The Top Business Class Airlines of 2025 - Revealed!
Welcome back to Brooke In The Air! Some good news offered this week - The top ranked Business Class offerings by accompanying airlines are offered for 2025!
First an overview.
BUSINESS CLASS INTRODUCTION
All three major US airlines (American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines) exclusively use fully lie-flat Business Class seats with direct aisle access on their widebody aircraft, as well as some longer range narrow body aircraft like the Boeing 757 and Airbus A321. A multiple course meal is served on china after takeoff, and depending on the flight length a chilled snack or light meal will be served before landing.
International Business Class passengers have access to priority check-in and security, along with lounge access and additional ground service features. United and American both also offer premium lounges with enhanced food service in their hubs for these passengers.
-North America-
-Canada-
On short-haul flights Air Canada offers recliner seats, which are similar to what is offered on regional business class in the United States. However, on some high-capacity routes, such as Vancouver–Toronto, Air Canada utilizes its long-haul fleet, such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Boeing 767, and the Airbus A330. On flights using internationally configured aircraft such as these, the business-class product is a lie-flat product, marketed as “AC Signature class.”
However, on discount/leisure carriers, such as Air Transat, business class is "euro-style", an economy-class seat with a blocked middle seat for added comfort.
With the introduction of their Boeing 787’s on select domestic and international routes, WestJet Airlines offers 16 lay-flat business seats on each of their 787-9’s.
-U.S.-
Select routes between the East and West coasts are deemed "premium transcontinental" or “Premium TransCon.” and offer a comparable experience to long haul international Business Class. However, it is uncommon for all seats to have direct aisle access. American uses a dedicated sub-fleet of 3-cabin A321T (T stands for transcontinental) planes with 20 lie-flat Flagship Business seats in a 2-2 configuration for these flights. Though these are being retired by 2027.
(JetBlue also has a sub-fleet of A321s featuring their Mint Business Class, which alternates between a 2-2 lie flat seats and 1-1 suites with a closing door. United and Delta use a combination of wide and narrow body aircraft for these routes, with a variety of lie-flat seat designs.)
Nearly all other flights in the US (as well as to Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean) on American, United, Delta, and Alaska use 2-cabin narrowbody aircraft. The forward cabin is marketed as "First Class" on domestic routes but regardless uses a Business Class fare basis. These fares include a larger "recliner" seat, priority check-in/security/boarding, and increased service.
Only Alaska Airlines allows lounge access for customers in "First Class" without further international travel.
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included, and are served in glassware or ceramic mugs. Meal service is highly variable depending on the airline, departure time, and route. Flights between hub airports during daytime hours are usually catered with a full warm meal regardless of the flight time. Regional jets in the same vein as American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express, do not have ovens, and all entrees are served chilled. At the very least, a flight attendant will pass around a basket containing premium snacks.
-Europe-
European carriers generally offer a business class consisting of enhanced economy seating with better service. There may be a curtain to separate business from economy class, based on demand, but the seats are in the same cabin. Some airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa use convertible seats that seat three people across in economy, or adjust with a lever to become two seats with a half seat length between them for business-class use.
Business class has started to disappear from some short/medium haul routes, to be replaced with full fare economy and discount economy (KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines and SAS - Scandinavian).
On these short/medium routes, the seats are the same for all passengers, only the flexibility of the ticket / fare basis code, and the food and beverage service differs. On shorter routes (typically less than one hour) many airlines have removed business class entirely, and offer only one class of service.
British Airways (abbreviated as BA) used to offer "Business UK" on their domestic system, offering the same service as economy class, with the addition of expedited check-in, baggage reclaim, lounge access and priority boarding. In flight, until January 11, 2017, drink, tea or coffee and a snack were served to all customers, with a hot breakfast on flights prior to 9.29am.
-Australia/Oceania-
Both Qantas/QantasLink and Virgin Australia offer business class on their domestic networks as well as on trans-Tasman flights to New Zealand. Flights between Perth and Sydney typically feature lie-flat seats, with deep recline cradle seats on other routes.
On the other hand, Air New Zealand does not offer business class on its domestic network.
Business Class is available on Air New Zealand flights between New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands when operated by Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 family aircraft, both of which have lie-flat seats.
Below is a graph of the top business Class offerings, their airlines and attendant Class names.
I also offer descriptions of each, wothon a proper ranking of 1 - best, and 10 - least best. I won’t say worst because none of these choices are bad. It all depends on what you personally value in business class.
Rankings below are based on a variety of factors such as comfort, service, ground services offered, food/culinary offerings, spaciousness, class/luxury (if you’re paying 5-7,000 USD for a business class product, you want your money’s worth). These rankings are not mine alone, but an aggregate consensus of travel reviewers.
2025 TOP 10 Business Class Offerings and Their Carriers
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers business class passengers fully flat beds with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration on board its Airbus A380, Airbus A350, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 aircraft. On other long and medium-haul aircraft, business class seats are in a 2-2-2 configuration offering flatbed seats with 180 degrees recline, with massage functions. Qsuite: In March 2017, Qatar Airways revealed a new business class cabin, named "Qsuite." The new cabin offers suites with doors arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. Qsuite features single seats on the window sides, and the middle section suites can be converted into a quad room, allowing four passengers to face each other in a dining-room like set up. Additionally, select "couple" seat pairs in the middle section can be converted into a double bed, offering a product similar to what other airlines offer in First Class. Launched on new Boeing 777-300ER and A350 XWB aircraft in summer 2017 and initially introduced on the Doha to London Heathrow route, the new seats will be retrofitted in the remaining fleet progressively, excluding the Airbus A330s and Airbus A380s due to their upcoming retirement of the types beginning in 2019 and 2024 as Qatar Airways introduced the newer Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and brand new Boeing 777X to replace them
Japan Airlines
Offers spacious suites which include headrest speakers, ample privacy, and high-tech controls.
Japan Airlines is known for impeccable service, gourmet Japanese cuisine, and free in-flight Wi-Fi, ensuring a seamless experience.
Japan Airlines (JL or JAL) has set a new standard with its Airbus A350-1000 business class, featuring the Safran Unity seat.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
ANA’s “The Room” business class on select Boeing 777s offers one of the most spacious layouts in the industry. This first-class-like experience features wide, enclosed suites with full-flat beds, exceptional. Japanese and Western dining, and top-tier customer service. While ANA’s entertainment and soft product slightly lag behind JAL, its seat design is unrivaled.
Singapore Airlines (SQ)
Singapore Airlines (SQ) is synonymous with premium service. While its business class seats on the Airbus A350, Airbus A380, and Boeing 777 lack cutting-edge design, the airline compensates with exceptional service, extensive entertainment options, and the “Book the Cook” pre-order meal service. Free Wi-Fi and high-quality dining further enhance the experience.
Etihad Airways
Etihad’s (EY) new Airbus A350 business class introduces enclosed suites with reverse herringbone seating, wireless charging, and Bluetooth audio. The Armani/Casa partnership elevates the soft product with premium bedding, dine-on-demand service, and barista-style coffee. The airline also offers a premium experience on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
Emirates
Emirates’ (EK) A380 business class, though not the most modern, provides a luxurious experience with its onboard bar, high-end cocktails, and premium amenities. The airline’s free Wi-Fi, extensive entertainment system, and comfortable seating make it a popular choice among travelers.
Air France
Air France’s (AF) new business class on its Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s features reverse herringbone seats with privacy doors, enhanced entertainment, and excellent bulkhead seating. Its soft product, including French cuisine, fine wines, and friendly service, makes it the top European option.
ITA Airways
Lufthansa-owned ITA Airways (AZ), Italy’s flagship carrier, provides a refined Italian business class experience on its Airbus A321neo, A330neo, and A350 aircraft. While its seat design is not groundbreaking, its top-tier Italian cuisine and attentive service make it a standout in Europe.
Turkish Airlines
Despite an average hard product, Turkish Airlines (TK) excels with its business class dining. With gourmet meals prepared by onboard chefs, a variety of Turkish and international dishes, and a superior coffee selection, the airline offers a uunique onboard culinary experience. Hospitality remains a key strength, making Turkish Airlines a preferred choice for many travelers.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific’s (CX) newly launched Aria Suite on its Boeing 777s features an enhanced version of the Collins Aerospace Elements seat. With high-resolution screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and exceptional bedding, this product ensures a comfortable journey. Cathay’s culinary selection and signature drinks further enhance the experience.
CONCLUSION
Business class travel has in fact evolved significantly, with many airlines offering exceptional experiences rivaling first-class standards of the past.
Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, and ANA lead the pack, but other carriers like Singapore Airlines, and Etihad also provide top-tier comfort. You cannot miss with any airline in this list.
