The Best Business Class Seats for Couples & Families

When travelling with the ones we love, what could be better than flying to far-away destinations in the luxury and comfort of a spacious Business Class cabin!

Be it a special occasion, honeymoon, anniversary or a well-deserved family escape, Business Class travel is becoming increasingly popular with couples and families alike. 

That comes as no surprise when we consider the whole Business Class package, including simple priority check-in and security lines, increased baggage allowance, and luxurious airport lounge facilities that may include spa facilities and children's playrooms perfect for keeping the young ones occupied for hours. In the air, passengers in Business Class enjoy enhanced privacy, spacious lie-flat seats, excellent dining & beverages, luxury amenity kits and attentive service.

Each airline has its way of enticing customers to fly with them with seats, products and services geared specifically at targeting those travelling together or those travelling as part of a family. We'll look at both categories and list some of the best Business Class products and why you should consider them for your next exciting journeys with your family and loved ones.

Travelling as a Couple

Imagine flying to far-flung destinations with your loved one. You have privacy from the rest of the cabin and the comfort and space to enjoy a flight together with all the luxuries and trimmings that come with flying in Business Class. However, no two Business Class products are the same, and business class airlines have gone above and beyond to create a truly memorable environment for lasting memories.

The BusinessClass.com guide to some of the Best Business Class seats for couples: 

Qatar Airways 

The ground-breaking Qsuite offers next-level comfort and luxury in Business Class travel. The Qsuite cabin has a 1-2-1 configuration with various seating options available – from single window seats to twin, double, and even quad seats. Qsuites aren't available on every long-haul flight, so first check availability with the airline. Qsuites are available on all Airbus A350-1000s, most Boeing 777-200LRs and 777-300ERs, and most Airbus A350-900s.

Couples will most likely wish to select double seats with letters E & F because these are paired together in the centre of the cabin and turn into double beds (with the central divider removed). These are always rear-facing, while the forward-facing twin seats with letters D & G have a much larger, angled partition, making them less appealing for couples. Add to this the luxuries of a bespoke turn-down service, plush bedding and pillows, sleepwear from The White Company and designer Diptyque amenity kits, plus exceptional cuisine and service, and couples on Qatar Airways long-haul flights are in for a treat.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Qatar Airways Business Class

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is renowned for its Business Class service, style and hospitality and is one of only two airlines to offer 'double beds' in Business Class. Central seats on the upper deck of the airline's Airbus A380s have a central divider spanning the length of the seat that, when completely lowered, creates a double bed on the seats positioned directly behind the Business Class cabin bulkhead – seats in row 11 D & F, row 91 D &F, and row 96 D & F.

Amenities include luxury linens, duvets, pillows, and designer amenity kits from Penhaligon's Quercus range, containing lotion, lip balm, facial mist, and travel essentials. Add to that a state-of-the-art 45.7 centimetres (18 inches) in-flight entertainment system comprising over one thousand entertainment options with the ability to create and save a personal playlist, plus excellent noise-cancelling headphones. The highly regarded pre-order meal service 'Book the Cook' delivers exceptional cuisine in Business Class, complemented by a carefully curated wine and Champagne list to make the flight an exceptional experience for couples.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Singapore Airlines Business Class

Air France

What better airline to share a flight with a loved one than with the flag carrier of the country of love? Business Class passengers at the airline's Paris Charles de Gaulle hub can sip the finest Champagnes, enjoy top-quality cuisine, and indulge in a complimentary facial treatment at the Clarins Spa. Another standout feature is the centrepiece Le Balcon Art Deco lounge bar, with blue velvet seating and a cocktail list by Hotel Lancaster in Paris.

The latest Business Class cabins on the airline's long-haul Boeing 777-300ERs offer an elegant, relaxed space. Couples should select the central seats with a removable dividing panel, allowing couples to interact more intimately. Comfortable seats recline to fully-flat beds and have ultra-soft pillows and luxury comforters. All seats have direct aisle access and the bonus of privacy doors. The cuisine is taken to the next level thanks to delicious menus created by Michelin-starred chefs and a wine and Champagne list curated by one of the world's best sommeliers, all presented on an elegant designer table set.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Air France Business Class

Emirates

The Dubai-based airline has an excellent reputation for its impressive Business Class product. It will also appeal to couples travelling together thanks to the central seats of the Airbus A380, often referred to as 'honeymoon seats' due to their close proximity. The upper deck of the A380 has two Business Class cabins and a fabulous lounge bar where couples can relax with a drink or meet fellow travellers. The Business Class seats are a luxurious blend of supple Champagne-coloured leather, high-gloss woodgrain surfaces and high-quality equipment and furnishings. 

The cabins have a 1-2-1 configuration in a staggered forward-facing formation. Couples should opt for the central pair of E & F seats located on alternate rows separated by a retractable screen and a low-fixed dividing unit. The Boeing 777s have an equally plush interior. However, seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, lending the window seats more towards couples travelling together.

Other features of Emirates Business Class include an excellent dinner service, crisp white linens, and meals presented on Royal Doulton chinaware. Emirates is renowned for its exquisite wines selected from the Emirates Vintage Collection and top-quality Champagnes to enjoy with a loved one.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Emirates Business Class

Etihad

Etihad is another Middle Eastern airline offering couples a fantastic Business Class experience. The latest of the Business Class seats is branded Business Studio and was first introduced in 2022 on the airline's Airbus A350-1000s and also features on the A380s in a 1-2-1 configuration. The spacious seats are among the most comfortable in class and are angled slightly towards one another with a central removable divider – so great for travelling with a companion. A new evolution of the Business Studio has recently been announced and will feature on new Boeing 787 Dreamliners joining the fleet of 39 Dreamliners from the latter part of 2023. These new suites will offer increased levels of privacy from higher sides and a suite door, along with direct aisle access. The new 787s will feature the latest in-flight entertainment technology, including pairing personal phones and tablets to the IFE screen and using it as a remote.

Etihad Business Class passengers enjoy attentive and personalised service with gourmet à la carte cuisine served on designer Armani/Casa dinner service, a curated wine list and Piper Heidsieck Champagne. Couples can eat when they like with the 'dine on demand' service and snack mid-meals from an all-day snack menu. Luxuries include plush bedding and Acqua di Parma amenity kits, including signature fragrances, lotions, and other flight essentials.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Etihad Business Class  

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

The Japanese airline has several Business Class seating options. However, 'The Room' Business Class seats found on the airline's Boeing 777-300ERs are most impressive due to the sheer amount of space afforded to the passenger. Each seat has direct aisle access and a privacy door. The rows configure in a 1-2-1 formation with alternating forward and backwards-facing seats to offer optimum levels of privacy. Couples and passengers travelling with a companion should opt for a central pair of seats with a removable central divider. The seats are 35 inches wide (89 centimetres) and have 72 inches (192 centimetres) of bed length, offering some of the roomiest beds in class. Couples will enjoy a comfortable and private flight with the high-sided sliding doors closed.

Further luxuries include specially designed bed pads for optimum comfort, a feather-down comforter and a quality pillow. Business Class passengers can enjoy 34 brands of Japanese sake both in the airport lounges and onboard. At the same time, top-quality gourmet cuisine is designed by master chefs who comprise 'The Connoisseurs' and deliver excellent Western and Japanese set menus with restaurant-quality precision.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of ANA Business Class

Virgin Atlantic

The British carrier has two special seats at the front of the Upper Class (Business Class) cabin on the Airbus A330-900neo that must feature on this list - granted, there are only two seats per aircraft, and passengers will have to be savvy to snag them. Still, the Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suites are a significant step up from the standard Upper Class cabin offering, especially when travelling with a companion. Firstly, the footprint of these two seats is significantly larger than the seats in the remainder of the cabin. Instead of a small footwell, they boast a vast ottoman – comfortably large enough for a companion to share meal service. The beds stretch to six feet seven inches (200 centimetres) when flat. They are entirely enclosed with privacy doors or opened into a private double suite (but not a double bed) by retracting the central divider. The in-flight entertainment screens also see a ten-inch upgrade over standard Upper Class cabin IFE screens to an impressive 27 inches (69 centimetres) and the addition of large storage compartments. The Retreat Suites can be reserved up to 14 days before departure for a relatively small amount – currently, £200 each way, which, if travelling as a couple, might be worth the additional outlay for the exclusive experience.

The service of the Virgin Atlantic crew is personalised and friendly. Upper Class cabin customers are treated to a seasonal three-course à la carte menu inspired by the destination and served on designer tableware with starched white linens. Passengers wishing to mingle can enjoy a complimentary drink at The Loft or The Bar found on the Airbus A330.  

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Virgin Atlantic Business Class

Travelling with children

Flying with children can be a challenge at the best of times, but opting to travel in Business Class can be an excellent decision for families looking for a seamless and enjoyable journey throughout. There are many advantages to travelling in Business Class, which we have covered in this extensive guide to travelling with children. 

The BusinessClass.com guide to some of the Best Child-friendly Airlines - complete with Business Class lounges and stress-free experiences onboard.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airways knows how to keep little guests occupied and well looked after. There is even a family check-in desk at Istanbul International Airport. The Business Class lounge offers a veritable grotto of activities at the children's play area with an interactive mock aircraft cabin, a soft-seat mini-theatre, and an impressive electric car racetrack and gold simulator found in the main lounge. Children won't go hungry either, with an excellent choice of Turkish and international eating stations with plenty of fresh, healthy and enticing options. The lounge in Istanbul also provides showers and sleep areas.

Onboard, some of the older aircraft may prove a popular seat option for small families as they offer a configuration of 2-3-2 lie-flat seats on the Boeing 777-300ERs and a chance to sit on either side of a child. Alternatively, the newer cabins of the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners provide a more standard 1-2-1 configuration, in which case, families may prefer to select the central pair of E & F seats on alternating rows, which are close together — the adjacent single seats of A & K angle towards the cabin. The dinner service on Turkish Airlines is among the best in the skies, with a flying chef delivering a restaurant-like experience for passengers. Having a qualified chef onboard also means dishes can be tailored to the passenger's needs if there are any 'fussy eaters.' There are special menus for younger children, prepared with the nutritional needs of a younger flyer, plus baby meals in jars for baby passengers younger than two. Any special meals are ordered no later than 24 hours before departure via the airline's website. Children also receive specially designed Business Class amenity kits containing child-sized slippers, cute eye masks, super-soft socks and a teeth cleaning kit.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Turkish Airlines Business Class

Lufthansa

German flag carrier Lufthansa is introducing a brand new “Lufthansa Allegris” product range  across all cabins, including seven seating options in Business Class. One such seat is the new 'Business Class Privacy Seat with Baby' – aimed at parents travelling with the youngest passengers and providing them with the utmost privacy and functionality. The spacious window seat is on the last row of the cabin with direct and protected aisle access close to the washroom with a changing table and a bassinet immediately to the side of the Business class seat to help maintain reassuring eye contact with the little one throughout the flight.

Alternatively, older children may wish to sit with a parent in the front row pair of 'Business Class Suites' with high levels of privacy from tall walls and sliding doors and a removable central divider creating an enclosed double suite. A 'Double Seat' is located at the back of the cabin, again offering two seats side-by-side and the ability to convert into a double bed – though both of these exclusive seating options will also be popular with couples.

Children receive a toy as they come aboard and have specially designed menus with fresh, fun and healthy dishes that follow a healthy diet. Children's meals can be pre-ordered at the time of booking up to 24 hours before the flight, and baby and toddler foods are also available onboard.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Lufthansa Business Class

Qantas

The Australian flag carrier is an excellent airline for travelling with children on some of the longest flights in the world. Dedicated check-in and priority boarding mean young families travelling together aren't left hanging around. With a network of Qantas Business Class lounges and access to partner lounges worldwide, Qantas provides child-friendly food, dedicated kids' play areas and washroom and shower facilities at select airports. Adults can sit back and relax with a favourite drink and enjoy excellent cuisine designed by celebrity masterchef Neil Parry or sip exceptional local wines. 

On board the aircraft, children are entertained with kid-friendly channels on the in-flight entertainment system. An exclusive radio station for kids contains popular songs, dedicated playlists, and a station aimed explicitly at relaxing little ones and helping them sleep. Further entertainment comes from a library of nine audiobooks covering all reading ages, plus an interactive colouring game from the Joey Club. The entertainment is played on the seatback in-flight entertainment screen or by downloading the Qantas Entertainment App directly to a personal tablet or device. Passengers will also benefit from significantly enhanced onboard and lounge premium menus.

Parents can enjoy the relaxation of a comfortable, fully lie-flat bed from the all-new Business Suites on the Airbus A380, A330 and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The front two central seats of the second Business Class cabin are nearest to the bassinets, ideal for families with babies. Though a sturdy central console separates the central seats, a removable dividing screen allows fellow passengers to chat. The suites offer good levels of privacy with a wrap-around high shell, though they do not have sliding doors. Once the little ones are asleep, parents can take turns strolling to the front of the A380 Business Class cabin and enjoy a glass of something nice with the adult company in one of the two comfortable onboard Business Class lounges.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Qantas Business Class

Although previously featured in the Best Business Class for Couples, the following airlines are also excellent for travelling with children.    

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways provides excellent facilities for children at its hub at Hammad International Airport, Doha. With eight bespoke bronze climbing sculptures, dedicated kid's areas with interactive entertainment, and a 25-metre swimming pool, there is plenty to keep the little ones occupied.

Families receive priority boarding, and children have an interactive collectable traveller pack with activity books, stickers, and crayons. Parents of babies and toddlers receive a baby kit containing essentials like nappies and cuddly toys. The biggest draw of the Qatar Airways Qsuite for families is the ability to create a private quad suite of four seats with two pairs of central seats facing one another (E & F and D & G) – perfect for families of four.

Children receive a pre-ordered meal box full of fun and healthy food options, while state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment keeps them glued to the screen with a dedicated kid's channel. The little ones and adults enjoy a restful flight with luxury bedding and bespoke turn-down service.    

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Qatar Airways Business Class

Singapore Airlines

The Singapore SilverKris Airline lounge at Changi International Airport provides excellent family facilities. With child-friendly spaces, including rest areas, baby change and shower facilities, playrooms and television areas, there is plenty for them to stay entertained or rest before a long flight. Child-friendly cuisine has options for all tastes, including local flavours and favourite international dishes. The airline has lounges in ten other cities, including London, Sydney and Bangkok.

Families with infants and toddlers have priority boarding, and little ones receive a stuffed toy or activity book. Dedicated in-flight entertainment is geared toward children to keep them occupied for hours with TV, games, and fun brain teasers. Travelling with infants can lead to an excess of equipment needs. Singapore Airlines allows compact collapsible strollers onboard and an additional 6 kilogrammes (from Singapore) of essentials such as breast milk, infant foods and other essential baby necessities. Check restrictions with the airline if departing from an alternative airport. A child-specific "Yummy" menu takes care of the meal needs.

The airline's long-haul Airbus A380s have three rows of seats behind each Business Class bulkhead that convert into double beds. These would be the ideal choice for families with children who need added reassurance of being close to a parent. Meanwhile, the long-haul Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ERs offer some of the widest Business Class seats in the skies and are large enough for a parent to seat a small child alongside them.   

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Singapore Airlines Business Class

Emirates

Families travelling through Dubai International Airport enjoy priority check-in and boarding – taking the strain away from long queues and giving parents more time to settle their little ones on the aircraft. Complimentary strollers are available at Terminal 3 for use at the airport. Dubai International Airport's Emirates Business Class Lounge has dedicated family zones with games, toys, video activities, and a trampoline playground. Parents can relax in the tranquil atmosphere of the lounge or take advantage of the excellent choice of gourmet cuisine.

Children are well catered for onboard, receiving unique furry toys and take-home activity bags inspired by travel and containing games, puzzles, and activities to keep those active minds occupied and away from restless boredom. The ICE in-flight entertainment system has over 150 dedicated kid's channels in 40 languages, including many favourites such as CBeebies, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, and up to 100 interactive IFE games. A selection of specially designed children's meals is available for those between two and twelve, along with a range of pre-ordered special meals, milk formulae and Ella's Kitchen baby food for the youngest passengers.

Emirates Business Class cabins are among the best in the skies. The airline's Airbus A380s offer a 1-2-1 configuration on the upper deck, with alternating rows of central seats close together or further apart. Families should opt for seats E & F being the two closest seats. Alternatively, the airline's Boeing 777s have two configurations, including the older 2-3-2 configuration, which is popular with families wishing to have a row to themselves.

Read the BusinessClass.com review of Emirates Business Class

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