I am an avid airline product geek and each year publish a list listing the best first-class airlines, best first-class lounges, and best business class seats. Although coronavirus has had a major impact on some premium products offered by airlines, that doesn't stop me from looking at the best products.
This post will provide an updated ranking on my top business class seats.
Business Class Seats have come a long way
Over the last few years, we have seen significant innovation in business class seating. Some of the best business class seats in the world were only recently introduced.
It is important to recognize that this is part a larger trend. Over the past 20-years, we've seen business class seats change from recliners to flat flat seats to angled seats to flat beds to seats with direct aisle access to suites with doors. The premium economy cabins that are being introduced today aren't much different from business class 20+ year ago.
We have seen so much innovation, I thought I would share an updated post that lists my top business class seats.
What makes a great business class seat?
Since everyone has different preferences when flying, my ranking will be subjective. I believe that creating a ranking system for these seats would reduce the perspective I have, having personally tried each of these products.
Some people prefer direct aisle access from all seats. Some people don't like to be next to their travel companions. Some people are drawn to doors. Some people hate them. This list could go on.
How do I decide which business class seats are the best? It is important to have a fully flat bed that allows for aisle access from all seats. But here's what I want beyond that:
Comfortable sleeping surfaces First and foremost, business-class is all about the bed. Because some airlines are creating elaborate seats with tiny footwells, I think that part of this is plenty of space for my feet.
Business class is all about the bed. A comfortable sleeping surface is essential. Because some airlines are creating elaborate seats with tiny footwells, part of this is having plenty of space for my feet. Privacy is something that I care about personally, but I also know others do. If given the option, I'll choose a seat with more privacy than one that does not. I find it awkward to be next to strangers while sleeping on the ground.
Although I care about this personally, I also know that others do not. If given the option, I'll choose a seat with more privacy than one that does not. I find it uncomfortable to sleep next to strangers in the air and on the ground. The design is not very well thought out. I often wonder if the person responsible for designing a business class seat has actually been in business class. I'm referring to where the buttons are located, the lighting, the ease of using the tray table and many other details.
Sometimes I wonder if the person responsible for designing a business class seat has actually been in business class before. The design isn't very detailed. I'm referring to where the buttons are located, the lighting, the ease of using the tray table and many other details. Different seating arrangements for different occasions. Everyone travels with different purposes, so it is important to have different seating options depending on whether you are traveling with a friend, a family member, or alone. While it is great to have privacy, exceptional airlines have created cabins that allow you to choose to be next to or alone.
Every person travels for a different reason, so it is important to have seats that can be customized depending on whether you are traveling solo, with a friend, or with the family. While it is great to have privacy, exceptional airlines design their cabins so that you can choose to be alone or with someone else. Beautiful finishes Although the seat's substance is important, I also appreciate a cabin with stylish details.
I value the seat's substance, but there is also merit in a well-designed cabin. Individual air nozzles I will not be able cover this topic in depth as I'll be using seats from multiple airlines. Individual air nozzles can make a big difference in your ability to sleep comfortably. This is due to the fact that many airlines use warm cabins.
OMAAT Seat Rankings: Why you should trust them
This is something I don't have to tell OMAAT regular readers. However, I think it is worth noting for those who aren't regular OMAAT subscribers.
Media outlets rank the best business class seats all the time, but they are often based on stock media images and the descriptions of airlines' seats.
Although I don't necessarily recommend that you agree with my rankings here, there are reasons to trust OMAAT rankings.
All of my flights are paid for by me, with either cash or miles
I don't let airlines know I am reviewing their products and I try to keep my identity as private as possible. There are rare exceptions that I do disclose.
I have tried almost every type of business class seat and have flown it literally hundreds of times. This gives me a lot of insight into what makes a great business class seat.
I don't have any financial relationship with any airline.
This is my passion. I have been reviewing airlines for over 15 years. I've written hundreds upon hundreds of flight reviews and logged millions of miles.
The World's Top 10 Business Class Seats
Let me now tell you what I believe to be the best business class seats in the world, starting at number ten and ending at number one. Before I begin:
Some of the seats I list may only be available on one airline. Others are available on dozens. So, I will only list each type of seat once even though there may be minor differences.
I will refer to a specific type of seat by one airline in situations where it is not available elsewhere. If multiple airlines offer the same seat, I'll refer it by the seat number
The main problem I have with these rankings, is choosing which seat in a configuration I want to judge. For example, the Singapore Airlines bulkhead business-class seats are amazing, but the rest of the seats are just as good. I will only be judging seat variants if at most one row has the comfort that earns it the ranking.
I am leaving out service, food and drinks; this is all about the seat.
Now let's get to the point:
This list will feature cutting-edge business class seats. It will also be the only one that has been around more than a decade. Oman Air is a favorite airline. Some of the planes of Oman Air have old but spacious business class seats. They are in a 1-2-1 configuration and remind me of what first-class was like on many airlines a decade ago.
Although the technology and privacy of these seats aren't the most advanced, the comfort and storage can be matched by any modern seat. This is an amazing throwback to the past. Oman Air is currently rearranging planes to replace them with Apex Suites. The seats won't last long.
You can find the seat on selected Oman Air A330s. This product is not available on any other airline.
Oman Air cabin A330 in business class
Oman Air Business Class Seat
Singapore Airlines introduced new cabins to its A380s a few years back. The new business class seat is an improvement on the previous one. The cabin is gorgeous, spacious, and offers privacy. For couples who are traveling together, the center seats can be converted into a double bed by combining all of the rows.
Problem? You need to lie at an unusual angle because of the hard sleeping surface. It is a comfortable seat, but I don't find it particularly comfortable to sleep on.
You can find the seat on selected Singapore Airlines A380s. This product is not available on any other airline.
Singapore Airlines Business Class Cab A380
Singapore Airlines Business Class Seat
Singapore Airlines Business Class Seats
United's new Polaris business class was introduced a few years ago. It features staggered seating. Every row on 777s and 787s has true window seats. These seats are very private and each row also includes honeymoon seats. They are functionally designed and comfortable. They are not very spacious and the footwell is a little too narrow for my liking.
You can find this seat on all United 777-3000ERs and 787-10s. It is also available on selected 767-300ERs, 777-220s and 787-8s. Air France has similar seats on its A350-900s and will be installing them on selected 777-300ERs. Although they are not exactly the same, EL AL offers similar seats on 787-9s and TAP Portugal has similar seats for A330-900neos.
United Airlines Polaris business cabin 767
United Airlines Polaris business-class seat
United Airlines Polaris business-class seat
This seat is being added to the Vantage XL list in addition to the Vantage XL because it's very customized. I also appreciate JetBlue's innovative approach and think that this product is fundamentally different when used on a narrow-body plane.
JetBlue deserves credit in introducing the first seat with a door for business class. It is amazing that a low-cost carrier that doesn't have a premium cabin had the courage to create this first seat.
The JetBlue Mint classic cabin has a staggered layout. Every other row includes Mint Suites. These are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each seat is spacious and well-designed. The only problem with the seat is the narrow footwell, where you rest your feet while sleeping.
JetBlue's new business class product has been introduced on its A321LRs. These aircraft are used for transatlantic flights. The Mint Suite isn't a better product than the one before it, and the Mint Studio doesn't meet my criteria of having an average of one seat per row (since only two seats in business class are Studios).
You can find this seat on selected JetBlue A321s. Although other airlines have used the same staggered seats for A321s, there are no doors. This product is not available from any other airline.
JetBlue Mint Business Class Cabin A321
JetBlue Mint Business Class Seat
JetBlue Mint Business Class Seat
Etihad's new business class seat is a modified staggered design. The seats alternate between being closer to windows and the aisle. The true window seats are my favorite for solo travel, but many people who travel with someone else prefer the middle-of-the-cabin honeymoon seats.
Etihads Business Studio is different from other staggered designs. The seat features are well-designed, the finishes are elegant, and the privacy is good.
You can find the seat on all Etihad 787s. It was also available on A380s but Etihad is retiring them. This product is not available on any other airline.
Etihad Airways business class cabin 787
Etihad Airways business class seat
Delta One Suites, a business class suite with doors, was introduced by the airline in 2012. Delta uses a modified Vantage XL (similar to the ones you'll find on Philippine Airlines and Qantas.
Vantage XL is not on the list, as I consider it an improved version of the original. However, they added a door. The seating arrangement is staggered and the seats are spacious and private.
The seat is not perfect. It lacks storage and the door doesn't close completely. Also, the doors are very low and difficult to open. I think this is a great product. However, the finish could be better.
You can find this seat on all Delta A350 900s and A330 900neos. These seats are also available on the A350-900s of China Eastern and on the 787-9s of Shanghai Airlines.
Delta One business class cabin A350
Delta One business class seat
Delta One business class seat
British Airways made a significant leap in 2019 with its business class hard product. It went from a product it had been using for almost two decades to a new reverse herringbone seat and door.
The seat isn't really innovative in that it is a standard Collins Aerospace reverse-herringbone seat. The seat is not included on this list because it is an enhanced version that you can find on Air Canada, American China Airlines, Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia.
Reverse herringbone seating is my favorite because they are almost identical to each other. They offer privacy and are easy to use, with the window seats facing the windows. The seats can also be used for sleeping or relaxing. These seats can be uncomfortable if you are traveling with someone.
The unique feature of the seat is its door. The door can be closed if you don't want to or find it too restrictive.
You can find the seat on all British Airways A3501000s and 787-10s. It is also available on select 777s. In the future, these seats will be added to many other planes. This product is not available on any other airline.
British Airways Club Suites Business Class Cabin A350
British Airways Club Suites business-class seat
British Airways Club Suites business-class seat
Apex Suites may look ordinary business class, but they don't look very impressive. Apex Suites on a 787 will be in a 2-2-2 configuration. These seats are superior because of the window seats. They offer a lot of privacy and personal room. Window seats feature a private walkway that leads to the seat. You can also raise or lower the partition between the seats to ensure privacy.
You have to be able to rest your feet in the small footwell of business class, while you can have unlimited space in your Apex Suite. Another advantage is that you can choose an aisle or window seat with your companion, but you won't have the same privacy in the aisle seat.
You can find this seat on Gulf Air (787-9s), Japan Airlines, select 777s and 787s), Korean Air (7747-8s, 789s, 787s, and select 7777-300ERs) and Oman Air (787s and A330s).
Korean Air Business Class Seats 787
Korean Air Business Class Seat
Qatar Airways introduced Qsuite in 2017 and it set a new standard in business class. It is amazing in every way. It is private (it has a door), it is spacious, stylish, plenty of storage and it is thoughtfully designed.
The best part about these suites is their customization. For privacy and convenience, you have the option to choose a window seat, or you can reserve a center section with a double bed. If you're traveling with four people, you can also reserve a quad to create a large suite.
Qatar Airways has added a business class seat to its 787-9s. While it looks fantastic, I'm not sure it is up to Qsuites. It looks great and I'm looking forward to flying it.
You can find the seat on all Qatar Airways A350-9000s and select Qatar Airways A350-900s. It is also available on selected Qatar Airways A350-900s, 777-220LRs and 777-353ERs. This product is not available on any other airline.
Qatar Airways Qsuites business Class Cab A350
Qatar Airways Qsuites Business Class Seat
Qatar Airways Qsuites Business Class Seat
All Nippon Airways launched a new range of first and business seats this summer, seemingly out of nowhere. This product is truly amazing. Each seat has a door and the suites are huge. The personal space is unmatched.
This seat makes me feel like the airline industry has come full circle. It is far superior to many first-class suites. The Qsuite was my favorite, but ANA beat it.
You can find the seat only on selected ANA 777/300ERs. More 777s will likely be retrofitted with these seats. This product is not available on any other airline.
ANA The Room Business Class Cabin 777
Business class seat in ANA The Room
Business class seat in ANA The Room
Bottom line
Those are my top 10 business class seats. These seats may be exclusive to one airline in certain cases, but in others, many airlines offer the same seats.
These rankings are subjective and I could easily see some of the orders being changed depending on whether or not I am sleeping on the entire flight, traveling with someone, etc. My top three choices are the only ones I'm committed to, but it is possible for the order to change depending on the circumstances.
Which are your top picks for business class seats? What is your ranking?
