10 Best Business and First Class Seats
Virgin AtlanticImagine every time you fly you’re one of the lucky ones who get ushered to the front of the plane, with extra smiles and a glass of chilled champers when you’re seated. It sounds totally decadent, and unfortunately for most of us, a mere pipe-dream. But what if we were to tell you there is a way to travel with the select few – without begging for an upgrade. Buy lots. Yes, it’s as simple as that. With so many frequent flyer credit cards available offering perks when you’ve accumulated enough points, and paid off the monthly balance in full, it is possible. You just need patience in point-gathering and a bit of inside info on the best first and business class carriers.
Here we present the most luxurious seats available, so you can take a sneaky peek into life at the pointy end of the plane.
Singapore Airlines
First image by Richard Moross, all other images in article courtesy of FlyerWiki.netSingapore Airlines (SIA) are synonymous with first class air travel, and recently won the coveted title of World’s Best First Class Airline 2009 – an annual award based on independent passenger surveys, organised by benchmarking company Skytrax. No doubt the introduction of SIA’s first class suites influenced the decision.
SIA offer unrivalled exclusivity for the privileged client aboard the relatively new Airbus A380. Enclosed cabins replete with sliding doors secret the flier away from the rabble, where they can enjoy a secluded, calm space. The intimate cabins, reminiscent of deluxe train cabins, were designed by leading luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, who obviously knows how to optimize use of small spaces. Cabins are compact but well-equipped with fully-adjustable seats and separate full-sized flat-bed. There are in-seat power supplies and ports for USB keys for those who need to work on route, and for the traveller wishing to enjoy the experience other amenities include a 23 inch wall-mounted LCD screen, with on-demand entertainment and a gourmet food and wine menu specially devised by some of the world’s top chefs.
The cost of a first class flight from New York to Singapore is currently around $12,280, with a fuel stop in Frankfurt.
Emirates
Emirates is one of the fastest growing and consistently top-performing airlines in the world, with their first class services being hot on the heels of SIA. Their A380 cabin design offers the fashionable private capsule layout but with the added benefit of hot showers being available, although times are limited to five minutes per passenger. The suites are finished with fine leather, walnut and gold trim, with a seat pitch of 86 inches and width up to 23 inches, although this depends on the airplane and configuration – not all Emirates first class seats are suites, so double check on booking; you may get the old layout. Still, the entertainment system is excellent no matter which plane you’re on, with hundreds of films to choose from in a selection of languages. Meals are individually prepared by master chefs and an extensive wine list is available, as are Horlicks or Ovaltine so you can be sure to enjoy your slumber in the sky.
Emirates Airbus operates from London to Sydney daily, with stopovers in Dubai, and from Dubai to New York three times a week. Regular flights also run from Dubai to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston and Toronto.
Qatar Airways
For the last two years running, Qatar Airways have been voted third best first class airline in the World Airline Awards, and in 2007 they stole the title. Their attentive service starts before you even enter the airport, with a chauffeur driven taxi service, which delivers you straight to the aircraft for boarding. And if you’re worried about missing out on using the Premium Lounge in the terminal, fear not as there is a dedicated first class lounge on the plane. Business class passengers, too, enjoy a number of perks, with 160° recliner seats on the Airbus and 180° tilt flat beds on the Boeing B777-300ER series. In-flight meals in both classes have an Arabic twist, with an excellent champagne and wine list available.
Qatar Airways service a number of destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia and although the airline itself fly to just three North American cities – New York, Washington DC and Houston – they have a codeshare set up with United Airlines so connect 60 other destinations.
Cathay Pacific
Offering the widest flat-bed at 25 inches across, Cathay prides itself on first-class comfort. As well as the usual perks of flying at the pointy end, passengers can enjoy luxury duvets, pillows and their very own sleepsuit, or pyjamas for the regression-shy. The centre seats can be made more private by raising privacy screens between the adjoining seat and at the aisle, but with only 6-9 first class seats on the plane it won’t be too difficult to have some space to yourself.
Business class seats vary greatly on Cathay’s flights, so check which plane you’re on when booking. Depending on which aircraft you’re on the seat pitch can be anywhere from 45 to 60 inches. Regardless, the service on Cathay is great, as are the in-flight media services. In the new business class cabins, passengers are given their own noise-cancelling headsets, and personal amenities include Agnes b, Murad and Dermalogica products, heightening your chance to be pampered.
A return business class flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne will cost AUS$4,228; there is no first class available on this leg.
Thai Airways
With up to seven foot of space to stretch out in, you can see why Thai Airways is highly regarded among first class flyers. The calm-shell style seating in first class offers maximum privacy, and all beds recline to 180°, while in business class beds recline to 170°. Each seat is also equipped with telephone and laptop power points.
Thai’s new in-flight entertainment system offers larger screens with more movie and music options on-demand; there’s even a package that allows passengers to learn the basics of a new language – or brush up on their Thai. A choice of Asian-influenced and western-style multi-course meals are served on porcelain place settings, with crystal glasses on crisp linen table cloths. The full complimentary bar choice includes fine wines and champagnes, vintage ports and premium liqueurs.
For Thai Airways business class service you’ll pay NZ$3,401 (US$2,233) for a return trip from Auckland to Bangkok
Etihad Airways
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates was this year voted the best business class airline carrier by its users. Etihad's business class seating area and amenities are easily on a par with some airlines first class services. Seats recline to 180° flat beds, with over six foot of lying room, and an 88 inch pitch when in the seated position. There is also a built-in massage facility to enable you to relax, just in case you weren’t already enamoured by the exuberant surroundings. LCD screens are the largest offered in this class, at 15 inches wide, and travellers can talk to colleagues or friends in-flight via an on board telephony system. Although, it would be more advisable to forget all about work and relax and enjoy the personalised attentive service by the Pearl Business class cabin crew.
As of March 2009 Etihad operates flights to 54 destinations in 38 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America.
Virgin Atlantic
Few will argue that Richard Branson knows how to run a business. His Virgin empire encompasses a number of different types of businesses, but most will associate the British tycoon with his fleet of various airlines. And he must be doing something right because, this year, Virgin Atlantic has been voted one of the top five best business class airlines in the World Airline Awards. The seats work in much the same way as many of the business class airlines, but at 79.5 inches long (or 82 inches if you land a seat in the upper deck), Virgin offer the biggest fully reclinable flat bed in the class. But what is more appealing on the Virgin Atlantic flights – well, for most passengers – is the attractive on board bar area. Along with no set meal times, this makes Virgin appealing to the more relaxed, and sociable, business class customer.
Virgin fly to numerous destinations worldwide, though their transatlantic flights from Europe to North America are most popular; a business class flight from New York to London costs around US$7,361, including taxes and fees.
British Airways
The cost of an economy seat on British Airways is more often than not exorbitantly expensive, when compared to similar carriers, so it’s no wonder it was voted one of the best business class airlines by its regular passengers – they’re mostly business people. Adjustable flat beds adopt the new Z-position (as pictured) and are now 25 percent wider, with new softer mattresses, memory foam headrests and cosy duvets. There’s also a privacy screen, the type often reserved for first class cabins, and the meals and wine list are exemplary.
Flights operate from a number of UK destinations to hundreds of destinations worldwide. Flying business class from London to Cape Town will cost the princely sum of £4,510.
Swiss Air
Design aficionados will be impressed with Swiss Air’s new first class décor, available on the Airbus A330-3300 fleet. The sleek black seat design incorporates an ottoman and the area is large enough so when the table is laid it’s big enough to be able to invite fellow passengers to enjoy the high-flying dining experience. Choose a seven-course gourmet meal or order a quick meal in advance if you’re worried about missing out on sleep time. The dining table disappears at the touch of a button leaving a generous space to relax for the rest of the flight. The seat can be reclined into a lie-flat bed, with a length of up to two meters, and adjustable side walls allow for optimum privacy.
A flight from London to New York will set you back a mere £4,655 or $7,645 USD
Air New Zealand
Flying to the Land of the Long White Cloud just gets better and better. Recently, Air New Zealand introduced a concierge service that offers a personalized experience few other business airlines do. Dedicated concierge staff are available to chat to prior to boarding, during the flight and at all NZ destinations to help plan itineraries, recommend accommodation and restaurants, or help with ongoing travel arrangements.
On board, the seats and amenities are on a par with many other business class carriers. Luxurious leather seats are 22 inches wide and convert to a generous 81 inch long flat bed, although the older planes don’t have the flat bed option, so check which aircraft you’re on when booking. An on-demand entertainment system helps while away the hours and standard media amenities are built-in to ensure travellers can go about their business, if needs be. The impressive menu is planned by some of New Zealand’s leading chefs, and the wine list boasts the best NZ produce.
Auckland is a major stop-off point in the Pacific, so the carrier services a number of destinations in Oceania and North America. Air New Zealand also operates out of a handful of Asian and European cities. A return flight from Los Angeles to Auckland in business class costs US$5,644, including all charges.