Premium cabin travel and business class seating on long international flights offer an unparalleled service, solid dining experience, and overall comfort. With many airlines opting to remove international first class, Business Class products have become as luxurious as ever. Here are the top 5 Business Class products currently available and how you can book them using points!
Table of Contents:
What Makes an International Business Class Product Great
The jump from economy to business class means jumping from a cramped seat, to one that transforms into a full flat bed. In addition to a wonderful hard product(the seat), business class passengers also receive a full meal service(significantly better food), solid amenities including pajamas on certain airlines and routes, and a wonderful pre-departure experience which should include lounge access.
1) Qatar Airways Q-Suite
Qatar Airways offers both first class and business class. On some of their planes, the airline offers Q-Suites, a business class product with both fully flat seats and a privacy door. The airline was a pioneer in introducing privacy doors and many other airlines followed!
In addition to having one of the best business class seats,
Which Planes have this seat?
Qsuites are available on the following aircraft in the Qatar Airways fleet:
To confirm if your flight is indeed in a Q-Suite, make sure to check the seating arrangement for a 1-2-1 configuration. You can always check out Seat Guru to confirm the seating configuration.
Ways to Book?
American Airlines AAdvantage Miles is the best way to book Q-Suites. While other programs have comical fees, American Airlines has low fees and reasonable redemptions rates. Here are some options using AA Miles.
- Doha to Europe: 42,500 miles one-way, 85,000 miles round trip
- Doha to the US: 70,000 miles one-way, 140,000 miles round trip
- Doha to Australia: 80,000 miles one-way 160,000 miles round trip
2)ANA’s The Room
ANA released their latest business class with little fanfare, but it has been one of the most sought after products on the market.
Which Planes have this seat?
The new ANA “the Room” business class is available on the following aircraft:
Ways to Book?
You have several options for booking.
ANA Mileage Club – ANA only allows you to book round trip tickets on their website. While award flights are relatively cheap (under 100k points round trip) the airline does have hefty fuel charges.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club – You can also book ANA flights using Virgin Atlantic. Best of all, you are also able to book one way trips at a half of the cost of a round-trip ticket. This is a great sweet spot, and you can book USA to Europe for 90,000 miles and $300 in taxes and fees.
3)Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines offers one of the best premium cabin experiences in their Singapore First Class Suites. The airline’s excellent hospitality and attention to detail are also carried over to the their business class cabin. While Singapore Airlines offers a spacious solid product, the airlines service and meal service make their business class experience truly exceptional.
Which Planes have this seat?
Singapore Airlines new business class is available on the following aircraft:
- Airbus A350-900
- Airbus A380
- Boeing 787-10
Ways to Book?
The easiest ways to book the newish Singapore Airlines business class seat is by using Singapore’s Kris Flyer program or a Star Alliance member. Aeroplan and United Mileage Plus may also offer award flights, but prices will vary. With United, prices can be upwards of 175,000 miles for a one way flight.
Here are some of the best routes for booking Singapore Business Class on Points
- New York (JFK)-Singapore (SIN) via Frankfurt (FRA) 111,500
- Sydney (SYD)-Singapore (SIN) 68,500
- Zurich (ZRH)-Singapore (SIN) 103,500
- London-Heathrow (LHR) -Singapore (SIN) 103,500
4)Emirates
Which Planes have this seat?
The new Emirates business class is available on the following aircraft:
- Boeing 777-300ER
- Airbus A380
- Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
- Airbus A350-900.
Ways to Book?
Beginning recently, you are now able to use Aeroplan to book Emirates Business and First class tickets. This could represent a decent deal as the airline has a separate award chart for Emirates. You can also book directly with Emirates Skywards.
Emirates now partners with all five major transferable points currencies, meaning you can transfer points to Emirates at the following rates:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards – 1:1
- Amex Membership Rewards – 1:1
- Citi ThankYou Rewards – 1:1
- Capital One Venture miles – 2:1.5
- Marriott Bonvoy – 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred
Emirates Award Chart with Aeroplan. Not a bad deal if you can find space. Check out my full guide of Aeroplan and how to maximize the program.
| Flight distance (miles) | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,000. | 15,000 to 35,000 points. | 30,000 to 77,500 points. | 65,000 to 175,000 points. |
| 2,001 to 5,000. | 21,000 to 65,000 points. | 45,000 to 140,000 points. | 110,000 to 325,000 points. |
| 5,001 to 9,000. | 40,000 to 85,000 points. | 80,000 to 185,000 points. | 225,000 to 475,000 points. |
| 9,001 to 12,000. | 60,000 to 110,000 points. | 120,000 to 225,000 points. | 300,000 to 600,000 points. |
| 12,001 or more. | 85,000 to 150,000 points. | 180,000 to 300,000 points. | 400,000 to 750,000 points. |
For a the full Aeroplan Award Chart, please see HERE
5)Cathay Pacific
The only major airline operating out of Hong Kong, One World member Cathay Pacific offers a premium class experience similar to Singapore Airlines.
Which Planes have this seat?
Cathay Pacific’s new business class can be found on their Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9 aircraft.
As a reminder, be sure to double check your plane using Seat Guru to ensure that your plane is indeed fitted with lie-flat seats in bizz!
Ways to Book?
- Alaska Airlines – Fewest Miles needed(~70k), but Alaska Miles are extremely hard to earn
- American Airline Miles – Solid Value if you can find space
- Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles Program – transfer partner of both American Express and Citi Rewards
Honorable Mention
While these product didn’t make the top 5, these are still very solid products with all around service.
Japan Airlines – A dated and smaller seating configuration, Japan Airlines offers a staggered seating plan that can feel cramped at times. The carrier’s soft product, including food and service help the airline make up ground where it’s seat falters.
Air France – I had wonderful time flying Air France from Vancouver to London(via Paris) last Summer. The airline’s food was solid, but the service was excellent and the flight attendant gave me extra chocolates and snacks throughout the flight. I didn’t sleep on this long flight and ended up drinking at least 3 espressos and one latte. The seat is a little less private than expected but this is a superb product.
Delta Airlines Suites – Delta Airline’s suites are a solid product. As opposed to the airlines that made the “Top 5 Business Class Products” Delta receives an honorable mention as everything from food and service to pre-departure experience is solid rather than exemplary. I think Delta could improve its catering for premium passengers and of course open a business only lounge similar to United Polaris Lounges.
Virgin Atlantic – Virgin Atlantic offers solid hard product, but the airline really stands out with their pre-departure experience especially at London Heathrow Airport. Business Class passengers flying on Virgin and select partners have access to Virgin’s Upper Class wing. This exclusive terminal provided a private screening away from the hustle and bustle of one of the world’s busiest airports.
Check here for a full virtual tour of Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class seat on their Airbus A350.
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