Business class has become the defining battleground for airlines in recent years. Premium travellers are no longer happy with just a bigger seat and better food, but they expect something close to a private, exclusive experience in the sky.
From spacious suites with sliding doors to restaurant-style dining and lounges that feel like luxury clubs, the standard of premium cabins continues to rise every year. In the 2025 Skytrax rankings, here’s a look at the world’s best business class airlines in the year.
Top 10 Business Class Airlines in 2025
Photo: Qatar Airways1. Qatar Airways (QR/QTR)
Qatar Airways has once again set the benchmark for business class with its celebrated Qsuite. This product feels almost like flying first class, with sliding doors for privacy, spacious seating that converts into a full bed, and even double beds or quad seating for families and groups.
Dining is on demand, with restaurant-style service and a wide choice of freshly prepared dishes from around the world.
The airline’s Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha enhances the experience with elegant spaces, quiet rooms, and fine dining options.
The service is consistently polished but also personal, with the crew attentive and hospitable. With routes stretching across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, Qatar ensures that much of its network is served by the latest and groundbreaking business class product.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Business Class | Photo: Flickr2. Singapore Airlines (SQ/SIA)
Singapore Airlines has always been synonymous with refinement, and its latest business class continues that tradition. The seats, particularly on the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777, are wide and upholstered in leather, converting into fully flat beds with bedding that rivals hotel quality.
What sets Singapore apart is attention to detail, from the Book the Cook programme, allowing passengers to pre-order signature meals, to the curated wine list overseen by master sommeliers.
Changi Airport’s SilverKris Lounges provide an elegant pre-flight experience, offering dining areas, showers, and quiet zones. The service onboard is gracious, blending efficiency with a natural warmth, whereas consistency across flights makes it a popular product around the world.
Photo: All Nippon Airways (via X)3. All Nippon Airways (NH/ANA)
All Nippon Airways has made enormous strides in premium cabins, particularly with its “The Room” business class on newer aircraft. These suites are exceptionally spacious, offering sliding doors, wide seating, and clever design touches that give a distinct sense of calm and privacy.
The dining is equally thoughtful, with multi-course Japanese meals or refined international dishes served on elegant tableware. ANA’s lounges in Tokyo complement the experience with minimalist interiors and a focus on relaxation.
The service is precise, respectful, and quietly attentive. Travellers consistently praise the smoothness of the experience, from boarding through to landing, and those looking for efficiency matched with luxury prefer ANA on their travels through Asia.
Photo: Cathay Pacific4. Cathay Pacific Airways (CX/CPA)
Cathay Pacific remains a firm favourite among business travellers, thanks to its understated elegance and reliable service. The airline’s business class seats, especially on long-haul aircraft, are spacious with direct aisle access, converting into lie-flat beds with quality bedding.
The design emphasises privacy and functionality, with plenty of storage and intuitive controls. Dining leans towards Asian-inspired menus alongside international favourites, often paired with excellent wine selections as well as options specific to each destination.
Cathay’s lounges in Hong Kong, such as The Pier and The Wing, are among the best in the world, offering everything from noodle bars to serene relaxation spaces. Service is discreet yet attentive, striking the balance that premium travellers often credit.
Photo: Air France5. Air France (AF/AFR)
Air France has brought Parisian luxury to the skies with its new generation of business class cabins. Sleek suites with sliding doors, designed in soft tones and stylish finishes, give passengers privacy and comfort.
The lie-flat beds are complemented by plush bedding from French luxury brands. The dining, naturally, is a highlight, and menus are created by Michelin-starred chefs and feature fine wines and Champagne, with service that feels more like a restaurant than an aircraft.
Lounges in Paris and other hubs reflect French elegance, with spa areas and gourmet buffets. The service is polished yet warmly delivered, often with that touch of French flair.
Photo: Hainan Airlines6. Hainan Airlines (HU/CHH)
Hainan Airlines may not be as globally recognised as some of the other names on this list, but it has built a strong reputation for premium service. Business class seats on its long-haul aircraft are spacious, with lie-flat beds, intuitive entertainment systems, and modern amenities.
The dining reflects local culinary traditions alongside Western options, often served with elegance not always expected outside of the big Gulf or Asian carriers. The airline’s lounges in Beijing and other hubs are stylish, with comfortable seating and good food options.
The service is consistently warm and personal, reflecting Hainan’s focus on hospitality. For travellers flying between China, North America, and Europe, Hainan offers a competitive product.
Starlux A350 Business Class | Photo: Starlux Airlines7. STARLUX Airlines (JX/SJX)
One of the newer names in the premium travel world, STARLUX Airlines has quickly established itself as a boutique luxury carrier. Its business class cabins, especially on the Airbus A350s, are beautifully designed with rich finishes, ample privacy, and lie-flat seating.
The atmosphere feels refined yet modern, with thoughtful touches such as quality bedding and amenity kits. The dining is a strong point, with menus crafted by Taiwanese chefs blending Asian flavours with international finesse.
The service is delivered with enthusiasm and genuine care, often praised for its warmth. The lounges in Taipei reflect the same boutique feel, offering stylish spaces for relaxation.
Photo: Japan Airlines 8. Japan Airlines (JL/JAL)
Japan Airlines complements its rival ANA with an equally refined business class offering. The airline’s Sky Suite cabins are well-regarded, with lie-flat beds, direct aisle access, and layouts that balance privacy with comfort.
The attention to detail shines through in the service, with meals that feature carefully prepared Japanese dishes alongside global options. The tableware and presentation feel more like fine dining than airline catering.
Their lounges in Tokyo and Osaka offer clean, minimalist environments with excellent dining options, providing a business class experience that is calm, elegant, and consistently reliable.
Photo: Turkish Airlines9. Turkish Airlines (TK/THY)
Turkish Airlines has long been admired for the quality of its onboard catering, and in business class, this reputation is well deserved. Meals are served by flying chefs, with menus inspired by Turkish and international cuisine, accompanied by excellent wines.
The seats convert into lie-flat beds, with direct aisle access on newer aircraft, and comfort is enhanced by quality bedding and amenity kits. The crown jewel is Istanbul’s enormous business class lounge, offering multiple dining stations, entertainment zones, and quiet areas.
With one of the largest global networks, Turkish Airlines combines excellent food, comfort, and connectivity, making it a top choice for travellers.
Photo: Virgin Atlantic10. Virgin Atlantic (VS/VIR)
Virgin Atlantic’s business class, known as Upper Class, continues to stand out with its stylish and slightly unconventional approach. The newest suites offer privacy doors, lie-flat beds, and high-quality finishes with a modern, trendy aesthetic.
Virgin’s dining experience is lively, with a focus on quality meals served with flair, often accompanied by signature cocktails. The lounges in London and other hubs are among the most fun and unique lounges, with a la carte dining, spa treatments, and a relaxed vibe.
Virgin may not have the scale of some larger carriers, but its Upper Class remains one of the most enjoyable ways to cross the Atlantic and fly into Asia from London.
Photo: SWISSBottom line
The 2025 Skytrax list of the World’s Best Business Class Airlines shows how competitive this segment has become. Airlines are not only focused on comfort and privacy but also on creating experiences that feel memorable.
Business class travellers expect much more than a seat and want a seamless journey that begins in the lounge, continues onboard with dining and personal service, and ends with feeling refreshed at the destination.
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