width – 70 centimetres (28 inches)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8/10

Champagne: 

• Taittinger Brut Réserve, Deutz Brut Classic or Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Turkish Airlines – 787-9 Dreamliner

Turkish has various aircraft, including Boeing 777-300ERs that fly ultra-long routes and 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A330s and A350s. The best Business Class seats on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A350-900s offer the airline's latest inflight product in a staggered 1-2-1 forward-facing configuration.

The stylish Business Class cabin has 30 flat-bed seats with lounging capabilities at the touch of a button, and while the new cabin design represents a significant upgrade and provides much better privacy from the curved, high-sided shell of the seats, the new seats are slightly narrower than the old product found on the B777s.

The seats have a massage function, offer adjustable privacy screens (between pairs of seats), closed and locked storage, power outlets, USB charging, and an adjustable 18-inch (45.7 centimetre) IFE screen.

Solo passengers will find the even-numbered seats A and K offer the most privacy by virtue of the staggered window seats being closer to the window rather than the aisle. Couples may prefer having the centre section of the odd-numbered rows with the two centre seats closest together. Seats in Row 1 offer more foot space than the others, thanks to their bulkhead position.  

Turkish Airlines Boeing 787-9 Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 193 centimetres (76 inches)
Seat Width – 66 centimetres (26 inches)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8.5/10

Champagne: 

• Taittinger Brut Réserve

Etihad Airways – Airbus A350-1000 Business Suites

Etihad's long-haul Business Class cabins are luxurious affairs with seats that can vary depending on the aircraft. The airline's Boeing 787 aircraft and its soon-to-be-retired B777s are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving all passengers easy access to the aisle. The Airbus A380 offers a newer version of the Business Class seat - branded Business Studio, while the new Airbus A350s have a customised Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat that has to be one of the best Business Class products in the sky.  

Currently flying on routes to and from Abu Dhabi, London, Delhi, Mumbai, Chicago and New York, the A350 offers the highest levels of comfort, technology and efficiency.

The Business Class cabin has 44 forward-facing suites with sliding doors over eleven rows in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. The seat technology is state of the art, with wireless charging, USB-A, USB-C and AC power points, plus Bluetooth audio functionality. Although there are no overhead central storage bins (making the cabin feel much roomier), the suite has plenty of storage space. The cabin and suites ooze elegant style with high-end finishes.

Solo travellers will prefer window seats, all angled towards the windows, while couples and companions will find the central seats best for conversation. However, the central partition offers good levels of privacy for solo passengers unable to secure a window seat.

Etihad Airbus A350-1000 Business Suite Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 79 inches (200.7 centimetres)
Raised Seat Width – 20 inches (50.8 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9/10 

Champagne: 

• Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut

British Airways - New Club Suite 

British Airways was the first airline to pioneer flat-bed seats in Business Class, and while some other airlines have raised the bar, BA still offers a solid product with its next-generation lie-flat Club Suite in the revamped Club World cabin.

The airline flies various wide-body long-haul aircraft, including Boeing 787-10s and Airbus A350-1000s, each with Club Suites across the fleet. A retrofit is ongoing, and of the remaining aircraft, most B777-200ERs and B777-300ERs offer the Club Suites. The remaining B787-8s, B787-9s and A380s are yet to receive the new Club Suite product, though work has commenced on the Boeing 787-8s.

Club Suites are a modified Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat positioned in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, which means seats face slightly away from the aisle and are divided into two cabins, with the majority in one forward section of Club World and then a mini cabin of 12 more seats behind that. All seats have direct aisle access and feature sliding privacy doors, 17-inch (43.2 centimetres) high-resolution monitors and digital seat functionality.

Window seats offer good privacy for solo passengers, while couples and companion travellers should opt for any of the central two seats that have a removable privacy screen. All passengers may prefer the smaller mini-cabin, offering a more intimate and exclusive feel.

British Airways Club Suite Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 198 centimetres (78 inches)
Seat Width – 55.9 centimetres (22 inches)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 7.5/10

Champagne: 

• Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Silver Top

Japan Airlines – JAL SKY SUITE 

The airline's long-haul fleet consists of Boeing wide-body jets and Airbus A350-1000s coming soon. The fleet includes a mishmash of Boeing 767, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft that all come in a range of configurations with varied styles of seats. Some are in a 1-2-1 setup, others in a 2-2-2 configuration and some in a tight 2-3-2 layout.

The Business Class cabins all feature a distinctly Japanese design, mainly using tones of black and grey, with seat shells in cream and white. Long-haul flights provide various flat-bed seating options from the JAL SKY SUITE in three different designs – including the SKY SUITE II and the SKY SUITE III. The JAL SKY SUITE is arguably the best of these options.

Although the 2-2-2 configuration on the Boeing 787 and 2-3-2 on the Boeing 777 may be on the tight side, the Apex Suite JAL SKY SUITES are remarkably comfortable. Thanks to clever positioning, every suite offers direct aisle access, and retractable partitions add privacy, while entertainment is provided on 23-inch monitors.

Solo passengers may prefer window seats, offering high amounts of privacy thanks to the off-set positioning of the aisle seat next to them. Couples and companions can retract the central divider of the centre pair of seats for conversation.

Watch for the article on forthcoming Best Business Class Seats, as JAL is about to introduce enclosed private suites on their A350-1000s.

JAL SKY SUITE Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length – 188 centimetres (74 inches)
Seat Width – 65 centimetres (25.6 inches)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9/10 

Champagne: 

• Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve and Drappier Carte D'or

Oman Air – Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Oman Air operates a mix of Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 and Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft for long-haul flights. All feature the same Business Class seats. However, the newer Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners provide a better flight experience thanks to lower noise levels, larger windows and better air quality supported by new filtration, better pressure, and more humidity to help passengers feel less dryness and fatigue.

The Boeing 787-9 has 30 flat-bed seats over two cabins, the smallest and most intimate of which has only six seats. The airline uses APEX Suites, providing passengers with one of the best Business Class seats in the skies, set in a 2-2-2 configuration. Still, thanks to clever design, all seats have direct aisle access, achieved by staggering the seats along the sides of the cabin and providing a passageway from the window seats.

Excellent privacy partitions and the private passageway located in front of the aisle seats make the window seats feel almost like enclosed suites. Window seats also benefit from extra legroom due to the positioning of the seats, with seats A and K being the best options for solo travellers.

All seats feature adjustable privacy dividers, lumbar support and massage functionality, a sizeable swivelling table, a multi-standard socket, two USB charging sockets and a headphones socket.

Oman Air B787-9 Seat Dimensions:
Flat Seat Length - 76 inches (193 centimetres)
Seat Width - 22.8 inches wide (57.9 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9.5/10 

Champagne: 

• Laurent-Perrier Brut

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) – Airbus A350-900

SAS Business Class has an elegant and contemporary character with tones of grey, touches of black, brushed steel, leather and orange trim accents. The airline flies wide-body Airbus A330-330 and A350-900 and long-range single-aisle Airbus A32LR aircraft.

The Airbus A350 is the largest aircraft in the fleet, with 40 luxurious Business Class Vantage XL seats in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration and direct aisle access for every seat.

Even-numbered seats by the window provide the most privacy, while bulkhead rows offer more available foot space than other seats. Centre seats are close enough for conversation yet separated by a fixed privacy partition and a generous armrest. There are no "honeymoon" seats in this configuration, so no fear of being 'too close' to a stranger.

The A350-900 also offers a second "mini cabin" behind the main Business Class cabin, featuring just eight seats over two rows. Snag one of these seats for a more intimate and exclusive-feeling flight.

The comfortable seats are upholstered in charcoal fabrics and convert to a lie-flat bed at the touch of a button. They come with sizeable footwells for even the largest feet. Seatbacks house 18.5-inch (47 centimetres) IFE screens alongside a coat hook and literature pocket. AC power and USB charging outlets, seat controls and the IFE hand controller are close to hand above the side table.

SAS A350-900 Seat Dimensions:

Flat Seat Length – 78 inches (198 centimetres)
Seat Width – 22 inches (55.9 centimetres)

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9.5/10 

Champagne: 

• “Special Club” Champagnes

The skies have become a canvas for innovation, yet the horizon promises even more opulence and state-of-the-art features. Keep an eye on the skies—and on our upcoming articles—as we take an insider look into the future of flying Business Class and preview the brand-new Business Class seats that are set to redefine luxury travel.

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