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Ever notice how bright eyed and bushy tailed those business class folk look after a long-haul flight? They’re so well rested, you would think that they relaxed all day at the spa, when in actuality, they spent nine hours in the sky. You, too, can experience the luxury of traveling in business class, where the seats are comfier and the food is tastier. While the perks of business class may differ depending on the airline or duration of your flight, you can rest assured that you’ll be pampered from the moment your flight takes off to the second you retrieve your luggage.

If you’ve never dabbled with the idea of flying anything but economy, it’s time to expand your horizons with our cheapest business class tickets here at Expedia.com. No matter if you’re flying just a few hours away or indulging in a cross-globe adventure, scoring a cheap business class flight will make all the difference when you touch ground feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Browse our assortment of business class airfares, and you’ll find that it’s easier than ever to find affordable rates. Once you’ve nabbed the cheapest business class flights, you’re well on your way to enjoying the level of luxury travel that you truly deserve. Sit back, order a complimentary cocktail, and get ready to experience the wonders of the business class life.

How can I find cheap business class flights?

Find cheap business class tickets on Expedia by simply browsing our featured routes or by customizing your trip dates and destination in the search bar. Use the filters—number of stops, airlines, and departure/arrival times—to narrow down to the cheapest business class flights. Remember that being flexible on your dates may give you access to more attractive pricing!

What are the best business class airlines?

Expedia works with many trusted airline partners, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to the best business class airlines. On the flight results page, you can check reviews of airlines and navigate to the filters to choose the one that best suits your style and budget.

How can I find the best business flight deals?

Find amazing business class deals by browsing our current offers, or by or customizing your trip to your preferred destination. Prices may vary by arrival and departure dates, airlines, and airport. At Expedia, we source many flight deals so you can be sure to find the one that is right for you.

What kind of business flight deals can I get on Expedia?

We have extensive inventory of deals on business class flights for any type of trip, whether a business, romantic, or family vacation. Browse our business class flight deals for worldwide routes, domestic and international, direct/non-direct flights, and multiple trusted airlines.

What is included in business class flights?

Flying business class will bring comfort and peace to you trip. Of course, business class experiences differ by airline and route. Your flight may include reclining seats (like Qatar business class ), complimentary alcoholic beverages, award-winning cuisines (like Swiss business class ), increased baggage allowances, and more.

How much does it cost to fly business class?

The cost of business class seats depends on travel dates, routes, and airlines. For example, business class flights to Europe may cost more than domestic business class flights. No matter where you fly, see amazing prices of our featured deals at a glance, or enter your customized travel information to view and sort by prices on a select route.

Is business class the same as first class?

The distinctions between business class vs. first class is often that first class flights might include private space, an award-winning in-flight menu, personalized service, and greater baggage allowances than business flights. Check the details of each flight and each class before you book.

What is business class like on international flights?

Business class international flights will make your trip unforgettable with attentive service. Your in-flight experience may include lie-flat seats, free meals and alcoholic drinks, attentive service, and more leg room than economy. Expedia offers fantastic LAX to London business class flights , where passengers can fly in comfort.

What is the difference between business class and premium economy?

Depending on the airline, premium economy flights usually include wide seats, priority check-in, and increased baggage allowances. A business class price often includes the same features but possibly with a reclining seat, more legroom, and larger food selections. Check the details of each flight and each class before you book.

Can I book flexible business class tickets on Expedia?

Yes, we offer flexible change policies! Filter your flight results by “no change fees” or “free cancellation” so you won’t be penalized for changing your travel plans.

Can I cancel my flight on Expedia?

Yes, many business class flights can be cancelled from your Expedia account, under “My Trips.” Eligible flights may be refunded if cancelled within 24 hours after booking. Cancellations after that time may be eligible for flight credit, depending on your booking. Check your itinerary to read the terms of your reservation.

Why should I book my flight with Expedia?

We offer cheap business class fares with flexible booking options and a Price Match Guarantee. And if you book your flight as part of a package, you could save even more! What’s more, Expedia members can get points back on every booking.

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7 business class travel tips and tricks from one first-timer to another

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I am an expert economy-class flyer.

I've got TSA PreCheck and Global Entry . When necessary, I can unpack and re-pack quart-size toiletry bags, shoes and laptop computers at a security checkpoint in seconds … even with a toddler in tow. I can get my carry-on bag into the overhead bins in a second flat, and I find my preferred inflight entertainment on my United app within moments of fastening my seatbelt.

Put me in business class, though, and apparently I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing.

In fact, I hadn't flown business class in over 10 years — until a few weeks ago. When I learned I'd be flying between Washington, D.C. and London, England in business class on not one, but two different airlines, I was over the moon. "More legroom!" I thought. "Lie-flat seats!"

I thought I had everything covered — until I talked to my TPG colleagues, Zach Griff and Nicky Kelvin, about my planned flights in United Polaris and Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class .

They opened my eyes to the world of perks and amenities available to me as a business-class flyer these days — few of which I'd even had an inkling of, and even fewer of which the airlines had bothered to alert me to in my reservation.

Had I not talked to my coworkers, I probably would have missed out on key components of the business-class experience. Even so, I felt lost, shy and sometimes confused when flying up front.

If you're soon to embark on your first international business-class trip in a while, here are seven travel tips and tricks you should know to make the most of your experience, all of which were new to me on my recent transatlantic journey.

Pick your seats wisely — because they're not all the same

"All the business-class seats are aisle seats," I thought to myself when looking at the seat maps for both my flights, "so they should all be great."

Not exactly.

As I learned, the configuration of business-class seats can vary widely ( even on the same airline and on the same plane type). Not only were my United Polaris and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats completely different from one another, but when looking at my various flight options on both carriers, I also found that different aircraft types had different kinds of seats on board. Plus, depending on the row, you could find slightly different seats even on the same flight.

To optimize your flying experience, you need to read up on which seats your specific flight will offer and find the best one for your preferences.

For example, the Boeing 767 I was on offered United's most up-to-date Polaris seats: individual pods with lie-flat seats next to small tabletops and a storage locker. On reading Zach's United Polaris guide , I learned that the window seats were best for solo travelers while the middle row had pairs of seats better suited to couples or friends.

Even among the window seats, the odd-numbered rows offer more privacy, with the seats closer to the actual window and the wide tabletop by the aisle, while the even numbered rows have the seats angled toward the aisle with the tabletop and locker by the window.

I had been assigned an even row seat, but I changed to an odd row based on that advice since I wanted the most privacy possible. (I admit that I took some pleasure in changing my seat assignment like I was a pro.)

Related: Top 5 business-class cabins in the sky today

On my Virgin Atlantic flight back, my seat looked fine and I lucked out. As I boarded the plane, I realized the Boeing 787-9 had the airline's older "herringbone" style of diagonal seats with their backs to the windows and angled toward the aisle. I had happily landed in what I would dub the "introvert section" along the port side of the aircraft, where the seats faced the backs of the middle row. However, the middle and starboard rows of seats faced each other, so those passengers ended up looking right at the person across from them. I suppose if you're there to make friends, you could choose these "extrovert seats."

Look for the dedicated airport check-in

Even before I got to the planes, though, I made some rookie mistakes.

When I arrived at Dulles International Airport (IAD), I saw signs for Economy and Premier Access check-in, but not Polaris. I asked an attendant in the Premier Access line where I should go but they simply had me check in there. It turns out that the official Polaris check-in was around the back at another set of counters — not that there were any signs pointing in that direction.

At Heathrow Airport (LHR), I knew that Virgin Upper Class had its own check-in hall in Terminal 3 … because my colleague, Nicky, told me. Since it's only accessible by car, and I was being shuttled to the airport by bus, I couldn't take advantage of that perk. However, there were no signs showing me where to check in for Upper Class in the normal departure hall, either. I had to waylay a staffer to find out that I should use the Delta premium check-in line.

The kind gate agent did direct me to the elevator that would whisk me to a private Upper Class security line. But when I got to the second floor, there were no signs pointing the way. I just assumed the security line I saw was the right one — but I was so flustered that I forgot to empty my water bottle and had to chug 16 ounces on the spot. Guess my mistake meant I was properly hydrated for my flight.

Moral of the story: Look at an airport map or otherwise determine where the VIPs get to check in so you can head confidently to the correct line and not have to own up to an airport representative that you have no clue where you're going. Agents at these dedicated counters are also usually better informed on which lounges you might have access to before your flight and how you can get to them through expedited security lines.

Arrive in time to enjoy access to fancy lounges with free food and drinks (and don't forget to tip!)

What secret do globe-trotting businessfolk keep from us economy-class peons? They get free access to swanky VIP lounges while we stand in long lines for expensive concessions or join the masses in the boarding areas.

Not once did any official United communication alert me to the existence of the Polaris Lounge at Dulles . Not when I got my confirmation number via email. Not when I checked in online. Nor when I showed up at the airport. So thanks again, Zach, for not only pointing me toward the exclusive hangout but recommending I get there early to enjoy its many amenities.

At least when I checked in for my Virgin Atlantic flight, the agent not only told me about the airline's famed Clubhouse , but also gave me directions to it.

These lounges are tricked out, so plan to arrive early to enjoy all the amenities. Both had enormous bars with plenty of complimentary drinks and all kinds of seating areas — some for comfy lounging and others geared for working, with loads of electrical and USB outlets.

The Polaris Lounge at Dulles had a separate, waiter-serviced restaurant where I assembled a delicious dinner by trying all the small plates: autumn squash soup, arugula and fennel salad, a quinoa samosa cake and a cheese plate (that really should have been on the dessert menu). I could have indulged in a glass of wine, but I was still nursing my strong cocktail from the lounge's bar. For dessert, I had a warm chocolate chip cookie that came out so piping hot that ice cream bubbled when it came into contact with the mini cast iron skillet the cookie was served in.

The Virgin Upper Class lounge had an online food ordering system where I could select the breakfast items I wanted and magically the staff knew where to deliver the food. Again, I admit to over-ordering, choosing the fruit salad and a full vegetarian English breakfast with fried eggs, baked beans and a vegan sausage. I probably should have ordered a mimosa to be fancy, but I stuck with tea.

The Upper Class lounge also has Peloton bikes and a pool table. Pre-pandemic, it offered massages and hair cuts in the dedicated salon and spa areas. You can even do some alfresco plane-spotting from an elevated outdoor garden. It's all included in the experience. Do your homework ahead of your flight to determine which lounge you can access and what fun awaits you — then get to the airport with enough time to enjoy it.

The only thing I wasn't sure about was whether I was supposed to tip all the lovely people bringing me free food and drink. I canvassed my coworkers on return who recommend tipping a dollar or two for drinks and $5-$10 for a full dinner in the U.S., but said to skip the tip in Europe or Asia, where there's less of a tipping culture.

Sorry, lovely lounge staff, for stiffing you. I won't make that mistake the next time around.

Related: The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge

Swallow your pride and ask for a seat tour

Business-class seats are works of engineering genius. The best seats smoothly convert into beds, the tray tables and storage nooks are hidden ergonomically throughout your little pod area, and outlets and reading lights pop up in all the right places.

Repeat after me: You are not an idiot if you can't figure out how to work everything immediately upon taking your seat (though I certainly felt like one as I fiddled with the various seat and entertainment controls).

On my United flight, I was too shy to ask, but managed to work out how to get the seat into lie-flat mode myself. On Virgin, the flight attendants were friendlier, so I started with, "Can you show me how to work this seat?" The kind gent in charge of my section gave me the full tour. I swear to you, I would never have found the tray table or the USB outlet without his help.

Even should your jaded flight attendant cast a scornful glance your way, don't let their attitude stand in the way of you getting maximum enjoyment out of your business-class flight. By asking for a quick tour of the seat, you can also figure out if everything is working properly, such as the seat controls or power outlets, and do something about it before takeoff if they're not.

Don't order a special meal or feel a need to pack snacks

I don't trust that airlines will provide a standard meal that will accommodate my dietary restrictions, so I often order a special meal. Unless you absolutely need one, though, I would say don't bother when you're flying business class, especially if you can check the menu ahead of time.

Both United's and Virgin's business-class menus included a fish and vegetarian option, and the kosher meal I ordered for my United dinner was so sad that I asked the attendant to bring me the regular breakfast. That meant I got to choose which of the three breakfast options I wanted. I was in the mood for something light so I ordered the continental breakfast with a fruit salad, yogurt and a croissant, with orange juice and tea.

If it's your first Virgin Atlantic flight, you might want to revel in the lovely presentation, real cutlery and the cutest little airplane-shaped salt and pepper shakers, fittingly named Orville and Wilbur after the Wright brothers. (I really really wanted to take them as souvenirs, but I restrained myself.) That said, items do sometimes run out, so if you have your heart set on a particular dish, ask the flight attendant showing you to your seat to set one aside for you if possible.

I'm also told that if you want to rock a shorter long-haul flight like a pro, including those from the East Coast to London, you might want to consider eating dinner in the lounge then trying to go straight to sleep once the plane takes off. Up to you.

On day flights, you also won't go hungry outside of meal times. On Virgin Atlantic, flight attendants came through the cabin several times with snacks and even had a basket set up in the Upper Class bar (Yes, there's a bar on the airplane! How did I not know that?) for passengers to grab and go whenever they wanted. Plus, anytime after the main meal service you could order additional food items like cream tea or a salad.

Ask for all the amenities

I'm the type of person who doesn't want to make a fuss, but I'm told you really need to ask for all the available amenities when flying business class these days.

You want pajamas for your overnight flight? Ask. Want a cocktail instead of wine? Ask. Want to skip dinner and have your bed made up right away? Just ring the call button and ask your attendant. Though some of these things may be offered proactively, sometimes they are not, and you wouldn't want to miss out.

Sometimes you can access an arrivals lounge when you land in your final destination. Many are still closed due to the pandemic, but if you'd like to use one, just ask. I asked on my United flight, but Heathrow's are not yet open.

Typically, business-class seats come with an amenity kit, which is a little zippered makeup bag with socks, an eye mask, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand and face lotion and earplugs. These weren't at our seats when we boarded the Virgin Atlantic flight, and the woman next to me was sad because she wanted to brush her teeth.

"Just ask," I told her, since I was now an expert business-class flyer with one flight under my belt. The flight attendant gushed his apologies for not having them out and set about giving everyone a kit.

Just enjoy the legroom

At the end of the day, the best part of the business-class experience for me was, in fact, the extra legroom.

Perhaps I'm a woman of simple pleasures. Perhaps I'm a hardy traveler who can deal with queues, crowds and mediocre meals. Perhaps it's just that I'm six feet tall and there is usually no comfortable place for me to cram my long limbs on a long-haul flight.

Despite the nice meals and the free drinks, my favorite aspect of this trip was that I could put my feet up and stretch my legs while I worked, watched movies and ate on board the plane. That — not the beverages or the fancy lounges — is why I'm trying to earn miles and elite status so I can have easier access to business class in the future.

At the end of the day, airplane food is fine but not necessarily blow-your-mind amazing. It can still be hard to sleep on a noisy, turbulent flight, even when lying flat. If you miss the lounge and never get that free cocktail, your business-class trip will be fine.

All that's true because at the end of the day, you will still have way more personal space than in coach. And that, in my mind, is all you need to have the best flight ever.

The 8 Best Business-Class Seats in the World—and How to Book Them With Points and Miles

By Ramsey Qubein and Eric Rosen

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Airlines are always updating their services, especially in the renewed competition to have the best business-class seats and amenities. While many airlines are cutting first class cabins in favor of business class, the good news is that fliers are seeing more premium perks than ever before. From  suite-style seats with closing doors and designer bedding, to menus created by celebrity chefs and chic amenity kits stuffed with beauty products, flying in business class is a delight.

Of course, all that luxury comes at a cost. Many international business-class tickets price upwards of $5,000 round-trip from the U.S., and top $10,000 in some cases. But if you have  airline miles , or credit card points that  transfer to frequent-flier programs , you can experience all this high-altitude extravagance without paying sky-high fares.

Here are eight of the best business-class seats currently available, and how you can use points and miles to fly them for (nearly) free. We picked these not only for the seating options and amenities, but also based on award availability and the number of routes on which they are in service.

1. Qatar Airways Qsuites

Since the introduction of its  much-lauded Qsuite , Qatar Airways has endeavored to put them on many of its long-haul routes, including flights from  Doha to the U.S., Europe, and Asia. As for the Qsuites themselves, each one has its own closing door for privacy in flight. Qatar Airways also designed certain center seats to be combinable into two- and four-person blocs (and double beds in some cases), so that families or colleagues traveling together can enjoy spaces for socializing and co-working.

Where to find it: Currently, you can find Qsuites aboard the airline’s  Airbus A350-1000s , and some of its Boeing 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs, and Airbus A350-900s. Its Airbus A380s and Boeing 787 planes do not have Qsuites, however. The good news is Qatar Airways is flying Qsuites from Doha to most U.S. destinations including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., among other cities. You’ll also find them on routes beyond the U.S. including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Frankfurt, London, and Paris, among others.

How to book it with points and miles: Because Qatar Airways is in the  Oneworld airline alliance , fliers can redeem American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Mileage Plan miles for award tickets. You can now search and book Qatar Airways awards directly on each airline’s website, which makes the process quick and simple. Just enter the city you're departing from, your destination, and your dates, and the search will bring up both economy and business-class award options. For example, using American miles for a one-way ticket will cost you 70,000 miles between Doha and the U.S., 42,500 miles between Doha and Europe, or 40,000 miles between Doha and Asia.

Qatar Airways has switched to the Avios program, which is also used by airlines like British Airways and Iberia. This means you can redeem Avios points to fly in Qatar’s Qsuites. Short on Avios points or don’t have an account at all? You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Avios. Avios uses a distance-based award chart making it a good deal on shorter flights, but quite pricey on longer ones. A flight from Doha to the U.S. could cost as much as 103,000 points each way, but a flight between Doha and many cities in Europe would only cost 38,750 points each way.

2. Delta One Suites

Delta was actually the first U.S. airline to  unveil designs for an all-suites business-class cabin, and those suites are now flying on many routes. The most innovative feature of Delta One Suites is the closing doors. Although they just reach the top of the seat, the doors still provide a tangible sense of seclusion during the flight, shielding passengers from activity in the aisle. Like Delta’s older business-class seats, Delta One Suites are laid out in a staggered, front-facing 1–2–1 pattern so that every passenger has direct aisle access. The seats have memory-foam cushions for a comfortable ride, are 21 inches wide, and up to 81 inches long in lie-flat mode. They also feature fun touches like customizable lighting and Do Not Disturb indicators.

Where to find it: Delta is in the midst of a fleet renewal that will add Delta One Suites on more of its aircraft every month. You should find them aboard most of its Airbus A350s and A330-900neos. Planes with Delta One Suites are now flying from several of the airline’s hubs, including Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Seattle, to various gateways in Europe, Africa and Asia, including Amsterdam, Honolulu, Johannesburg, Paris, Seoul, Sydney, and Tokyo, among other destinations. Some of these routes are also flown by aircraft with older business-class seats, so be sure to double check your specific flight before booking.

How to book it with points and miles: Of course, you could use Delta SkyMiles to book award tickets on Delta flights (and the program is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards). However, the airline’s dynamic award pricing means that mileage requirements for expensive tickets have shot up astronomically—to over 500,000 miles one-way in some cases. Prepare to fork over a lot of miles for a Delta redemption.

Instead, consider using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles. Don’t have those? Not to worry. The program is a transfer partner of AmEx Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards. So if you have a  credit card that earns any of those types of points, you can transfer them to your Virgin Atlantic account. You can search for tickets by day, week, or five-week period directly on  Virgin’s site , which has access to award space on Delta and prices itineraries from the U.S. to Europe for as few as 47,500 miles each way. Other redemptions are based on distance, however, and can cost much more. For example, a flight from the U.S. to Johannesburg would cost 165,000 miles each way.

3. Singapore Airlines

Although Singapore Airlines’  first-class suites are the stuff of legend, the  experience in business class is nothing to turn your nose up at. Laid out in a 1–2–1 arrangement, Singapore’s business-class seats feel ultra-wide, at up to 30 inches across. They recline to lie-flat beds measuring 78 inches, which the  Balmain-clad flight attendants will make up for you with two pillows and a duvet. On the airline’s newer A380s, the center seats can even be turned into a double bed of sorts so you can cuddle with a travel companion. But if you’re traveling solo, don’t worry, there are privacy partitions. Don’t go to sleep too quickly, either, or you’ll miss out on meals created by the airline’s “International Culinary Panel” of chefs, including  kaiseki master Yoshihiro Murata and a new  partnership with Golden Door Spa for nutrition and wellness-focused menus.

Where to find it: While the actual seats themselves can vary by aircraft type, the latest versions can be found aboard the airline’s Airbus A350s and newer A380s. Older A380s and Boeing 777s have previous versions that are still very similar to the new seats in terms of space and size. That means your Singapore Airlines business-class experience should be fairly standard (and a high standard at that) no matter which long-haul route you fly.

Olivia Morelli

Caitlin Morton

Stacey Lastoe

How to book it with points and miles: Singapore Airlines restricts the premium award space it makes available to partners, so you’ll probably need the airline’s own KrisFlyer miles to reserve your ticket. The good news is, KrisFlyer is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards, so you have plenty of ways to top up your account if and when you find an award you want to book. You can book awards directly on  Singapore Airlines’ site by logging into your KrisFlyer account and searching your desired route and dates.

Flying from the West Coast of the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, will cost 128,500 miles each way. Want to take  the longest flight in the world from Newark to Singapore? That will cost you 143,500 miles in each direction.

4. American Airlines

All of American’s widebody jets feature seats in a popular reverse-herringbone 1-2-1 layout. Each seat is 26-27 inches wide with the armrest down, and reclines to form a flat bed that reaches between 78-79 inches.

Where to find it: Here’s where American Airlines really excels—you’ll find some version of its current reverse-herringbone seats on the vast majority of its  long-haul jets. The exceptions are some Boeing 777s and 787s that also have a variation where some rows face the rear, but the seat footprint is still comparable. In short, you’re going to have a similar experience pretty much no matter where you fly.

How to book it with points and miles: American’s own AAdvantage miles will typically be the best option for fliers. The airline charges based on the regions you’re traveling between and the type of award. Long-haul business-class awards start at 57,500 miles each way between the U.S. and Europe, 60,000-70,000 miles to Asia, and 30,000-57,500 miles to South America. You can also redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for American business-class flights now that Alaska has joined the Oneworld alliance.

United's Polaris product is one of the best business-class seats in the world.

5. United Polaris

Although United had been slow to roll out its hyped-up Polaris business-class concept since it was first revealed in June 2016, the airline is almost finished. Polaris seats are plotted out 1-2-1. Seats in the center section are alternately closer together or farther apart from one another, so pay attention to your placement if you have a preference there. Each Polaris seat is up to 23 inches wide and 78 inches long in bed mode, and features luxe amenities like fluffy Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and cooling gel pillows.

Where to find it: United has installed Polaris seats on all widebody aircraft with the exception of a handful of Boeing 767-300ERs and 767-400s. Its narrowbody Boeing 757-200s used on some flights to Europe will not get the new Polaris seats, however. Bottom line, triple check your aircraft type, but chances are your long-haul United flight on a widebody plane will have the new seats as the retrofits near completion.

How to book it with points and miles: If you have United miles, your easiest option will just be to hop on  United.com to book your awards directly. The cost will vary by destination and date. For some reference points, though, you will need around 70,000 miles each way from the U.S. to Europe, or 90,000 to Asia, depending on where you are flying. If you don’t have a stock of United MileagePlus miles, the program is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Since United is in the  Star Alliance , you could also use Air Canada Aeroplan miles, which uses a distance-based chart that sometimes offers better value. That program is a transfer partner of AmEx Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One Rewards. Flights from the U.S. East Coast to Europe require around 70,000 miles each way, while many Asian routes will only require 75,000 miles.

6. Qantas Business Suite

Although they don’t have closing doors, Qantas’s seats do maintain a modicum of privacy thanks to a staggered 1–2–1 layout where seats are separated from one another and from the aisle by sizable screens. The  large footprint also helps—each seat is up to 24 inches wide and 80 inches long in bed mode with a 16-inch TV screen. Recent updates to Qantas aircraft are bringing its new business class to more planes, and on the Airbus A380, business-class passengers gain access to a shared lounge space to relax or work.

Where to find it: Qantas’s latest seats can be found on its Airbus A330s and its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which are taking on more transpacific flights to the U.S. as well as the airline’s longest haul, the route from  Perth to London . Qantas is currently refitting its fleet of Airbus A380 double-deckers, which also fly to the U.S., with the new seats as well. On the Airbus A380, opt for a bulkhead seat (those in the first row of each cabin) as they benefit from a few extra inches of legroom.

How to book it with points and miles: Qantas is a Oneworld member, so you can use your American Airlines AAdvantage miles to book awards directly on AA.com. American is one of the few major U.S. carriers to still offer an award chart making it easier to know how many miles you need for a redemption. Before you get your hopes up, business-class award space is scarce, but if you do find a ticket, it will cost you 80,000 miles each way between the U.S. and Australia. Even more attractive, Oneworld partner Alaska Airlines, and its Mileage Plan program only charges 55,000 miles each way. You can search and book awards directly on  the Alaska site .

7. Japan Airlines Sky Suites

JAL currently operates flights from  Tokyo to 10 U.S. airports as well as Guam, not to mention dozens of other international destinations. It's also one of a handful of carriers that opted for a style of business-class seat dubbed the Apex Suite. Although they are configured in a 2–2–2 or 2–3–2 pattern, the seats still feel extremely private because they are staggered so that passengers are not sitting right next to one another. There are also thick personal dividers between seats. With those up, you might not even see your neighbor for the whole flight.

Where to find it: Although Japan Airlines does not have the most extensive route network, it does serve several major U.S. airports, including Boston Logan, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, New York JFK, San Francisco International, and Seattle-Tacoma International, among others. Most of the Boeing 777-300ERs and 787s it flies internationally have Apex Suites on board. However, some 777-200s and 787-9s have reverse-herringbone seats instead.

How to book it with points and miles: One of the best things about Japan Airlines is the amount of award space in premium cabins it releases to its partners, including American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. You can usually find a few dates each month with business-class seats available on the airline’s various routes to the U.S., and if you are flexible, you might find quite a lot of seats open up as the date of travel approaches. Between Japan and the U.S., American AAdvantage will charge you 60,000 miles each way, while Alaska will charge you points rates starting at 50,000.

Cathay Pacific business class on its A350 plane.

8. Cathay Pacific

While not the most exotic of business-class products, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific offers one of the most dependable options. It is laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration offering privacy as well as the traditional amenities of a toiletry-stocked amenity kit, large swiveling entertainment screen, and multi-course dining. The fully flat beds are a favorite of frequent fliers. 

Where to find it: All Cathay Pacific long-haul flights offer this flat-bed business-class product. You’ll find Cathay Pacific aircraft in busy airports like Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and San Francisco. 

How to book it with points and miles: Since Cathay Pacific is part of the Oneworld alliance, travelers can use their miles much like they would with Japan Airlines. This means using American miles on flights between Hong Kong and the U.S. would cost at least 60,000 miles each way using American miles, while Alaska will charge you mileage rates starting at 50,000 miles.

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The Complete Guide to Business Class Flights

Scott Keyes

August 8, 2023

On many airlines, business class is the highest class of service on the aircraft, making it a de facto first class in its own right. 

What has evolved into today’s business class actually started out resembling today’s premium economy. In the late 1970s when airlines introduced discount economy class fares, they wanted a way to incentivize business travelers (that weren’t otherwise booking first class) to keep purchasing full fare economy class tickets. Airlines created a separate cabin for these full fare economy travelers, with more space and onboard catering and amenities that were more similar to first class, and business class was born. 

As the international air travel market evolved, business class became the primary mode of transport for long haul international business travel, and ultimately became so popular that many carriers replaced their first class cabins altogether with a top-tier business class product. 

What is business class? 

Business class is a class of service onboard a commercial flight. On many carriers, it’s the highest class of service; on some carriers it’s between first class and economy or premium economy class. 

Business class also has the broadest variety among products. Within Europe, it’s common for business class to resemble the basic economy class seat, albeit in a curtained section in the front of the aircraft, with different onboard service and a guaranteed empty middle seat. On longer haul flights, airlines switch to larger aircraft and offer their long haul business class product, but this varies by airline.  

Air France and British Airways both serve Tel Aviv from Paris and London, respectively, with longhaul-configured widebodied aircraft, but KLM, flying from nearby Amsterdam, flies the Europe-configured Boeing 737, so it’s important to check aircraft types and seating arrangements when booking. 

For American carriers, business class is generally a long haul international product. The premium cabin on domestic flights is first class, but there are some differences. Some US airlines offer a premium cabin product on international short and medium haul flights that is very similar to domestic first class, but call it business class.

Outside the United States and Europe, short haul business class looks similar to US domestic first class. 

Business class also goes by a variety of different names. While many airlines name their business class products some variation of “Business Class”, many other airlines have distinct branding. On Virgin Atlantic it’s Upper Class, while competitor British Airways calls it Club World on longhaul flights, and Club Europe on short and medium haul flights. On Thai Airways it’s Royal Silk; Korean Air has long called it Prestige Class; Delta refers to it as Delta One; JetBlue styles it simply Mint.

How much are business class tickets? 

An intercontinental long haul business class ticket from the United States will usually average between $3,000 and $5,000 roundtrip onboard major national carriers. Discount carriers may offer lower business class fares.  

Fares are often highest on the longest flights, where business class demand can be significant. Long haul flights with nonstop flight times of greater than twelve hours (nonstops from the US to the Middle East, Australia/New Zealand, and Southeast Asia) will often go for $5,000 to $12,000 roundtrip. 

Short haul business class fares in other regions of the world often price in-line with US domestic first class, with roundtrip fares as little as $300 for some shorter flights. 

Business class fares also raise and lower in line with business demand. Across the Atlantic, business class fares are at their peak during the northern winter, outside of holiday periods. It’s not uncommon for transatlantic flights in the winter to depart nearly empty in economy class, but sold out in business class. 

The inverse is true in the summer, with sold out economy class sections, and relatively less full business class cabins—with fares to match. This is particularly true in July and August when much of Europe stops transacting business for extended summer vacations.

As a general rule, business class demand dips during holiday periods, but airlines often compensate for this by scheduling different aircraft to accommodate demand changes.

>> Read about the routes where you're most likely to find a great price on business class

What's a business class deal? 

Again, this greatly depends on a number of factors including whether it's a Mistake Fare (when the airline prices the flight much lower than it meant to) or if it's just a discounted fare. If it's a Mistake Fare, you could snag an international business class flight for as low as $300.

Generally, a good deal on an international business class flight is anything under around $2,700. Going now sends business class deals (along with first class and premium economy) to our Elite members. For our deals we look for prices in the $500s to Mexico and the Caribbean, around $1,200 to Latin America, $1,700 to Europe, and $2,200 to Asia.

Here are some examples of real deals we have sent our members: 

• Newark to Paris nonstop for $1,599 roundtrip in business class
• San Francisco to Amsterdam for $1,851 roundtrip in business class
• Miami to Panama nonstop for $522 roundtrip in business class
• Philadelphia to Cairo for $1,454 roundtrip in business class

How to find cheap business class flights

The words “cheap” and “ business class ” rarely go together, but if you’ve got dreams of lie-flat beds and champagne in the sky, there is hope. It is possible to find affordable business class airfare; you just need a little bit of luck on your side (or a lot of points and miles) and the ability to act fast when you find a spectacular deal.

1. Hope for a business class Mistake Fare.

Mistake Fares are the holy grail of cheap flights , and they happen when an airline accidentally prices a flight much lower than intended—as much as 90% off usual prices. When that happens with a business class fare, it could become as cheap or even cheaper than a typical economy fare. 

There’s no secret to finding Mistake Fares; you just have to get lucky, or you need to be running dozens of flight searches every day, like our team of Flight Experts does. Mistake Fares in business class are pretty rare. In 2020, we found about a dozen, mostly domestic and to the Caribbean and Latin America, along with two to Europe and one to West Africa.

Some of the business class mistake fares we’ve previously sent members include: 

• LAX/SFO to Asia in Business Class for $600 roundtrip (normally $3,000+)
• Orlando to Mexico City in Business Class for $313 roundtrip (normally $1,000)
• JFK to Buenos Aires in Business Class for $728 roundtrip (normally $2,000+)
• Boston to Iceland in Business Class for $716 roundtrip (normally $1,800)

The key in snagging a mistake fare: act fast. Most Mistake Fares don’t last more than a day, and some disappear within hours. 

>> Here are three things you need to know about Mistake Fares . 

2. join going to get alerted to great business class prices..

We send business class deals, including business class Mistake Fares, to our Elite members. Some recent deals in business class include $983 roundtrip to Peru, $198 roundtrip to Napa Valley, and $1,043 roundtrip to the UK.

3. Use points and miles to buy a business class ticket.

As far as cash output, the “cheapest” way to snag a business class seat is often by purchasing it with credit card points or airline miles. The amount of points you’ll need to spend varies (just as with a cash price, point redemptions can fluctuate often) and there may not be award availability on every flight, but you may be able to score a business class seat for as low as 25,000 points. 

There are a ton of resources available (such as The Points Guy ) to help you get started earning points, and many cards offer signup bonuses worth 60,000 or more points when you spend a certain amount in the few few months. 

4. Book an economy ticket and upgrade with points or cash.

If you don’t have enough points to purchase a business class seat at booking, you can purchase a main economy seat and, if there is award availability on the flight, use your points to upgrade. 

A few caveats: first, make sure there is award availability before you book the ticket you plan to upgrade, and second, make sure you book a fare class that is eligible for upgrades. Some, like basic economy, are not eligible for any upgrades, even those paid with points or cash. 

Often times, as it gets closer to the departure date, if there are several unsold business class seats on a flight, the airline might offer an upgrade for purchase at a reduced rate. You may get an email in advance or you might see the option when you check in online. 

If neither happens, you can always ask at the check-in counter or at the gate. Sometimes you can snag a business class seat at a very low upgrade price at the last minute. 

5. Book an economy ticket and bid on an upgrade. 

Some airlines, including Norwegian Air, Iberia, and Icelandair allow passengers in certain fare classes to bid on an upgrade to a higher class. Typically, if you are eligible the airline will send you an email, but you can also check your airline’s policies and use your confirmation code to see if you’re eligible and place your bid. 

On the bidding page, the airline will typically offer a suggested price that’s more likely to be accepted (and usually there is a minimum bid) and include details on when you’ll find out if your bid was accepted. 

In order to place your bid, you’ll need to input your credit card info. If your bid is accepted you will be charged immediately. The bid is a new, additional amount (in addition to the amount you’ve previously paid) that you’re willing to pay for the upgrade, and typically you bid separately on the outbound and return flights. 

6. Look for business class fare sales.

Airlines do occasionally put their business class seats on sale, however, while the price might be a significant discount off the regular price, it’s highly unlikely that the prices they offer would ever qualify as “cheap.” 

For example, if a business class seat from Los Angeles to Paris typically goes for around $3,000, the sale price might be around $2,000. While it's not what most people would call cheap, that’s a big savings over the usual cost.

How to upgrade to business class

With cash or points in advance.

Airlines vary in how they offer upsells to business class before departure. Some airlines want to keep business class availability open for travelers buying tickets outright instead of upgrading, and may reserve upgrade sales with cash or points until day of departure. Delta is one airline that consistently offers cash or mileage upgrades in advance—passengers need only retrieve their reservation to see what’s available for their upcoming flights, bearing in mind upgrade prices tend to fluctuate the same way fares do. 

Many carriers also limit the number of seats available for sale with points, so travelers wanting to upgrade using points should book early to ensure best availability. It’s also important to note that most airlines do not allow “double upgrades” with most forms of payment. For example, on a carrier with both premium economy and business class, if a passenger upgrades to premium economy, it may not be possible to then later upgrade the upgraded ticket to business class, so it’s helpful to review the terms and conditions for any upgrade prior to purchase. 

Some frequent flier programs have begun charging copays for mileage upgrades to business class, which can range up to several hundred dollars for long haul flights. These copays are often waived for top-tier frequent fliers.  

With Cash or Points during Check-In

Another option for upgrades is during the check-in process. Many airlines will continue to sell premium cabin seats at a discount right up until departure time. During check-in, many airlines will offer paid upgrades with tiered pricing based on frequent flier status (upgrades are often cheaper for higher-tier members). 

Some airlines, like Air France, even offer mixed currency purchases for upgrades during the check-in process. Passengers can pay entirely with points, entirely with cash, or use a sliding scale to pick a combination of the two. 

Many carriers also offer bids for business class upgrades within a few weeks of departure. From about a week up to several weeks before the flight, airlines will e-mail confirmed passengers with links to submit a bid (passengers in the know can often visit the airlines website to submit bids without being prompted by e-mail). 

Bids will be collected (with a minimum bid—no “The Price Is Right-style” $1 bid shenanigans here!) and winning bidders are notified by e-mail. Airlines that have both premium economy and economy cabins may have differing minimum bids for passengers based on which cabin they’re upgrading from. 

It’s important to check how much advance upgrades are going for when determining a bid, although it’s notable that many carriers who offer upgrade-by-bid programs tend not to sell upgrades as aggressively using other methods.

With Frequent Flier Benefits

Unlike on domestic flights, it’s uncommon for frequent fliers to be automatically upgraded to long haul business class cabins solely because of their status. Many programs offer a point or certificate system for top-tier travelers to choose to waitlist for upgrades on a select number of flights each calendar year. The number of points or certificates awarded is often based on the amount of travel after reaching an upper tier in the program.

Business class vs other tickets

On many airlines, business class is the top of the tier for their intercontinental long haul product suite. Carriers without first class have a bit more latitude to add luxury touches to their business class cabins, as they don’t have a first class cabin from which to distinguish their business class.

First Class

• Top level of luxury and comfort—on carriers that have it
• Lie-flat seat and fine cuisine
• Highly personalized service

Business Class

• Often the top class of service on many airlines
• Lie-flat seat and significant personal space
• Usually an onboard bar or refreshment area

Premium Economy

• Larger reclining seat and upgraded amenities
• Meals can be the same as economy or slightly upgraded
• Often more baggage allowance and sometimes priority handling
• Most economical class of service
• Basic seating and amenities

What do business class tickets usually include? 

Business class tickets, with a few exceptions, are priced all-inclusively, although there are some exceptions. Discounted fares on British Airways Club World don’t include free advance seat assignments; Emirates also has an “unbundled” business class fare that doesn’t include advance seat assignments or lounge access. 

Most airlines include a substantial checked baggage allowance, airport lounge access, and onboard food and entertainment. Seating is typically lie-flat on most long haul flights. Many airlines also operate arrivals lounges in some airports, offering travelers breakfast, and perhaps a shower suite upon arrival. 

Business class travelers can typically choose from multiple entrees for their main meal, which is typically delivery on china on a linen-lined tray. Many airlines, such as Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, offer pre-order services, allowing passengers to choose their entrée in advance of the flight. Alcoholic beverages are complimentary in business class, and business class passengers typically enjoy a wider selection and/or higher quality brands than are available in economy class.

Many airlines hand out amenity kits in business class on long haul flights. On Air France the kits include products from the French cosmetics brand Clarins, while ANA hands out kits custom-designed for the airline by the British luggage brand Globe-Trotter, stocked with items from the Japanese cosmetics brand Shiro.

Business class travelers also typically benefit from a dedicated check-in space, priority baggage handling and delivery, priority security lines (and sometimes fast-track immigration lines on arrival). 

Some airlines, including Emirates and Turkish, offer free chauffeur-driven airport transfers before and after the flight to business class travelers on paid fares (not upgrades or mileage redemptions). 

First class vs. Business class

First class is a class higher than business class. On many long haul international flights, airlines may offer both first class and business class on the same aircraft. Generally speaking, business class is meant to offer a noteworthy increase in personal space and onboard amenities over economy class, but not necessarily luxurious. First class is meant to be an increase in personal space and onboard amenities over business class, private and exclusive enough to comfortably be called a luxury experience. Read more about the differences between first class and business class.

Airlines that offer business class

Here's an incomplete list of the many major airlines that offer business class.

• Aerolineas Argentinas
• Air Belgium
• Air Mauritius
• Air Namibia
• Air New Zealand
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Air Transat
• American Airlines
• All Nippon Airways (ANA)
• Azores Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• China Eastern
• China Southern
• Czech Airlines
• Fiji Airways
• Garuda Indonesia
• Japan Airlines (JAL)
• Kenya Airways
• La Compagnie
• Malaysia Airlines
• Middle East Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Royal Air Maroc
• S7 Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• TAP Portugal
• Turkish Airlines
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic

Business class cabins and services change over time. Passengers can use websites like SeatGuru and SkyTrax to check out airline seating advice with seat maps, and read reviews and rankings of the world’s airlines, respectively. You can also read our guide to the best airlines for international business class.

Join Going Elite and find out when prices for business class seats drop—sometimes by up to 90%. Join nearly 2 million members and get cheap flight alerts sent right to your inbox.

Founder & Chief Flight Expert

Published August 8, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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Find Business Class Flights to North America

Latest business class flight deals to north america.

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to Know - Business Class Flights to North America

Faqs for north america business class flights, what is the most popular airline offering business class flights to north america.

Among KAYAK users, American Airlines is the most popular airline offering Business Class seats on flights to North America.

Which airlines offer Business Class tickets on flights to North America?

Traveling to North America and want to offer yourself a Business Class experience? Depending on the origin, the following airlines offer seats in Business Class: American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.

How does KAYAK find such good deals on Business Class tickets to North America?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to North America for economy class as well as Business Class travelers.

How much is a business class flight to North America?

Business class tickets to North America differ in price depending on the departure airport. On average, business class fares cost $1,352 for a return trip to North America, while the cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $154.

What is the best airline for business class flights to North America?

The highest-rated airline by KAYAK users offering business class flights to North America is Delta, with an overall rating of 8.0.

Top tips for finding business class flights to North America

• To get a below average price, try to book at least 1 week in advance of your departure date.

Top 5 airlines flying to North America

I missed my flight and was not able to rebook. I switched to jet blue for a same day flight. Both legs were cancelled. Unacceptable.

Held up on the first leg of our flight the captain asked everyone to remain seated so that we and two others could deplane quickly to catch out tight connection which we did successfully.

The flight was fine. The breakfast sandwich purchased in advance not that great I did not use their entertainment.

Took off in time. Landed early. Much better than I thought it would be. Only down side, no TVs

only refreshments and biscuits available but it was a short flight from LAX to LAS thus it was fine.

Temperature was very cold. seat was uncomfortable bc headrest did not work properly - the earflaps would not move.

High travel time and the flight was full but the staff handled it all well.

Crew was great. Very nice. And the bad... Do not get the aisle last row seat on a 737-900. Right next to the bathroom door! I literally saw everyone on the entire plane! Not good! Landing was a little sketchy too. Felt like we were skidding all over the runway!

Alaska airlines was good! Friendly staff, good communication and respectful. The alaska airlines help in everyway they can

Great no problems. Very friendly. An hour ahead of schedule

Uncomfortable seats on 14 hour flight. Mediocre food. On time and great crew.

public website still broken for years randomly blocking browsers with privacy options active after loading a page maybe once. check-in on laptop was almost impossible but eventually randomly worked. had to print pass at airport since couldn't get back in to load digital pass on mobile firefox or chrome. red eye flight so smooth onboarding, plenty of room to spread out, easy offboarding. onboard wifi instructions mention vpn can cause problems connecting but fails to also mention private dns. no printed or built in menu list, seems weird to require personal device to point at qr code link for menu which does not even allow direct ordering. people with health condition risk related dietary restrictions trying to avoid for example cholesterol and sugar are left guessing what they can order either way without nutritional info highlights (cranberry juice was minute maid cocktail with as much suger as typical can of soda). tap to pay wasn't working and always seems sketchy to manually enter card info. good movie variety, so limited tv was okay.

The helpful attitude of the staff, and being a wheelchair passenger everyone was helpful and understanding. The trip was made comfortable by the upgraded seat which was given without my request, that was a great surprise. Thank you Delta.

Gate crew helping to scan tickets was a little short tempered with customers. Flight crew was very friendly, welcoming , and provided excellent service on board.

Bathroom broke, had to rush to board because of late exit of previous flight

Everything went well with the flight. But one of the flight attendants had on inappropriate pants. She had on an old worn out pair of sweat pants. The back seam was unrivaled and should not have been worn for work. If I had not seen her in the airport with the standard type of luggage, I certainly would not have thought she was working for Delta. Not a good look at all for representation.

Great!! I haven’t had a bad experience with them.

The plane was one hour late cause they were doing some reparations with us on the plane no mention I was in the first seat and the door was open the entire time with 8 degrees! The plane was totally dirty no mention old ! The staff was nice but no put together, the attention to details and passenger experience is missing and i always travel first !!! Is better the lounge than the plane! KLM/air France every details is taken care maybe you need a creative creator or experience client need asap was terrible and not memorable for the price that I payed very dissatisfied

Boarding super slow with people allowed to linger in aisles

We flew early evening on New Year's Eve. Our plane was less than half full... Great for the passenger experience -- not so much for the airline lol. Comfortable, spacious, smooth flight -- and early arrival!

Terrible. Flight was cancelled due to the weather in the east and sout east(florida). Did not get any compesation of any kind. According to them, it was not under their control so I lost all the money paid for the 2 fairs from Raleigh, NC to Orlando, Fl.

There were multiple delays but JetBlue tried to make the boarding and departure process as quick and efficient as possible. The crew was as detached from reality as could be, meaning: not very friendly and just doing things by the numbers.

Nothing. Jet Blue is a great choice for me And I’m going to miss flying with them Since I travel to Lima Peru very often 😞😞😞

40 minute delay before take off after boarding flight. Bright lights throughout night flight due Issues with light panels. In flight Entertainment nonfunctional

Another horrible Jet Blue experience. This airline has suffered the biggest decline of all from best to worst. TVs didn’t work (again). internet was temperamental. Boarded late and couldn’t get organized to serve snacks.

I hate their constant delays! It’s as if I cannot confidently make plans for timing when I'm traveling with them. I slept through it, so all I can say is it was good.

There was no wheelchair or wheelchair escort at the gate..unacceptable

Did not wait long for wheelchair and attendant to arrive after checking in. Wheeled down to plane Was greeted with a smile when entering the plane Choice of snacks was very limited to 2 items. Seats are uncomfortable. My butt was sore after the 1st hour of flying. Needs better cushioning at seats.

Did not wait long for wheelchair and attendant to arrive after checking in. Wheeled down to plane Was greeted with a smile when entering the plane Choice of snacks was very limited to 2 items.

One hour delayed departure resulted in problems with planned ground transportation at my destination.

Some entertainment and food/snack service would have been nice

All the pessengers should be wait in a line útil the creo and piloto are arrived.

Planes seat could be bigger very uncomfortable for tall humans.

1 hour waiting for suitcases to come out traveling in business class and food in business class is a sandwich? Avoid Aeromexico .

Newer plane with large seats. No meal, but snacks were plentiful. Inflight entertainment was good but movies were dated.

No space reserved for anyone who didn’t have underseat in front of them. Made it inconvenient to get the backs secured. No inflight entertainment in the 190. Bring your own! Food was excellent and we were surprised to get a full breakfast.

Friendly staff at all very easy check in and organize process

Horrible airline, upgraded to sit on seats made of stone. Staff were rude and on top of it they charge an arm and a leg for luggage 🧳 never again

The seats are the worst I upgraded to premium big mistake and it seems like no one likes there job very unpleasant

they don’t have TV Seat to Type in space

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How to book American Airlines business class

The airport experience, american airlines business class seats, american airlines business class amenities, in-flight dining.

American Airlines offers business class on long-haul international flights as well as transcontinental flying between major markets like New York and Los Angeles or San Francisco. American Airlines refers to its top-tier business class product as Flagship Business.

Flagship Business class has a lot of great perks to offer. Here’s what to expect when traveling in an American Airlines Flagship Business class cabin.

» Learn More: The guide to the American Airlines AAdvantage program

In addition to purchasing an American Airlines business class ticket outright, travelers can also get a business class seat by redeeming AAdvantage miles .

The mileage cost depends on what route you're flying and the demand for that flight. If you're flexible, you can book American Airlines business class between the U.S. and Europe for as few as 75,000 AAdvantage miles each way.

AAdvantage members also have the option to redeem miles to upgrade after purchasing an eligible economy or premium economy ticket. Just note that mileage upgrades typically require a cash copay. Depending on where you're flying, a mileage upgrade may not be the best value.

Complimentary upgrades to Flagship Business are available to all AAdvantage elite members on transcontinental flights and flights to Hawaii. AAdvantage elites generally need to be booked on a paid ticket — not an award ticket — to be eligible for an upgrade. However, Executive Platinum elites can even score an upgrade on award tickets.

In addition, flyers can use systemwide upgrades to upgrade to American Airlines Flagship Business class for no additional cost. AAdvantage members can select systemwide upgrades through the American Airlines Loyalty Point Rewards program or earn them upon reaching Million Miler status .

American Airlines business class passengers can use priority check-in lines and accelerated security queues at some airports. Travelers can check two bags without charge, and these carry priority bag tags so that they should be delivered first upon landing.

(Photo by JT Genter)

During boarding, business class passengers can board through the priority lane. You'll get either Group 1 or Group 2 boarding, depending on if there's a first class cabin. 

» Learn More: American Airlines boarding groups and how you can upgrade

Flagship Business class passengers can access American Airlines Admirals Clubs and American Airlines Flagship Lounges on the day of travel.

The latter are impressive lounges with large buffets offering sushi, soups and salads. Self-serve bars offer a wide range of cocktails, wines, beers and champagne while refrigerators stock bottled water, juices and sodas.

Unique to London, it features a place to relax with a cup of coffee, refreshments, breakfast and showers. The lounge also offers clothes pressing so travelers can head straight to a meeting from the airport.

All American Airlines Flagship Business class seats can recline 90 degrees into fully-flat seats. Even better, on all American Airlines Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, each seat offers direct aisle access — meaning travelers don't have to step over anyone to move around the cabin.

However, some American Airlines business class seats are better than others. Here's our breakdown of the best business class seats on American Airlines.

Best American Airlines business class seats

After a massive fleet simplification in 2020, American Airlines offers four types of business class seats. Here's our ranking of how they stack up.

1. Safran Cirrus II seats (Boeing 777-300ER)

The business class seat found on American Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is generally regarded as American Airlines' best business class seat. This reverse-herringbone business class seat is spacious, offers well-designed storage compartments, easily accessible outlets and seat controls. Most importantly, this seat avoids the pitfalls of other American Airlines business class seats.

These business class seats are found on all American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. That means you can book this aircraft and know that you'll have an excellent business class seat. Unfortunately, that's not true for other American Airlines aircraft.

2. Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seats (Boeing 787-9, 777-200 and 787-8)

American Airlines' new business class standard is the Super Diamond seat. These seats are well-regarded for all facing forward, offering a variety of storage and feeling spacious.

The only ding against these seats is with the tray table. The tray table is stored under the in-flight entertainment screen, reducing the clearance of the footwell. Side sleepers may feel a bit squeezed in the thigh or knees when trying to sleep with the seat fully reclined.

Super Diamond business class seats are found on all American Airlines 787-9 aircraft, over half of 777-200 aircraft and the newest deliveries of 787-8 aircraft. On these newest aircraft, the seat has been improved even more with the addition of an adjustable privacy screen between middle seats.

3. Safran Concept D seats (Boeing 787-8 and 777-200)

American Airlines "Concept D" business class seats are typically considered American Airlines' worst long-haul business class seats. These seats alternate between forward- and rear-facing seat pairs.

The seats are connected to one another and aren't anchored down properly. So, when your seatmate moves, you'll feel it. These seats also don't have as much storage as the Super Diamond business class seats.

You can tell that your aircraft has Concept D seats by looking at the seat map. American Airlines places a reverse arrow on seats that face backward.

You'll find Concept D installed on most American Airlines Boeing 787-8 aircraft and just under half of American's Boeing 777-200 fleet.

4. Collins Diamond seats (Airbus A321T)

Last place goes to the business class seats on American Airlines' A321T — which operate transcontinental flights such as New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco. That's for a simple reason: All seats don't have aisle access.

These aircraft have two business class seats on either side of the single aisle. That means window passengers have to climb over the aisle seat passenger to access the aisle. Still, this is a perfectly fine seat to fly across the country.

American Airlines Flagship Business class seats offer ample storage space with nooks for smaller items and side pockets to store tablets or phones. Some have flip-up storage spaces for other things like eyeglasses and reading material. Power outlets are at every seat and generally within easy reach.

Onboard, passengers will find a bottle of water waiting at their seat, as well as an amenity kit (short-haul Hawaiian flights don’t get amenity kits). There is also a comfy duvet and oversized pillow, which are part of American’s partnership with Casper bedding.

A wide variety of movies, TV shows, audio programming and often live TV is available on large screens at each seat. American also gives passengers access to Apple Music while they are flying. To enjoy the entertainment, noise-reducing headphones are given to each passenger.

Unfortunately, these headphones are often collected about one hour before landing — which can be annoying if you aren't finished enjoying the in-flight entertainment. Flight attendants generally offer low-quality earbuds as an alternative.

All American aircraft that offer Flagship Business class seating feature in-flight Wi-Fi for a charge.

» Learn More: The guide to airlines' in-flight entertainment

Before the flight, American Airlines flight attendants offer trays of orange juice, water and sparkling wine. Printed menus are delivered to each passenger (or are waiting at each seat) to explain in-flight offerings.

Multi-course meals begin with warm nuts and a tablecloth placed on the tray table. American uses aisle serving carts for its service, which speeds up delivery, but is not exactly a premium experience. Drink refills are typically plentiful and followed by a tray with an appetizer, salad and warm bread.

American is the official airline partner of the James Beard Foundation, and some of the menu choices have been designed by talented chefs. Travelers can choose from one of several main courses, which usually consist of a beef, poultry, seafood and pasta option.

Dessert usually includes a cheese plate or ice cream sundae with toppings that are added upon request.

Customers can pre-select their meal 30 days before departure via the airline’s website. In addition to the standard menu choices, there is a choice of special meals like Asian vegetarian, diabetic and Kosher options. Meals must be pre-ordered at least 24 hours before departure. Otherwise, passengers can always choose their selection from the standard menu on the flight.

On Boeing 777 and select 787-9 aircraft, American offers a food and drink station where business class passengers can help themselves to water, sodas, sandwiches, snacks and other refreshments. Other aircraft offer in-flight snacking stations on long flights, but it tends to be at the front of the business class cabin.

On many American Airlines aircraft, business class and first class can be used interchangably. That's because only two American Airlines aircraft offer both a Flagship Business and Flagship First Class cabin — the Airbus A321T and Boeing 777-300ER. On other long-haul international aircraft, Flagship Business class is the best cabin that you can book.

On most domestic and short-haul international aircraft, the front cabin is referred to as "first class" but is typically no more than a larger recliner seat with better food and drink service.

Yes, international and domestic business class receive complimentary drinks — including a variety of beers, wines and spirits to complement the food menu. Note that short flights might not offer a full drink service.

Yes, whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, all American Airlines Flagship Business class seats recline fully into lie-flat seats. However, on domestic and short-haul international flights on American Airlines single-aisle jets, first class and business class seats typically only recline a few inches.

All Flagship Business class passengers — including passengers on transcontinental domestic flights, qualifying Flagship flights to Hawaii or qualifying international routes — have access to American Airlines Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club lounges .

All Flagship Business class passengers — including passengers on transcontinental domestic flights, qualifying Flagship flights to Hawaii or qualifying international routes — have access to

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

Admirals Club lounges

(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)

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How to Find the Best Discount Business Class Flights

Melanie Lieberman is the senior travel editor at The Points Guy and was an editor at Travel + Leisure.

Premium class perks — from lie-flat seats to swanky airport lounges to unlimited complimentary cocktails — may seem out of reach for many travelers. After all, business class flights easily cost $2,500 round-trip

But that doesn’t mean you need a corporate card or hoards of points to experience the upper echelons of air travel.

Whether you're looking for a business class or a first class ticket, travelers can find cheap business class tickets by watching for flight deals, including airline promotions and mistake fares , participating in auctions, and shopping with more affordable airlines.

Travelers should also study up on the differences between business and first class cabins, as well as the differences between coach and business class. Each airline defines these cabins differently, and while a business class seat on Lufthansa's new Boeing 777's might look like a modern throne, a business class ticket on a regional budget airline may be much less luxurious.

Understanding the differences between the various fare classes will help you better spot a deal and determine how much more you're willing to pay for an upgrade.

Business Class Flight Deals

Emirates, for example, often sponsors flash sales. But while many airlines put only their economy seats on sale, this Gulf carrier also slashes ticket prices on business class seats.

During their most recent Cyber Monday sale, round-trip business class seats on board this world-class airline started at $2,999 round-trip to Italy. Typically, these seats cost over $5,000. The airline has also been known to sell 2-for-1 business class flights, making it easier for you and your travel partner to fly like VIPs.

The all-business class airline La Compagnie also runs regular promotions, which might include $1,000-flat flights between Yew York City and Paris. The perks include access to airport lounges, Caudalie amenity kits, free checked bags, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Deep discounts on business class flights can also be generated by accident. That’s when a $1,009.20 one-way business class ticket becomes a $1,009.20 round-trip ticket, offering 50 percent savings for lucky travelers.

Thrifty Traveler recently noticed such a mistake from Aeromexico. Lie-flat business class seats on flights to Chile were selling for $1,092 round-trip (standard economy tickets often cost upwards of $800), while tickets to Peru were only $548 round-trip (recliner-style seats only).

Of course, travelers interested in booking a discounted premium fare don’t need to stick to business class. Last month, The Flight Deal reported $1,522 round-trip fares from the West Coast to London in Air France’s ultra-luxurious La Première cabin.

Mistake fares such as these, however, must be booked with caution. While rare, airlines can refuse to honor these deals. While travelers will receive full refunds, they should be cautious about booking additional plans (such as hotels and tours) until they receive a ticket confirmation from the airline.

Beyond straightforward airfare sales, travelers can also get cheap first and business class flights by stockpiling miles during mileage flash sales . In 2016, travel blogger Sam Huang used a 90-percent off mileage flash sale with Garuda Indonesia to take a first class flight (typically $7,000) for only $76.

Business Class Auctions

Travelers wondering how to get cheap business class tickets without waiting for a flight deal may also be interested in premium cabin auctions. A number of major airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, and Etihad, have introduced a bidding process to help sell remaining business and first class seats.

Typically, travelers should bid at least 20 percent below market price, which you can determine with a bit of research. Mid-day flights to leisure destinations are more likely to have premium seat availability, and not all tickets will be eligible for an upgrade. To improve your chances, be sure to book directly with the airline.

In addition to these online auctions, most airlines offer travelers the chance to purchase upgrades upon check-in, though this may not result in such deep savings.

Fly With a Cheaper Airline

Not all business class experiences are equal, which is why travelers might have better luck with lesser-known, regional, or low-cost airline.

The Icelandic budget carrier WOW Air, for example, has a product called WOW Biz. It's not your typical business class — the best possible seat is extra wide and features a foot rest, but you won't get to bed down on a lie-flat model. You will, however, enjoy plenty of other premium perks like complimentary checked luggage, a free inflight meal, and priority boarding.

And JetBlue's Mint seats may be one of the best premium offerings in the sky — particularly when you consider the price tag. According to The Points Guy , it's possible to score one-way Mint-class flights from New York City to the Caribbean for under $300.

In these elegant premium seats (all of which lie-flat and some of which are available as private suites with sliding doors), travelers can snack on seasonal tapas while sampling curated Birchbox amenity kits.

While the cheapest business class tickets are typically on short-haul flights, it is possible to experience a cheap international business class flight on these carriers.

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The 19 Best International Business Class Airlines in the World

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

628 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 56 U.S. States Visited: 17

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3074 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

What Makes an International Business Class Airline Great?

1. qatar airways qsuite, 2. all nippon airlines: the room, 3. emirates a380, 4. singapore airlines “new” a380 business class, 5. virgin atlantic upper class suite, 7. cathay pacific, 8. etihad a380 business studio, 9. jetblue mint studio, 10. air france 777, 11. delta one suites, 12. eva air, 13. japan airlines 777-300er, 14. british airways club suite, 15. united’s “real” polaris, 16. qantas 787, 17. oman air 787 apex suites, 18. korean air apex suites, 19. air canada, final thoughts.

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With many airlines following the trend of removing international first class and enhancing international business class, it makes sense that the competition for business class travelers has gotten more intense.

Airlines have gone to great lengths to make their business class products as luxurious as possible , and travelers are benefiting from this cutthroat competition. This list of the 19 best international business class airlines will start making you wish you were on a plane!

As a disclaimer, this ranking is subjective and based on our opinions. We conducted hours of industry research (some of which involved trying out the products ourselves!), and we also included the opinions of some fellow travelers in this guide, especially for products we haven’t been able to fly.

Most people flying in business class do so for the comfort of having a bed to rest in. However, there are far more elements of the business class experience to consider such as the enhanced food quality and quantity,  premium alcohol (including Champagne in many cases), additional inflight amenities, lounge access , and more personal service.

For this reason, we considered the following aspects when determining each ranking :

• Hard product (seat size/comfort, amenities, inflight monitor, cabin configuration, privacy, etc.)
• Soft product (food and beverages, amenity kit, service/attentiveness, etc.)
• Lounge and ground experience
• Award pricing and availability

Hot Tip: All the business class seats in this ranking are bookable with points!

The 19 Best International Business Class Airlines and Cabins

Qatar Airways QSuites often ranks as the best business class product in the world, and for good reason.

Not only is QSuites an amazing business class product for solo travelers , but it’s also the number 1 option for those traveling with friends or as a family.

With QSuites, you’ll enjoy fantastic bedding (including a quilted mattress, proper duvet, pajamas, and slippers from The White Company), a fully lie-flat seat with direct aisle access, fantastic catering, and, as the icing on the cake, incredible service.

The seats are 21.5 inches wide and 79 inches long in bed mode. The seat isn’t as big as the Singapore Airlines business class seat, but Qatar Airways’ bedding will make you feel like you’re sleeping in clouds .

Other features include sliding doors for extra privacy, tons of storage compartments, and a technologically advanced seat (with Do Not Disturb signs). The coolest thing is that the QSuites in the middle of the aircraft can be converted into a 4-person cabin if you’re traveling as a group!

Qatar Airways is a Oneworld Alliance partner, which is great because you can use miles from American Airlines , British Airways , and more to book your QSuites.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for step-by-step guidance on how to book this amazing product, check out our guide on how to book QSuites using points and miles!

ANA’s business class is known for personifying Japanese hospitality and culture. The airline’s best business class product, aptly named “ The Room ,” is found exclusively onboard the airline’s Boeing 777-3000ER aircraft.

The cabin is arranged in 3 sections: 1 smaller section directly behind first class with 2 rows, a larger section with 10 rows directly preceding the first, and a second, smaller cabin consisting of 4 rows after passing through a second galley.

Designed by Acumen (the same manufacturer as United’s Polaris seats), The Room seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration featuring direct aisle access and fully lie-flat beds at all seats .

With 38 inches between each of the armrests , these seats are more like oversized armchairs. There’s also ample room in the footwell — a welcome upgrade to the airline’s “old” business class seat. One downside of the seat is that it only measures 72 inches in length when fully flat, which could affect taller travelers.

ANA provides a comfortable sleeping surface, great bedding, tasty Japanese cuisine, large footwells, and a 24-inch 4K inflight monitor. You’ll also receive a decent business class amenity kit by Globetrotter, though it’s not as complete as what you may find on some competitors such as EVA Air.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy genuine service throughout your flight. When all’s said and done, ANA will provide you with an excellent business class experience — the only hiccups being things like a narrow range of inflight movie options .

Best of all, booking ANA flights with points and miles is super easy. Plus, Virgin Atlantic and ANA Mileage Club offer some fantastic sweet spots in their award charts that make booking The Room a great deal.

Experiencing Emirates business class is almost a rite of passage for many points and miles aficionados. This product is known to be glamorous and glitzy with all the bells and whistles you could think of .

Some of the Emirates business class highlights include a state-of-the-art entertainment system, Bvlgari amenities , an at-seat minibar , motorized window shades, a manned inflight bar, and a spacious seat.

However, some of these things are meant to provide more of a “wow factor” than anything, such as the power shades and personal minibar. The food is known to be just OK, the bedding is rather lackluster, and the Wi-Fi is pretty bad for an airline with such a reputation.

Hot Tip: If you need help booking your Emirates award flight, see our guide on the best ways to book Emirates business class with points.

Singapore Airlines introduced an updated version of its A380 business class seat in 2017 which brought a welcome refresh to its aging premium cabin products.

Notably, Singapore Airlines’ new A380 has double beds in business class ! This is very similar to the Qatar Airways QSuites that we talked about above.

With this new Singapore Airlines business class product on the A380, you can definitely expect some huge technology upgrades, including blazing-fast Wi-Fi, a crisp 18-inch monitor that comes with phenomenal inflight entertainment, and the airline’s signature Book The Cook service .

The main drawback of these new business class seats is the tiny footwell , though you can get around this issue if you’re able to choose bulkhead seats. Another “first world problem” is that Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide amenity kits in business class .

For more information, check out our guide on the plane types, seating, and cabins available for Singapore Airlines’ U.S. routes .

Virgin Atlantic introduced its Upper Class Suite in 2019 — it’s a huge upgrade to its previous Upper Class seat.

The Upper Class Suite debuted on Virgin’s new Airbus A350-1000 jets and a slightly modified version of the new seat was installed on Virgin’s Airbus A330-900neos in the fall of 2022.

You’re in luck if you’re based in the U.S ., as Virgin has a significant presence across the country offering nonstop service to the U.K. from 12 U.S. cities. The best part is, given how important the U.S. market is to Virgin, the airline predominantly uses aircraft with Upper Class Suites on U.S. routes.

Both variations of the product have a sliding door for added privacy and improved storage over its predecessor, and t he onboard catering has never, ever let me down (even in economy).

Speaking of never being let down, Virgin Atlantic crew are among the best flight attendants in the world .

If you’re flying Virgin from London Heathrow, no matter which of Virgin’s business class products you’re flying, you’ll have access to the airline’s Upper Class Wing . It’s an exclusive check-in area for Upper Class passengers complete with a private security lane for expedited screening. The Upper Class Wing is such a great perk that it alone is enough to bring Virgin into the upper rankings of our list.

Hot Tip: You can transfer points from several U.S. credit card rewards programs to Virgin’s Flying Club for award flights. However, the generally good award availability is overshadowed by the steep taxes and fees you’ll have to pay to book a seat. Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Virgin Atlantic using points.

Starlux is a new Taiwanese carrier taking luxury travel into the stratosphere . The start-up boutique airline recently launched nonstop service from Taipei (TPE) to Los Angeles (LAX) and plans to soon inaugurate a second service between Taipei and California, but this time to San Francisco (SFO).

The cabins of the Airbus A350 jets that operate Starlux’s U.S. routes are beautifully designed. The seats have a pitch of 44 to 48 inches , include a door for extra privacy, and feature a zero-gravity mode which I absolutely loved when I flew this jet from Taiwan to Macau .

There’s ample storage, a huge tray table, and even the option to control the brightness of each of the 3 light fittings at the seat.

When you add in top-notch food, Singapore Airlines-like service, and thoughtful little extras like a post-meal hot towel, pre-landing candy, and a handy little toothpick, Starlux really is an airline to watch .

Cathay Pacific’s product has largely remained unchanged for a long time . The carrier’s business class product consists of reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat is 21 inches wide and the bed is 81 inches long aboard the 777. The setup is very similar on the airline’s newer Airbus A350 jets, albeit with slightly shorter beds.

The seating layout is very private, and Cathay Pacific’s cabin finishes are quite stylish. These lie-flat seats come with amenity kits by the British brand Bamford, but unfortunately, the bedding is nothing to write home about. You’ll receive a pillow and a comforter, but not a mattress pad.

Food is generally pretty decent and features Hong Kong classics such as dim sum, wonton noodles, or seafood chow mein (海鲜炒面). Your inflight entertainment options will be vast , you’ll have tons of storage at your seat, and your headphones will be noise-canceling for maximum comfort.

Cathay has a long-standing reputation for very good service, as is often the case for Asian carriers. However, this certainly was not the case on a flight I took recently from Hong Kong to London .

Cathay Pacific offers a few types of business class products — get the inside scoop in our definitive guide to Cathay Pacific’s U.S. routes to find the best seat. Don’t forget to try the Cathay Pacific Lounges in Hong Kong!

Etihad is primarily known in the luxury travel space for the out-of-this-world First Class Apartment , which you’ll find exclusively onboard the airline’s Airbus A380. Etihad recently relaunched A380 service after the aircraft’s pandemic-induced retirement.

However, Etihad also offers a great business class product, the best of which you’ll find on Etihad’s 787s, A380s, and newly-introduced Airbus A350s .

Seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, and the seats alternate between facing backward and forward in every other row.

These Business Studio seats are 20 inches wide on the A380 and 22 inches wide on the 787, with up to 78 inches in bed length and pitch . Major highlights include a comfortable seat and bedding, great service, the dine-on-demand menu, provided pajamas, great inflight entertainment, and decent Wi-Fi.

Unfortunately, the food is what lets Etihad’s business class product down — for such a well-rounded business class product, it’s just OK. And with very few business studio routes and not-so-stellar award pricing, this product falls right in the middle of the pack.

Hot Tip: While Etihad’s award pricing leaves a lot to be desired, its Etihad Guest frequent flyer program is interestingly one of the best options for booking American Airlines business and first class. We also put together a guide on Etihad Airways’ Routes which can help you find what type aircraft and seats are on the route you want to fly.

JetBlue recently launched transatlantic flights from the U.S. East Coast to London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

Despite being founded as a low-cost carrier, JetBlue offers a business class product — complete with lie-flat seats — which it calls Mint. The stars of the show are seats 1A and 1F — the airline’s so-called Mint Studio seats.

Even though the Mint Studio is on a narrow-body Airbus A321, there’s so much space in the seat that I’d argue they’re a more comfortable way to cross the Atlantic compared to other airline’s business class seats on wide-body aircraft.

The IFE screen is huge, there’s more than enough storage, and when the seat goes fully flat, the surface area is definitely larger than most competitors . Better still, there are 2 tray tables and enough extra seating space in the Studio for a fellow passenger to join you for food or to just hang out.

Additionally, only the 2 passengers in Mint Studios are offered extra amenities such as pajamas and playing cards .

With JetBlue’s recently revamped TrueBlue program , TrueBlue members can book regular Mint seats using points. To enjoy the Mint Studio experience, you can upgrade from a standard Mint seat for around $299 each way.

The only thing missing from JetBlue’s business class experience is lounge access. In fact, the airline has no lounges whatsoever in its network, true to its low-cost roots.

I recently experienced the Mint Studio on a flight from Paris to New York, and trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed by this seat when hopping across the Pond. You can read about the entire JetBlue Mint Studio experience in my full review of the product .

Air France is often a top choice for people planning transatlantic travel. Although the carrier operates a slew of different business class products, Air France’s 777 business class ( except the 3-class 777 ) offers a reverse herringbone layout that’s worth spending your hard-earned points on.

This business class product is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with seats that measure 21.5 inches wide and offer 61 inches of pitch.

The duvet and pillow are pretty thick, though there’s no mattress pad or pajamas provided on these flights. Your amenity kit will most likely contain Clarins toiletries, and the food tends to be extremely tasty and exquisitely French .

Award availability for these routes is spectacular, though the award pricing is another story. Air France/KLM Flying Blue uses a “variable award pricing” calculator , which can price U.S.-to-Europe business class awards anywhere from 53,000 miles to an eye-popping 212,500 miles one-way!

The good news is that Air France/KLM Flying Blue partners with all 7 major transferable currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards , American Express Membership Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards , Capital One Miles , Bilt Rewards , and Marriott .

Hot Tip: Want to go to Paris? We’ve already done all the hard work for you. Check out our guide on the best ways to fly to Paris using points and miles !

We’re also huge fans of Delta One Suites (check out our review of the product aboard an A350 ). These Delta One Suites are Thompson Vantage XL seats with sliding doors that give you the utmost in privacy .

Though Delta One Suites are among the most technologically advanced and thoughtfully designed hard products out there, the seats are relatively narrow at 21 inches wide . The aisles are also quite narrow, so you might get a bit claustrophobic walking through them.

Highlights of Delta One include an amenity stocked with high-quality products, plush bedding , and a comfortable seat to rest in.

Overall, it checks most of the boxes (though the airport lounge experience is currently limited to Delta Sky Clubs ). Additionally, the Delta One Suites routes are somewhat limited — so if you want to try it, you’ll want to confirm that Delta One Suites are being offered on your prospective flight.

Hot Tip: When using points to redeem for Delta flights, you’ll often be able to use significantly fewer rewards by using the frequent flyer program of a partner airline, such as Virgin Atlantic. Check out our step-by-step guide on the best way to book Delta One Suites using points and miles.

EVA Air arguably has one of the most underrated business class products   in the world — especially with its newest product that it rolled out on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Even EVA’s older business class got the thumbs up from Upgraded Points writer Stephen Au who said “I had no complaints at all”.

In its long-haul business class offering (which the airline calls Premium Laurel Class), the seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. This gives a feeling of great privacy.

Each business class seat is 26 inches wide and the bed is 78 inches long. This is extremely wide for reverse herringbone seats (typically you’ll see a width of 20 to 22 inches).

Furthermore, EVA Air offers some fabulous Taiwanese catering, including juicy pork dumplings from Din Tai Fung , and endless Western courses too! You can also reserve your meals before your flight.

Their bed is super comfortable, plus you’ll get pajamas from Apujan (a London-based designer label,) and Rimowa/Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits . 

There’s very little to complain about when it comes to EVA Air, and we like it that way. Plus, award availability is absolutely phenomenal on this Star Alliance carrier.

Be sure to check out these great ways to earn Eva Air miles, and you can experience its business class for yourself in no time.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? Check out our guide on how to book EVA Air business class using points and these 29 ways to redeem EVA Air Miles for maximum value .

Japan Airlines has a somewhat misleading business class product. From looking at the 2-3-2 seating configuration, you might think its business class is nothing special — but it’s one of the best products you can find in this category .

That’s because Japan Airlines uses a seat product called Apex Suites, which is known to be incredibly private. Even in a 2-3-2 seating configuration, all seats have direct aisle access along with privacy dividers and partitions. All the lie-flat seats are 25.5 inches wide and are 74 inches long in bed mode .

If you think these seats sound huge for business class, you’d be right! And if you manage to secure seats in row 5 as Stephen did on the 777-300ER , you’ll enjoy a true private-jet feel: there’s only 1 row of business class seats in this mini-cabin, and the bulkhead means you’ll have a lot more legroom.

Aboard Japan Airlines, expect a selection of tasty Asian dishes, a comfortable ride with solid bedding, a 23-inch inflight monitor, a boutique Japanese amenity kit, and the very best of Japanese service .

Finally, Japan Airlines releases a generous amount of awards , both very far in advance and at the last minute. In fact, the carrier is consistent with releasing all its unoccupied seats for award redemption 1 to 2 days before departure.

Hot Tip: If you want one of the best all-around business class experiences, Japan Airlines won’t disappoint. For the inside scoop, check out the best ways to book Japan Airlines business class .

Once the pioneer of lie-flat business class seats, British Airways was left in the dust when most other airlines went several steps ahead with their cabin upgrades.

Fast forward to 2019 and British Airways joined the competition again with the introduction of the Club Suite on its Airbus A350 aircraft.

Much to the delight of many frequent British Airways flyers, the Club Suite’s 1-2-1 configuration and privacy doors replaced a 2-4-2 configuration and awkward seat clambering of the old Club World seats.

When fully flat, the bed measures a comfortable 79 inches and comes complete with White Company bedding and amenity kit.

In terms of tech, the fixed 18.5-inch IFE screen means passengers can watch their preferred entertainment from gate to gate.

British Airways’ Do&Co catering on flights departing London verges on excellent on most occasions (even on short-haul flights to Europe and within the U.K.), while the same cannot be said on departures from its destination airports.

You’ll currently find the Club Suite on all of British Airways’ A350s and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, and most Boeing 777s . The airline has plans to retrofit its Airbus A380s, 787-8s, and 787-9s with the new Club Suite.

After a lengthy retrofit program, all of United Airlines’ wide-body jets that operate international flights now have the most up-to-date version of its Polaris business class .

Seats tend to be around 22 to 24 inches wide and have 78 inches of pitch and bed length. These new products are technologically advanced and feature Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, which has been a hit with flyers.

The major highlight of United Polaris is the bedding, which features 2 pillows (one of which is gel), a mattress topper, and a thick duvet/comforter.

The main drawbacks are: Polaris award availability is relatively sparse — if you want to try it, you’ll need to be tremendously flexible, and the catering often leaves a lot to be desired .

Qantas operates the A380 and 787-9 on routes to/from the United States. In business class, the A380 isn’t amazing , with angled-flat seats that don’t all have direct aisle access. However, the 787-9 is a totally different story : you can expect seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, each being 23 to 24 inches wide and offering beds up to 80 inches in length.

This product ranks here primarily because of its seat size, dine-on-demand availability, and thoughtful departure times . Qantas seems to understand that the flights between the U.S. and Australia are excruciatingly long, so planning red-eye departures is beneficial in every way.

Qantas’ soft product isn’t going to win any awards, but the mattress topper, seat size, and emphasis on comfort are sure to impress.

Some drawbacks of the product include limited award availability and smaller foot space in non-bulkhead seats. Still, with the addition of several new nonstop services from the West Coast to Australia and New Zealand, Qantas’ Dreamliner business class is certainly worth considering.

Hot Tip: Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Qantas business class using points .

Even if you’ve never heard of Oman Air, one thing you should know is that their business class — especially their Apex Suites on the 787 — is fantastic . These seats are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration and are super private (especially the window seats). They feature partitions, direct aisle access, and lie-flat capability.

You’ll find thick bedding (though no mattress topper), pajamas, and a solid Oman Air-branded amenity kit. Furthermore, the food and beverage program is top-notch.

One of the cons of this product is that you won’t be able to find a U.S. route to try it out on . In fact, there aren’t many Oman Air routes that offer the Apex Suites product. But if you manage to get your hands on some award availability, be sure to utilize Etihad Guest miles for fabulous value !

Korean Air uses the same Apex Suites-style configuration as Oman Air, but on quite a few more routes (mainly found on the Boeing 747-8, 777-300ER, 787, and A330-300).

Food and service tend to be the highlights for Asian carriers, and Korean Air is no exception. While their cabin finishes are known to be hospital-like and sterile , the service is always undeniably good. Plus, you’ll have around 21 inches of width and 75 to 80 inches of bed length to stretch out on.

The inflight monitor measures around 17 inches, and the amenity kit includes luxury products from French brand Atelier Cologne. The main drawbacks brought up with Korean Air business class are a lack of thick bedding, concerns with inflight entertainment options, and poor ground service.

Hot Tip: Have you decided on visiting South Korea and want to fly on Korean Air to get there? Check out our guide on the best ways to book Korean Air business class .

Air Canada’s flagship business class product is known as Signature Class and features lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration.

The hard product is generally excellent, and the bedding (which includes a mattress pad) is very plush — though you’ll have to set up your bed yourself. The seats are 21 inches wide and 75 to 78 inches long in bed mode, which is solid, but not spectacular, for a reverse herringbone seat.

Though Air Canada has decently stocked amenity kits, the brands may vary and no pajamas are offered.

On the plus side, food and beverage options are said to be tasty and familiar to American palates. Additionally, free inflight messaging is available to Aeroplan members — its entire fleet is set to enjoy free access to full Wi-Fi connectivity in the near future.

The unfortunate thing is that award availability on flagship routes is relatively limited — unless you book through Air Canada Aeroplan , which comes with hundreds of dollars in fuel surcharges!

If you prefer to try your luck at scoring an upgrade, check out our guide to upgrading to business and first class on Air Canada .

Bottom Line: Air Canada provides a solid product for a restful flight, with comfortable beds and seats and good food. 

As you probably know by now, each business class product has its pros and cons, whether it’s a large business class seat, specific cuisine choices, or even amenity kit brands.

All of these considerations are essential, especially when spending your hard-earned points and miles. Now, you have an idea of the 19 best international business class airlines in the world. Happy traveling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best business class cabin.

Our vote for the best business class cabin goes to Qatar Airways QSuites!

What makes a business class product great?

A great business class product will blend a modern, comfortable seat that offers personal space, storage, privacy, and practicality with top-notch food and beverage selections and professional service from crew members.

What are some other top options for business class airlines?

You can’t go wrong if you’re sitting in business class on several airlines, but some of the standouts include All Nippon Airways (ANA), EVA Air, Air France (on planes that have been equipped with its latest product), and Cathay Pacific.

Is business class expensive?

If you were to pay cash for a ticket, you can expect business class to be pretty pricey. Luckily, there are numerous ways to book most business class seats with points and miles!

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About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

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11 Business Class Travel Tips to Help Make Your Experience Perfect!

There is something quite delightful about “turning left” when you enter an aircraft. Invariably this means that you will be flying in a premium cabin! Flying Business Class comes with its perks – complimentary chauffeur-driven cars, lounges, fast-track customs & immigration – and it’s well worth doing some research before you take your trip. And remember, in our airline reviews BusinessClass.com helps you with everything from suite size to Champagne served! For special, even exclusive Business Class offers, sign-up to our free weekly newsletter.   

The BusinessClass.com guide to the do’s & don'ts of business travel:

1. select your seat carefully: .

Research the aircraft you will be flying. Do not assume that all carriers operate the same cabin layout because they don’t. Seat configurations could vary between outbound and inbound flights with the same airline, depending on the aircraft type. And, of course, Business Class seats can differ dramatically depending on the seat design. Look for lie-flat beds on longer routes. Window seats are often best suited for solo travellers, while middle seats are more sociable, depending on the seat layout. And of course, some airlines offer a Business Class suite - for maximum privacy and comfort - it's invariably akin to a First Class experience! Business Class seats are designed to maximise passenger comfort and the in-flight experience. They will have hidden cubby holes, concealed charging points and USB connectivity. Alternatively, ask a flight attendant to show you around your seat. BusinessClass.com reviews airlines and we research seats extensively - from configuration to facilities on offer. 

Of course, airlines differ on what they offer – and the best is arguably Qatar Airways Business Class and its superb Qsuite.  

2. Use the Complimentary Chauffeur Service:

A limited number of airlines provide a complimentary chauffeur pick-up and drop-off service. If they do, you have paid for this perk – use it. Check online if the airline offers this service and book well ahead of time to avoid disappointment. Some airlines have limited or cancelled this service due to the pandemic. The following Airlines currently provide a complimentary chauffeur service: Emirates Business Class , Qantas Business Class , Lufthansa Business Class , Austrian Business Class , SWISS Business Class , Turkish Airlines Business Class , Air China Business Class , and Etihad Business Class . Check with your airline, which may have reintroduced this service or provide an alternative paid-for chauffeur service.

Always check the terms and conditions of use – some will have mileage limitations and could be limited to specific airports and destinations.

3. Find the Dedicated Check-in & Make the Most of the Exclusive Lounge(s):

Business Class passengers will invariably have a dedicated and quieter check-in. Know where to find this before arriving at the terminal to avoid unnecessary delays. Also, research what exclusive lounges are available with your ticket and maximise the time spent there before your flight. Ask check-in staff for directions if you are unsure what lounges you can use. Business Class Lounges provide complimentary food and drinks – à la carte or buffet dining, self-service, or bar services. There will be various seating options – areas to rest or work, free Wi-Fi, USB and charging points, and some provide exercise equipment, spa treatments and private shower suites. Check beforehand to make sure what services are on offer. Lounge quality differs from airport to airport. If you are a frequent Business Class traveller and have accumulated enough points on your airline loyalty card , you may even be allowed to use a First Class lounge! Check this out at the check-in desk. 

For amazing Business Class lounges, Doha and Singapore are top of the list – catering for Qatar Airways Business Class and Singapore Airlines Business Class respectively.

4. Dress Comfortably:

Wear something comfortable on your flight. Avoid clothes that crease excessively or make you overheat. Ask the flight attendants if they have a hanger for your suit or jacket. Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Some airlines provide pyjamas for long-haul flights. If not, consider taking some casual tracksuit bottoms and a light baggy top to change into before you get your head down to sleep. You’ll be able to walk around without raising any eyebrows.

Qantas Business Class and  American Airlines Business Class both offer lovely, comfortable unisex inflight sleeping outfits.

5. Pre-order your In-flight Meal:

Many airlines now allow customers to order their meals ahead of the flight, providing three main advantages – two for the customer and one for the airline. The customer could have a broader and more varied choice of meal selections (such as in the case with SWISS International Air Lines, where advanced ordering allows the additional choice of four meals not otherwise offered during the flight). Secondly, pre-ordering avoids disappointment in the air if the airline stocks a limited number of portions per flight. Pre-ordering also helps the airline to reduce food waste. If you have a special diet, pre-ordering your in-flight meal before departure is always wise.

Some airlines offer celebrity Michelin-starred chef menus and some offer “Skychefs”. It's for you to choose!

6. Enjoy the complimentary alcohol, but stay hydrated:

You have a great seat and have enjoyed a delicious meal. You are settling back to watch a movie, and the fantastic flight attendants are ensuring your glass is never empty – does it get any better than this? Business Class travel comes with the perk of complimentary alcohol, be it from a welcome glass of Champagne upon boarding to a small selection of fine wines, spirits, mixers, cocktails, and beers with your meal, or upon request. Enjoy the pleasures of never having an empty glass, but also ensure to stay hydrated. Avoid a mid-flight hangover and disturbed sleep by keeping hydration levels in check. Remember, a pressurised cabin has low humidity levels that will have a dehydrating effect on the body. Many airlines provide a complimentary bottle of water upon boarding, and you only have to ask if you’d like more. That said, take a look at the signature cocktail and mocktail lists. Nothing celebrates a special Business Class flight more than sampling the airline’s signature tipple. It’s also worth taking a look at the non-alcoholic beverage list. Certain airlines offer unique regional speciality drinks, such as juices, coffees, and teas. Also, note that some airlines are dry and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited both on the ground and in the air.

7. Ask for Amenities:

Expect an attractive Business Class amenity travel bag on long-haul flights containing a dental kit, eye mask, earplugs, lip balm, moisturising cream, and even fragrance with some airlines. These bags have evolved in recent years into something unique and collectable. Designer brands have partnered with airlines to produce nice-looking, practical, sustainable and desirable amenity kits. British Airways Business Class has collaborated with The White Company’s Restore & Relax Spa Collections. Singapore Airlines uses British perfumer Penhaligon. Emirates Business Class has partnered with BVLGARI and provides men’s and woman’s luxury travel kits, and Lufthansa has teamed up with renowned Greek skincare brand Korres . If you are a frequent flier and have received the same style kit on a previous flight, ask for a different design to complete the set. Passengers will receive soft/foam/memory pillows, a seat cover, a duvet and a blanket on demand. Some airlines will provide a comfortable mattress pad. Just ask if you need more. The screen of the in-flight entertainment systems is generally larger than that of the standard cabin and frequently comes paired with noise-cancelling headphones. These are often of good quality and will help cut out the peripheral noise of the cabin.

8. Use your full Baggage Allowance:

A Business Class ticket provides passengers with a greater baggage allowance than in Economy Class, both in the hold and cabin. Research the checked baggage allowance of your airline, as limits can vary in dimension, weight and quantity – depending on the airline.

9. Plan your Sleep:

Consider the time zones you are passing through on long-haul flights and plan for the best time to get some sleep to arrive fresh and ready for the next stage of your journey. Finnair provides a handy timeline on their IFE screen so passengers know exactly when to expect meal service and when they will be left alone for periods of rest. Seasoned Business Class travellers are less likely to ‘explore’ the numerous benefits of their Business Class seat and will take advantage of the lie-flat seat, complimentary earplugs (or use the noise-cancelling earphones) and eye mask at the earliest opportunity. Airlines differ with the Business Class bed & bedding that they offer. Also, some airlines offer express meal service, allowing passengers to get their heads down soon after taking off. Another alternative is to have a full meal at the Business Class lounge before departure and forgo the main in-flight meal in place of sleep.

10. Use the Arrival Lounge:

Check ahead that your destination has an Arrivals lounge available for use. These are great for freshening up after a long overnight flight, or perhaps, enjoying a nice coffee over breakfast. If you changed from smart work clothing on the flight, this is an excellent opportunity to change back again.  

11. Reduce jet lag:

Jet lag is the misalignment of your body’s internal clock due to flying through three or more different time zones. Unfortunately, jet lag cannot be prevented entirely. However, there are several methods to reduce the effects. A lot depends on the direction of travel – the impacts of jet lag flying east are generally regarded as worse than flying west due to losing time from the body’s 24-hour cycle. Symptoms can range from disturbed sleep to daytime sleepiness, impaired thinking, stomach problems and more. Combat the effects by preparing for your flight several days before with quality sleep at home or changing sleep and waking times to be closer to that of your destination. Create a schedule for the first couple of days of your trip, allowing for periods of sluggishness throughout the day. If you are visiting your travel destination for less than three days, consider not changing your current sleep cycle too much – you’ll only have to change it again when you arrive home. Stay hydrated during your flight. Limit alcohol and caffeine. Eat healthy and light, and avoid fat-heavy meals and snacks. Stay awake on daytime flights heading west to force sleep at the regular local time. Make the most of your lie-flat bed on longer journeys eastwards and try to sleep for as long as possible. Upon arrival at your destination, take a power nap if bedtime is too far away, but not for too long. If it’s daytime, go outside. Daylight will help adjust your internal body clock.      

Flying Business Class is a splendid way to travel. The most important part of the experience is to enjoy all the perks and arrive at your destination fed, watered, relaxed, refreshed and with a smile of your face!

BusinessClass.com searches hundreds of travel sites at once to help you find the best premium travel offers on both flights and the finest hotels. The  Flight Search on BusinessClass.com includes all the information you will need to help you make a considered choice - from price to time in the air, seat size to Champagne marque! Check out your next flight here: 

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How do we do it? Business Class ensures the greatest possible value for your travel by negotiating lower prices on available seats and matching those seats to your schedule and budget for business class tickets. No matter the location, our travel professionals can get you there comfortably. We always guarantee an efficient and straightforward process on securing business class flight deals so our travelers’ experience with us is seamless.

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Ranked: The Best Airlines for Affordable Business Class Travel

I f flying economy is like staying in a Motel 6, flying in business class is like checking into a Hyatt. It's not quite the Four Seasons (that would be first class), but it certainly has more perks than your average motel. However, you'll easily pay three to four times more to fly business class than you would for an economy seat. And if you're going to pay more, we say you should get more.

According to experts, though, our list omits some of the finest airlines in the world, and we do recognize that fact. This article is intended to share the top five airlines offering business class flights at a price that won't leave you with a huge credit card bill.

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No. 1: Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines may not be the first airline you think of if you're planning an international trip, but you should probably add it to your list. The airline is known for offering great deals -- and Hawaiian hospitality -- on business class flights to Asia and the South Pacific.

It's possible to find bargain prices on business class tickets year-round, but particularly during the off-season.

What you can expect to find onboard:

• Plenty of legroom and a seat with an ottoman/footrest
• Seat that transforms to fully lie-flat bed
• Mattress cover, comforter, and soft pillow
• Storage compartments
• Amenities like earplugs, earphones, eye mask, toothbrush/toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, tissues, comb, hydrating mist, sunscreen, and pen
• Two USB ports and an AC power outlet
• Entertainment tablet that slips seamlessly into an arm that extends from the console in front of you
• Entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, and games
• Drinks, including alcoholic beverages
• Gourmet meals

No. 2: Turkish Airlines

If you're a world traveler who would rather visit non-touristy spots, the off-season is the time to visit Istanbul. It's then you can snag a round-trip flight from the U.S. to Turkey for as little as $1,500. Once in Istanbul, you can fly to nearly any European city in under four hours.

Turkish Airlines sweetens the pot by offering an optional stopover in Istanbul that allows you to extend your stay in a 5-star hotel at a bargain price. That way, if you want to see what Istanbul offers before jetting off to another exotic locale, it won't cost much.

What you can expect to find onboard a long-haul flight:

• Spacious leg room area
• Lie-flat seats
• Seat massagers
• Flying chefs preparing made-to-order meals
• Complimentary wifi
• Noise-canceling headphones

No. 3: Aeromexico

You may already be familiar with Aeromexico, especially if you routinely fly between the U.S. and Mexico. However, did you know that the airline offers some of the best business class fare on trips between the U.S. and other Latin American countries? For example, it's possible to pay less than $700 for a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to São Paulo, Brazil.

When looking for a business-class ticket on Aeromexico, you'll want to search for "Clase Premier."

Here's what you can expect to find onboard:

• Blanket and pillow
• Large, bright entertainment system
• Movies and television shows
• Full drink service, including alcoholic beverages
• Personal power outlet
• Extraordinary service

No. 4: Aer Lingus

For many, the top selling point for flying business class is access to much more leg room, better food options, and lie-flat seats. Round-trip flights on Aer Lingus between Europe and the East Coast will run you around $1,500, and you can expect to pay a few hundred more for round-trip flights between Europe and the West Coast.

• Fully lie-flat seats
• Seats with a massage option
• Universal plug socket and USB-A charge outlet
• Water bottle holder and reading light
• Storage space
• Fully retractable table
• Amenities kit, including items like flight socks, eye mask, ear plugs, toothbrush/toothpaste, mints, lip balm, and hand cream
• 16-inch HD touchscreen screen
• Movies, TV series, interactive games, music, and audio library of podcast and world music

No. 5: TAP Portugal

You may not have the most luxurious experience flying TAP Portugal, but travel writers claim it's still quite nice. Besides, flights between Europe and the U.S. start at under $700. TAP is one of the few airlines that doesn't charge a premium for return-only flights. That means if you decide to backpack through Europe but aren't quite sure when you'll return, your favorite travel credit card won't get dinged with extra charges when you book a flight home.

• Fully lie-flat seat
• Mattress cover, blanket, and soft pillow
• Cubbies for storage
• Amenities like facial moisturizer, eye mask, toothbrush/toothpaste, argyle socks, pen water bottles, noise-canceling headphones
• In-seat entertainment with large 15" screen
• Entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, and travel programs
• Drink service available with meals

If you don't immediately find the fare you're hoping for on one of these airlines, stick with it. While the best deals may not pop up for every flight, each of these carriers is known for offering some of the best rates around. The opportunity to fly business class is sure to be worth the effort.

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Business Class Travel 101: All the Basics You Need to Know

• August 24, 2023

Business-class travel is becoming more and more popular every day. More and more people are realizing the benefits of traveling in style and comfort. If you’re thinking of booking a business class ticket, but aren’t sure what to expect, don’t worry. In this article, we will discuss all the basics you need to know about business class travel. Keep reading to learn more.

Table of Contents

What Is A Business Class Travel?

A business class travel is a type of air travel in which passengers are given additional services and amenities not typically available in economy class. Business-class travelers typically have access to larger seats with more legroom, early boarding, and priority luggage handling. Some airlines also offer complimentary meals and alcoholic beverages, as well as in-flight entertainment systems with movies, music, and TV shows. While business class travel is often more expensive than economy class, it can be a worthwhile investment for those who fly frequently or need to arrive at their destination feeling rested and relaxed.

What Is the Difference Between Business and First Class?

The primary difference between business and first class is the price. Business-class tickets are typically cheaper than first-class tickets, but the amenities offered can vary greatly. First-class passengers usually have access to a private lounge, priority boarding, and more legroom. Business-class passengers may have some of these amenities, but they will not be as extensive as those in first class. Another difference is that first-class cabins are often smaller than business class cabins, so there are fewer seats and passengers have more privacy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Business Class Travel

Business-class travel has its pros and cons. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages of flying business class so you can decide if it’s worth the extra cost for your next trip.

More space and comfort.

One of the main advantages of flying business class is the increased space and comfort. You’ll have more legroom to stretch out and relax, plus your seat will recline further back than in economy. This can make a long flight much more bearable.

Better food and drink.

Another advantage of business class is the improved food and drink options. You’ll usually be served a hot meal on a real plate, with better quality ingredients than in economy. And you’ll have a wider selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.

More attentive service.

In business class, you’ll usually receive more attentive service from the airline staff. They’re there to make your flight as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, so if you need anything just ask.

Priority boarding and baggage handling.

Another advantage of business class is that you’ll usually get priority boarding and baggage handling. This means you can avoid the crowds at the gate and be one of the first to get off the plane when you land.

Disadvantages

Higher cost..

Of course, the biggest disadvantage of business class is the cost. It’s usually much more expensive than the economy, so you’ll need to decide if the extra cost is worth it for you.

Not always available.

Another downside of business class is that it’s not always available on all flights. So if you’re flying on a budget airline or a short domestic flight, you probably won’t be able to fly business class.

Less social interaction.

Another downside of business class is that you’ll have less opportunity for social interaction. Since everyone has their own space, you’re not likely to strike up a conversation with your seatmate like you might in the economy.

Fewer flight options.

Another downside of business class is that there are usually fewer flight options available. This means you might have to fly at less convenient times or make a few stops before reaching your final destination.

How Much Does A Business Class Flight Cost?

The cost of a business class flight can vary widely depending on the airline, route, and time of year. You can often find business class flights for under $1000, but it’s not uncommon to see prices over $5000. If you’re flexible with your travel dates and willing to fly during off-peak times, you can usually get a better deal on your business class ticket.

Are Business Class Tickets Refundable?

It depends on the airline and the ticket type. Most airlines will refund a business class ticket if you cancel it within 24 hours of booking, but after that, they are generally non-refundable. However, some airlines may allow you to refund your ticket if you request at least seven days before your flight. If you need to cancel your business class flight, be sure to contact your airline as soon as possible to avoid any penalties or fees. You should also keep in mind that many airlines have different policies for domestic and international flights, so be sure to check with your carrier before booking.

So, there you have it, the overview of everything you need to know about business class travel. If you’re ready to book your next business class flight, give us a call today. Our team of experts is here to help make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for you. And remember, if you have any questions or want more information about anything we covered in this post, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

Want to Travel in Business Class And Save Money?

With a variety of travel options to choose from, visiting us at All Business Class will help you decide on a dream destination and awesome activities! We offer all-inclusive beach trips to tropical islands, long backpacking trips across Europe, immersive gastronomic adventures in Asia, and relaxing cruise trips in the middle of the ocean. If your company is planning a conference or corporate meeting somewhere abroad, we will also work with you to guarantee the best pricing and package options. Whatever your dream destination is, we will be more than happy to plan a trip you are excited for and are completely satisfied with. For us to better understand your trip needs and goals, we would be more than happy for you to help! As you pick and choose between some destinations, visit our office, give our office a call at (800) 769-7857, or fill out our contact form and we will be more than happy to speak to you about trip options, pricing options, as well as group pricing. Whatever your dream destination is, we will be more than glad to help you plan and book your trip! 

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This airline updated its premium economy service: How that impacts your next long-haul trip

Singapore Airlines unveiled an overhauled cabin service for its premium economy passengers earlier this month, and it’s part of a broader trend. 

Long-haul premium economy is becoming increasingly important to airlines. That’s partly because leisure travelers have been willing to splurge more on vacations in recent years and business travel still hasn’t fully recovered to its pre-pandemic demand levels. 

Demand for premium economy is increasing as travelers become more familiar with what to expect, which makes competition for those midmarket dollars more intense. Carriers around the globe are aware of the growing interest and are increasingly investing in the cabin class.

What is premium economy?

In this case, premium economy refers to the long-haul airline product that sits between standard economy and business class. Confusingly, many airlines also call economy seats that have extra legroom “premium economy” on domestic flights, but here, the term refers to a separate cabin with larger seats and often elevated service. 

“Premium economy is the 21st-century version of business class. Business class emerged in the 1980s as an interim cabin between standard economy and first class, and now premium economy is an interim cabin between standard economy and business class,” Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research, a travel industry analytics firm, told USA TODAY. “It’s available to travelers at a much lower cost than business class may be.”

What travelers should expect when flying premium economy

Joe Lai, a physician in Charlotte, North Carolina, and American Airlines frequent flyer, told USA TODAY that he finds premium economy is often a better overall experience than flying in coach.

“Generally better seats, that’s kind of the biggest plus of that, just being able to relax, throw my feet up – with shoes on preferably,” he said. “Sometimes upgraded food options, alcohol, things like that.” 

Premium economy on long-haul flights usually has larger seats than economy as Lai mentioned, with more legroom, possibly more padding, and often a more elaborate cabin service compared to the standard economy offering.

Singapore Airlines, for example, serves its premium economy meals in porcelain dishware with metal cutlery. 

But as Harteveldt said, premium economy is meant to be a bridge between standard economy and business class, not a competing product for the fancier cabins.

“It is definitely better, tangibly better than standard coach,” he said, but “passengers should not expect a luxury experience in premium economy. It does not offer the same level of comfort, privacy, or attention that you find in business class.” 

For airlines, it can be tricky to find the right balance between expanding comfort and service without pirating their own more premium demand.

“How do they create a product that is good enough to tempt people to trade up from economy but not so good that people trade down from business class?” Harteveldt said. “When airlines introduced lie-flat seats in business class, they made first class almost irrelevant.” 

He added that different airlines think of their premium economy cabins differently, even as the seats most carriers use are becoming more or less standardized across the industry.

“It’s interesting to see where airlines place the emphasis: is it on the economy side or the premium side?” Harteveldt said. “Some airlines are going to offer above-average legroom in their premium economy seating, they could have fewer seats across the cabin than they otherwise might. Some airlines are going to say, ‘look this is certainly better than economy, but we’re not going to have a dedicated restroom for you, we’re not going to have flight attendants that are dedicated to your cabin.’ ”

For those perks, Harteveldt said, travelers can typically expect to pay about 50% more than the regular economy fare on the same flight. 

Lai said he often seeks opportunities to upgrade to premium economy, especially on longer flights.

On a recent trip to New Zealand, he paid just $250 to upgrade to premium economy from extra-legroom economy seats. He said the cost was “absolutely worth it,” especially because the extra legroom and bigger seats allowed him to sleep more easily. 

Why premium economy matters to airlines

Premium economy has become increasingly important to airlines’ bottom lines coming out of the pandemic.

“A lot of people have been booking the premium cabins pretty quickly as well, so we’ve seen a lot of demand for the premium cabins coming out of COVID,” Siva Govindasamy, Singapore Airlines’ divisional vice president of public affairs said at a press event unveiling the carrier’s new premium economy service concept in Singapore earlier this month. “Premium economy, specifically, has been quite popular with our customers since we launched it in 2015.” 

For Singapore and other airlines, that popularity means spending more on attracting customers to buy premium economy seats.

“There is an increase in the premium economy investment, the budget that we have, as a result of this. We think that’s a good investment to make because that will ultimately ensure that the premium economy remains competitive and provides excellent value for our customers,” Govindasamy said. “You’ve got added amenities, more comfort, more space; now you’ve got even better meals, even better drinks and champagne. When we look at our customers’ feedback it’s about the value premium economy brings.”

Harteveldt said long-haul airlines that don’t offer competitive premium economy products risk falling behind their peer companies.

“When a critical mass of airlines start to do something the airlines that don’t offer it stand out and often in a negative way,” he said. “The fact that some airlines are expanding premium economy, adding more seats to the cabin, shows that it has been financially successful for airlines.”

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

I flew in business class for the first time. It cost $6,000 and was the best flight of my life, but I wouldn't do it again for 5 reasons.

• I took a 12-hour, business-class flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand.
• Air New Zealand's business-class seats on this route typically cost $6,000.
• It was the most luxurious flight of my life, but I can't justify paying that much anytime soon.

Every time I book a flight, I eye the first-class and business-class seats. 

The extra space, the delicious food , and the endless bubbly seem like pure luxury. Just as I'm tempted to turn my daydream into reality and switch from economy class to first , my brain reminds me that I don't have an endless budget.

Things changed during the summer of 2022 when Air New Zealand invited me to its headquarters to cover the airline's redesigned cabins . For the 12-hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, I'd sit in business class for the first time . 

It was easily the most glamorous ride of my entire life, and I disembarked knowing that I likely wouldn't do it again anytime soon.

Minutes after settling into business class on an Air New Zealand flight, I had the realization that this plane ride was going to be unlike any other flight I'd taken.

Before I found seat 1A on the Boeing 787-9 aircraft, I was already being treated like royalty. 

One flight attendant was pouring me a glass of sparkling wine. Another one was helping lift my carry-on bag into the overhead bins . A third soon followed to introduce herself and welcome me on the Air New Zealand flight. 

If those first few minutes were any indicator of the rest of my ride, I knew I was in for a glamorous time. 

I also knew that business-class passengers around me had likely dropped around $6,000 for their one-way ticket, according to Air New Zealand's website . Round-trip tickets are often priced closer to $10,000. 

Before this flight, I'd never spent more than $1,400 on a plane ticket. Most vacations involve free campsites and nights spent in a $20 tent I bought off Facebook Marketplace. 

I was appreciative of the indulgent flight — years later, I'm still thinking about the chocolate tart served for dessert. But even after all the perks, I'm convinced flying business class isn't worth the splurge. 

Every expectation of business class was met, but I'd ultimately never shell out $10,000 for a round-trip ticket. It's not like the plane will get there faster than it would if I were sitting in coach.

Every part of the 12-hour flight was filled with luxury .

I was handed a warm towel before a three-course dinner. I received a turndown service, and flight attendants converted my seat into a lie-flat bed. I slept better than I had on any flight and woke up to a fruit smoothie and warm coffee.

Even with those perks, it was hard to ignore the fact that the flight was the same 12 hours as it was in coach. 

No amount of wine could distract me from the fact that I was still confined to a tight space. No number of free toiletries could make me ignore the fact that I was about to spend days jet-lagged. 

Ultimately, I would feel cramped and jet-lagged whether I sat in the front or the back of the plane for 12 hours.

Now if my business-class ticket came with turbo speed that could transport me to New Zealand in fewer hours than an economy ticket could, perhaps I'd think twice about the cost. 

For the same price as a round-trip flight, in theory, I could've paid for another three weeks in New Zealand, covered months of rent, or put a down payment on a new car.

When it comes to traveling, I'm typically willing to sacrifice comfort for the experience. For example, I'd much rather pay money to go skydiving or bungee jumping than stay in a five-star hotel .

And $10,000 could fund a lot of life experiences. The cost of my business-class seat on the same route could buy another vacation, pay for multiple months of rent, or be used as a down payment on a new car that could take me on adventures across the US . 

I could also replicate my entire 21-day trip to New Zealand and Australia for less than the cost of a round-trip ticket to New Zealand since the trip cost closer to $9,000. 

While I loved the business-class experience, I'd trade it in a heartbeat to go diving in the Great Barrier Reef again , stay in more magical tiny homes , and continue exploring the two epic countries. 

The flight also taught me that I don't truly embrace the motto: "It's about the journey, not the destination." To me, flights are all about getting from point A to point B.

I've probably reiterated the phrase dozens of times. To a degree, I stand by the concept that life is often about the journey. 

I've embarked on plenty of road trips where the best memories happened in the passenger seat of the car — not the destinations we were driving to. 

But when I look at the highlights of past trips, plane rides never stand out.

I think that's because the entire experience — regardless of your cabin class — still has challenges. Between possible delays, dry air, cabin pressure, limited space, and potential jet lag, I've never been all that eager to board a plane.

I absolutely love the rush when the plane lifts off the ground, and I savor the views and conversations with strangers on each flight.

But the excitement I experience is more about where I'm going. It's not about being cramped on a plane. 

I previously never considered the environmental toll of sitting in business class.

Before my trip, I knew that flying was one of the more carbon-intensive transportation options. Aviation makes up about 2% of global carbon emissions, according to the International Energy Agency .

Two months after my business-class flight, I was chatting with sustainability experts about how to make trips and vacations more sustainable . They told me that a large part of a vacation's carbon footprint will likely come from the flight, and if I do need to fly to my destination, it's more responsible to sit in economy class. 

That's because a business-class seat takes up significantly more space on a plane. This means that fewer passengers can fit onto the aircraft and, therefore, there's a larger carbon footprint.

For example, a business-class row of seats on Air New Zealand's Boeing 787-9 fits three people. Meanwhile, a row in economy on the same plane fits nine passengers. Those nine people have a much smaller personal carbon footprint than the three sitting in business class. 

As someone who never had the chance to sit in premium economy, much less business class, before this trip, I hadn't considered the different carbon footprints each cabin class has on planes.

As I continue searching for more sustainable ways to travel, like train travel, I'm also booking economy for future flights.

I am privileged to be able to sit in an economy cabin as an able-bodied person, and I plan to do so for as long as possible.

I'm young and able-bodied. And while sitting in economy is never a blast, especially on long-haul flights, I am fortunate that I can. Planes aren't designed for everyone.

As BuzzFeed reported, flying as a plus-sized passenger is both stigmatized and challenging. Some airlines like Southwest at one point had "customer of size" policies that stated passengers "who are unable to lower both armrests when seated should book another seat because of complaints."

As Business Insider previously reported, a Qatar Airways passenger said she was denied boarding and asked to buy a first-class ticket because of her size. 

It's not just plus-sized passengers who face flying struggles. Planes are not often a comfortable experience for many people with disabilities. Rebekah Taussig, a wheelchair user, wrote for Time that "flying has always felt disempowering." And a survey by Disability Horizons reported that 43% of surveyed wheelchair users who've attempted to fly now avoid it. 

Flying — especially in economy class — isn't something everyone has the privilege to do. I'm fortunate that I can fit into and relax in an economy seat on a long-haul flight. For me, wanting the luxury of a business-class seat doesn't seem necessary at this point in my life. 

Ultimately, I'm at a point in my life where every dollar and every day of exploring matters to me. For now, I'll skip paying for a business-class seat.

There are a few circumstances where I'd consider splurging on a premium-economy ticket, such as a monumental birthday trip or a honeymoon. But I can't envision an instance where I would pay $10,000 for a regular long-haul, business-class flight.

From the environmental toll to extra time in a destination, I would rather use that money elsewhere, and I plan to stick with economy class for future flights. 

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Help! Japan Airlines Downgraded Us From First Class and Skimped on the Refund.

A couple is bumped from ultraluxury to semi-luxury on a trans-Pacific flight and receives what they feel is only a pittance in compensation.

By Seth Kugel

Dear Tripped Up,

Last year, my husband and I splurged on round-trip first-class tickets on Japan Airlines from San Francisco to Tokyo for $13,474 each. We reserved them in February for an October flight through American Express Travel. On the same day, I also bought business class tickets for a couple who was traveling with us at $8,429 apiece. In September, Amex notified me that we had been downgraded to business class for the return flight. JAL’s conditions state that we would receive “the difference between the normal fare amount of original class of service and for the normal fare of lower class of service.” To me that means that since the difference between our first class seats and our friends’ business seats was $5,045 each, we should be refunded about half of that — around $2,522 per person — for the second leg. But we got only $941 each. I contested this with Amex Travel, but they rejected our claim. Can you help? Teri, San Francisco

I’ve been collecting stories from readers about downgrade disappointments recently, so I looked not only into yours but also stories from four other travelers — three of whom believe they were stiffed by British Airways and another by Avianca.

All three airlines I contacted delayed, obfuscated or otherwise dillydallied before getting me answers, but let’s start with your travel agent, American Express.

“We worked with the card member and merchant to the best of our ability to resolve the issue,” wrote Emily Vicker, a spokeswoman for Amex, in an emailed statement. “Card members wishing to pursue additional compensation requests need to do so directly with the airline.”

As you said to me, you did not follow up with Japan Airlines because an online link that Amex sent you led to a form that said it was only for those travelers who had booked with JAL directly; others should deal with their travel agent. Gary Leff, the writer behind the travel site View from the Wing , told me you should have ignored that. “Follow all avenues to advocate on behalf of yourself,” he said.

Could Amex have done more? It’s impossible to tell, and Japan Airlines, responding only to my third email, said that it “has verified that the amount applied was accurate and was based on the difference of the First Class fare originally purchased and the applicable Business Class fare with the same fare conditions as the original ticket for the sector involved.”

But that is just a restatement of the company’s terms and conditions . So I wrote back with a spruced-up version of your argument. Your original first class seats cost $13,474 round trip, so although the two legs may have varied somewhat in price, I simplified and said for each way, each ticket would cost $6,737. JAL refunded you $941 for each ticket, which means they consider the value of the business class seats you ended up in, on the return, to be $5,796.

But your friends’ business class seats were just $4,214 each. And every business class fare I can find for flights from Tokyo to San Francisco on the JAL site in recent days (except for last minute fares) is well under $5,000. Could they explain their calculations?

I did not hear back.

So I turned to Mr. Leff. He noted that simply knowing what another business class seat cost on the same flight does not mean that if you had bought four seats on that day rather than two, the third and fourth seat would have been the same price — airline pricing algorithms are notoriously complex and opaque. And there is no way to know if the leg back from Tokyo (the one you were downgraded for) was actually cheaper than the leg there, as your Amex invoice doesn’t give a breakdown.

But Mr. Leff still took your side, mostly. The $941 refund “strikes me as unreasonable,” he said, “especially given the not ironclad but very persuasive evidence of tickets bought on the same flight on the same day.”

Anyone who finds themselves in such a situation must realize, unfortunately, that it’s impossible to know exactly what their refund should be. “I don’t think there’s an organization beside the airline itself that has the data,” said Anton Radchenko, chief executive of AirAdvisor , a company that assists fliers in receiving compensation from airlines. But he added that in most cases, airlines do offer fair compensation.

Then he told me something I didn’t know — that flights starting in Britain or those operated by British carriers have set rates for downgrades depending on the length of the flight: a 30 percent refund if under 1,500 kilometers (around 932 miles), 50 percent between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers, and 75 percent for longer flights. The European Union and Canada have similar rules.

Alas, such fixed reimbursement rates only work if you can get the airlines to refund you in the first place. All three British Airways customers faced, instead, a wall of customer service nonsense.

A British Airways spokeswoman, Catherine Wilson, apologized for the delays and said the airline aimed “to process refund requests as quickly as possible.” But even after my intervention, only two of the three got refunds — and for less than British regulations seem to demand.

In late 2021, Mark from San Diego and his wife were flying home on British Airways premium economy from Split, Croatia, via London and Dallas, but missed a connection. They were rebooked in economy on Virgin Atlantic and tried for two years to get reimbursed when finally, in December 2023, they were told they had agreed to the downgrade, which he denies. (It shouldn’t matter anyway, both Mr. Leff and Mr. Radchenko said.)

They finally received $746 from British Airways earlier this week. But the full cost of their original round-trip itinerary (two tickets from San Diego to Ljubljana, Slovenia, and back from Croatia) was $5,821, and it is unlikely that their refund could account for 75 percent of a premium economy trans-Atlantic flight. British Airways confirmed they calculated the difference in fare rather than using the parameters laid out by the British government and offered no explanation to me as to why.

A year later, Cynthia and her partner had a very similar situation, missing a British Airways premium economy connection in London on their way home to Los Angeles, ending up in economy. They had booked through a travel agent, who tried unsuccessfully to get a refund. Then Cynthia ran into a brick wall when she tried herself. She has still not received a refund.

In the third British Airways case, David of Carmel, N.Y., and his wife were booked to fly first class from London to New York when their flight was canceled. On their rebooked flight, they were downgraded to the equivalent of business class. Their initial request for a refund was rejected by someone who almost comically misread their complaint, responding that they were not entitled to compensation because their flight had arrived with only “18 minutes delay.” Subsequent calls to customer services led nowhere. And even after I got in touch with the airline, another representative wrote the couple with the coup d’absurdité: They were not entitled to a refund because “based on our research, your final flight was in First Class, hence there is no downgrade refund due for your booking.” (I can attest that their boarding passes say otherwise.)

British Airways did finally send the couple a refund, of $1,036, this past Saturday. But their original fare for first class (plus a short hop from Amsterdam to London on the return) was just under $10,000 for both, which presumably means the return flights from London to New York cost a total of close to $5,000. Again, British Airways said it calculated the difference in fares rather than the appropriate percentage of the original fare. I have advised David to look at Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance on rejected claims.

The case with Avianca ended on a more positive note. Alan, of Riverside, Calif., and his wife were booked on a business class flight from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires via Bogotá this past February. But Avianca replaced that direct first leg, to Bogotá, with two legs — Los Angeles to San Salvador, El Salvador, and then on to Bogotá, with a three-hour layover. For these new flights, the couple was placed in economy, with no business-class lounge access, no free meals and no word about compensation.

Rolando Lamas, Avianca’s sales director for North America, Central America and the Caribbean explained in a statement that the airline suspended that direct Los Angeles-to-Bogotá flight in January and had offered most passengers either a full refund or compensation for the downgrade. But it had trouble communicating with a few passengers, including some who had booked through a third party, as was the case with Alan.

The airline has now offered Alan and his wife $580 each, and they have accepted.

Most of the time, airlines do refund fare differences promptly and accurately, but clearly there are holes in the system. If the airlines stymie any future refund requests, I suggest contacting a company like AirAdvisor or registering a complaint with the appropriate federal agency, like U.S. Department of Transportation . This process can be slow but often prods the airlines into action, said Mr. Leff. However, if the airline has done something as specifically absurd as reject your downgrade refund because your flight arrived almost on time, send me a copy so I can add it to my collection.

If you need advice about a best-laid travel plan that went awry, send an email to [email protected] .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation.

Seth Kugel is the columnist for “ Tripped Up ,” an advice column that helps readers navigate the often confusing world of travel. More about Seth Kugel

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