Posted on Tuesday, 23 August 2016

Ah, business class. It's arguably the one thing that can make a long-haul flight actually pleasant. And, unless you're the business owner, you won't even have to pay for it!

But if your firm is going to splash out all the cash on your business class seat, or perhaps try and impress a visiting associate or would-be business partner, you need to know which airline offers the best service.

According to the World Airline Awardshttps://www.worldairlineawards.com/ from Skytrax, the best Business Class products for 2016 are as follows:

World's Best Business Class Airlines

1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Etihad Airways

4. Emirates

5. Cathay Pacific

6. ANA All Nippon Airways

7. EVA Air

8. Turkish Airlines

9. Air France

10. Lufthansa

This is quite a coup for Asian airlines, which occupy four of the top 10 slots. But Middle Eastern carriers dominate the top five, with three airlines.

Turkish Airlines, which arguably hails from both Europe and the Middle East, takes eighth position, ahead of the only two European carriers, Air France and Lufthansa.

No US airlines made it on to this list. There are also no British airlines – despite the fact that British Airways pioneered the first fully-flat bed.

But of course, opinions can differ a great deal.

How to Choose Your Business Class Product

There are no shortage of reviews and opinion pieces about Business Class. Most focus on the seat, since this is the place you will spend most of your time. If you're new to Business Class, it's good to become familiar with the different kinds of seat available.

Recliner

These seats recline by a certain degree and if they are used in Business Class (which isn't very often) they are usually fitted with a foot rest.

Angled flat

Pioneered by Singapore Airlines, these beds are almost flat, but not quite. The rear section angles backwards but remains slightly elevated.

Flat bed

As mentioned before, these were first introduced by British Airways. Now, many carriers use flat beds – offering a sleeping experience most similar to a real bed on terra firma.

Layout

The layout of the seats is also important. Some layouts mean you may have to clamber over the person next to you to reach the aisle.

Privacy

Many business class seats are arranged in the four-across layout. These allow aisle access for every seat, with two sets in the centre row and one by each window. One newer seat arrangement, introduced by Virgin Atlantic, is the herringbone. Here, the seats are angled in a four-across arrangement, but offer little privacy. The reverse herringbone offers more privacy.

Bar?

OK, it's not all about the seat. Some flights even have a bar – such as Emirates' A380 jets (pictured above).

The Most Essential Product for Your Next Business Trip?

Getting some high quality sleep is essential if you want to feel refreshed for a business meeting at the other end of your flight. But making sure you have adequate insurance is also crucial.

Here at starttravel.co.uk we offer comprehensive travel insurance, to which Business Cover can be added for just a few pounds extra. The Perfect Accompaniment to a Business Class Seat

Find out about Business Cover from starttravel.co.uk now

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