5 airlines with the best new business-class offerings – and how to bag them with air miles

Oct 19 , 2019

It may be no coincidence that, as flights are getting longer, seats are getting comfier – in business class, at least.

As ultra long-haul flights become the new norm, seats are also getting comfier – in business class, at least. From BA to Qantas and Delta to Turkish – these are the best and newest business class upgrades, and how to book them with air miles

No matter where you’re going, business has never been better. A growing number of airlines have invested in more and better business class seats – or, in many cases, suites. The changes have been years in the making, but lucky for travellers, they’re hitting the market just as “ultra long-haul” flights get longer and more common.

In the past three years, Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines raised the bar for in-flight exclusivity by adding closing doors to their lie-flat seats. Singapore Airlines and Qantas forged strategic partnerships with wellness experts to offer such perks as menus designed to combat jet lag or meditation classes in the lounge. And on several airlines, you can now control your in-flight entertainment screen with Bluetooth or apps on your mobile phone.

Here are five of the most exciting new business-class offerings to look out for – ranked for innovation and comfort – and two more not-new notables, plus how to book them with points and miles. Remember to always double-check your flight’s seat map before booking to determine whether your plane will have the latest and greatest cabin.

1. All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways’ new business class cabins are inspired by traditional multifunctional Japanese living spaces.

In July, Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways announced it had commissioned architect Kengo Kuma – who is also designing Tokyo’s New National Stadium, the centrepiece of 2020 Summer Olympics – and British design firm Acumen to overhaul the business class cabins on 12 of its Boeing 777-300ERs.

Formally titled The Room, the new suites are inspired by traditional multifunctional Japanese living spaces: they come with various wood-toned panels and double-wide, lie-flat seats topped by luxury Nishikawa Sangyo cushions. Sliding doors, like those on Qatar Airways’ Qsuites, make them especially private. Bonus: A mobile app allows you to turn your phone into a remote control, and there are plenty of outlets and USB ports to combat battery drain.

The new design is currently flying on 777-300ERs between Tokyo Haneda and London Heathrow; more routes with the same aircraft will be added in the coming months, including to New York and Frankfurt.