Forget about plain-old recliner seats up front. The best international business class seats not only feature snazzy lie-flat functionality and direct aisle access but also gourmet dining, premium beverages, for most on this list, private doors to a suite. Who needs first class?
Qatar Airways (Qsuites)
Qatar Qsuites launched in 2017, but years later, it’s still one of the best business-class products in the sky. Each suite includes a sliding door for complete solitude, copious amounts of storage for all your things, and top it all off, it’s devilishly stylish in signature Qatar burgundy. Some suites can be converted to a double bed, and groups of four can even reserve a quad for a massive, New York City-apartment-sized (well, almost) suite. Nosh whenever you want thanks to Qatar’s signature dine-on-demand concept with Middle Eastern classics (a favorite is the Arabic mezze) and international favorites.
ANA (The Room)
While there may be other business-class seats with more panache, ANA’s business-class suite (called “The Room,” available on select Boeing 777 aircraft) is exceptionally spacious and even rivals other airlines’ first-class products. Each seat is so wide that two average-sized adults could (in theory) comfortably sit side by side. At the front of the suite is a crisp-as-can-be 24” 4K monitor, perfect for viewing a movie on the way to Tokyo. Of course, passengers can close the door to their abode but you may not even want to. That’s because the Japanese carrier offers multi-course, omakase-like meals and a variety of high-end sakes and teas.
Starlux Airlines (Airbus A350)
With zero-gravity and self-massaging seats; a privacy door for an elevated sense of seclusion; and all the latest tech including wireless charging, Taiwanese upstart airline Starlux is the business-class hidden gem of this list. Starlux’s precise attention to detail sets the carrier apart from others—down to the airline-branded toilet paper. Meanwhile, the cabin ambiance is futuristic and avant-garde without sacrificing a sense of warmth and coziness. The provided pajamas, mattress pad, and slippers are plush and the catering is sublime, especially when traveling from its Taipei hub. Starlux currently only flies to Los Angeles in the U.S. but plans to rapidly expand in the coming years.
Finnair (AirLounge)
With enchanting Marimekko-crafted textiles and sleek navy blue finishes, Finnair’s updated business class is a reflection of classic Nordic design. But the real star of the show is the large, fixed-shell seat, akin to a comfy sofa, with high walls and padded surfaces all around. The most surprising fact of all? The seat doesn’t recline. Instead, the seat is wider and longer than many others, allowing passengers to sit, lounge, or sleep in whatever position you so choose (and with as many pillows as you need).
JetBlue (Mint Studio, Airbus A321LR)
The last two seats on this list, including JetBlue’s Mint Studio, are enormous suites at the very front of the business-class cabin. The catch here is that availability is limited and there’s an additional fee to book these “business class plus” seats.
JetBlue’s Mint Studio is the first row of the Mint cabin (Mint is what JetBlue calls business class) on Airbus A321LR planes. These aircraft fly transatlantic to London, Paris, and Amsterdam. There’s a couch-like area in the Studio space that serves as a second seat, with its own seatbelt and table for eating or working. That means you can even have a companion join you in your little cocoon. JetBlue’s food and beverage is some of the best in the business (pun intended), with tapas-style dining and cocktails shaken at your seat.
Virgin Atlantic (Retreat Suite, Airbus A330neo)
With a glamorously-appointed seat and a communal space called “The Loft,” Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class is already a standout amongst business-class players. However, those that fly in the first row of Virgin’s Airbus A330neo—seats 1D and 1G—are in for an even more exclusive experience. The “Retreat Suite” offers a significantly larger entertainment screen, the ability to dine with a guest, and way more space than the standard business-class product. Passengers also get all the latest tech including USB-A, USB-C and universal charging points, and wireless phone charging. Of course, all the food and drink you can expect in business is on offer, including fan-favorite Whispering Angel rosé. The full sliding door is just icing on the (suite) cake.
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