Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 world’s best airlines for flying Business Class (2026)
Each year, I share my selection of the world’s best Business Class products. For many, flying Business Class is aspirational; for some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience; and for a select few, it’s essential. Today, Business Class has evolved far beyond priority boarding and wider seats—it is a fully immersive luxury experience for travelers who value privacy, comfort, and refined service. From bypassing long airport queues and accessing exclusive lounges to enjoying attentive service, gourmet dining paired with premium wines, and fully flat beds for restful sleep, the journey itself becomes a highlight of travel. The world’s leading airlines now compete on suite-style seating, exceptional dining, wellness-focused features, and impeccable hospitality, making the flight as memorable as the destination. Whether traveling for business or leisure, choosing the right airline can transform a long-haul journey. Below, I present my top 10 best Business Class cabins for long-haul flights in 2026, ranked for consistency, innovation, onboard comfort, and overall luxury experience — reflecting my own personal preferences.
What is your favorite airline for flying long-haul Business Class? Leave a comment.
10. British Airways
While British Airways’ Business Class, historically known as Club World, raised the bar two decades ago with the introduction of the first fully lie-flat seats and the innovative “Yin/Yang” seating concept, the product eventually became dated and outclassed by competitors. In recent years, the airline has dramatically upgraded its onboard experience with the introduction of the new Club Suite across its A350, B777, and B787-9 aircraft. The Club Suite features direct aisle access for every seat, private suite doors for enhanced privacy, fully flat beds, and 18.5-inch high-definition IFE screens. The modern cabin design is refined and sophisticated, while dining highlights classic British flavors alongside international options. All Heathrow-based Boeing 777s have been retrofitted with the new suite, though Gatwick-based 777s, B787-8s, and A380s still operate the older product. With its vast global network and renewed focus on premium service, British Airways’ Club Suite now competes with the world’s leading Business Class offerings, although there remains room for improvement in dining and service to fully match its rivals.
- Official website: British Airways
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ new Business Class suite in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in an Airbus A380 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 747 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
9. EVA Air
Taiwan-based EVA Air calls its international Business Class product Royal Laurel Class, and it consistently impresses with a balance of comfort, privacy, and attentive service that makes long-haul travel a truly restful experience. The seats, configured in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout on both Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, provide excellent personal space and privacy through fixed panels that create a sense of individual area. Thoughtful design touches include a retractable armrest, cocktail table, shoe cabinet, and a dedicated space to hang jackets, ensuring convenience and organization throughout the flight. Dining onboard is a highlight, featuring globally inspired cuisine from beef steaks to lobster, paired with a well-curated wine selection and Fiji water. EVA Air also offers exclusive amenity kits, noise-canceling headphones, and, uniquely among many carriers, comfortable pajamas for long-haul sleep. Combined with warm, friendly, and professional cabin service, Royal Laurel Class delivers a premium yet approachable experience, making EVA Air one of the most quietly impressive and reliable airlines in the world for flying Business Class.
8. Japan Airlines
With consistent punctuality, operational reliability, and a focus on personal service, Japan Airlines’ Business Class delivers a premium experience that combines subtle luxury, cultural authenticity, and modern innovation. Its traditional spacious suites provide ample room for both work and rest, with fully flat beds and understated Japanese-minimalist styling that enhances the sense of calm onboard. JAL’s inflight dining continues to impress, featuring seasonal Japanese cuisine alongside premium Western options, all presented with exceptional attention to detail, while the cabin crew delivers polite, efficient, and genuinely attentive service that reflects the spirit of Japanese omotenashi. Building on this foundation, Japan Airlines has recently introduced new Business Class suites on its Airbus A350 fleet, which feature a modern forward-facing layout, direct aisle access for every passenger, increased personal space, and enhanced storage compartments designed for long-haul comfort. These suites also incorporate refined finishes, adjustable ambient lighting, and intuitive controls that elevate privacy and convenience, creating a serene environment ideal for both work and rest.
7. Air France
Having invested heavily in a premium product that combines French elegance, style, and comfort, Air France deserves a spot in this ranking of the world’s best airlines for flying Business Class in 2026. The airline’s Business Class cabins on the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 feature suites with privacy doors, fully flat beds, and refined design elements that maximize both comfort and personal space. Among these, the bulkhead seats offer an enormous amount of extra space, equal to what is typically found in First Class cabins; in many ways, these seats represent a “Business Class Plus” experience, and in my view, they are currently the world’s best Business Class seats. Dining onboard remains a defining highlight, with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs and paired with exceptional French wines and champagne, reflecting Air France’s commitment to the art of living well. The cabin design evokes Parisian chic, with ambient lighting, sophisticated color palettes, and careful attention to detail that enhances calm and refinement.
- Official website: Air France
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class (bulkhead suite) in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class (regular suite) in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
6. Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways offers a Business Class experience that is far from ordinary, blending modern design with personalized luxury across its long-haul fleet. The airline’s flagship Business Studios, available on A380s and 787 Dreamliners, embody style, simplicity, and functionality, with a unique dovetail cabin layout of forward- and rear-facing seats that maximizes space and privacy. Passengers enjoy dine-on-demand service with globally inspired menus, allowing meals to be served at any time during the flight. On the A380, a dedicated lounge between First and Business Class accommodates up to six guests, enhancing the premium experience. Etihad’s newer flagship A350s feature a different Business Class design, with 44 seats in a 1-2-1 layout, each with a privacy door, while its A320 and 777 aircraft retain a less glamorous product. Attentive, polished service and Abu Dhabi’s premium lounges complete the journey, making Etihad Business Class a tailored, sophisticated choice for discerning travelers in 2026.
- Official website: Etihad Airways
- Review: read my review of Etihad Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 787 Dreamliner here.
- Review: read my review of Etihad Airways’ Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
- Review: read my review of Etihad Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
5. Cathay Pacific
Traditionally, Cathay Pacific’s reverse herringbone Business Class seats have provided excellent privacy and convert into comfortable fully flat beds, making them well suited for long-haul travel. Building on this foundation, the airline has begun introducing its new Aria Suites Business Class on selected Boeing 777 aircraft, representing a significant step forward in privacy, personal space, and cabin sophistication. The Aria Suites feature sliding doors, enhanced storage, and refined design elements while maintaining Cathay Pacific’s signature restrained aesthetic. Cabin ambiance remains a core strength, with muted color palettes, soft lighting, and quiet environments designed to promote rest and relaxation. Dining onboard showcases both Asian and international cuisine, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines and teas, while the airline’s inflight entertainment system, displayed on enormous high-definition screens, ranks among the best in the world. Combined with its premium lounges in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s new Business Class is setting a new standard of discreet luxury, though the Aria Suites are currently available only on selected routes operated by the Boeing 777.
- Official website: Cathay Pacific
- Review: read my review of Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suites Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of Cathay Pacific’s Business Class in an Airbus A350 here.
- Review: read my review of Cathay Pacific’s Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
4. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
The Business Class of All Nippon Airways (ANA) reflects the airline’s deep-rooted commitment to Japanese hospitality, precision, and comfort, with its flagship product, known as “The Room,” remaining one of the most spacious suites in the sky. ANA, Japan’s largest airline, developed The Room in collaboration with renowned architect Kengo Kuma and British design firm Acumen for a fleet of just 12 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Inspired by modern, multifunctional Japanese living spaces, The Room features flexible sliding doors that provide exceptional privacy while allowing the space to be opened for shared dining. Its bold forward- and rear-facing layout creates one of the largest Business Class seating environments in the world, highlighted by an exceptionally wide sofa-style seat that is nearly double the width of ANA’s previous business class offering. ANA has also confirmed that it will introduce a Room-inspired new Business Class concept on its Boeing 787 fleet in 2026, extending the design philosophy to additional long-haul routes, though travelers should note that The Room itself currently remains available only on selected routes operated by the Boeing 777-300ER.
3. Singapore Airlines
Synonymous with lavishing luxury in the skies, Singapore Airlines’ Business Class product is built around space, service, and refinement. Its premium seats on the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft are among the most distinctive in the industry, measuring an impressive 30 inches or 75 centimeters in width, which makes them the widest Business Class seats in the world. The seats convert into flat beds and are designed to maximize personal space on long and ultra-long-haul routes, yet the seat design has faced criticism for its angled sleeping position. Singapore Airlines is addressing this by introducing a new Business Class seat in 2026 that will deliver a more traditional fully flat sleeping surface while improving privacy and ergonomics. Onboard dining and service are where the airline truly shines, led by its celebrated Book the Cook program that allows passengers to pre-select gourmet meals designed by an international panel of renowned chefs. Combined with an extensive wine selection and cabin crew widely regarded as among the best in the world, Singapore Airlines business class offers a quietly luxurious experience defined by precision, elegance, and consistency.
- Official website: Singapore Airlines
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class in an Airbus A350 here.
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class in an Airbus A380 here.
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
- Review: read my review of Singapore Airlines’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
2. Emirates
The success of Emirates’ Business Class product is very much rooted in the comfort and scale of its Airbus A380 fleet, which is why the iconic double-decker aircraft is strategically deployed on the airline’s major international routes. Known for its expansive cabins and the famous onboard bar, Emirates’ Business Class on the A380 offers a social yet refined flying experience that appeals equally to business and leisure travelers. Lie-flat seats provide ample room to relax or work, while thoughtful details such as premium bedding and Bulgari amenity kits further elevate onboard comfort. Dining features globally inspired cuisine paired with an extensive selection of fine wines and champagne, while the award-winning ICE entertainment system offers thousands of channels to make long-haul journeys feel effortless. Emirates is also in the process of refurbishing its Boeing 777 Business Class cabins, introducing a new design that echoes the elegance of the A380 experience, including soft cream leather seats arranged in a modern 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access for every passenger, ensuring a consistently premium experience in 2026 across its long-haul fleet.
- Official website: Emirates
- Review: read my review of Emirates’ Business Class in an Airbus A380 here.
- Review: read my review of Emirates’ new Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways remains the global leader in Business Class travel in 2026, consistently redefining what premium air travel should feel like. Its award-winning Qsuite features fully enclosed private suites with sliding doors, generous personal space, and customizable seating arrangements that allow couples or families to travel together in complete comfort. Dining onboard Qatar Airways is a standout experience, with true dining on demand allowing passengers to order restaurant-quality meals at any time during the flight, all curated by world-class chefs and paired with premium beverages. The airline’s attentive yet unobtrusive service sets a global benchmark, ensuring that every detail is anticipated with precision and care. Combined with access to the luxurious Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha, Qatar Airways delivers a seamless, end-to-end luxury travel experience, though travelers should be aware that the Qsuite is available only on selected routes and aircraft, specifically Airbus A350-1000s and some retrofitted Boeing 777s and Airbus A350-900s, and that Qatar Airways is known for occasional aircraft swaps that may affect the onboard product.
- Official website: Qatar Airways
- Review: read my review of Qatar Airways’ Qsuite Business Class in an Airbus A350 here.
- Review: read my review of Qatar Airways’ Business Class mini Qsuite in a Boeing 787 here.
- Review: read my review of Qatar Airways’ Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
- Review: read my review of Qatar Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
*** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, X or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***
