1. Etihad Airways
Where? Etihad Airlines is the national Airline of Abu Dhabi, and has destinations in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, The Americas and The Middle East.
What? The fleet includes A319-100, A320-200, A321-200, A339-200, A330-300, A340-500, A340-600, A380, B777-200LR, B787-9, B777-300ER, B777-300ER.
The Seats There are three business class options to choose from when flying with Etihad. The first, and most luxurious, is a business studio. The studio has direct aisle access, storage and mood lighting. The seat converts in to a fully flat bed of 80.5 inches. Long haul flights are equipped with mattresses and complimentary loungewear.
The business flatbed is a seat that stretches in to a fully flat bed, with direct aisle access. The bed has full-size comforters, pillows, an adjustable headrest and lumbar support. The business seat is a reclining comfortable chair, with ample legroom, adjustable headrest, footrest and lumbar support.
The Experience With Etihad flights, the experience begins before your departure. The complimentary chauffeur driver will take you from your door to the terminal, where you will pass through a premium check in and then use the business class lounge. In the lounge you can enjoy all-day dining or unwind in the spa. Once on board, you have either a personal 18-inch touch screen TV (business studio), 15.4-inch TV (business flatbed) or 10.16-inch TV (business seat) with over 750 hours of the newest movies, old classics and games. You will also have mobile phone and Internet access. To keep you fresh on board, you are given an amenity kit containing hand lotion, lip balm, dental kit, socks and earplugs. The on board dining is a great experience, with any-time dining, an onboard food and duty manager to help you pair your meal with wines from the boutique wine list and elegant full-sized dining ware. Once back on the ground, you can take a shower while the airline steams your clothes back to perfection.
How much? A one-way business class flight between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, Australia, can cost anywhere between $5,200 USD and $6,500 USD. A return of the same route can cost between $7,200 USD and $1000 USD.
Why we fly with Etihad? Flying business class with Etihad is a truly luxurious experience. The luxury that you pay for is not only on board your flight, but extends beyond the tarmac with your door to door chauffeur driven service, spa facilities, complimentary dining in the business lounge and all the extras to help you feel refreshed after your long haul flight.
2. Qantas Airways
Where? The Australian airline Qantas flies to many destinations. These destinations are: Australia, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, South Pacific and NZ and the USA.
What? The Qantas fleet consists of Boeing 747-400, Airbus A380, Airbus A330-300 and Q-400.
The Seats International travellers can enjoy relaxing in an award winning Skybed. The Skybed has in-seat massage options; reading lights and converts in to a two-meter fully flat bed. The sleep service includes a mattress, duvet and turndown service. Domestic travellers can also enjoy the Skybed on selected flights. If they are on the aircraft without the Skybed they are seated in a leather seat, with a comfortable recline, wide seat back and extendable leg support. Pillows and blankets are also offered. For those Trans-Tasman seats on flights from Sydney to Auckland you will be enjoying a comfortable seat, with leg rest, footrest, headrest and wide seat back. Pillow and blankets offered.
The Experience International travellers will be picked up at their door and delivered to the airport with the complimentary chauffeur service, whereas domestic and Trans-Tasman travellers can drive themselves to their airport and take advantage of Qantas Valet Parking. Then, relax in the business lounge, equipped with workstations and Internet access, LCD televisions and showers. Seasonal menus are available to purchase, and are designed by Neil Perry. There are complimentary snacks, drinks, and a Barista. Once on board, dine on Neil Perry small and large plates, paired with wine and champagne- you can chat to the Sommelier in the Sky about your choices. Meals are served on Marc Newson tableware. Entertainment includes hundreds of movie, TV and radio stations, in seat power for your laptop and USB ports.
International passengers will receive a complimentary amenity kit or ASPAR by Aurora Spa products, designed by Kate Spade. Upon arriving at their destination, their complimentary chauffer service will be waiting for them.
How much? A one-way flight from Sydney to LAX will cost between $6,300 USD and $8,200 USD. The same flight as a return will cost between $9,300 USD and $10,500 USD.
Why we fly with Qantas? Flying with Qantas would not feel like flying at all. With the specially designed menu and range of fine wines you will feel like you are at a high-class restaurant. On top of that, there is the added benefit of knowing you will have a relaxing journey from start to finish when travelling internationally, with the chauffeur service and brilliant lounges.
3. Oman Air
Where? Oman Air is another luxurious UAE airline, flying to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
What? The fleet contains Airbus A330-300, Airbus A330-200, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-700, Embraer 175 and ATR 42-500
The Seats The business class seats on board Oman Air are unparalleled by any other airline. With a length of 77.5-inches and width of 22-inches these seats recline to a fully flat bed. They have an electrically controlled backrest/seat bottom and leg rest. There is a one piece meal table, a cocktail table, a headset compartment, life vest compartment, buddy seat, coat hook, reading light, USB plugs and Ethernet plugs.
The Experience Oman is another airline that offers a complimentary door-to-door chauffeur service, at both pick-up and drop-off. The business lounges differ at different airports, yet they all provide complimentary food, business centers, free Wi-Fi and a complimentary massage. You will be fully entertained on board with the 17-inch television monitor in front of your seat, and the SMS and in-flight call services. As for dining, it begins with a premium caviar service, and continues with a range of modern and traditional fine dining and Arabic signature dishes. Award winning wines and champagnes are selected to compliment the meals, and everything is served in quality chinaware or glassware. To keep you comfortable, you will be given luxury and bespoke comfort items for your flight.
How much? A one-way flight from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow can cost between $2,200 USD and $4,300 USD. A return can cost between $2,200 USD and $4,900 USD.
Why we fly with Oman? If you are looking for the ultimate in comfort then Oman is the airline to fly with. Their seats are the best in the world, and will guarantee that you have a good night’s sleep aboard the aircraft.
4. Singapore Airlines
Where? Singapore Airlines flies to over 60 cities in over 30 countries around the world. They cover Australasia, The Americas, South Africa and Europe.
What? The modern fleet consists of Airbus A330-300, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 777-300ER.
The Seats The long haul business class seats flip down into a 30-inch wide fully flat bed, 78 inches in length. It also has improved bed padding, light duvet, pillows and a cushioned headboard. There is ample storage.
The medium-short haul flights have an 8-degree incline inclined-flat seat, with adjustable headrest and lumbar support. Stowage areas are in easy reach.
The Experience The Krisworld inflight entertainment system has over 1000 on-demand options of movies, TV shows, music CDS and 3D games, shown on a 15.4-inch wide LCD screen. There are in-seat power supplies for your laptop and USB ports. Both long haul and other flights can choose to ‘book the cook’- this is a premium advance meal service. There are over 60 gourmet international dishes, created by the International Culinary Panel- which includes chefs such as Suzanne Goin. On board the long-haul flights you can dine on a menu created by the International Culinary Panel served on Givenchy designer tableware. Wash down your meals with Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne. The worldwide SilverKris airport lounges are the perfect place to relax, with productivity pods, food and beverages at every airport lounge. The Singapore SilverKris lounge also includes showers and a TV area.
How Much? A one-way flight from Sydney, Australia to LAX will cost around $5000 USD. A return will cost around $7,900 USD.
Why fly with Singapore Airlines? The Singapore Airlines experience is all about the food. There is not much in terms of extra service as we have seen with the other flights, however, if you want to truly experience some fine dining on your flight, then this is the airline to choose.
5. Virgin Atlantic
Where? Virgin Atlantic flies worldwide, covering UK and Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
What? Richard Branson’s airline uses a fleet of Boeing 777s, which underwent an overhaul and re-fit. 125 project staff worked over 95,000 hours fitting over 32,000 new parts.
The Seats The leather seats transform for 22-inch wide seats to 33-inch wide, 6-foot-6-inch long, totally flat beds at the touch of a button. If you need to work then there is a power point, table and laptop storage in every suite. Each business class suite has aisle access and a friend or colleague chair, so you can have your business meeting in the sky.
The Experience Arrive in style at the airport with the chauffeur driven car service at both ends of the journey. Upon arrival at the airport you will be delivered to the upper-class check in or upper-class wing, where you can visit the spa for a facial, enjoy a drink at the cocktail bar or indulge at the Grey Goose loft. If you need to maximise time then you don’t even have to leave the car with ‘Drive Thru Check In’ before going straight through the private security channel to the boarding gate. When you board the plane you will be given a welcome glass of Lanson Black Label champagne, served in a glamorous coupe glass. The new dining service includes new table setting, new crockery and a graze menu. There is a whole range of culinary options, including afternoon tea and cakes. If you would like a drink then relax at the futuristic new on board bar, separate from the cabin and with great spaces to relax and socialise. However, if you prefer to relax in your seat then enjoy choosing from a selection of hundreds of entertainment options or use your own phone, tablet or USB and view the content on your in flight screen.
How Much? A one-way flight from Sydney, Australia to LAX will cost around $970 USD,
Why fly with Virgin Atlantic?
Sir Richard Branson is determined on providing a rockstar service with his airlines and hotels, and that is exactly what you will receive when you fly business class (or Upper Class) with Virgin Atlantic. What could make you feel like more of a rockstar than a drive-through check in, before drinking at a Grey Goose bar then enjoying Lanson Black Label from a Coupe?