Lifestyle | 20 December 2024

Best business class cabins – recommended by Trailfinders 

Trailfinders, curators of exclusive personalised luxury travel, and our THANK YOU FROM COUTTS partner, have selected some of the best business class cabins in the sky. 

High end passengers are more spoilt for choice than ever as airlines invest heavily in new and innovative business class cabins. Ticket sales of business and first class seats make up the lion’s share of most airlines profits, so it’s little wonder that airlines are seeking to outdo each other when it comes to delivering ever greater luxuries, refined service and world-beating onboard amenities. With features such as private suites, restaurant-quality dining, plush bedding and even onboard bars, turning left has never been such a treat.

To enjoy these amazing flight experiences and more, THANK YOU FROM COUTTS members can now redeem their Crowns for a range of Trailfinders Gift Cards – from £100 to £5,000 – to use against any of their services.

  • Emirates – Business Class

    Often considered among the best in the sky, Emirates business class looks and feels luxurious with gold and wood finishes finessing the cabin. All seats are equipped with a control panel to recline to a lie-flat bed, while each seat on the A380 also features a well-stocked private minibar and plenty of storage space. Emirates’ A380 flagships also have an onboard bar where you can relax on comfortable leather seating socialising with other passengers and enjoying snacks, sandwiches and cakes. Another highlight of flying Emirates is the incredible onboard entertainment system with up to 6,500 channels of the latest movies, boxsets, music and games. 

    Trailfinders top tip: at nearly 70 destinations Emirates offers a complimentary chauffeur service to pick you up at your home or hotel, whisk you to the airport and also drop off at your final destination once you’ve landed. Your Trailfinders Travel Consultant will be happy to book this for you.

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  • Singapore Airlines – Business Class

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    Singapore Airlines is well known for delivering superb service and is rightly one of the most accoladed airlines in the world. All seats are semi-enclosed suites with lie-flat beds, while their onboard dining has received widespread acclaim with meals served on fine porcelain and complemented by carefully paired wines and champagnes.

    Trailfinders top tip: Pre-order your business class meal using Singapore Airlines ‘Book the Cook’. There are a huge range of options to choose from with menu choices from around the world.

  • Virgin Atlantic Upper Class

    To help maintain its cool and innovative image, Virgin Atlantic has recently introduced a brand new stylish ‘Upper Class’ cabin onboard its A350 and A330-Neo aircraft. Also known as Upper Class Suites, all seats are forward facing and offer direct aisle access. There are retractable privacy screens and the seat has a motorised recline function so you can adjust the recline to any angle. As a nod to the fun and social side of the airline, Virgin Atlantic has added the ‘Loft’ or ‘Retreat’ social spaces where passengers can relax with a drink in the company of friends and fellow passengers.

    Travellers flying in Upper Class can also experience the acclaimed Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, recognised as among the best in the world and providing flyers with showers, a full a la carte menu, a huge bar area and even Peleton bikes and a pool table. 

    Trailfinders top tip: If flying on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class from Heathrow airport, make sure you are dropped off at the Virgin Upper Class Wing – a private airport experience where you will be personally greeted before your baggage is processed and you’re speeded through a VIP security channel straight into the Clubhouse.

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  • Qatar Airways – Q Suite

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    Qatar Airways launched its Q Suite in 2017 to widespread acclaim, and it remains one of the most highly regarded business class cabins today. Now available on Qatar Airways’ A350s and Boeing 777s, every seat suite features a sliding privacy door and direct aisle access, offering the utmost in privacy and comfort. Be assured of a great night’s sleep with comfortable lie flat beds, quilted mattresses and plush duvets.

    Qatar Airways operates dedicated lounges worldwide, but the massive Al Mourjan lounge in Doha is truly memorable. At 10,000 square meters – ten times the size of an Olympic swimming pool — the lounge is one of the largest and most lavish in the world. 

    TF top tip: If you are travelling together as a couple, book the centre seats which can be combined to become a double bed.

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    Coutts Travel Protection has been rated 5-star by Defaqto since 2016.

    Coutts Travel Protection is available to Coutts private current account holders for £400 per year, charged quarterly in arrears. We will waive the fee if the average value of the combined assets and liabilities that you hold in sole and joint accounts or within a Fee Family is in excess of £1m. Coutts Travel Protection includes Travel and Loss Damage Waiver Insurance which is underwritten by AWP P&C SA.

  • Etihad – Business Studios

    Etihad’s Dreamliner aircraft and Airbus A380s are equipped with Etihad Business’ cutting edge ‘Studio Seats’. These seats, as you would expect, convert to become spacious lie-flat beds and come complete with Armani / Casa designed tableware, soft furnishings, bedding and Acqua di Parma amenity kits. Each studio also features a huge 18.5 inch entertainment screen. Couples travelling together can request the middle seats – also known as the ‘honeymoon seats’ where the partition can be lowered so couples can dine together. 

    Etihad offers 'on demand' dining from an a la carte menu, allowing you can order what you want, when you want. Another feature of the A380 is the onboard bar and lounge area, known as ‘The Lobby’, where you can order refreshments, watch sport or socialise.

    Etihad flights now use the brand-new Terminal A at Abu Dhabi Airport. This features a new business class lounge with amenities such as multiple dining areas, a large bar, relaxation area, showers and much more. 

    Trailfinders top tip: When available, be sure to try the mezze onboard which includes a delicious assortment of hot and cold Arabic appetisers.

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  • United – Polaris

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    Polaris is United’s flagship business class cabin, which has now been fitted to most of its long-haul fleet. The Polaris experience begins at the airport, where United operates its dedicated lounges. These include the renowned Polaris Lounges which are more like 5-star hotels and feature spa-like showers, day beds, buffets, a-la carte dining, and bars serving a huge variety of drinks and premium cocktails. 

    Onboard, you can be assured that all lie-flat seats guarantee aisle access as well as additional amenities such as Saks Fifth Avenue sleep sets, branded amenity kits and a ‘chef-designed, multi-course inflight dining experience’. 

    Trailfinders top tip: Book at least six months ahead for some of the very cheapest United Airlines Business Class fares.

Learn more about the Trailfinders Gift Cards available to redeem with your Crowns by logging into our digital services and clicking on your Crown balance on your home screen. Alternatively, please call us on 020 7309 0045 and we’ll be happy to help.

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