Best All -Round Airline For Business Class?

[kinkacruiser]

Assuming I'll need to find 6-8K for a seat from Bris (or Sydney) to London, which airlines in your opinion offer the better seating comfort, service, meals and entertainment? Ideally my husband would like a lie-down (or almost lie-down) seat . Is that possible in business?
If possible could you also tell me which type of aircraft (re your preferred business class ailrline) I should look out for?

I keep hearing a lot about Singapore Airlines, so assume it must be one of the 'top shelf' companies.

 

[markis10]

Pretty hard question to answer as most if not all airlines have variances across their fleet for the hard product, and it will depend on what you are paying and what aircraft are operating. For instance out of Brisbane there is no horizontal flat beds with SQ as they use the A330s which has a different product to the 777s or A380s, same with Emirates to DXB, as well as Qantas (which means going via SYD/MEL) for example.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I love the Cathay lie flat J seats - best sleep i have ever had (and it was on a plane nonetheless!)

 

[Jack_OC]

First of all, it’s worth noting that a return business class fare from AUS to London will almost always cost more than $6-8k if you want to go with Qantas, BA or Singapore Airlines. You’d normally be looking at close to $10k per person with those airlines (although sometimes you can get specials).

But the good news is, my favourite airline for business class to Europe is Etihad, and a business class return with them normally costs around $7-8k. The reasons I love Etihad are:

(i) Guaranteed completely lie flat beds on all flights, with every seat in Business having direct access to an aisle. You also have the option of individual (and this very private) seats, or 2 seats beside eachother (great for couples).
(ii) They have a “dine on demand” service, which means you can eat anything on the menu at any time during the flight. I’m not aware of any other airline that provides this option in Business. This is a godsend if you want to sleep at the time when they would otherwise be serving the main meal. I hate having to choose between tiredness or hunger!
(iii) Generally great food and service, and no issues with free flowing alcohol. Plus a nice bonus of free chauffeur transfers to/from the airport.

The only downside travelling with Etihad from Brisbane is that you need to connect twice (in Singapore and Abu Dhabi), but you can fly direct from SYD or MEL to Abu Dhabi if you see that as a problem.

Singapore Airlines business is also awesome though, if you don’t mind paying a bit more, and if you are not bothered about the dine on demand service or chauffeur.

Another cheaper, but still pretty good, option is Malaysia Airlines. Definitely not in the same league as Etihad or Singapore, but you can often get return Business fares to Europe with them for less than $6k. If you do that though, just be careful to avoid the code shares with KLM (as I believe it’s pretty bad!). I’ve also gone with Air France, which was pretty good and can often be quite cheap (and you go with Qantas as far as Singapore or Hong Kong), but if you specifically want to go to London a downside is that you’d have another connection after arriving in Paris.

 

[drewbles]

I love the Cathay lie flat J seats - best sleep i have ever had (and it was on a plane nonetheless!)

Without a doubt, the best J in the sky currently. The new CX J seats are brilliant. Direct aisle access for everyone, and not the old coffin style (and plenty of shoulder room, you don't need to be a 5'2" Asian businessman to fid in it!).

 

[BensAdventures]

Without a doubt, the best J in the sky currently. The new CX J seats are brilliant. Direct aisle access for everyone, and not the old coffin style (and plenty of shoulder room, you don't need to be a 5'2" Asian businessman to fid in it!).

Agree! The new CX J is fantastic! I've always liked the Cathay service too!

 

[SQ421]

Another vote for CX-J

 

[knasty]

Just got off Cathay J this morning, and +1 from me. had a connecting flight to HK in old-style coffin seating and there's a world of difference so this only applies to new style. My view of Singapore's seat is it's great as a bed but not as comfortable as Cathay's in the seated position.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Got off CX CDG-HKG in new J just yesterday. Seat is great, comfortable and I was able to sleep which is rare for me. I wasn't impressed with the food selection however. I mean, it was edible but not as good as most QF J or F meals. Just beware that new J is not installed on the CX A340s.

I'm doing QF to HKG and AF on to CDG later this year - it was on sale for $5.5k from AF until recently. Their J is slightly angled but reports are that it is pretty good, and better than a QF skybed MK I which is offered on many routes.

 

[scaredeycat]

Best J experience I've had is with Qatar. Excellent service. Better food than QF. Very attractive prices at the moment.
QF J service can be very good, but sometimes disappointing. QF do have the A380, which is my preferred mode of transport. Haven't sampled SQ, EK or EY. CX commands a premium price. BA have very ordinary food and I'm not keen on seats that face backwards.

 

[BensAdventures]

Best J experience I've had is with Qatar. Excellent service. Better food than QF. Very attractive prices at the moment.
QF J service can be very good, but sometimes disappointing. QF do have the A380, which is my preferred mode of transport. Haven't sampled SQ, EK or EY. CX commands a premium price. BA have very ordinary food and I'm not keen on seats that face backwards.

I do hate the seated backwards position on BA! Good seat selection is vital on all BA J flights!

 

[JohnPhelan]

I do hate the seated backwards position on BA! Good seat selection is vital on all BA J flights!

I love the backwards seats on BA - especially upstairs on the 744. Much prefer the privacy of the BA J seats over the more traditional arrangements a la QF.

 

[chieflacho]

I love the backwards seats on BA - especially upstairs on the 744. Much prefer the privacy of the BA J seats over the more traditional arrangements a la QF.

Having just completed SYD-LHR in QF J & F on the A380 it is hard to fault.

Return leg was Cathay in J FCO-HKG-SYD. First leg was the old coffin style but HKG-SYD in the new J with wife. Amazing new seats which can move forward for conversation with companion and back for privacy and sleeping.

I am 6ft 4 and it was extremely comfortable and had my best sleep ever on a plane.

 

[Blinky]

Another vote for Etihad. I thought the food and wine selections were excellent.

 

[malmacdowall]

Have to vote #1 EK, #2SQ, #3 Etihad...

 

[pauly7]

QF and SQ for best.

Etihad have possibly the worst catering I've ever had in J. Avoid them.

 

[LiamPG]

Etihad wins my vote as long as it is the newer J seat. Food on demand is restaurant quality so don't fill up in lounge before flight. Great wine list. As with all service it depends on the crew dynamic on the day ranging from professional to warm to cold.
The seat is very comfortable in seated and bed format for the 14 hr Australia - AUH leg. The chauffeur is without a doubt handy , particularly after landing in UK

Singapore J is consistent but lacks the handy extras offered by Etihad. Transfers have been painless and speedy for me at Changi. The seat is large but you have to get out of it to flip bed over.

I shall be trying Qatar J class on my next trip

 

[BorisWood]

My wife and I regularly fly J class with Japan Airlines and love it. Seats (Shell flat) SYD to NRT are not the best on the market for me at 6'3" but the service and food is exceptional. Seats to USA (Shell flat NEO) are very good and they have upgraded cabins to LHR - we will be trying this in September. A major advantage for us is the timing of flights. You leave SYD in the morning arriving at NRT around 5 PM. You get a free night with dinner and breakfast at Hotel Nikko Narita and then fly on to Europe or North America next day. Recent prices to LHR and CDG were around $6,000. We are about to go to Chicago with JAL for around $7,000 return. Another advantage for us flying from Melbourne is going J class with Qantas to Sydney and, this time, getting a free night at the airport. I almost forgot to mention that a trip to LHR or CDG from MEL will give you 680 QF status credits, enough to retain Gold in one trip or Platinum in 2 trips. The only downside for some people is the time it takes - for us overnight in Sydney and Narita. Travelling only for leisure, for us it is a definite advantage.

 

[smit0847]

Cx
sq
qr


........

 

[browski]

I know they only fly ex-SYD, but Asiana should probably be on the shortlist with EK, EY, QR and CX.