Business Class on Top Airlines and What They Have to Offer

Airlines

 When it comes to rankings, there is one that’s been around for 35 years. It conducts annual World Airline Surveys and World Airport Awards. Although its methodology in airlines rankings might not be ideal, it is the only existing one covering over 500 airlines. This rating system is Skytrax and it is considered prestigious in the aviation industry.

 Recently published 2024 World Airline Awards had six main categories related to business class:

• World’s Best Business Class Airlines
• Best Business Class Airline Seats
• Best Business Class Onboard Catering
• Best Business Class Airline Comfort Amenities
• Best Business Class Airline Lounges
• Best Business Class Airline Lounge Catering

 As it would be impossible to cover all of the airlines that made it to the top here, this article combines and covers the Top 3 Airlines in the main “World’s Best Business Class Airlines” category and 3 airlines featured most frequently in all other categories:

• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• ANA All Nippon Airways
• Emirates
• Air France
• Turkish Airlines

We will be looking at and comparing route network and fleet, amenities and entertainment, dining, seats, service quality on long haul business class of these airlines.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways serves 1 domestic and 178 international destinations in 83 countries. Its hub in Hamad International Airport in Doha offers connections to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, North and South America.

Its fleet includes Airbus A350, A380, Boeing 777, 787. Business class features the Qsuite, which offers a 1-2-1 configuration with sliding doors for enhanced privacy. Seats convert to fully flat beds measuring up to 79 inches long. Their entertainment system Oryx One has over 4,000 options including movies, TV shows, music, and games on a 17-inch LCD screen.

Qatar Airways is known for excellence and highly attentive service. Passengers can order meals at their convenience from an extensive menu featuring a range of gourmet dishes inspired by Middle Eastern and international cuisines. Complimentary beverages include fine wines, champagne, and cocktails.

Its amenities include plush bedding with a pillow and a quilted blanket, Bric’s amenity kit with luxury toiletries, hydrating facial mist and anti-ageing moisturizer, flight socks, earplugs, eye mask and noise-canceling headphones. That’s some fancy selection!

Chauffeur service is available for business passengers.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines has a more focused route network, operating 1 domestic and 79 international destinations in 34 countries. Via its hub in Singapore Changi Airport, it offers connections in Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and Africa.

The Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777 are among its fleet models. Business class has a 1-2-1 layout with roomy seats that can expand to 28 inches in width and extend to 76 inches in length when entirely flat. Their KrisWorld entertainment system offers a wide selection of international movies, TV shows, music and games.

Renowned for exceptional service with a high staff-to-passenger ratio, they ensure attentive and friendly service. The Book the Cook service allows passengers to pre-order from a selection of over 60 main courses, including local and international dishes. Meals are crafted by renowned chefs using high-quality ingredients.

A Givenchy amenity kit with premium skincare products, Bose noise-cancelling headphones, luxurious linen, and pajamas are among its delightful amenities. 

Passengers traveling in business class can choose limousine service.

ANA All Nippon Airways

ANA operates flights to 61 domestic and 40 international destinations across 22 countries, using Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports as dual hubs. It provides connectivity to regions including Asia, North America, Europe, Oceania, South America, The Middle East and Africa.

Its fleet features Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A380. In business class, passengers enjoy “The Room”, designed with a 1-2-1 configuration, providing privacy with sliding doors. Seats offer a generous pitch of up to 78 inches, each seat featuring large 4K monitors for entertainment. ANA offers a selection of Japanese and international movies, TV shows, music and games on its Sky Live TV entertainment system with a 16-inch screen.

The airline is recognized for their professional and polite crew, with emphasis on traditional Japanese hospitality. They offer meals created by renowned Japanese and international chefs, focusing on seasonal and regional ingredients. Passengers can pre-order meals on selected routes. Beverages include, of course, sake, wines, and soft drinks.

Among its onboard luxuries are an Aveda or Shiseido amenity kit with skincare products, lip balm, body lotion, comfortable pajamas or knitwear, slippers, shoehorn and foot roller, bedding, Sony noise-canceling headphones. Along with the original scent card from ANA, it also includes a variety of necessities like a letter set with a postcard, an eye mask, earplugs, mouth wash, facial and body wipes, and a toothbrush set.

Emirates

Emirates offers flights to 1 domestic and 139 international destinations in 77 countries, linking the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Oceania and Africa through its hub in Dubai International Airport.

The Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 make up the fleet. Business class has 1-2-1 seating arrangements with fully flat mattresses up to 79 inches long and individual aisle access for each passenger. Pitch of the seats is up to 72 inches, and they are 18.5 inches wide. The ICE entertainment system has over 4,500 channels. No boredom during these flights!

Emirates offers outstanding service with friendly cabin crew and luxury amenities. Multi-course dining experience features a variety of international dishes served in fine dinnerware with linen tablecloths. Complimentary beverages include fine wines, champagne, and cocktails.

One of its features is a Bvlgari amenity package, which comes with high-end products that are customized for men and women. A dental kit, deodorant, earplugs, and a hairbrush are other necessities. There are also eye masks, slippers, and cozy pajamas made of high-quality cotton.

Business class passengers can enjoy Emirates’ chauffeur service.

Air France

Through its network of partners, Air France operates flights to 21 domestic and 180 international destinations throughout 84 countries. It links Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with the hub of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 are among the fleet’s models. In business class, chairs are entirely flat and may stretch up to 78 inches long in a 1-2-1 arrangement. The seats have a 78-inch pitch and are 26 inches broad. On its 16-inch screens, the Bluebox entertainment system features over 1,000 hours of movies, TV episodes, music, and games.

They have a professional service with a French flair and offer gourmet French cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients and fine dining presentation. Complimentary premium beverages include wines and champagnes.

Business class amenities include a Clarins amenity kit with skincare products, sleepwear, slippers and comfortable bedding.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has the most extensive route network of all, 47 domestic and 233 international destinations in 120 countries. It provides connectivity between Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, and Australia through its hub at Istanbul Airport.

Among its extensive fleet are Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A330, A350 with various modifications. Business class features a 2-2-2 configuration with fully flat beds measuring up to 78 inches long. Seats are 21 inches wide with 18 inches screens offering an massive collection of movies, music, TV shows, games on its Planet entertainment system.

The airline is celebrated for warm and friendly service, reflecting Turkish hospitality. Offers gourmet meals prepared by DO&CO, featuring traditional Turkish dishes served with Turkish coffee and tea. Complimentary beverages are available. Turkish Airlines was rated as World’s best in Business class catering in 2024.

Amenities include a Molton Brown amenity kit with luxury toiletries, comfortable bedding, sleepwear, slippers, eye mask, earplugs, lip balm, and socks.

Business class passengers can opt for chauffeur service in selected airports.

How to Choose?

This article does not aim to find a single best airline, it aims to provide an overview of the world’s top in business class. Each traveler has different priorities and factors to consider, like mileage earning, preferred airports, route networks, even preferred aircraft type or cuisine. Luckily, there are many airlines to choose from.

So, pick the one that suits you best and enjoy your flight. Remember, whether you are flying business or economy, Skycop can help you get compensated if your flight is disrupted.

Safe travels!