Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Theres very little to complain about when it comes to EVA Air, and we like it that way. Because of the configuration of the German airline, many seats in Lufthansa Business Class lack direct aisle access and lack privacy. This list of the 25 best international business class airlines will start making you wish you were on a plane! 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. When flying in Polaris business class with United, youll be presented with a chef-designed menu listing meal selection. QSuites are not only an amazing business class product for solo travelers, but theyre also the best in the business when it comes to family travel. Both are members of Star Alliance. Business Class First Class Adults 1 Children 2-11 0 Or call us for a faster quote: 1 (888)302-0053 How does this work? Buckle up it's going to be a bumpy ride. So far, the first five have opened in Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), Houston (IAH) and Los Angeles (LAX). Airlines have gone to great lengths to make their business class product as luxurious as possible, and travelers are benefiting from this cutthroat competition. The current Lufthansa business class product has been due for an overhaul for some time, and one has been announced, but COVID-19 has delayed the rollout of that product for a few years. As for the 767s, 33 of the 38 Boeing 767-300s also have the new cabins, with some configured in a premium-heavy high-J layout featuring a whopping 16-row Polaris cabin with 46 seats. Japan Airlines has a somewhat misleading business class product. When flying United Polaris, especially in one of the newly configured aircraft, prepare for a treat. It really depends on what the individual is looking for in an airline. After filling out your passenger details, youll have the option to select a seat at no additional cost. Business class seats on Lufthansa are some of the most comfortable in the airline industry. We'll start by discussing the 777s, which make up the bulk of the Polaris fleet. After that, our next choice would be a slightly less private even-numbered window seat, followed by a seat in the center section. However, a side-by-side comparison of Lufthansa and Uniteds premium economy offerings reveals some key differences. book Emirates business class with points. Everything is served packaged or covered for you to unwrap. Youll also experience super crisp inflight entertainment screens, great service, plenty of storage space, and the fantastic Book The Cook service (but no business class amenity kits). Food is about what youd expect on international business class airlines, which is decent but not over-the-top. The seats in Singapore Airlines 777 business class are absolutely gigantic at a whopping 28 wide! The German airline offers a first-class cabin on select flights that includes privacy screens, a full-flat bed, and a personal entertainment system. Seat map color. Why You Should Consider Using Registered Certified Or First Class Mail For Important Documents And Packages, How To Get Upgraded To First Class On Your Honeymoon, Exploring The Pros And Cons Of Mailing First Class Personal Info. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). When youre ready to sleep, the crew will provide a thick mattress pad and great bedding to make your slumber that much more comfortable. Which airline offers the best economy class flights across the Atlantic? The entire back of a Business Class seat is completely flat, allowing you to recline completely. Some quick fixes to be made before people use this post to book their future travels once this coronavirus crisis is over, though. Business class accommodations in planes are far superior to those in first class. Do note that Emirates operates nonstop service from EWR to ATH year-round, and might be your best bet as the airline is known for its spacious economy, business, and first class seating. Full-duplex beds provide extra space, while double beds provide full-duplex privacy. China Airlines is the flag carrier of Taiwan. This way I had no need to interact further with the horrible staff. Emirates has won the Worlds Leading Inflight Entertainment award for its in-flight entertainment system. On the A330, A340, and A350, the A, C, H, and K seats are positioned the same way as the B/E Diamond Seat, ie, both seats are facing in the same way away from the aisle. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. ), and we also included the opinions of some fellow travelers in this guide, especially for products we havent been able to fly. Still, Xiamen offers ridiculously cheap business class fares, especially on connecting flights, so thats also an option. The seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration, which is exceedingly private. The Lufthansa check-in was manned by a large number of agents. ), Soft product (food and beverages, amenity kit, service/attentiveness, etc. The sad secret of this lounge is the extremely low quality of catering even in the restaurant - often worse than United Airlines' business class catering (which itself is measly). These lounges are restricted to passengers traveling in international Star Alliance business or first class. Lufthansa Airlines is known for its award-winning elegant first class but the same cant necessarily be said for its business class. For example, the United Club Infinite card gives cardholders the opportunity to earn up to 4,000 Premier Qualifying Points per calendar yearearned 500 PQP per $12,000 . While business class seats on the German airline are fully flat, there is little privacy or aisle access. Hmm, this post seems to be reposted in March 2020, though a few key pieces of information are outdated; the biggest ones I could spot were that ANA now offers a much different business class product, and Cathay Pacific now offers mattress pads. Finally, Lufthansa provides amenity kits with skincare products, while Swiss offers socks and earplugs. ). Already, the biggest difference from the United Polaris seat is that a Premium Plus seat doesnt make a bed in the sky. If you dont have United miles or dont have access to any, you can redeem a partner programs miles to book the same flights. Hot Tip: Need help booking? What do you recommend? Even if youve never heard of Oman Air, one thing you should know is that their business class especially their 787 Apex Suites business class is fantastic. More often than not, my own experiences are directly contrary to the published reviews. Bottom Line: Not sure about flying business class with the whole family? SAS provides much more space on each seat with huge countertops. Lufthansa also doesnt offer free wifi for business class passengers something that SAS does. Award availability is plentiful in business class, which is also a plus! Hi, we are two couples going next year from new york (any airport) to Lisbon and back home via Porto. The seats are larger and have more legroom than the economy class seats. A pleasant surprise. With the natural leather seat, one of the largest full-flat beds in the sky becomes a reality. Hot Tip: If youre looking for step-by-step guidance, check out our guide on how to book QSuites using points and miles! Hot Tip: Have you decided on visiting South Korea and flying on Korean Air to get there? Regardless of whether you're alone or with a friend/family member, seats D and G in even-numbered rows are worth avoiding, as they don't provide any privacy, nor do they have any window views to make up for it. Most importantly, you should always remember than ANY international business class seat is infinitely superior to cattle class, where 90% of travelers are trapped in a 17.5 seat for hours on end. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. Ask ExpertFlyer, flew a 772 retrofitted with Polaris seats, Where to sit when flying Uniteds 777-200 Polaris business class, Touring Uniteds first 787-10 Dreamliner (Polaris, Premium Plus, Economy), United just hit another major milestone in its Polaris retrofit program, United exec details reopening plans for airport clubs, Polaris Lounges, several different programs make booking United awards, transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points, How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program, Heres why you need a healthy stash of Avianca LifeMiles, The best ways to maximize Air Canadas Aeroplan program, Singapore's KrisFlyer program has undergone some devaluations in recent years, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Each seat also features a 16-inch in-flight entertainment screen. Seattle-Lisbon-Dubrovniksmall boat cruise to Split -Istanbul-Seattle. Thankfully, United has come a long way since those early days, taking delivery of new aircraft equipped with the sleek Polaris cabin and retrofitting dozens more even during the pandemic. Are there any non stops with decent business class and lie flat seats that arent too narrow? Safe travels! I am mosaic and have plenty of points to pay for this and then some, plus JB is my fav airline -Best flights time-wise are BA, BUT layover at LHR I have heard is a nightmare, and looks like planes are old suites vs the newer ones. Related: Want to make sure youre flying real United Polaris? United used to offer a Polaris tracker for fleet and lounge updates but is no longer updating it. Terms apply to offers below. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. Anya is a freelance writer and full-time traveler based in Salt Lake City. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. -Really wanted to fly JetBlue new mint suites but the flight times arent great to add a separate ticket to continue on. Now, you have an idea of the 25 best international business class airlines in the world. First world problems , Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The seats are well-designed, with a lot of space, and they provide plenty of privacy. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 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! What would you suggest for lie flat seats? Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 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. The main drawback of these new business class seats is the tiny footwell, though you can get around this issue if youre able to choose bulkhead seats. Seems to make the most sense tome wise to fly into/from them directly. If youre flying a Chinese airline in business class, Hainan Airlines is definitely the best choice. Safe travels! Adient Ascent seats are available on all British Airways A350-1000s and 787-10s as well as select Boeing 777s. If we compare the numbers more, we will find that the list is far too long. Landing into Frankfurt was easy on this calm winter morning. Air New Zealands amenity kit is very cool: it features Antipodes amenities and doubles as an iPad case! 15. All planes with Premium Plus also have the newest Polaris business . Our vote for the best business class cabin has to go to the Qatar Airways QSuite! Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which airline is better for them. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Each seat has a fully flat center armrest, as well as outlets for power outlets in each corner. There are a few key differences between Lufthansa and Swiss business class. Learn more. Qatar Airways is a Oneworld Alliance partner, which is great because you can use miles from American Airlines, British Airways, etc. I have just booked flights for Nov 21 to Sin on Qatar and return from Perth on Cathay. One of the cons of this product is that you wont be able to find a U.S. route to try it out on. Check out our guide on the best ways to fly to Paris using points and miles! While the seats are still comfortable, the onboard experience with Lufthansa Business Class is weakest. This seat is only available on a limited number of ANA 777-300ERs, and more 777s are expected to be retrofitted with this seat in the future. I felt quite refreshed when I woke up just 45 minutes before landing. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer Access|Licenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Property and Casualty insurance services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no. Hot Tip: Check out our review on this Singapore Airlines business product for in-depth information. Check out this post where we go over the pros and cons of flying business class with a baby. Finally, Lufthansas customer service is generally better than Uniteds, from the check-in process to the flight attendants attitude. Weve already done all the hard work for you. Bottom Line: Overall, the business class product on China Airlines presents some competition to EVA Air, though the soft product isnt quite there yet. This allows for better sleep and extra space. This is a huge upgrade compared to its old 2-2-2 business class, and the relatively small cabin of 30 seats makes for a private experience. However, the monitors do pop out so you can watch television or movies while reclined at an adjustable distance. They operate the 777-300ER on direct flights to/from the U.S., and they have some fabulous business class products. It offers two business class options: the Emirates A380 and the Boeing 777. For Polaris, select Business or First from the drop-down menu. Bottom Line: Especially if you can find award space, Air Canada provides a solid product for a restful flight: comfortable beds/seats and good food. However, this does not influence our evaluations. If you manage to find a saver-level seat, expect to pay at least 80,000 MileagePlus miles each way to Asia or about 60,000 miles to Europe. For details, check out our review of ANA 777 business class. The Qsuite was introduced in Qatar Airways business class in 2017, and it set a new standard for class travel. Yes, United has squeezed a lot more seats in its . best ways to fly to Paris using points and miles, use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Virgin Points, review of Virgin Australias The Business, review on this Singapore Airlines business product, best ways to book Qantas business class using points, utilize Etihad Guest miles for fabulous value, best ways to book Korean Air business class, Air Canadas flagship business class product, guide to upgrading to business and first class on Air Canada, redeem points and miles for Hainan Airlines, first class is one of the best in the world. Known for their out-of-this-world First Class Apartments and the Etihad Residence, this financially struggling airline provides one of the only ways to fly to the Middle East from the U.S. What also was waiting for me were two stern flight attendants who seemed more akin to prison guards than flight attendants. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. 1 Request a FREE quote by completing the form above. A free seat selection comes with a Polaris ticket purchase. We take your comments very seriously as they really help us to improve the site. Hi Hamada, Since this piece only covers 25 airlines, there are definitely some great products that were left out. Exhausting. In 2013, Skytrax awarded Japan Airlines the Best Business Class Seat Award. Note that only fare classes Y, B, M, E, U, H, Q, V and W are eligible for a. upgrade from United economy to Polaris on long-haul flights. I scrambled and made last-minute changes so I could be at the airport much earlier that day. Ive personally flown in EVA Air business class (they call their long-haul business product Royal Laurel), and I had absolutely no complaints. Both versions of the seat recline to a full 180 degrees and feature 75 to 78 inches of sleeping space. And be warned: The worst seats really are awful as far as business class goes. Plus Ups are excluded. This bonus value is an estimated valuation. Virgin Australia provides business class pajamas but no slippers, and they also dont have lumbar adjustments, touchscreen remotes, and a few other extras (which will be perfectly okay for 99% of us). The food is known to be just OK, the bedding is rather lackluster, and the Wi-Fi is pretty bad for such a tech-enabled airline. The dining experience in Business Class on flights operated by Lufthansa has been updated to resemble what is normally available for First Class. These Business Studio seats are 20 wide on the A380 and 22 wide on the 787, with up to 78 in bed length and pitch. Etihad Airways Airbus A380 Business Class Flat-Bed. Seat selection also follows a similar pattern for both 777 variants. United's 787-8s and 787-9s have even narrower seats, measuring 20.5 inches. Alas, a new business class seat had opened up on the upper deck - yes I was OK with that change! This is arecurring post, regularly updated withnew information. Business class passengers can enjoy the finest service and lie-flat beds available from Swiss and Lufthansa. Wondering if you can help me decide. introduced the Polaris business class product, 777-300ER Polaris Newark (EWR) to Tokyo (NRT), 777-200 Polaris Washington D.C. (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA), 787-9 Polaris Johannesburg (JNB) to Newark (EWR), 787-10 Polaris San Francisco (SFO) to Newark (EWR), internationally-equipped Boeing 777-200ERs, Every United business-class seat ranked from best to worst, Want to make sure youre flying real United Polaris? United Polaris business class seats 767-300 In the center section and along the left aisle (the "D" seats), all the seats faced towards the aisle, so they felt a bit exposed. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Im impressed with the value of the premium economy products offered by Lufthansa, but they should be made more widely available. Others may prefer Lufthansa because it is a German airline and they may appreciate the airlines attention to detail and efficiency. The widest Business Class seats in the world are on the carriers A350 and B777 aircraft, which are 30 inches or 75 cm wide (a claim some critics dismiss as too wide for comfort). Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Submit payment, and youre now one of the lucky passengers to secure yourself a lie-flat seat in United Polaris business class. Their staggered Thompson Vantage XL seats on the new A330-300 are24wide, 45 in pitch, and around 78 long in bed mode. But if you manage to get your hands on some award availability, be sure to utilize Etihad Guest miles for fabulous value! Business class seats are available on flights between the United States and Latin America or the Caribbean, as well as flights between the United States and Europe, as well as flights between the United States and Asia. While the seats are slightly narrower at 20.6 inches, the same principles hold true for seat selection. Route: Newark (EWR) > London Heathrow (LHR) Date: July 23, 2022. And though South African Airways doesnt operate many of these planes, award availability tends to be pretty decent (since the routes are typically very niche without high demand). They are wide and have plenty of legroom, and the seats recline far enough that you can actually take a nap. Although it took a while, most long-haul international United flights now feature the airline's top-notch Polaris business-class pods. Notably, the Singapore Airlines new A380 hasdouble beds in business class! Ive read mixed reviews in their service and food. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. As you probably know by now, each business class product has its nuances, whether its a large business class seat, specific cuisine choices, or even amenity kit brands. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. X27 ; s going to be made more widely available check-in process to the is... Step-By-Step guidance, check out our review of ANA 777 business class class has! Products that were left out with American Express Travel, but they should be made before people use post. Is little privacy or aisle access and lack privacy Lufthansa and Uniteds premium economy reveals... 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