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Are these airlines really the best and worst for business class travel?

From the ergonomics of tray tables to the types of cheese one can devour in an airport lounge, the small details matter when flying business class.

And why not? You want to make sure those carefully saved points go as far as possible.

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Luggage storage company Bounce recently decided to separate the best and worst experiences in the sky, ranking airlines across seven business class criteria including cabin and seat, cuisine, amenities and facilities.

These aggregated scores come courtesy of user reviews on online travel agent Business Class, with Singapore Airlines emerging as the overall champ with a total score of 9.57 across all categories, finishing just above Qatar, which managed an impressive 9.29. Egyptair is at the bottom of the list with a score of 5.71.

Which airlines performed well, which ones disappointed, and should you take these scores with a pinch of in-flight salt? Here at TPG, we've flown business (and more) with all of these airlines. Scroll down to see how each one measured up when we flew with them.

Note: amenities and seats can differ from plane to plane, and if some of the reviews appear to be two or three years old, there's a COVID-19 reason for that and we'll be sure to update with the latest reviews once they're in.

Now read on to see our thoughts on the best and worst business class services.

10 best-rated business class airlines

1. singapore airlines.

Average rating: 9.57

What tpg says:.

"After experiencing 18 hours of Singapore's legendary service, it was clear how this carrier continually wins awards for the best service of an airline though the biggest issue with the flight was the seat itself: though the seat is oversized compared to competitors, it's not comfortable for relaxing or sleeping, especially if you prefer a soft mattress or have trouble sleeping at an angle. Do whatever you can to select a bulkhead seat on this flight. If you can't, rest assured knowing that there's enough IFE content to keep you entertained for multiple trips from New York to Singapore."

Read our full business class review of Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR from Newark to Singapore (Originally published Jan 2020)

2. Qatar Airways

Average rating: 9.29

"Qatar Airways' business class on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner offered a top-notch onboard experience, even though it wasn't the airline's signature Qsuite product. No matter where you sit, the seats feel comfortable and stylish.

"With a comfortable seat and ample privacy thanks to the sliding door, I didn't want the six-and-a-half-hour flight to end. Add in the plethora of amenities I was given and a delectable culinary experience, and I had an excellent experience in this new product."

Read our full business class review of Qatar Airways 787-9 Dreamliner from Doha to Ma drid (Originally published Dec 2021)

3. Cathay Pacific

Average rating: 9.00

"A stellar ground experience, fantastic seat, top-notch IFE and a near-unbeatable points redemption overshadowed the hit-or-miss food and inconsistent service that lags behind some East Asian and Middle East competitors.

The bed itself didn't disappoint, especially with the amenities Cathay provided. The mattress pad, while not out of this world, was appreciated. Meanwhile, the duvet and pillow were both quite comfortable (though it was no Saks Fifth Avenue bedding that you'd find on United)."

"On this flight, cabin crew members were courteous and generally pleasant, but they were generally not proactive or assumed everyone wanted to sleep the whole flight, often lacking the personal touches that make other carriers' business products really shine."

Read our full business class review of Cathay Pacific A350-900 from Hong Kong to Newark (Originally published Dec 2019)

4. Turkish Airlines

Average rating: 8.86

"Turkish operates two versions of the 777-300ER. Unfortunately, on my New York-JFK to Istanbul (IST) leg, I was on the older version, with a lower-resolution video screen and more dated finishes.

"While privacy is sorely lacking on Turkish's 777, these forward-facing, lie-flat seats do have one plus: a significant amount of legroom. With an open layout, there is no concern about the tight footwells you might find in such seats as Delta One suites or even Singapore's A350-900.

"I was a bit underwhelmed by the meal itself, from the single-tray service to the limited menu entries. I had just been expecting a bit more, pandemic or not."

Read our full business class review of Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 from New York-JFK to Istanbul (Originally published Oct 2021)

Average rating: 8.71

"Overall, the seat was very comfortable and I could have stayed far longer than this almost 7-hour flight. I also tested it out in its fully flat position. It was soft and wide enough around the shoulders for any type of sleeper, although the footwell felt a little small, and if you like to wriggle your legs in your sleep, you might find your range of motion hindered.

Related: Should you be worried about turbulence? Here's what the experts say

"Etihad's new business-class seat does indeed feel very similar to the British Airways Club Suite but I would consider this to be an upgrade due to the fabric upholstery, the cabin colors and the high-end finishes such as the marble effect on the seat's flat surfaces.

"Etihad's A350 is a beauty and, in particular, the new business-class product has a lot to make a passenger comfortable and happy."

Read our full business class review of Etihad Airways A350 Paris to Abu Dhabi (Originally published May 2022)

Average rating: 8.57

"Asiana's A350 is a comfortable way to get between Asia and the US. Pros: new A350 aircraft, solid hard product and attentive service. Cons: distinct misses in the food department and so-so choices for entertainment.

"While there are some things that Asiana could do to improve its product, like upping its catering to something more consistently good, I would absolutely fly this product again."

Read our full business class review of Asiana A350 from Seoul to San Francisco (Originally published Dec 2018)

7. Japan Airlines (JAL)

"Overall, I was impressed, but not blown away by this product. Sure, the quasi-suite was private and afforded me a good rest, but the lack of storage space was definitely noticeable. JAL continued to impress with its food-and-beverage program. All of it was delicious and much of it unique.

"Its business class remains a great points-friendly option for crossing the Pacific and connecting onward in Asia. Bring your own entertainment and know that you aren't stepping foot into a cutting-edge hard product, and you'll be set for a great flight."

Read our full business class review of Japan Airlines 777-300ER from Bangkok to Tokyo (Originally published Aug 2019)

8. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

"With the introduction of The Room, ANA has set a new gold standard for international business class. The cabin is stunning and the seat is simply the best in the skies, offering copious amount of personal space and tons of privacy. Everything about the seat is well designed, including the fancy new lighting and adjustable tray table.

"ANA didn't just hit a home run with the seat. The new product was packed with some top-notch amenities too. The most noticeable is the highest-quality monitor I've ever seen on a plane. The 24-inch 4K screen is so crisp that it made working on my MacBook Pro with Retina display feel like I'd gone back to the 2000s.

"As it stands, The Room is a phenomenal business-class product. If ANA were to improve the ground experience and modify the service flow, it would even compete with some international first-class offerings."

Read our full Business Class review of All Nippon Airways 777-300ER from Tokyo to New York (Originally published Jan 2020)

9. Air New Zealand

Average rating: 8.43

"I found the Air New Zealand business-class experience on this route to be perfectly comfortable, though definitely not at the top of the pack. I loved the bedding and the fact that I had a lie-flat seat, but the configuration is less than ideal, the seats themselves feel cramped and face away from the windows.

"Food and amenities were generally on par with a standard business-class offering while not offering any single thing that helped set the carrier apart from its competition. Where Air New Zealand's business-class offering really excels, though, is with its service. And because of that alone, I would consider flying with the carrier again on this fifth-freedom route."

Read our full business class review of Air New Zealand 777-300ER Heathrow and Los Angeles (Originally published Nov 2019)

10. Thai Airways

"I definitely think the airline deserves more credit than it gets. The passenger experience on the A350 is tough to beat: quieter engines, higher cabin-air quality and an overall smoother ride. What left the biggest impression, though, was Thai's phenomenal soft product. From the luxurious massage treatments on the ground to the delicious food and world-class hospitality in the air, the entire experience was nothing short of unforgettable.

"The main difference I noticed with Thai was the warm, family-like atmosphere that their incredible flight attendants bring on board. It felt as if I were being welcomed into someone's home rather than aboard an aeroplane — once again, a nod to their 'guest' rather than 'passenger' service mentality

Read our full business class review of Thai Airways A350 from Bangkok to Frankfurt (Originally published Aug 2019)

AND HERE ARE THE 10 WORST rated Business Class airlines

1. egyptair.

Average rating: 5.71

"EgyptAir has made a phenomenal choice in aircraft. This Dreamliner represents a huge leap forward, and there's no question that the carrier's hard product — the cabin and seat — is top-notch.

"But the awful Cairo lounge, the lackluster catering (though I understand the lack of booze), weird lavatory blocking and inconsistent service severely hurt the overall experience. That said, given the price, $1,216 for a lie-flat seat all the way from Egypt to New York plus the connecting flight from the Middle East, I'd almost certainly book EgyptAir's Dreamliner again."

Read our full Business Class review of EgyptAir 787-9 from Cairo to New York (Originally published Aug 2019)

2. Copa Airlines

Average rating: 6.71

"There's only so much you can do on a vanilla 737 with standard recliner seats, and Copa did the job well, with no obvious failings. Friendly crews made getting from New York to Guatemala the long way easy.

"However, a less impersonal lounge at Copa's Panama City hub — with warm food — and more options for the inflight entertainment would have made for a much better experience. That said, Copa proved it can win my business again for flights to Latin America. If nothing else, the introduction of lie-flat seats on its 737s should put it on your radar too."

Read our full business class review of Copa Airlines 737 from New York to Guatemala City via Panama (Originally published Nov 2018)

3. AIR China

Average rating: 7.14

"The food wasn't exceptional, there wasn't any Wi-Fi, and the dated seats could certainly benefit from an overhaul, but I walked away with a very positive impression of Air China and the 747-8.

"Of course, I can't discount the fact that I didn't have someone sitting next to me — with limited privacy, having a stranger so close by would have certainly impacted the experience quite a bit. If you do fly Air China's 747-8, I recommend a seat on the upper deck, and perhaps closer to the back. It seems that's your best shot at having a more enjoyable flight."

Read our full business class review of Air China 747-8 from Beijing to New York (Originally published 5 Nov 2018)

4. Royal Air Maroc

Average rating: 7.29

"The lounge, IFE and meal service won't leave you feeling disappointed, but you likely won't come away thinking it was the best flying experience you've had. If the airline invested a little more in the soft product and installed Wi-Fi on its aircraft, I think it could be a real contender for one of the better ways to hop across the Pond."

"For now, though, perhaps its best selling point is the fact that it's the only way to fly nonstop between the U.S. and Morocco, and it offers a slew of connections to many other destinations in Africa. And for that, it's a more than suitable option to get the job done."

Read our full business class review of Royal Air Maroc 787-9 from New York to Casablanca (Originally published in Mar 2019)

5. Ethiopian Airlines

Average rating: 7.43

"The weakest aspect of Ethiopian's product is surely the 2-2-2 business-class configuration, placing it a bit behind the standard for premium cabins today. That said, the seats are comfortable, and the duvet and pillow will serve you well.

"The lounge in Addis wasn't gorgeous and the Cloud Nine seats aren't what you'll get on some airlines like Qatar, but overall it was a good flight with excellent cabin crew and IFE, good amenities and decent food. Plus, considering the value, I really can't complain."

Read our full business class review of Ethiopian Airlines A350-900 from Addis Ababa to London (Originally published Jun 2019)

"Overall, this was a good flight with a comfortable seat, and I would definitely fly Iberia again. Relatively small enhancements to the ground experience (better directions and signage and allowing Iberia passengers to use the premium preflight dining service in a lounge maintained by the same parent company) as well as a warmer service, however, would make this flight more memorable than a typical business-class flight."

Read our full Business Class review of Iberia A350 from New York to Madrid (Originally published Dec 2019)

7. Kenya Airways

"Kenya Airways' flagship service should be on your radar, especially if you are a Delta/SkyTeam flyer. My experience on it was not flawless, but KQ got me to Nairobi in a flat-bed seat smoothly without any real issues, and demonstrated a willingness to compete for real — take the excellent customer service I got before departure. I would fly the carrier again without hesitation.

"What did bug me, though, was the bed length, not quite enough for my 6-feet, 2-inch frame. I would have loved an extra inch. The fleece blanket was lightweight, very warm and long enough."

Read our full business class review of Kenya Airways 787-8 from New York to Nairobi (Originally published Nov 2018)

8. American Airlines

Average rating: 7.57

"American Airlines has come leaps and bounds since the days of strangely angled rotating lie-flat seats in a 2-4-2 configuration and cheese cubes in the Admirals Club being considered appropriate premium food for international business class.

"I am a big fan of their new lounges and the food offering available, particularly outside of breakfast hours. The hard product, seat, bedding and cabin layout are now up to the international standard. On board, the inflight entertainment system is very good, as is the Wi-Fi. Food and service is decent.

"Still, it doesn't overly 'wow,' and maybe that's exactly what one would want from a business-class product. I am certainly not a fan of bling or gimmicks. The best word to describe it might be 'solid,' and I suspect a bit more personalized and attentive service could push this easily into 'very good'."

Read our full business class review of American Airlines B777-200 from New York to London (Originally published July 2020)

 9. Polish Airlines

"These particular seats offer little in the way of privacy, as I also experienced on Turkish's A330 and Air India's 787 . There isn't a slide-out divider, and they're exposed to the rest of the cabin. Seats 4A and 4F seem to offer the most privacy, since they're right up against the window with a bulkhead wall behind. I didn't find the galley noise to be disturbing either, even though that had been flagged on SeatGuru.

"Aside from the lack of privacy, I was also disappointed in the amount of storage space. Did I have the time of my life? No, not at all, but the friendly crew and interesting food and beverage selection did make up for my lousy boarding experience in Warsaw."

Read our full Business Class review of Polish Airlines 787-9 from Warsaw to New York (Originally published Jul 2018)

10. Royal Jordanian

Average rating: (7.57)

"This Royal Jordanian Crown Business flight experience wasn't anything special — I'm not sure how it could have been considering it was only a 45-minute flight, but nothing about it remotely justified the ridiculous cost. In fact, now that economy award availability has opened up, I don't see a good reason to book business class. Royal Jordanian has a monopoly on this route and prices it as such.

"The Pros: A spacious, open air lounge with fresh, delicious croissants. The Cons: High carrier-imposed charges on award tickets, limited economy award availability and no in-flight service of any kind."

Read our full business class review of Royal Jordanian A320 from New York to Amman (Originally published Sep 2017)

12 Best Business Class Airlines in the World

The allure of Business Class travel has never been stronger. In the modern, fast-paced world of executive and luxury travel, selecting the right airline can be the difference between a productive, relaxing flight and a nightmare at 35,000 feet.

As airlines compete and evolve to deliver even greater luxuries, refined service and pioneering amenities, this article will explore some of the best airlines offering a Business Class product to make your flight an unforgettable experience – for all the right reasons.

Many airlines are cutting back on their First Class offerings and ramping up their Business Class cabins to feed an ever-growing demand. More and more families are flying in Business Class and airlines are catering for them too!

We here at BusinessClass.com will only review an airline if we have actually flown it. We experience everything from the chauffeur service to the airport, to check-in, the lounges , the flight and everything in the middle - cuisine, Champagne , service, amenity kits , and most importantly the seat and comfort ! We do the work so you can make a more informed choice of which airline to fly with! 

Search & Book your next Business Class flight with BusinessClass.com today !

The BusinessClass.com guide to the 12 Best Business Class airlines in the world: 

Qatar Airways

BusinessClass.com overall score: 10/10

Arguably, the best Business Class experience in the skies – known for its Qsuites, lavish lounges and impressive inflight service and dining.

Business Class passengers enjoy expedited check-in and security lines at Doha and the stunning Al Mourjan Business Lounge, offering shower and nap facilities and numerous dining options, including buffet and à la carte restaurants.

Most Qatar Airways long-haul aircraft boast flatbed seats. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 have 1-2-1 seat configurations, while the Airbus A330 and some older Boeing 777s still have 2-2-2 setups. Many aircraft offer the famed Qsuite, while the latest Dreamliners boast the newest Business Class Suite.

Dine-on-demand gourmet cuisine is accompanied by a solid wine list and a long list of cocktails and mocktails. Passengers on the A380 also take advantage of the upper deck Bar.

Qatar Airways flight attendants are among the most service-oriented in the skies. Other perks include collectable amenity kits, pyjamas, a pair of comfortable slippers and great in-flight entertainment.

What We Love:

• A superb dining and inflight experience
• The fabulous Al Mourjan lounge in Doha
• Qsuite - Business Class suites with doors that close

Champagne: 

• Laurent-Perrier Brut, and Charles Heidsieck Réserve

Virgin Atlantic

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9/10 

Virgin Atlantic appeals to a younger, funkier demographic, with a warm, friendly cabin crew keen to interact with passengers.

Virgin flies to 35 locations across five continents. The exclusive Upper Class (Business Class) Wing at London Heathrow offers personal porters, dedicated check-in, priority lifts and fast-track security. Uber stylish Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouses are more like a members' club – offering table service, a fantastic range of food and drink, relaxation and wellness facilities.

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats transform into fully flat beds with direct aisle access. The airline's exclusive Retreat Suites on the latest Airbus A330-900neos offer two connecting suites large enough for four passengers to socialise and dine in the intimacy of their own booth.

Passengers choose from a four-course menu for a restaurant-style experience with an excellent wine list.

Night-flight passengers receive pyjamas and quality bedding, including a duvet, a large pillow, and an amenity kit. Upper Class cabins also feature a dedicated social space to meet colleagues, drink with friends, or eat dinner.

• The uber-cool Clubhouses
• The slick and stylish look and feel of Virgin
• The onboard social space
• Ayala Champagne
• If Ayala unavailable - Canard-Duchêne and Champagne Chanoine Frères Réserve Privée Brut NV.

Etihad Airways

Etihad Business Class is among the best Middle Eastern carriers, with impressive service from an international crew that speaks multiple languages.

Business Class lounges in Abu Dhabi offer Middle Eastern and Asian-inspired menus, fine wines, cocktails and mocktails. There are shower suites, quiet relaxing places, and dedicated business facilities.

Business Class seats vary depending on the aircraft. However, all have lie-flat seats with direct aisle access. The Airbus A380s offer 70 of the latest, more private Business Studios with higher partitions and access to 'The Lobby' lounge bar area.

Etihad offers a dine-on-demand service with a bespoke dinner service labelled 'Beyond Business.' An excellent beverage menu includes Champagne, two whites, two reds and a dessert wine, plus a long list of spirits and soft drinks.

Amenity kits by Acqua di Parma contain signature fragrances, eye masks, ear plugs and luxurious socks. The mosaic-tiled lavatories also feature luxury comfort products.

• A dine-on-demand menu
• The excellent Abu Dhabi lounges
• Top-notch service from an international crew
• Piper Heidsieck Cuvée Brut

Vietnam Airlines

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8.5/10

The flag carrier since 1993, Vietnam Airlines goes from strength to strength. It operates 96 routes, including 27 international destinations spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Indochina, Australia, and North America. It has one of the world's fastest-growing domestic markets, with hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and a secondary hub in Da Nang.

Vietnam Airlines operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in Asia, consisting of Boeing 787-9, 787-10 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s for long-haul flights, with older Airbus A321ceos and state-of-the-art A321neos used on shorter routes.

All Business Class seats have direct aisle access and offer fully converting lie-flat beds of around 75 inches (190.5 centimetres) in length, a pitch of 42 inches (106.7 centimetres), and a spacious seat width of 21.5 inches (54.6 centimetres) in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration.

Vietnamese cuisine reflects the country's vibrant culture and traditions with a delicate balance of flavours, textures, and colours alongside sweet, salty, sour ,and spicy elements. Gourmands will savour the meal service. 

Vietnam Airlines offers passengers a good standard of service, and though it may not be as personalised as with some leading airlines, passengers will still feel welcomed and relaxed by the attentive crew. Flight attendants are professional, friendly, and courteous, and with a generous ratio of up to four cabin crew for the Business Class cabin

• A modern and young fleet of aircraft
• Spacious and comfortable Business Class seats
• Fresh, delicious, and well-presented food in the lounges and onboard
• Heidsieck & Co's Monopole Blue Top Brut

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8.5/10 

Qantas is an iconic Australian brand and one of the oldest airlines still in operation, with a Business Class cabin on all international long-haul flights to a global network.

The home hub in Sydney offers a Qantas International Business Lounge with facilities including a range of dining spaces plus premium wines and spirits. Business Class passengers receive priority check-in, dedicated boarding lanes and speedy disembarkation.

The airline's international Airbus A380s, A330-300s, and Boeing 787s provide comfortable Business Suites with a fully lie-flat bed. The A380s also offer a stylish upper deck lounge for socialising.

Passengers enjoy a fabulous range of dining options, from formal restaurant-style dining to lighter meals. Wine experts' Sommeliers in the Sky' recommend a range of award-winning Champagnes and Australian wines. A wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages is also available.

Service is polished, professional, and heartfelt. Wi-Fi is unavailable on most international routes, but some 2,500 hours of entertainment are available on the seatback HD IFE screens.

Amenities include a mattress pad, a cotton duvet and pillow, designer pyjamas and an eye-catching amenity kit containing fight essentials.

• A practical, luxurious, and comfortable product
• Sommeliers in the Sky - a touch of class
• The stylish upper deck lounge on the Airbus A380
• Rotates between Duval-Leroy Brut, Jacquart Mosaïque Brut, Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve and Taittinger Cuvée Prestige Brut.

BusinessClass.com overall score: 9.5/10 

The national flag carrier of Oman delivers a high-quality Business Class product. Headquartered at Muscat International Airport, the airline operates a mix of Airbus A330s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners with direct flights to Europe, the Gulf, the Far East, and the Indian subcontinent.

A stunning new terminal offers Business Class Lounges with marble floors and an appealing Arabic design. Passengers will find excellent dining options, a spa, nap pods, sleeping rooms, and refreshing shower suites.

Cabins are light, sleek, and elegant and provide passengers with one of the best Business Class seats in the skies with direct aisle access.

Superb 'dine-on-demand' East-West fusion cuisine is plated on board for inflight dining, closely resembling First Class on other airlines. All wine is served in long-stemmed glasses – a wide alcohol selection includes Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne. For an Arabic experience, try the Karak Tea.

The Omani cabin crew provide genuine Arabic hospitality with excellent spoken English. Passengers receive well-stocked amenity kits, and long-haul passengers get quilted duvets, fluffy pillows, slippers, and a cotton sleeper suit.

• Best-in-class window seats
• Excellent and varied à la carte meal options
• Warm hospitality with Omani style
• Laurent-Perrier Brut

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8.5/10  

Air Canada's Signature Class (Business Class) offers an end-to-end premium experience with a distinctly Canadian flavour with hubs in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver Airports.

Signature Class travellers access priority check-in, security lanes, boarding and the airline's Maple Leaf lounges in 16 airports across Canada, the United States and Europe. Toronto Airport also boasts the impressive Air Canada Signature Suite. An airside chauffeur service is available to eligible Toronto and Vancouver Airport customers.

The latest lie-flat Signature Class seats, named "Executive Pods", are arranged in a 1–2–1 reverse herringbone configuration on Boeing 787 and B777 aircraft. Some Airbus A330s feature the older "Classic Pods" in a 1-1-1 design.

Long-haul passengers enjoy a gourmet "dine on demand" service created by a panel of esteemed Canadian chefs, a decent wine list, and Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut.

The charming and professional cabin crew are fluent in English and French, and a solid IFE system entertains passengers. All widebody long-haul aircraft have Wi-Fi connectivity, and passengers receive a sanitised pillow, duvet, mattress pad, a CleanCare+ kit, and a branded amenity kit containing travel essentials.

What We Love

• The Air Canada Signature Class - Executive Pod
• Air Canada Chauffeur service
• Gourmet "dine on demand" service

Japanese precision and service are hallmarks in All Nippon Airways (ANA's) highly regarded Business Class. ANA operates dual hubs at the incredibly efficient Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita airports, offering premium check-in and fast-track security access.

ANA-branded lounges in Tokyo host the airline's famous noodle bar, self-service alcohol and automatic beer machines. Lounges feature showers, napping areas, free Wi-Fi and private work cubicles. Other ANA lounges are in Honolulu (Hawaii) and Osaka, Kansai. Elsewhere, ANA's Star Alliance partners provide lounge facilities.

ANA operates long-haul Boeing 787, B777 and Airbus A380s with flatbed seats designed in a 1-2-1 configuration in Business Class. Look for smaller "mini cabins" for a more intimate feel. The newest, widest and most private Business Class seat, 'The Room', is on the B777-300.

ANA's inflight service is incredibly friendly yet reserved. Excellent Western cuisine and Japanese set menus have restaurant-style presentations. There is a good wine list, plus sake, spirits, teas and speciality coffee.

Large IFE screens contain international programming with headphones, plus paid wireless internet. Amenity kits include Japanese designer toiletries, and seats come with comfortable bedding, two pillows, plus a shoe bag. Long-haul aircraft also have bidet toilets.

• Japanese cuisine and an impressive alcohol list
• Chic lounges
• The new Business Class seat - The Room
• Champagne Castelnau - Cuvée Brut Réserve

Cathay Pacific

The admired flag carrier of Hong Kong connects continents with an impressive route map and enviable inflight service.

Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok airport offers priority check-in and dedicated security lines. Cathay Pacific is renowned for its lounges, with The Pier Business Class Lounge regarded among the best in the world. Other Cathay Pacific lounges are found in gateway cities.

Most aircraft have one large Business Class section and a smaller cabin, and all offer 1-2-1 flatbed seating on the long-haul Boeing 777s and Airbus A350s.

Inflight dining is like a restaurant service in the air with as many as six main course options, including signature dishes from Hong Kong. The airline's celebrated wine panellists select bottles from around the world, plus Champagne, exclusive beers, and spirits.

Service is warm and hospitable, with passenger names used throughout the flight. The A350s feature wireless internet, which will soon be available throughout the widebody fleet. Large IFE screens hold an impressive amount of entertainment content.

Amenity kits feature Bamford toiletry products, and passengers receive plush pillows and luxurious bedlinen by Bamford, along with slippers.  

• Luxurious lounges with impressive food and beverage options
• Restaurant-style onboard catering
• Business Class cabins are cocoons for comfort

Singapore Airlines

BusinessClass.com overall score: 10/10 

Singapore Airlines is renowned for incredible hospitality, style, and inflight service, which is second to none.

The airline's hub at Changi Airport features premium check-in areas and seven airline lounges. The SilverKris Business Class lounges are recommended due to their superior offerings – and also found in ten other international cities.

All long-haul Business Class seats are exceptionally comfortable and are among the widest fully flat beds in the sky. The centre seats of the A380 also feature a central partition that, when fully lowered, forms a double bed.

The 'Book the Cook' onboard catering is exceptional, featuring a multi-course restaurant-style dinner service. The airline also boasts a vast wine and beverage list.

The cabin crew are among the most genuine and attentive in the skies. Passengers receive excellent noise-cancelling headphones and a wide selection of entertainment content. Limited complimentary Wi-Fi is available on most aircraft.

Passengers get a luxury amenity kit from Penhaligon's, while a sealed pillow and blanket, socks, eye masks and slippers wait at each seat before boarding.

• The inflight service is unrivalled
• Some of the most spacious and comfortable seats in class
• The “Book the Cook” service
• Billecart-Salmon Brut or Deutz Brut Classic

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines (JAL) is the country's flag carrier with impressive international and domestic route maps. JAL operates major hubs at both Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita airports.

The Sakura Lounges in both Tokyo airports feature beautiful runway views, a selection of hot & cold Japanese or international food, an open bar and, in many locations, shower facilities. Sakura Lounges are also available overseas.

The long-haul fleet consists exclusively of Boeing widebody jets with varied seat configurations ranging from 1-2-1 to 2-2-2 and 2-3-2 layouts. All long-haul flights offer the comfortable JAL SKY SUITE with fully flat beds and direct aisle access.

JAL offers exceptional multi-course cuisine, serving traditional Japanese fare and international dishes. The bar menu is wide and varied and includes a rotation of excellent Champagnes. JAL crews are eager to please and make passengers feel welcome when called upon.

Wi-Fi is available on many flights for a fee, and multi-language entertainment on the IFE, along with noise-reducing headphones. Amenity kits contain high-quality beauty products and travel essentials. Cardigan sweaters are available on request in addition to the slippers, pillow and blanket provided at each seat.

• Japanese hospitality
• High-end food and beverage
• The JAL SKY SUITE
• Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve and Drappier Carte D'or

SriLankan Airlines

BusinessClass.com overall score: 8/10 

The national carrier of Sri Lanka is based at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, offering a global network, including its codeshare partners. The airline flies Airbus aircraft with the A330-300 as its flagship.

Business Class passengers enter a dedicated check-in area before being escorted through security to the Serendib Lounge, which offers relaxing space, an international gourmet buffet, a business centre and shower facilities.

SriLankan Airlines operates a small fleet of eleven long-haul Airbus A330s with 18 or 28 Business Class seats. The newest A330-300s have 28 flatbed leather seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, with direct aisle access, while the A330-200s have flatbed seats in a 2-2-2 layout.

Passengers select between four delicious meal options, and Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut is freely available during flights, along with wines, beers, cocktails and spirits. Look out for freshly blended fruit juice and impressive tea options.

A decent array of international entertainment comes with noise-cancelling headphones. Wi-Fi is available on all A330s for a fee, and amenity kits and slippers are provided on night flights. The cabin crew service is attentive and considerate.

• A fabulous tea service
• Swift and professional check-in
• Overall excellent service
• Piper-Heidsieck Cuvée Brut

Read more: 

• Tips on Finding cheap Business Class flights
• Business Class Travel Tips

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The 19 Best International Business Class Airlines in the World

Daniel Ross

Senior Content Contributor

656 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 56 U.S. States Visited: 17

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

35 Published Articles 3230 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

What makes an international business class airline great, the 19 best international business class airlines and cabins, final thoughts.

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With many airlines following the trend of removing international first class and enhancing international business class, it makes sense that the competition for business class travelers has gotten more intense.

Airlines have gone to great lengths to make their business class products as luxurious as possible , and travelers are benefiting from this cutthroat competition. This list of the 19 best international business class airlines will start making you wish you were on a plane!

As a disclaimer, this ranking is subjective and based on our opinions. We conducted hours of industry research (some of which involved trying out the products ourselves!), and we also included the opinions of some fellow travelers in this guide, especially for products we haven’t been able to fly.

Most people flying in business class do so for the comfort of having a bed to rest in. However, there are far more elements of the business class experience to consider such as the enhanced food quality and quantity,  premium alcohol (including Champagne in many cases), additional inflight amenities, lounge access , and more personal service.

For this reason, we considered the following aspects when determining each ranking :

• Hard product (seat size/comfort, amenities, inflight monitor, cabin configuration, privacy, etc.)
• Soft product (food and beverages, amenity kit, service/attentiveness, etc.)
• Lounge and ground experience
• Award pricing and availability

Hot Tip: All the business class seats in this ranking are bookable with points!

1. Qatar Airways QSuite

Qatar Airways QSuites often ranks as the best business class product in the world, and for good reason.

Not only is QSuites an amazing business class product for solo travelers , but it’s also the number 1 option for those traveling with friends or as a family.

With QSuites, you’ll enjoy fantastic bedding (including a quilted mattress, proper duvet, pajamas, and slippers from The White Company), a fully lie-flat seat with direct aisle access, fantastic catering, and, as the icing on the cake, incredible service.

The seats are 21.5 inches wide and 79 inches long in bed mode. The seat isn’t as big as the Singapore Airlines business class seat, but Qatar Airways’ bedding will make you feel like you’re sleeping in clouds .

Other features include sliding doors for extra privacy, tons of storage compartments, and a technologically advanced seat (with Do Not Disturb signs). The coolest thing is that the QSuites in the middle of the aircraft can be converted into a 4-person cabin if you’re traveling as a group!

Qatar Airways is a Oneworld Alliance partner, which is great because you can use miles from American Airlines , British Airways , and more to book your QSuites.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for step-by-step guidance on how to book this amazing product, check out our guide on how to book QSuites using points and miles!

2. All Nippon Airlines: The Room

ANA’s business class is known for personifying Japanese hospitality and culture. The airline’s best business class product, aptly named “ The Room ,” is found exclusively onboard the airline’s Boeing 777-3000ER aircraft.

The cabin is arranged in 3 sections: 1 smaller section directly behind first class with 2 rows, a larger section with 10 rows directly preceding the first, and a second, smaller cabin consisting of 4 rows after passing through a second galley.

Designed by Acumen (the same manufacturer as United’s Polaris seats), The Room seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration featuring direct aisle access and fully lie-flat beds at all seats .

With 38 inches between each of the armrests , these seats are more like oversized armchairs. There’s also ample room in the footwell — a welcome upgrade to the airline’s “old” business class seat. One downside of the seat is that it only measures 72 inches in length when fully flat, which could affect taller travelers.

ANA provides a comfortable sleeping surface, great bedding, tasty Japanese cuisine, large footwells, and a 24-inch 4K inflight monitor. You’ll also receive a decent business class amenity kit by Globetrotter, though it’s not as complete as what you may find on some competitors such as EVA Air.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy genuine service throughout your flight. When all’s said and done, ANA will provide you with an excellent business class experience — the only hiccups being things like a narrow range of inflight movie options .

Best of all, booking ANA flights with points and miles is super easy. Plus, Virgin Atlantic and ANA Mileage Club offer some fantastic sweet spots in their award charts that make booking The Room a great deal.

3. Emirates A380

Experiencing Emirates business class is almost a rite of passage for many points and miles aficionados. This product is known to be glamorous and glitzy with all the bells and whistles you could think of .

Some of the Emirates business class highlights include a state-of-the-art entertainment system, Bvlgari amenities , an at-seat minibar , motorized window shades, a manned inflight bar, and a spacious seat.

However, some of these things are meant to provide more of a “wow factor” than anything, such as the power shades and personal minibar. The food is known to be just OK, the bedding is rather lackluster, and the Wi-Fi is pretty bad for an airline with such a reputation.

Hot Tip: If you need help booking your Emirates award flight, see our guide on the best ways to book Emirates business class with points.

4. Singapore Airlines “New” A380 Business Class

Singapore Airlines introduced an updated version of its A380 business class seat in 2017 which brought a welcome refresh to its aging premium cabin products.

Notably, Singapore Airlines’ new A380 has double beds in business class ! This is very similar to the Qatar Airways QSuites that we talked about above.

With this new Singapore Airlines business class product on the A380, you can definitely expect some huge technology upgrades, including blazing-fast Wi-Fi, a crisp 18-inch monitor that comes with phenomenal inflight entertainment, and the airline’s signature Book The Cook service .

The main drawback of these new business class seats is the tiny footwell , though you can get around this issue if you’re able to choose bulkhead seats. Another “first world problem” is that Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide amenity kits in business class .

For more information, check out our guide on the plane types, seating, and cabins available for Singapore Airlines’ U.S. routes .

5. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Suite

Virgin Atlantic introduced its Upper Class Suite in 2019 — it’s a huge upgrade to its previous Upper Class seat.

The Upper Class Suite debuted on Virgin’s new Airbus A350-1000 jets and a slightly modified version of the new seat was installed on Virgin’s Airbus A330-900neos in the fall of 2022.

You’re in luck if you’re based in the U.S ., as Virgin has a significant presence across the country offering nonstop service to the U.K. from 12 U.S. cities. The best part is, given how important the U.S. market is to Virgin, the airline predominantly uses aircraft with Upper Class Suites on U.S. routes.

Both variations of the product have a sliding door for added privacy and improved storage over its predecessor, and t he onboard catering has never, ever let me down (even in economy).

Speaking of never being let down, Virgin Atlantic crew are among the best flight attendants in the world .

If you’re flying Virgin from London Heathrow, no matter which of Virgin’s business class products you’re flying, you’ll have access to the airline’s Upper Class Wing . It’s an exclusive check-in area for Upper Class passengers complete with a private security lane for expedited screening. The Upper Class Wing is such a great perk that it alone is enough to bring Virgin into the upper rankings of our list.

Hot Tip: You can transfer points from several U.S. credit card rewards programs to Virgin’s Flying Club for award flights. However, the generally good award availability is overshadowed by the steep taxes and fees you’ll have to pay to book a seat. Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Virgin Atlantic using points.

Starlux is a new Taiwanese carrier taking luxury travel into the stratosphere . The start-up boutique airline recently launched nonstop service from Taipei (TPE) to Los Angeles (LAX) and plans to soon inaugurate a second service between Taipei and California, but this time to San Francisco (SFO).

The cabins of the Airbus A350 jets that operate Starlux’s U.S. routes are beautifully designed. The seats have a pitch of 44 to 48 inches , include a door for extra privacy, and feature a zero-gravity mode which I absolutely loved when I flew this jet from Taiwan to Macau .

There’s ample storage, a huge tray table, and even the option to control the brightness of each of the 3 light fittings at the seat.

When you add in top-notch food, Singapore Airlines-like service, and thoughtful little extras like a post-meal hot towel, pre-landing candy, and a handy little toothpick, Starlux really is an airline to watch .

7. Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific’s product has largely remained unchanged for a long time . The carrier’s business class product consists of reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. Each seat is 21 inches wide and the bed is 81 inches long aboard the 777. The setup is very similar on the airline’s newer Airbus A350 jets, albeit with slightly shorter beds.

The seating layout is very private, and Cathay Pacific’s cabin finishes are quite stylish. These lie-flat seats come with amenity kits by the British brand Bamford, but unfortunately, the bedding is nothing to write home about. You’ll receive a pillow and a comforter, but not a mattress pad.

Food is generally pretty decent and features Hong Kong classics such as dim sum, wonton noodles, or seafood chow mein (海鲜炒面). Your inflight entertainment options will be vast , you’ll have tons of storage at your seat, and your headphones will be noise-canceling for maximum comfort.

Cathay has a long-standing reputation for very good service, as is often the case for Asian carriers. However, this certainly was not the case on a flight I took recently from Hong Kong to London .

Cathay Pacific offers a few types of business class products — get the inside scoop in our definitive guide to Cathay Pacific’s U.S. routes to find the best seat. Don’t forget to try the Cathay Pacific Lounges in Hong Kong!

8. Etihad A380 Business Studio

Etihad is primarily known in the luxury travel space for the out-of-this-world First Class Apartment , which you’ll find exclusively onboard the airline’s Airbus A380. Etihad recently relaunched A380 service after the aircraft’s pandemic-induced retirement.

However, Etihad also offers a great business class product, the best of which you’ll find on Etihad’s 787s, A380s, and newly-introduced Airbus A350s .

Seats are arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, and the seats alternate between facing backward and forward in every other row.

These Business Studio seats are 20 inches wide on the A380 and 22 inches wide on the 787, with up to 78 inches in bed length and pitch . Major highlights include a comfortable seat and bedding, great service, the dine-on-demand menu, provided pajamas, great inflight entertainment, and decent Wi-Fi.

Unfortunately, the food is what lets Etihad’s business class product down — for such a well-rounded business class product, it’s just OK. And with very few business studio routes and not-so-stellar award pricing, this product falls right in the middle of the pack.

Hot Tip: While Etihad’s award pricing leaves a lot to be desired, its Etihad Guest frequent flyer program is interestingly one of the best options for booking American Airlines business and first class. We also put together a guide on Etihad Airways’ Routes which can help you find what type aircraft and seats are on the route you want to fly.

9. JetBlue Mint Studio

JetBlue recently launched transatlantic flights from the U.S. East Coast to London, Paris, and Amsterdam.

Despite being founded as a low-cost carrier, JetBlue offers a business class product — complete with lie-flat seats — which it calls Mint. The stars of the show are seats 1A and 1F — the airline’s so-called Mint Studio seats.

Even though the Mint Studio is on a narrow-body Airbus A321, there’s so much space in the seat that I’d argue they’re a more comfortable way to cross the Atlantic compared to other airline’s business class seats on wide-body aircraft.

The IFE screen is huge, there’s more than enough storage, and when the seat goes fully flat, the surface area is definitely larger than most competitors . Better still, there are 2 tray tables and enough extra seating space in the Studio for a fellow passenger to join you for food or to just hang out.

Additionally, only the 2 passengers in Mint Studios are offered extra amenities such as pajamas and playing cards .

With JetBlue’s recently revamped TrueBlue program , TrueBlue members can book regular Mint seats using points. To enjoy the Mint Studio experience, you can upgrade from a standard Mint seat for around $299 each way.

The only thing missing from JetBlue’s business class experience is lounge access. In fact, the airline has no lounges whatsoever in its network, true to its low-cost roots.

I recently experienced the Mint Studio on a flight from Paris to New York, and trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed by this seat when hopping across the Pond. You can read about the entire JetBlue Mint Studio experience in my full review of the product .

10. Air France 777

Air France is often a top choice for people planning transatlantic travel. Although the carrier operates a slew of different business class products, Air France’s 777 business class ( except the 3-class 777 ) offers a reverse herringbone layout that’s worth spending your hard-earned points on.

This business class product is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration with seats that measure 21.5 inches wide and offer 61 inches of pitch.

The duvet and pillow are pretty thick, though there’s no mattress pad or pajamas provided on these flights. Your amenity kit will most likely contain Clarins toiletries, and the food tends to be extremely tasty and exquisitely French .

Award availability for these routes is spectacular, though the award pricing is another story. Air France/KLM Flying Blue uses a “variable award pricing” calculator , which can price U.S.-to-Europe business class awards anywhere from 53,000 miles to an eye-popping 212,500 miles one-way!

The good news is that Air France/KLM Flying Blue partners with all 7 major transferable currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards , American Express Membership Rewards , Citi ThankYou Rewards , Capital One Miles , Bilt Rewards , and Marriott .

Hot Tip: Want to go to Paris? We’ve already done all the hard work for you. Check out our guide on the best ways to fly to Paris using points and miles !

11. Delta One Suites

We’re also huge fans of Delta One Suites (check out our review of the product aboard an A350 ). These Delta One Suites are Thompson Vantage XL seats with sliding doors that give you the utmost in privacy .

Though Delta One Suites are among the most technologically advanced and thoughtfully designed hard products out there, the seats are relatively narrow at 21 inches wide . The aisles are also quite narrow, so you might get a bit claustrophobic walking through them.

Highlights of Delta One include an amenity stocked with high-quality products, plush bedding , and a comfortable seat to rest in.

Overall, it checks most of the boxes (though the airport lounge experience is currently limited to Delta Sky Clubs ). Additionally, the Delta One Suites routes are somewhat limited — so if you want to try it, you’ll want to confirm that Delta One Suites are being offered on your prospective flight.

Hot Tip: When using points to redeem for Delta flights, you’ll often be able to use significantly fewer rewards by using the frequent flyer program of a partner airline, such as Virgin Atlantic. Check out our step-by-step guide on the best way to book Delta One Suites using points and miles.

12. EVA Air

EVA Air arguably has one of the most underrated business class products   in the world — especially with its newest product that it rolled out on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Even EVA’s older business class got the thumbs up from Upgraded Points writer Stephen Au who said “I had no complaints at all”.

In its long-haul business class offering (which the airline calls Premium Laurel Class), the seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. This gives a feeling of great privacy.

Each business class seat is 26 inches wide and the bed is 78 inches long. This is extremely wide for reverse herringbone seats (typically you’ll see a width of 20 to 22 inches).

Furthermore, EVA Air offers some fabulous Taiwanese catering, including juicy pork dumplings from Din Tai Fung , and endless Western courses too! You can also reserve your meals before your flight.

Their bed is super comfortable, plus you’ll get pajamas from Apujan (a London-based designer label,) and Rimowa/Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kits . 

There’s very little to complain about when it comes to EVA Air, and we like it that way. Plus, award availability is absolutely phenomenal on this Star Alliance carrier.

Be sure to check out these great ways to earn Eva Air miles, and you can experience its business class for yourself in no time.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? Check out our guide on how to book EVA Air business class using points and these 29 ways to redeem EVA Air Miles for maximum value .

13. Japan Airlines 777-300ER

Japan Airlines has a somewhat misleading business class product. From looking at the 2-3-2 seating configuration, you might think its business class is nothing special — but it’s one of the best products you can find in this category .

That’s because Japan Airlines uses a seat product called Apex Suites, which is known to be incredibly private. Even in a 2-3-2 seating configuration, all seats have direct aisle access along with privacy dividers and partitions. All the lie-flat seats are 25.5 inches wide and are 74 inches long in bed mode .

If you think these seats sound huge for business class, you’d be right! And if you manage to secure seats in row 5 as Stephen did on the 777-300ER , you’ll enjoy a true private-jet feel: there’s only 1 row of business class seats in this mini-cabin, and the bulkhead means you’ll have a lot more legroom.

Aboard Japan Airlines, expect a selection of tasty Asian dishes, a comfortable ride with solid bedding, a 23-inch inflight monitor, a boutique Japanese amenity kit, and the very best of Japanese service .

Finally, Japan Airlines releases a generous amount of awards , both very far in advance and at the last minute. In fact, the carrier is consistent with releasing all its unoccupied seats for award redemption 1 to 2 days before departure.

Hot Tip: If you want one of the best all-around business class experiences, Japan Airlines won’t disappoint. For the inside scoop, check out the best ways to book Japan Airlines business class .

14. British Airways Club Suite

Once the pioneer of lie-flat business class seats, British Airways was left in the dust when most other airlines went several steps ahead with their cabin upgrades.

Fast forward to 2019 and British Airways joined the competition again with the introduction of the Club Suite on its Airbus A350 aircraft.

Much to the delight of many frequent British Airways flyers, the Club Suite’s 1-2-1 configuration and privacy doors replaced a 2-4-2 configuration and awkward seat clambering of the old Club World seats.

When fully flat, the bed measures a comfortable 79 inches and comes complete with White Company bedding and amenity kit.

In terms of tech, the fixed 18.5-inch IFE screen means passengers can watch their preferred entertainment from gate to gate.

British Airways’ Do&Co catering on flights departing London verges on excellent on most occasions (even on short-haul flights to Europe and within the U.K.), while the same cannot be said on departures from its destination airports.

You’ll currently find the Club Suite on all of British Airways’ A350s and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, and most Boeing 777s . The airline has plans to retrofit its Airbus A380s, 787-8s, and 787-9s with the new Club Suite.

15. United’s “Real” Polaris

After a lengthy retrofit program, all of United Airlines’ wide-body jets that operate international flights now have the most up-to-date version of its Polaris business class .

Seats tend to be around 22 to 24 inches wide and have 78 inches of pitch and bed length. These new products are technologically advanced and feature Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, which has been a hit with flyers.

The major highlight of United Polaris is the bedding, which features 2 pillows (one of which is gel), a mattress topper, and a thick duvet/comforter.

The main drawbacks are: Polaris award availability is relatively sparse — if you want to try it, you’ll need to be tremendously flexible, and the catering often leaves a lot to be desired .

16. Qantas 787

Qantas operates the A380 and 787-9 on routes to/from the United States. In business class, the A380 isn’t amazing , with angled-flat seats that don’t all have direct aisle access. However, the 787-9 is a totally different story : you can expect seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, each being 23 to 24 inches wide and offering beds up to 80 inches in length.

This product ranks here primarily because of its seat size, dine-on-demand availability, and thoughtful departure times . Qantas seems to understand that the flights between the U.S. and Australia are excruciatingly long, so planning red-eye departures is beneficial in every way.

Qantas’ soft product isn’t going to win any awards, but the mattress topper, seat size, and emphasis on comfort are sure to impress.

Some drawbacks of the product include limited award availability and smaller foot space in non-bulkhead seats. Still, with the addition of several new nonstop services from the West Coast to Australia and New Zealand, Qantas’ Dreamliner business class is certainly worth considering.

Hot Tip: Check out our step-by-step guide on the best ways to book Qantas business class using points .

17. Oman Air 787 Apex Suites

Even if you’ve never heard of Oman Air, one thing you should know is that their business class — especially their Apex Suites on the 787 — is fantastic . These seats are arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration and are super private (especially the window seats). They feature partitions, direct aisle access, and lie-flat capability.

You’ll find thick bedding (though no mattress topper), pajamas, and a solid Oman Air-branded amenity kit. Furthermore, the food and beverage program is top-notch.

One of the cons of this product is that you won’t be able to find a U.S. route to try it out on . In fact, there aren’t many Oman Air routes that offer the Apex Suites product. But if you manage to get your hands on some award availability, be sure to utilize Etihad Guest miles for fabulous value !

18. Korean Air Apex Suites

Korean Air uses the same Apex Suites-style configuration as Oman Air, but on quite a few more routes (mainly found on the Boeing 747-8, 777-300ER, 787, and A330-300).

Food and service tend to be the highlights for Asian carriers, and Korean Air is no exception. While their cabin finishes are known to be hospital-like and sterile , the service is always undeniably good. Plus, you’ll have around 21 inches of width and 75 to 80 inches of bed length to stretch out on.

The inflight monitor measures around 17 inches, and the amenity kit includes luxury products from French brand Atelier Cologne. The main drawbacks brought up with Korean Air business class are a lack of thick bedding, concerns with inflight entertainment options, and poor ground service.

Hot Tip: Have you decided on visiting South Korea and want to fly on Korean Air to get there? Check out our guide on the best ways to book Korean Air business class .

19. Air Canada

Air Canada’s flagship business class product is known as Signature Class and features lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration.

The hard product is generally excellent, and the bedding (which includes a mattress pad) is very plush — though you’ll have to set up your bed yourself. The seats are 21 inches wide and 75 to 78 inches long in bed mode, which is solid, but not spectacular, for a reverse herringbone seat.

Though Air Canada has decently stocked amenity kits, the brands may vary and no pajamas are offered.

On the plus side, food and beverage options are said to be tasty and familiar to American palates. Additionally, free inflight messaging is available to Aeroplan members — its entire fleet is set to enjoy free access to full Wi-Fi connectivity in the near future.

The unfortunate thing is that award availability on flagship routes is relatively limited — unless you book through Air Canada Aeroplan , which comes with hundreds of dollars in fuel surcharges!

If you prefer to try your luck at scoring an upgrade, check out our guide to upgrading to business and first class on Air Canada .

Bottom Line: Air Canada provides a solid product for a restful flight, with comfortable beds and seats and good food. 

As you probably know by now, each business class product has its pros and cons, whether it’s a large business class seat, specific cuisine choices, or even amenity kit brands.

All of these considerations are essential, especially when spending your hard-earned points and miles. Now, you have an idea of the 19 best international business class airlines in the world. Happy traveling!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best business class cabin.

Our vote for the best business class cabin goes to Qatar Airways QSuites!

What makes a business class product great?

A great business class product will blend a modern, comfortable seat that offers personal space, storage, privacy, and practicality with top-notch food and beverage selections and professional service from crew members.

What are some other top options for business class airlines?

You can’t go wrong if you’re sitting in business class on several airlines, but some of the standouts include All Nippon Airways (ANA), EVA Air, Air France (on planes that have been equipped with its latest product), and Cathay Pacific.

Is business class expensive?

If you were to pay cash for a ticket, you can expect business class to be pretty pricey. Luckily, there are numerous ways to book most business class seats with points and miles!

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About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

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The World’s Best Long-Haul Commercial Aircrafts

What influences your airline choice? Cost? Timing? Maybe your loyalty memberships? Whatever springs to mind first it’s probably not the type of aircraft that’s being used, unless you’re a real #avgeek. But if you’re flying long-haul for business, it’s worth thinking about.

New aircraft come into service regularly. They’re designed to make longer flights more comfortable with more legroom and better air filtration. Modern aircraft have quieter engines and are better for the environment too. Older models retire, destined for aviation museums, aircraft graveyards or sometimes even converted into hotels .

Even if you have no interest in plane spotting, the aircraft you step on will make a difference to your trip. More comfort equals more rest and productive trips.

Aircraft currently in service

In 2022,  CH-Aviation's report  found 23,513 commercial aircraft in active service. The picture in 2020 and 2021 cannot be easily compared as so many aircraft were grounded and stored when COVID-19 halted many flight operations.

At time of this article's update in November 2023, airlines are switching up their aircraft fleets due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Typically, the aircraft most popular for long-haul flights are:

• Boeing 747 (production ended in 2022)
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• Airbus A320
• Airbus A350
• Airbus A380 (production ended in 2020)

Aircraft lowdown

BOEING 787 DREAMLINER

Comfort is priority for the Dreamliner. It’s actually the aircraft chosen by Qantas for the 14-hour, 20-minute direct flight between Melbourne and Los Angeles. Boeing's particularly proud of the 787’s fuel efficiency. Combined with the composite materials used to make the planes themselves, it’s one of the most economic and energy-saving aircraft in the skies.

Key stats: 

• First commercial flight: 2011
• Seats: 242-335 passengers
• Operated by: Air Canada, British Airways, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, United Airlines

Features designed to refresh and leave you jet-lag free include:

• Improved air conditioning and filtration to regulate cabin temperature
• Reduced engine noise
• Soft LED lighting
• Windows 65% larger than the standard and dimmable at the touch of a button

AIRBUS A350

A direct competitor to the Dreamliner. The Airbus A350 feels more spacious due to its high ceilings, wide seats and straight walls. A quieter engine and ambient lighting are similar features to the Dreamliner but the A350 boasts high air quality. Unlike the 787, the windows on this aircraft are pull down, so it gets pretty dark when the lights go out.

Slight snag if you’re after a luxury experience: most A350s don’t have First Class.

• First commercial flight: 2015
• Seats: 280-366 passengers
• Operated by: Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines

Fuel-efficient measures include:

• Cost-effective and weight-saving material in the wings and fuselage
• Wing design influenced from birds to reduce drag and reduce fuel consumption

AIRBUS A380

The double decker. Still the largest commercial plane in use.

• First commercial flight: 2007
• Seats: 525-830 passengers
• Operated by: British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Singapore Airlines

All that space means airlines can flex their design muscle.

• Air France: La Première cabin resembles an exclusive members lounge
• Emirates: onboard bar, lounges, chefs and spa showers. 
• Etihad Airways: 125-square-foot apartments known as The Residence with a lounge, en-suite shower room, double bedroom and personal butler.
• Qantas: Skybeds in Business Class
• Qatar Airways: First Class and Business bar 

These swanky additions do come at a cost, pushing the per person carbon footprint higher than the Dreamliner and A350. The A380 is a quiet and surprisingly stable aircraft for its size so on a good day you’ll barely notice you’re in flight. It’s quick too; managing London to Singapore in 14 hours and 10 minutes with British Airways.  

So what's the best?

For complete luxury and comfort nothing beats First or Business Class seats on the A380. Or Etihad’s The Residence, if you can stretch that far.

If you’re on a tighter budget or not as luxury-focused , the A350 is just as comfortable in terms of noise, light and air quality, even in Economy.

If you want a killer view from the window seat then it has to be the Dreamliner with its bigger, auto-dimmable windows.

Stay up to date so you never miss a beat!

The Best Airlines in the U.S.: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards

By Nicholas DeRenzo and Barbara Peterson

Now in its 36th iteration, our annual Readers’ Choice Awards continues to capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises , islands , and luggage . This year, you traveled farther and deeper; seeking out remote properties; sailing on smaller, more intimate ships; and prioritizing destinations you’ve been waiting years to visit. At least that’s what a staggering 526,518 of you told us in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. In an unusually difficult time for air travel, these reader favorites stood out for their ability to avoid cancellations and—especially—their exemplary customer service. Here are the best airlines in the U.S., as voted by our readers.

View the Readers' Choice Award winners for best airlines in the world here.

10. Frontier Airlines

The Denver-based low-cost carrier touts its status as North America’s greenest airline, with a significantly lower carbon footprint than its competitors, thanks to steps big and small, like 30 percent lighter seats, fuel-efficient engines, and biodegradable cups. As a symbol of this eco-friendliness, the airline has been painting its tails with larger-than-life animals since the mid-1990s, including newcomers Francie the piping plover, Crystal the Florida manatee, and Hudson the bog turtle. Frontier recently expanded at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in a big way, with 10 new nonstop routes.

9. Allegiant Air

Passengers pledge allegiance to Allegiant for its steadfastly solid service at a reasonable price point. Across the board, our readers appreciate the low-cost carrier's inexpensive (and, admittedly, frill-free—bring your own snacks!) offerings. They also favor Allegiant because, as one reader puts it, it is “the best airline for regional airports.” Routes shouted out include Savannah to Akron-Canton, Grand Rapids to Sarasota ("my only choice," writes one reader) and anywhere to Tampa-Clearwater Bay. Round-trip flights for that former route start at around $120.

8. American Airlines

The world’s largest airline in terms of fleet size and number of scheduled passengers, American operates across 10 domestic hubs, including Miami and Dallas/Fort Worth. From these Southern home bases, the airline has emerged as a major player in the Caribbean and Latin America, with new routes to less-expected destinations like San Andres Island, Colombia, and Chetumal, Mexico. This city, the capital of the Yucatán state of Quintana Roo, is the carrier’s 28th across Mexico, the most of any U.S. airline. In August, American committed to buying 20 planes from Boom Supersonic, which promises to revolutionize their transatlantic and transpacific routes.

7. United Airlines

With eight hubs across the United States (including Guam), the Chicago-based carrier offers an expansive and ever-growing network of international destinations. Recent additions include Amman, Jordan ; Bergen, Norway; Johannesburg; Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and a trio of island hotspots that have historically been tricky to get to from the U.S.: the Azores, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands. The airline responded to the pandemic by eliminating change fees for most flights, and it will soon welcome 270 new Boeing and Airbus planes to its fleet. The new aircraft will of course make your flight more comfortable and high-tech, but they come with an added bonus: They’re expected to reduce carbon emissions by 17 to 20 percent per seat, compared to older planes.

Matt Ortile

Ryan M. Moser

Olivia Morelli

Hannah Towey

6. Southwest Airlines

Southwest long ago moved beyond the geographic boundaries its name suggests, with an increasingly vast route network that now stretches from Hawaii to Latin America and the Caribbean. No matter where they’re flying, travelers can take advantage of the low fares and consumer-friendly “bags fly free” policy, though they’ll have to accept some of the carrier’s quirks, like the love-it-or-hate-it boarding process. Newer amenities like in-flight Wi-Fi have helped smooth the rough edges of the airline's basic passenger experience , which on most itineraries consists of a free beverage and a snack, but bargain hunters rarely find a better deal in the skies.

5. Alaska Airlines

Alaska is an enduring favorite, getting top grades for its reliability, friendly flight crews, and generous awards plan. Thanks to onboard service that includes Pacific Northwest regional touches, such as local wine and craft beer, you might almost forget that it's now the fifth-largest airline in the U.S. Not surprisingly, its route map has outgrown the regional confines of its name, stretching from Hawaii to New York and from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico and Latin America. Befitting its home base in the tech-friendly Seattle metro area, the airline recently announced a partnership with Twelve, a company that produces sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from recaptured carbon dioxide.

4. JetBlue Airways

Fliers loyal to New York’s hometown airline have a new reason to choose JetBlue : In 2021 the carrier launched its long-awaited flights to London from JFK Airport, with an expanded Mint Class premium cabin equipped with spacious flat-bed sleeper seats, and last year they added routes from Boston to both Heathrow and Gatwick. Other recent innovations, such as new seats and more legroom throughout the plane, continue to win over passengers. Not to be overlooked, JetBlue’s free Wi-Fi, a.k.a. “Fly-Fi”, delivers one of the fastest internet connections in the air, and the airline is one of the few still offering seat-back videos—with free live TV.

3. Tradewind Aviation

This 20-year-old company operates both charter flights and scheduled shuttles to upscale watering holes like Nantucket and Newport from its Westchester County base in the northeast, and to St. Barts, Antigua, and Anguilla from its San Juan base in the Caribbean . With its fleet of propeller planes and Citation jets, Tradewind flies out of private air terminals, a definite plus these days. Readers praise its "super helpful and generous staff” and its stress-free airport operations, which include lounges with an array of pre-flight beverages and snacks.

2. Hawaiian Airlines

From its origins as a local-service puddle jumper, Hawaiian has grown to operate a network of inter-island and U.S. mainland routes, plus long-distance flights around the Pacific region. Readers appreciate the premium cabin, with lie-flat seating available on some ultra-long flights, and all passengers can enjoy island-inspired food and beverage options, including Maui Brewing Company beer and hard seltzer, Honolulu-roasted Lion Coffee, caramel macadamia nut popcorn, and furikake chips. In 2016, they also teamed up with On the Rocks for a line of bottled cocktails that now includes a Mai Tai, a passionfruit-infused Molokai Mule, and the Tropical Landing, which pairs gin with violet, coconut, guava, and citrus. And if it’s reliability you care about, Hawaiian is routinely ranked the most on-time carrier in the country.

1. Delta Air Lines

Delta continues to earn high marks for the quality of its in-flight service and its amenities on the ground, such as well-appointed Sky Clubs at major airports in the U.S. Case in point: The airline’s stunning new $4 billion terminal at New York’s overhauled LaGuardia Airport, which includes high ceilings, wood and marble accents, and attention-grabbing installations from local artists. And with its high-tech innovations at check-in and boarding, Delta is working to make the air-travel experience as seamless as possible. Passengers also appreciate in-flight touches like free text messaging, and, for those in the pointy end of the plane, cozy Delta One business class suites on its new Airbus A350 jetliners and other wide-body planes. And thanks to an expanding route map, you’ll be able to enjoy those perks on trips to even more far-flung destinations, including Tahiti, Tel Aviv, and Cape Town.

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I Took 119 Flights Last Year, and These Are the Best Business-class Seats in the Sky Right Now

Closed-door suites, lie-flat seats.

Courtesy of Qatar Airways

Business-class air travel has come a long way over a short period of time. It was initially conceived as an intermediate level of product somewhere in between economy and first-class. You needn’t be too seasoned of a flier to remember when the business-class cabin was characterized by dense stacks of Lay-Z-Boy-like recliners offering little else by way of meaningful amenities. A lukewarm towel, perhaps? 

British Airways elevated things to new heights in March 2000 with the introduction of the first-ever convertible lie-flat seat. Business-class travelers could now enjoy a bed in the sky. And throughout the 21st century, the product has spread its wings further still. Most major airlines have repositioned the service as its premium offering , doing away with first-class tickets altogether. Cutting-edge technology and design has led to a space race, of sorts, amongst these legacy carriers. Each one is eager to outdo the competition when it comes to comfort and aesthetic in this part of the plane. A lie-flat is the bare minimum. More and more you can expect your very own pod, with direct aisle access enjoyed by all.

I have observed this evolution with a great deal of personal appreciation. As a full-time travel writer, I boarded 119 flights last year alone, tackling assignments across every corner of the globe. I was fortunate enough to enjoy business-class upgrades on a few dozen journeys during that time. And I can tell you that they most certainly are not all created equal. Even among airlines which invest sizably in modernizing its cabins, the rollout can be slow across the entirety of its fleet. 

If you’re spending top dollar on these types of tickets (fares are almost always measured in the thousands, each way), you want to make sure you’re getting a reliable return on that investment. Book your flight into one of the following cabins and you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re flying in one of the best business-class suites in the skies.

Qatar Airways A350 Qsuite

Courtesy of Qatar airways

This Middle Eastern carrier is commonly regarded as one of the most luxurious airlines out there. The business-class configuration on its wide-body A350 goes a long way in substantiating that reputation. Each of the plush, 46 seats are enclosed by 52-inch-high walls, including a sliding door so you can enjoy full privacy in your pod. Within your personal space is tons of storage space, all sensibly arranged so that you can access your belongings while buckled in. The food service is well-curated and paired alongside high-end wines and Champagnes, including reserve vintages from Charles Heidsieck . You can enjoy it all while dressed in the soft, smooth pajamas and slippers provided for you at takeoff.

ANA 777-300ER “The Room”

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

The newest business-class product from All Nippon Airways underscores just how obsolete first-class has become. It is comprised of suites designed by legendary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. His minimalist design leverages wood surfaces to evoke kanso . The seats are well-padded and super wide at 38-inches across. Dining options are decidedly more lavish than on most American carriers. Umami-rich proteins, pickled vegetables, and piping hot miso is served in patterned china and placed atop an oversized tray at the center of the pod, directly in front of a 24-inch, 4K viewing screen. The aircraft still features an intimate first-class cabin farther to the front, but it’s difficult to imagine it providing anything substantial enough to justify the upcharge beyond business.

Singapore Airlines A350-900ULR Business Class

Courtesy of Singapore Airways

With nearly 19 hours of total time in the air, SQ21 from Newark to Singapore is the longest commercial flight on earth. Thankfully for its business-class passengers, it’s also one of the most comfortable. That's because the pods have a seatback that flips down into a designated “bed mode,” as the airline calls it, with nearly the level of cushioning you might expect on a home mattress. Most of the bed is quite wide at 28 inches, though that middle section curves toward a small footwell, meaning that you’ll have to position yourself diagonally in order to find the ideal sleeping arrangement. In between lengthy bouts of slumber, you can arise for bespoke meal service at your own desired times. The airline maintains one of the most expansive menus in the sky, including farm-fresh salads and Singaporean specialties like laksa . Or you can utilize its “Book The Cook” service to secure an even wider array of dishes by pre-ordering online up to 24 hours before you takeoff.

Delta One A350 Suites

Courtesy of Delta

Delta prides itself on being the first carrier to introduce an all-suite business-class (back in early 2017). Since then, it has slowly rolled out the product across its growing fleet of A350s. Amazingly, it still feels cutting edge six years later. There’s a full-height door at every seat, a sensibly designed tray table lay out that doubles as a workspace, and customizable mood lighting. Food and wine options are robust, varying depending on the season and specific route. But pescatarians, vegetarians, and even vegans are all catered to in the standard options available with each flight. As far as American-based commercial flying experiences are concerned, this is pretty much as good as it gets.

JetBlue A321LR Mint Studio

Courtesy of JetBlue

The only American-based product to give Delta One Suites a run for its money is Mint Studio , which JetBlue unveiled in late 2021. These closed-door pods are remarkably spacious, especially when you consider that they’re built into an Airbus 321, which isn’t even a wide-body jet. At 45 inches across, the bed is literally large enough for you to toss and turn in as you sleep. An adjoining bench allows you to invite a guest from another pod to socialize with while you fly. There’s also plenty of attention to detail woven throughout, such as a wireless charging pad within arms reach and an adjustable TV screen so that you can view it clearly while fully reclined. Food and drink options are assembled by trendy New York City bars and restaurants. The only downside is that there just aren’t too many places you can go with it. As of now, you’re limited to London as well as select locations in Central and South America.

Emirates A380 Business Class

Courtesy of Emirates

Emirates is pretty much synonymous with luxury aviation. And for good reason — the airline pulls out all the bells and whistles for its premium products. Before you even sit down and settle in, you have to admire how pretty it all looks: leather seats, gold-stained wood paneling covering every corner of your cubicle. The perks are a plenty from the lie-flat position, too. Side consoles alongside the window are used as minibars, providing soft drinks and water at the ready. On a table next the bed is a tablet, which can be used to customize your whole experience, or as a secondary viewing device for the in-flight entertainment. Just make sure to book an odd numbered seat, so that you can enjoy added privacy, closer to the window. And don’t forget to take advantage of the airline’s chauffeur service: all first-class and business-class passengers receive complimentary black car pickup from within a 50 mile radius of the airport.

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Study: Commercial air travel is safer than ever

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It has never been safer to fly on commercial airlines, according to a new study by an MIT professor that tracks the continued decrease in passenger fatalities around the globe.

The study finds that between 2008 and 2017, airline passenger fatalities fell significantly compared to the previous decade, as measured per individual passenger boardings — essentially the aggregate number of passengers. Globally, that rate is now one death per 7.9 million passenger boardings, compared to one death per 2.7 million boardings during the period 1998-2007, and one death per 1.3 million boardings during 1988-1997.

Going back further, the commercial airline fatality risk was one death per 750,000 boardings during 1978-1987, and one death per 350,000 boardings during 1968-1977.

“The worldwide risk of being killed had been dropping by a factor of two every decade,” says Arnold Barnett, an MIT scholar who has published a new paper summarizing the study’s results. “Not only has that continued in the last decade, the [latest] improvement is closer to a factor of three. The pace of improvement has not slackened at all even as flying has gotten ever safer and further gains become harder to achieve. That is really quite impressive and is important for people to bear in mind.”

The paper, “Aviation Safety: A Whole New World?” was published online this month in Transportation Science . Barnett is the sole author.

The new research also reveals that there is discernible regional variation in airline safety around the world. The study finds that the nations housing the lowest-risk airlines are the U.S., the members of the European Union, China, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. The aggregate fatality risk among those nations was one death per 33.1 million passenger boardings during 2008-2017. Barnett chose the nation as the unit of measurement in the study because important safety regulations for both airlines and airports are decided at the national level.

For airlines in a second set of countries, which Barnett terms the “advancing” set with an intermediate risk level, the rate is one death per 7.4 million boardings during 2008-2017. This group — comprising countries that are generally rapidly industrializing and have recently achieved high overall life expectancy and GDP per capita — includes many countries in Asia as well as some countries in South America and the Middle East.

For a third and higher-risk set of developing countries, including some in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the death risk during 2008-2017 was one per 1.2 million passenger boardings — an improvement from one death per 400,000 passenger boardings during 1998-2007.

“The two most conspicuous changes compared to previous decades were sharp improvements in China and in Eastern Europe,” says Barnett, who is the George Eastman Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. In those places, he notes, had safety achievements in the last decade that were strong even within the lowest-risk group of countries.

Overall, Barnett suggests, the rate of fatalities has declined far faster than public fears about flying.

“Flying has gotten safer and safer,” Barnett says. “It’s a factor of 10 safer than it was 40 years ago, although I bet anxiety levels have not gone down that much. I think it’s good to have the facts.”

Barnett is a long-established expert in the field of aviation safety and risk, whose work has helped contextualize accident and safety statistics. Whatever the absolute numbers of air crashes and fatalities may be — and they fluctuate from year to year — Barnett has sought to measure those numbers against the growth of air travel.

To conduct the current study, Barnett used data from a number of sources, including the Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network Accident Database. He mostly used data from the World Bank, based on information from the International Civil Aviation Organization, to measure the number of passengers carried, which is now roughly 4 billion per year.

In the paper, Barnett discusses the pros and cons of some alternative metrics that could be used to evaluate commercial air safety, including deaths per flight and deaths per passenger miles traveled. He prefers to use deaths per boarding because, as he writes in the paper, “it literally reflects the fraction of passengers who perished during air journeys.”

The new paper also includes historical data showing that even in today’s higher-risk areas for commerical aviation, the fatality rate is better, on aggregate, than it was in the leading air-travel countries just a few decades in the past.

“The risk now in the higher-risk countries is basically the risk we used to have 40-50 years ago” in the safest air-travel countries, Barnett notes.

Barnett readily acknowledges that the paper is evaluating the overall numbers, and not providing a causal account of the air-safety trend; he says he welcomes further research attempting to explain the reasons for the continued gains in air safety.

In the paper, Barnett also notes that year-to-year air fatality numbers have notable variation. In 2017, for instance, just 12 people died in the process of air travel, compared to 473 in 2018.

“Even if the overall trendline is [steady], the numbers will bounce up and down,” Barnett says. For that reason, he thinks looking at trends a decade at a time is a better way of grasping the full trajectory of commercial airline safety.

On a personal level, Barnett says he understands the kinds of concerns people have about airline travel. He began studying the subject partly because of his own worries about flying, and quips that he was trying to “sublimate my fears in a way that might be publishable.”

Those kinds of instinctive fears may well be natural, but Barnett says he hopes that his work can at least build public knowledge about the facts and put them into perspective for people who are afraid of airplane accidents.

“The risk is so low that being afraid to fly is a little like being afraid to go into the supermarket because the ceiling might collapse,” Barnett says.

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Prof. Arnold Barnett speaks with NPR reporter Juliana Kim about airline safety and the risks associated with flying. According to Barnett, "from 2018 to 2022, the chances of a passenger being killed on a flight anywhere in the world was 1 in 13.4 million. Between 1968 to 1977, the chance was 1 in 350,000,” writes Kim.

Fast Company

Fast Company reporter Arianne Cohen writes that a new study by Prof. Arnold Barnett finds flying today is much safer than it was in the past. Barnett examined flight safety from 2008 to 2017 and found that “globally, flying today is six times safer than 30 years ago, and 22 times safer than 50 years ago.”

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The Fastest Airplanes Commercial Passengers Can Fly

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I’m lucky to have grown up in a family where we were always flying around the country, visiting family and enjoying an occasional vacation. But I’ll never forget watching "Top Gun" with my dad as a kid, amazed by the military fighter jets that could roar off of an aircraft carrier before ripping past the speed of sound. To this day, I often listen to the title song, "Danger Zone," as my much slower commercial flights accelerate down the runway.

While only military pilots get the thrill of regularly passing the speed of sound, large commercial planes regularly travel at speeds over 600 mph. Here's what to know about the fastest airplanes commercial passengers can fly, and which airlines are flying them.

What is the fastest commercial passenger jet?

For current commercial airline passengers, the fastest way to get around is the Boeing 747-8i, with a top speed of nearly 660 mph. But with limited options, you may find yourself going just a little slower on a competing alternative.

» Learn more: Our writers draft their favorite airlines

The fastest commercial passenger airliners that are in use

Boeing 747-8.

The 747 is one of the largest commercial aircraft ever built, and the 747-8 Intercontinental (747-8i) variant wins the race as the fastest commercial plane in service today. This plane is as tall as a six-story building with a top speed of Mach 0.86. That’s equivalent to 659.85 mph.

The 747-8i has a range of 7,730 nautical miles and a capacity of 410 passengers.

Unfortunately, it isn't the most accessible plane to catch a ride on, since the options are limited to Lufthansa, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Air China and Qatar Airways.

Boeing 747-400

A member of the same Boeing 747 family, the 747-400 is a behemoth that can catapult 416 passengers across the world with a maximum speed of Mach 0.855 (656 mph). With a range of up to 7,225 nautical miles, it’s most commonly used for busy long-haul routes with high demand.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 875,000 pounds, operating a plane of this size isn't cheap. So it is no surprise that the number of places you can fly on a 747-400 is dwindling. According to flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 , current operators include Lufthansa , Korean Air, Rossiya, Air India and Air China.

Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 superjumbo is the largest passenger aircraft in operation and has a front-to-back two-story design. The A380 typically seats 400 to 550 passengers for trips over 9,000 miles. If filled to maximum capacity with one cabin class, it could potentially seat 853 people. It’s so big that some airports can’t handle the massive size.

The A380 reaches speeds of Mach 0.85, just a hair behind the 747-400. That translates to 652 mph. While the A380 ended production in 2020, 15 airlines still fly the A380. These include Air France , British Airways , Emirates, Etihad, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qantas , Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The 787 Dreamliner had a rocky start, with battery fire problems causing the entire fleet to sit on the ground while a fix was rolled out. These days, due to lower operating costs and other modern features (like higher cabin oxygen and humidity), the aircraft is growing in popularity with international airlines.

The aircraft is propelled by two General Electric and Rolls-Royce engines at speeds reaching Mach 0.85, or 652 mph, making it the fastest single-aisle passenger aircraft in operation.

The Dreamliner is generally known to be quieter and more comfortable, so you may reach your destination with a little less jet lag. You’ll also get better views due to its larger windows with electronic dimming.

If you’re going to fly a long distance, this may be the most comfortable way to go without flying private. Major domestic carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines , are among the extensive list of 787 customers .

The 777 is a workhorse for overseas flights with variations, like the 777-8 with a range of up to 8,730 nautical miles and the newer 777-9 configuration with a range of 7,285 nautical miles.

The “Triple Seven” flies at Mach 0.84, or 644 mph and can hold up to 426 passengers.

You have several options to get on board a 777. Major carriers flying this model include Aeromexico, Air Canada , Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific , Delta Air Lines , El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines , KLM Royal Dutch, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

Do you want to go faster?

The supersonic Concorde aircraft used to be the quickest way to travel. It had an impressive cruising speed of 1,350 mph, or Mach 1.75. That’s fast enough to make it from New York to London in under three hours. But those planes are long out of service, with the last flight taking place in 2003.

It’s not common, but you may be able to get somewhere faster by lucking out and catching a jet stream that occasionally brings faster speeds to planes on the way to North America from Europe. In 2019, one such flight reached 801 mph when surfing the jetstream over the Atlantic.

You can fly fast on the fastest planes in the world

While it may be fun to see over 600 mph on the in-flight entertainment screen, keep in mind that you’re probably only saving a few minutes once you take into account airport parking, security and ground transportation. If you’re flying commercial on any of these planes, know that you’re enjoying one of the fastest, safest and most convenient ways to travel ever invented.

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Uncovering the Good and the Bad of Air Travel: Tips, Insights, and Updates

Air transportation has become an essential part of our modern world, connecting people and places like never before. Whether it's for business, pleasure, or necessity, flying allows us to travel across the globe in a matter of hours. However, with its convenience also comes its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the pros and cons of flying, giving you a better understanding of what to expect when taking to the skies. From the comfort and speed of commercial air travel to the environmental impact and potential safety concerns, we will delve into all aspects of flying to help you make informed decisions about your future travels.

So buckle up and get ready to soar through the pros and cons of flying in our ultimate guide to air transportation. First and foremost, let's discuss the benefits of flying. Air transport is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to transport goods and people. With commercial airlines offering a wide range of routes and destinations, it's easier than ever to get from point A to point B. Plus, flying allows you to cover long distances in a relatively short amount of time, making it ideal for business trips or vacations. However, with the good also comes the bad.

One of the main downsides of flying is the cost. Plane tickets can be expensive, especially for international flights. Additionally, flying can be a hassle due to long security lines, flight delays, and potential layovers. And let's not forget about the environmental impact of air travel, as airplanes emit a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Despite these drawbacks, there are ways to make flying more manageable.

For example, you can save money by booking your tickets in advance or using airline rewards programs. To avoid long lines at security checkpoints, arrive early and make sure you have all necessary documents and items easily accessible. And for those concerned about the environment, some airlines offer carbon offset programs to help reduce the impact of your flight. Another aspect to consider when it comes to flying is the safety and security measures in place. While air travel is generally considered safe, there have been incidents in the past that have raised concerns.

However, airlines and airports have strict safety protocols in place to ensure the well-being of passengers. Additionally, advancements in technology have made flying even safer, with features like turbulence detection and avoidance systems. Now, let's shift our focus to logistics and cargo services. Air transport plays a crucial role in the global supply chain, allowing for the timely delivery of goods across long distances. It also offers a variety of options for shipping, such as express delivery or freight services.

This can be especially beneficial for businesses that need to transport time-sensitive or perishable goods. When it comes to international shipping, air transport is often the go-to option. It offers faster delivery times compared to other modes of transportation, making it ideal for urgent shipments. However, it can also be more expensive, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons based on your specific shipping needs. Lastly, let's touch on tips for air travel. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time flyer, there are certain things you can do to make your journey smoother.

For example, pack light to avoid baggage fees and delays at baggage claim. Familiarize yourself with airline policies and restrictions beforehand to prevent any surprises at the airport. And don't forget about health and safety precautions, such as wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. As for the latest news and updates on airports and their operations, it's important to stay informed, especially during times of uncertainty. Keep an eye out for any changes in regulations or procedures that may affect your upcoming flights.

International Shipping Options

Logistics and cargo services.

Additionally, the use of cargo planes allows for the transport of larger and heavier goods, which may not be possible with other modes of transportation. Furthermore, air transportation also plays a vital role in international shipping. It connects different countries and continents, allowing for the movement of goods across borders. This has led to the growth of international trade and has made it easier for businesses to expand globally. Despite its many advantages, air transport also has its drawbacks. The cost of air freight is significantly higher than other modes of transportation, making it less feasible for certain goods and industries.

The Downsides of Flying

Delays and cancellations:, health concerns:, environmental impact:, the benefits of flying.

In this section, we will explore the advantages of flying and why it is a great option for both individuals and businesses. One of the biggest benefits of flying is the speed at which you can reach your destination. With advancements in technology and infrastructure, flying has become faster and more efficient than ever before. You can now travel across the world in a matter of hours, making it ideal for those with time-sensitive schedules.

Another advantage of flying is the convenience it offers. Unlike other modes of transportation, such as driving or taking a train, you don't have to worry about navigating through traffic or making multiple stops. With air transportation, you simply board the plane and sit back while the pilot takes care of getting you to your destination. Flying also offers a level of comfort that is hard to beat.

Most airlines provide comfortable seating, in-flight entertainment, and amenities such as food and drinks. This makes long flights more bearable and enjoyable, especially for those traveling for extended periods of time. Furthermore, air transportation allows you to reach remote or isolated destinations that may not be accessible by other means. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for both personal and business travel.

Whether it's a tropical island or a remote business location, flying can get you there safely and efficiently. Last but not least, flying can also be cost-effective. With the rise of budget airlines and competitive pricing, air travel has become more affordable for many people. This makes it an attractive option for those looking to save money on transportation costs.

News and Updates on Airports

Airport regulations.

One of the biggest changes in airport operations in recent years has been the implementation of enhanced security measures . With the rise of global security threats, airports have had to adapt and implement stricter protocols for screening passengers and baggage. This includes increased use of technology such as full-body scanners and advanced X-ray machines to detect potential threats. In addition to security changes, airports are also making efforts to improve the overall travel experience for passengers. This includes renovations and expansions to existing terminals, as well as the construction of new airports to accommodate the growing demand for air travel.

Flight tracking apps

Tips for air travel, 2.check-in online:, 3.arrive early:, 4.stay hydrated:, 5.bring entertainment:, 6.dress comfortably:, 7.be prepared for security checks:, 8.stay updated with flight information:.

Follow these tips and you'll be sure to have a smoother and more enjoyable journey the next time you fly. As with any form of transportation, flying has its pros and cons. However, by being aware of these factors and taking necessary precautions, you can make the most out of your air travel experience. Whether you're transporting goods or traveling for leisure, flying remains a convenient and efficient option.

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• Understanding the Different Types of Private Jets
• Choosing the Best Airline: A Comprehensive Guide to Air Transport and Travel
• The Benefits of Private Air Travel
• Carry-on vs Checked Luggage: The Ultimate Guide
• How to Choose the Right Courier Service Provider
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• Types of International Mail Services: A Comprehensive Overview
• The Pros and Cons of Air Transport and Shipping
• Cost Comparison with Commercial Airlines: A Comprehensive Guide for Air Transport and Shipping
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• Tips for Efficient Packing: How to Make the Most Out of Air Transport and Shipping
• Exploring the Benefits and Drawbacks of Air Transport and Shipping
• What to Pack in Your Carry-On: Essential Tips for Air Travelers
• Different Types of Courier Services to Know About
• Choosing an International Mail Service Provider: A Comprehensive Guide for Air Transport and Shipping Needs
• A Comprehensive Look at Types of Freight Shipping
• All You Need to Know About Types of Air Cargo
• How Air Transport and Shipping Affects Travelers
• Tips for Getting Through Security Faster: How to Streamline Your Air Travel Experience
• How to Check for Flight Updates: A Comprehensive Guide
• Preparing for Airport Security: Tips and Tricks for Hassle-Free Air Travel
• Staying Comfortable During a Flight: Tips and Tricks
• Entertainment Options on a Plane: Making the Most of Your In-Flight Experience
• Navigating Through Security Checks: A Comprehensive Guide for Air Travelers

Improvements and Benefits for Travelers: A Comprehensive Look at Air Transport and Shipping

• Current and Upcoming Airport Renovations: A Comprehensive Guide for Air Transport and Shipping Enthusiasts
• Causes of delays and cancellations in air transport and shipping
• What to Do When Your Flight is Delayed or Cancelled

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Best for design enthusiasts, best for luxury, best subscription service, best for a wide range of aircrafts, flying private is cheaper than you think — here are 6 airlines to consider for your next flight.

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I'm a travel writer, but it's not always as glamorous as it sounds. When I fly, I often book commercial in coach for the best price to get my family of four where we need to go. 

However, there are posher options that are affordable on a case-by-case and route-by-route basis, and I'm not talking about first class.

Rather, it's entirely possible to fly private or semi-private. In some cases, it can even be cheaper than flying economy and removes the long waits and crowded lines associated with busy airports. And with boarding taking place in private hangars and planes allowing a much lower passenger count, private jets lend more naturally to social distancing. 

Considering that June had more private flights in the U.S. than any month since October 2007, and after my own positive experiences flying semi-private , I rounded up some of the best carriers, from chartering your own flight to booking a publicly available seat on a semi-private jet flight. The best part? They offer prices that the average person can afford.

Here are the best private jet companies with affordable prices:

Book a flight with JSX

JSX is a private regional airline that feels like a posh private-flying experience, except the public can purchase tickets. JSX caps flights at just 30 people and operates out of private terminals and hangars (technically known as "fixed-base operators," or FBOs), which are adjacent to many major airports.

JSX saw a 55% increase in new leisure-market customers from February 2020 to February 2021, according to a statistic provided by the brand's internal analytics team. I've flown it multiple times and always choose it when rates are cheaper or equivalent to flying commercial, which they often are.

With JSX , you'll bypass the traditional airport altogether and travel through a private jet terminal. You also won't encounter crowds and TSA lines, but can still feel secure since JSX uses TSA Secure Flight, the same TSA-provided background-check processes that major airlines use.

On ordinary or off-peak dates, the airfare is quite competitive (even lower than some budget carriers' for certain legs) and the experience is far superior, including snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non), checked bags, and pet fees.

Read our review of JSX here .

Book a flight with Aero

Aero is among the country's newest airlines, launching in February 2021. It offers premium seating on direct flights between private terminals, using custom-designed 16-seat jets; no flight will have more than 16 passengers.

This shared-charter model offers the benefits of private aviation — like bypassing commercial airport terminals and packed airliners — for a fraction of the cost with access to a curated list of coveted destinations.

Aero offers a seamless experience through its personalized concierge service available to all guests, which includes hosts giving personalized attention, from booking on-the-ground transportation and localized experiences to curating in-flight amenities and sourcing special beverages and artisan snacks — basically any preflight and post flight logistics that the passenger wants to be handled.

Interiors are designed by Aero's in-house design team (not common among startup airlines, where design is typically outsourced). Interiors include dynamic lighting, a custom Bongiovi Acoustic Lab sound system built into the panels of the walls for 360-degree sound, hand French-stitched Italian leather seat covers, custom suede sidewalls, and signature ultra-leather piping on the ceiling.

Book a flight with Set Jet

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Set Jet is a membership-based private jet charter, available for security pre-screened and pre-approved members. While there is a monthly membership fee, if you fly often, the value can be quite strong.

Only members may fly and to be eligible, you must be a U.S. resident with a valid driver's license or passport issued domestically.

Set Jet facilitates private jet charters to six of the most frequently traveled destinations on the West Coast, as well as nonstop private jet charter flights between Los Angeles and New York City, and seasonal flights to Cabo San Lucas and Aspen. The service operates through private terminals without the traditional inconveniences related to commercial air travel.

Members fly on the Bombardier Challenger 850/CRJ 200 and CRJ900 aircraft, specifically customized with 15- to 19- seat cabin configurations. Top-end amenities and finishes make these planes resemble luxury hotel suites with high-gloss wood, marble accents, buttery leather, and plush carpeting. Pilots are typically military-trained jet fighter pilots with significant experience and pristine records.

Read our review of Set Jet here .

Book a flight with Wheels Up

Wheels Up allows travelers to book private charter flights at an all-inclusive hourly rate. Founded in 2013 and a publicly traded company as of July 2021, Wheels Up is one of the major players in private aviation, having acquired many others along the way.

Originally a membership-only model, the company now allows anyone to book available flights on-demand using the app. There are 1,500 planes in the fleet, including the King Air 350i (an eight-seater propeller jet), the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS in the middle category (with a four-hour range), and the ultra-fast and high-flying Cessna Citation X, with a large, posh cabin. It can fly over six hours nonstop.

I got to try out two of these on a company-sponsored trip between Los Angeles and Napa. With seven to 10 seats in each aircraft (compared with, say, 30 for JSX or up to 19 on Set Jet), Wheels Up offers a truly elite private jet experience. When I flew the Citation X, the cabin had eight luxurious leather seats and even a posh leather-covered loo. Snacks and beverages were available on-demand in a small lounge area, and the ride was smooth, quiet, and peaceful.

Wheels Up members also receive benefits at Wine Access, Waldorf Astoria hotels; pay-by-the-seat shuttle service from Westchester to Nantucket through Nantucket Shuttle Service; AmEx membership discounts; and many other perks and benefits.

Book a flight with SurfAir

Los Angeles-based Surf Air offers members access to private charter flights for a fixed monthly fee.

The service focuses on scheduled short-haul flights across California and Texas, with frequent flight options similar to commercial airlines but with the posh feel and perks of private air travel. Members can book trips via an easy-to-use mobile app, and then arrive at the airport just 15 minutes before takeoff without lines or crowds.

Memberships start at an accessible $199 per month, which allows access to all flights on a per-seat basis. For $999 per month, travelers get unlimited off-peak flights and access to buy everything else. Prices go up from there: for $2,999 per month, you can fly without limits across the entire network.

Book a flight on Blade

Blade allows travelers to book by the seat on scheduled flights throughout the Northeast and West Coast, or charter or crowdsource a flight anywhere in the world. The fleet includes not just jets but also helicopters, turboprops, and seaplanes for mega flexibility. In doing so, they offer many options at multiple price points for a range of travelers, and the diversity of the Blade fleet is unique in the field.

No membership is required to fly Blade . Users simply download the app or book online for scheduled flights. Travelers may also use the app to book their own private charter, crowdsourced charter, or individual seats on a scheduled flight.

In New York, it's become quite a popular way to reach JFK to connect to major flights as opposed to the slog of traffic.

Read our review of Blade here .

FAQ: Cheap private jet flights

How much does it cost to fly private.

It depends on the airline you choose. The ones on this list that are only semi-private start as low as $119 per flight with no membership fees. 

If you charter a totally private flight, however, expect to pay thousands of dollars in most cases.

What is the cheapest private jet company?

We've seen strong value on a per flight basis from JSX as their fares are pretty low so long as you don't book during peak times.

Subscription model private airlines, however, such as Set Jet or SurfAir come out as affordable in the long run if you're someone who flies frequently.

How do I find private flights?

Start with our list here. Many of these companies allow you to book cheap private flights either on their website or via their mobile app.

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How Far In Advance Can You Book A Flight? Smarter Air Travel Tips

Excited for your next adventure but need help figuring out where to start? Booking a flight can be one of the most stressful parts of pre-trip planning. However, with proper guidelines, knowing when is the best time to book flights and having a detailed pre-flight checklist ,  you can easily find the best deals and travel.

By booking in advance, you have more options to choose from, from flight time to airfares. Booking flight tickets in advance is a cost-saving way to travel internationally on commercial airlines.

How far in advance can you book a flight? It depends on different factors. For example, the airlines you plan to book with and whether you pay by cash or miles are all factors that can influence the final airfares. Here is our guide on smart air travel tips.

How Far In Advance Can You Book A Flight?

Booking flight tickets can be done quickly online. Photo by Prostock-studio on stock.adobe.com

You can book flights as early as 11 months (or 330 days) in advance. However, different factors affect the actual days you can book in advance.  Each airline has a foreign policy on how early they open their booking windows.

For example, low-cost carriers might have shorter booking windows than high-cost carriers. Methods of payment can determine the booking time available as well. For instance, award tickets and cash tickets have different booking windows.

How Far In Advance Should You Book A Flight To Get The Best Deal?

Is there a best day within a week to book flights ? How far should you book flights for the best possible prices? Many travellers believe that the further they book flight tickets, the cheaper the airfare. However, this is not necessarily true.

According to data collected by Hopper - a booking travel app, the booking windows for the best prices are different between domestic and international travel.

• For domestic flights , you should start tracking airfares at least 3-4 months in advance and book within 1-2 months in advance.
• For international flights , it is best that you start monitoring airfares at least 6-7 months in advance and book within 3-5 months in advance.

CheapAir.com, a flight booking site for affordable airline tickets founded in 1989, there are six different booking zones based on their 2023 CheapAir Best Time To Buy Airline Tickets Study .

The time frame above is based on data collected by CheapAir.com. However, as airfares constantly change due to factors such as gas prices and booking demand, there is no fixed time to book.

• CABINZERO’s Tips: The best practice is to book whenever you are comfortable with the ticket price, as airfares are challenging to predict with high accuracy.

Reasons To Book Flights In Advance

Air travel is a fast and convenient way for travellers to explore the world. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Domestic vacations and car travel offer more spontaneity for unplanned trips. However, when it comes to air travel, booking your tickets in advance is usually the better idea. Here are a number of reasons for you to consider booking flights in advance rather than last-minute.

1. There Are More Flight Options To Choose From

You are open to more travel options, including flight times, price ranges and airlines to choose from. Even if you fly with one of the best airlines in the world , a positive flying experience depends on more than just the airline.

Factors such as departure time, seating options and other details can affect your travel experience. It is always better to have various options to choose from rather than being stuck on a late flight and feeling tired on the first day of the trip, especially if you are prone to insomnia.

2. Ease of Mind

Plan your trip with a calm mindset rather than being in an uncomfortable, rushed mode to compete for last-minute tickets. If you have an important event to attend, book in advance and stay worry-free instead of stressing until the day of your flight.

3. Better Travel Route Plan And Explore Every Option

If you are considering different destinations for your next trip, thanks to the time in your hand, you can better prepare with more time spent in researching destinations and designing different itineraries.

How To Find The Best Airfares?

Save more on your travel expenses and enjoy your holiday better with smart flight booking tips. IG: @grecontrek

Finding the best flight deals is a rewarding experience for every traveller. Even though airfares tend to fluctuate, there are a few rules of thumb that you can follow to avoid costly tickets. Understanding what influences the airline pricing system is an important step.

For example, every seasoned traveller knows that the most influential factor when it comes to airfares is demand. Overall, factors that influence airfares are demand, flight route, flight time, special events and booking window.

CABINZERO's Tips: If you find a fair deal, consider booking to keep that ticket, as many airlines allow passengers to cancel without paying a penalty within 24 hours.

Avoid Peak Season Travel

Try to travel outside of high-demand periods. Most airlines calculate their costs and sell the same seat option at different prices, depending on different booking times.

Avoid flying during high-season periods such as summertime and holidays. Or when there is a big event such as a festival or sporting event in your chosen destinations.

By using a variable pricing strategy that is based on demand and supply, airlines can maximise their revenue. Travel during holiday time or booking a flight to popular destinations tend to have higher ticket prices. This is due to high demand, thus, a significant increase in airfares.

Opt For In-demand Flight Routes

If you can pick any destination to travel to, try to pick a flight route that is in high demand or too exclusive. When a route have many flight offerings from different airlines, the airfares tend to be lower. In contrast, destinations with fewer commercial flights or serviced by only one airline may have higher airfares due to limited competition.

Book Airfare Directly Through the Airline

Consider booking directly with the airline via their website or hotline. Sometimes, airlines offer a better price than other booking apps. It is always worth checking all the options before you finalise your ticket payment.

CABINZERO’s Tips: If you are a frequent air traveller, you can use your flyer miles and save even more when booking directly with your airline. If you are lucky, you can even upgrade to first class for free .

Tools For Flight Booking

Using different travel apps and booking tools to find good deals more conveniently. Screenshot taken on Google Flights

From great flight deals to dream holiday rentals and fun-filled activities, travel apps can make the whole trip planning experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

There are plenty of tools available for price-tracking and flight searching . One of the most popular is Google Flights . Travellers can have a detailed overview of daily airfares over the course of a month, or even year.

More than just a search engine, it is a great way to track the preferred flights and then book directly with the airlines. Expedia and Kayak are other good tools for price-tracking as well.

When you want to hunt super-saving deals , visit sites such as Skyscanner , CheapAir , Orbitz and Momondo . Explore different offers available on these websites and pay attention to their policies as well as the airlines' policies before making payment.

Are you looking for subscription services for cheap flights ? Signing up for Going (formerly known as Scott's Cheap Flights) then. You will receive notifications via emails about whether there are good flight deals. All you need to do is selecting your home airport and choose multiple destinations that you are interested in visiting.

For mobile apps for flight booking , start searching and get notifications on flight routes right on your smartphone with Hopper and Kiwi.com . Skyscanner, Momondo and Kayak also have user-friendly apps. There are special rates offered for mobile-only bookings.

CABINZERO’s Tips: Set an automatic alert on your preferred flight routes on Google Flights to be notified when airfares change.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Booking Flights

It’s tempting to book at the last minutes for a better deal, but is it really the best way? Photo by angellodeco on stock.adobe.com

Choosing flights based on destinations and travel dates before checking airfares. By choosing to travel on days with low-cost tickets to low-demand destinations in low-season time, you can save more on tickets and spend more on the travel experience.

Relying on last-minute deals instead of monitoring flights early. If you have a fixed destination in mind and a few travel dates to choose from, monitor airfares early and book when the price drops. Last-minute flights can have soaring prices for various reasons. For instance, rising demand for last-minute flights for business or personal reasons and peak travel periods are reasons that can make airfares increase.

Overlooking the fine print or falling for advertisements without checking the policies applied. Many low-cost airlines offer cheaper fares in exchange for losing access to free carry-on allowances. Be extra careful and read the fine print whenever you finalise a booking. Hidden costs can also be avoided if you check all the policies carefully.

1. Which are the best websites for flight booking?

Flight search engines such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, Momondo, Hopper, Kayak, Expedia and Orbitz are great places to compare prices from different airlines to finalise your booking. There is no ultimate place that can offer the lowest airfares on a flight every single time. Compare different flight rates and plan in advance for the best possible rates.

2. How to book flights?

Each traveller has different preferences when it comes to booking, from accommodations to flight tickets. If you have time to research and compare different travel options, such as cheap travel dates in different destinations, you can book flights via flight booking websites and travel apps. If you are more traditional or do not have much time at hand, you ask travel agencies or contact directly to your preferred airline to get flight tickets.

Practise smart travel tips and book like a pro for your next trip. IG: @sophieffee

3. Are flights cheaper close to departure dates?

There are many factors that can affect airfares. Booking closer to departure dates or replying on last-minute flights do not guarantee the lowest price tickets for travellers. Stay on top of price trends for your selected flight routes and monitor how prices fluctuate to find the best airfares for your upcoming trips. 

4. When to book flights with the best airfares?

For domestic trips, you can monitor the prices and book from one to three months in advance for a good deal. For international trips, you should book in advance three to eight months before your preferred travel dates. If you must travel in high-demand periods, start monitoring airfares early.

Knowing how far in advance can you book a flight and using various flight searching websites to pick the best timeframe to book is the secret to the super-save flight deals. Be well-prepared for your next trip. Remember to book in advance for more options and less hassles. Pack well and have fun at your exciting destinations.

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