The best business class seats for long-haul flights

An international travel industry professional reveals the airlines with the best business class seats for long-haul flights.

Given Australia’s remote location Down Under, it sometimes feels like every international flight departing from Australia is a long-haul flight. However, those who fly long distances regularly know just how unpleasant true long-haul flights can be in the wrong seat. Mark Trim, founder of business class travel platform Flat Beds, provides his professional insight into the airlines with the best business class seats for long-haul flights from Australia. Expect airlines with exceptional amenities, spacious seating and unparalleled service. Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, to Europe, the United States or further afield, Mark has a business class seat recommendation to suit your travelling style. “I’m looking for airlines with a fleet consistent in overall comfort, lie-flat beds and a layout with personal aisle access for all,” says Trim.

Best business class seats for long-haul flights

Trim explains the most common airlines business class customers turn to are Qatar, ANA All Nippon Airways, Emirates and Singapore Airlines – but not all are consistent across their offerings. “ANA has one of the most comfortable business seats in the world but the business class suite ‘The Room’ features on very few aircraft, and the drop to the 787 business class seat from ‘The Room’ is noticeable,” says Trim. “Emirates deliver a great business class seat but they do lack privacy, and their 777 fleet is huge, with many aircraft still carrying an outdated 2-3-2 seat arrangements with angled – rather than life-flat – beds.” Similarly, Trim says, Singapore Airlines’ business class seats vary widely across the fleet, with some aircraft providing fold-down seats, and others a basic design with tight measurements.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways’ Qsuites set the bar high and are the closest thing to first class in the business class market, with exceptional seat design, innovative ‘Quad’ seats and rear-facing double beds, says Trim. “After seven years since its release, Qatar’s Qsuite still reigns supreme. While we must give ANA an honourable mention for ‘The Room’ – a similar product – ANA hasn’t been able to deliver it on anywhere near as many long-haul flights as the Qsuite features on,” says Trim. “The storage, entertainment and lighting are all fantastic, and while some Qatar aircraft, including the A380 servicing Sydney, do not feature the Qsuite, the alternative product is still very comfortable. Meals are delicious and amenity kits are luxurious with pyjamas by The White Company.”

Read about the next-gen Qatar Airways Qsuites here

Oman Air

Oman Air recently retired its A330 fleet and slightly downsized its routes and frequency of services, leaving a fleet of 787s for long-haul flights and 737 Max8s taking wing on mid-haul services. Trims says the Munich route is one to watch out for.
“Regardless, the 787 product is exceptional with the Apex 2-2-2 seat design offering a near-perfect combination of aisle access and privacy. It’s a little too private to chat with your seat partner easily, but the rest of the offering is fantastic. Amenity kits, meals and the flagship lounge in Muscat are all exceptional,” says Trim.

Qantas

Qantas comes out on top for overall consistency and comfort, says Trim, despite the services being a little hit-and-miss. “Whether you’re flying on the first generation A330, the next-gen 787 or the newest A380, Qantas business seats are well-proportioned with spacious storage and partial privacy. The 787 and A380 added the retracted divider which helps those travelling together stay connected,” says Trim. “This, coupled with the famous Flying Kangaroo pyjamas, amenity kits, a superb AV system and decent meal offerings, Qantas provides a very comfortable experience on long-haul flights.”

United Airlines

Given the reputation of US airlines, it may come as a surprise to see United Airlines on this list of the best business class seats, but United Airlines actually has more flights between North America and Australia than Qantas. Even more impressive is that the carrier offers its amazing ‘Polaris’ business class seats across almost all of its long-haul flights, delivering a consistently comfortable experience, explains Trim.
“Whether you’re on a 777 or 787 aircraft, or even the 757 and 767s flying trans-Atlantic, you can expect to see the Polaris seats. It’s private, there’s a great AV system and they shine with Saks 5th Ave bedding, a nice Therabody amenity kit, pyjamas and a comfortable mattress topper for catching some shuteye onboard,” says Trim. “United Airlines focus on the quality of your sleep – which many airlines miss the mark on – providing both a huge plush pillow and cooling gel pillow.”

Finnair

Finnair’s new AirLounge doesn’t recline – it’s a fixed shell design. And before you dismiss the seat entirely, Trim says this seat has some unique drawcards. “Designed to facilitate daytime lounging and snuggled-up sleeping at night, the floor of the AirLounge rises up to create a full lie-flat bed. While 9/10 people love this new seat and the remaining 1/10 are absolutely against it, our takeaway is that if you’re reasonably mobile and like to sleep on the side you will enjoy it,” says Trim. “If mobility is an issue, you may struggle with the idea of this pod-based design, but we love it. It’s private, plush, brand new and, after being rolled out over the past 15 months, it’s now the fleet standard with Finnair even operating a couple of Qantas services between Sydney and Singapore or Bangkok.”