Here are my thoughts on four different airline business classes.
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I have flown on four different airline business classes since September.
These include on Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Japan’s All Nippon Airways, and France’s La Compagnie.
One is my favorite thanks to its cocooned privacy, while one had some inconvenient shortfalls.
Over the past year, I have flown in four different business class products. These include Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner from New York to Auckland…
Air New Zealand 787.
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…Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A350 on the world’s longest flight from Singapore to New York…
Singapore Airlines A350-900.
KITTIKUN YOKSAP/Shutterstock
…French boutique carrier La Compagnie’s Airbus A321neo between Paris and New Jersey…
The airline flew out of Paris-Orly and to New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport.
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…and most recently on Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways in “The Room” business class seat on its Boeing 777-300ER from New York to Tokyo.
All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER.
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All of these products were enjoyable for the long-haul treks, but they were all very different. Here’s how the products compare.
Flying on La Compagnie in February.
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I’ll start with the best out of the four — “The Room” on ANA, Japan’s largest airline.
ANA’s “The Room” business class seat.
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I flew the product for 14 hours between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport in March and absolutely loved the privacy.
The Boeing 777-300ER at the gate in Tokyo.
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The couch-like seat came with a full sliding door, which could fully cocoon the space.
The door fully enclosed.
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There was also a button that opened it just half way.
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This is the main feature that set “The Room” apart from Singapore’s A350 business class seat — everything else was pretty much the same.
Singapore Airlines’ A350 business class seat.
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I loved the food on both. I had Japanese cuisine on ANA and a Western meal on Singapore with minimal complaints.
Singapore’s dinner (top) versus ANA’s dinner (bottom). ANA’s Japanese meal definitely has an acquired taste. If you don’t like fish, I’d recommend the carrier’s western meal option.
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Moreover, both had huge beds complete with thick pillows and blankets.
Me laying on Singapore’s bed.
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Each bed was much wider than the skinnier ones seen on carriers like Delta, American, and United, so I had plenty of room to spread out. I could sleep on my side, back, or my stomach comfortably.
ANA’s bed (pictured) was so big, I could fit myself, two pillows, my purse, and my water bottle on it.
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I also appreciated the plethora of other amenities available, including several storage options…
Singapore’s storage (left) versus ANA’s storage (right). Both had cubby’s, shelves, and tabletop space.
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…huge televisions with a handheld remote…
The ANA TV (bottom) was 24 inches — six inches bigger than Singapore’s (remote pictured on top).
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…and plenty of power ports.
Both airlines had a universal power outlet and USB ports.
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While Insider paid a media rate for the flights, I would definitely recommend both. I do like ANA’s business class better simply for the privacy door, but neither will disappoint.
The closed doors on ANA (pictured) created a cocoon for travelers.
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In addition to the two Asian carriers, I also experienced Air New Zealand’s business class, and there were a lot of things I liked about the product.
Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the Air New Zealand flight from New York to Auckland.
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This includes the food…
Air New Zealand’s meals: Caviar in top left | lamb and potatoes in top right | cannoli, fruit, and pastry in bottom left | potatoes and bacon in bottom right. Bread with butter and oil was also served, along with wine, beer, and other non-alcoholic drinks.
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…the comfortable lie-flat bed…
The bed was skinnier than the ones on ANA and Singapore — it is more in line with Delta, United, and American.
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…and the footrest. I was able to sleep during the flight and I felt rested upon landing in Auckland.
The footrest also doubled as an ottoman for other passengers to sit and chat.
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Moreover, I’ll give props to Air New Zealand for its on-demand ordering. I could use the TV to request snacks and drinks whenever I wanted and have them delivered to my seat.
The on-demand snack options.
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While I overall enjoyed the seat, it has its shortfalls compared to ANA and Singapore. For example, the flight attendant had to manually set up the bed for me.
The flight attendant setting up the bed.
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Granted, Singapore’s bed has a handle on the back of it rather than a button for lie-flat mode, but it’s easier for a passenger to use because it’s basically the same as lying a car seat flat.
ANA’s bed adjusts using buttons.
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Another issue with the bed is it doesn’t have as much privacy. The cabin is configured in a 1x1x1 layout, so the middle section and the right side of the plane can easily see each other across the aisle.
My view when I was laying down.
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The left side, on the other hand, has better privacy. I’d opt for one of these seats if I flew the carrier again.
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But, the angled configuration also means the seats are facing away from the window, so it was really difficult to enjoy the view.
The seats faced away from the windows.
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My only other issue was that the television was pretty small, and I had to stow it for takeoff and landing.
The TV is only 12.1 inches, so it is much smaller than the 18-inch screen on Singapore and 24-inch monitor on ANA.
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However, it appears the carrier is aware of some of the critiques and has created a new business class to fit onto its Dreamliners.
An Air New Zealand Boeing 787 in Auckland.
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Starting in 2024, the new and improved Business Premier seat will address some of the problems with the current product, like installing a bigger TV…
A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ’s cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.
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…adding a half-sliding panel for more privacy…
They will also have more storage.
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…and allowing the bed to convert into lie-flat mode at the touch of a button.
The layout will be 1x2x1, meaning the seats are less angled.
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The company is also adding a Business Premier Luxe seat that will have a full sliding door…
A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ’s cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.
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…and space for a second person, who can join during the flight for dining or a business meeting. This is similar to other carriers like JetBlue Airways’ Mint Studio and Virgin Atlantic Airways’ Retreat Suite.
A mockup of the new Business Premier seat in Auckland at ANZ’s cabin innovation center, Hangar 22.
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After seeing the future product in person, I’m looking forward to Air New Zealand’s new business class.
The author flying Air New Zealand in business class in September 2022 on the inaugural nonstop flight from New York to Auckland.
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Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the Boeing 787 business class flight from New York to Auckland in September.
The fourth airline premium seat I flew this year was on La Compagnie, a French boutique carrier flying Airbus A321neos between Paris, Nice, and Milan, and the US.
The Paris and Milan’s routes are year-round, but Nice is seasonal.
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But, La Compagnie is not your average airline. Instead of a mixed cabin, the company has configured its narrowbody planes with 76 business class seats…
La Compagnie is the world’s only all-business class airline.
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…making it the world’s only all-business class carrier. Other airlines like Qatar Airways and British Airways have tried operating select planes with an all-business configuration, but have since retired them.
La Compagnie’s all-business class seating.
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Overall, I really enjoyed the product, which came with all the bells and whistles of business, including a huge TV, a lie-flat bed, plenty of space, and charging ports.
Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the La Compagnie flight from Paris to Newark.
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Disclaimer: Insider paid a media rate for the business class flight from Paris Orly to Newark in February.
I also really enjoyed the food, which is a specialty of La Compagnie. The carrier partners with world-renowned chefs to bring unique meals onboard.
La Compagnie’s meals: Cheese and pastry (top left) | pastries and pudding (top right) | scallop and rice dish (bottom left) | salmon salad (bottom right).
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Source: La Compagnie
However, my biggest gripe was that because the cabin is in a 2×2 layout, the window seats do not have direct aisle access.
The exit row on a La Compagnie A321neo.
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This can be annoying for solo travelers as they’d have to crawl over the stranger sleeping next to them. But, I don’t find it a big deal if traveling with friends or family.
At 5’3″, had a lot of leg room on La Compagnie.
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My only other minor issue with La Compagnie was the minimal storage space — one more shelf or cubby would’ve been perfect.
The nook to the left of my lounger was small, but enough space for a water bottle and the amenity kit. There was also a narrow shelf under the television and a small pocket below the armrest.
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While the French carrier is difficult to compare to ANA or Singapore because the Asian carriers’ cabins are simply in another league, I think it’s comparable to Air New Zealand.
A La Compagnie Airbus A321neo.
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Some people may actually like La Compagnie’s style of business class better — which is similar to United’s Polaris or Delta One — though the lack of direct-aisle access could be a dealbreaker.
The Air New Zealand business class seat (left) versus the La Compagnie business class seat (right).
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But, I think the boutique airline’s level of comfort, convenience, and delicious food is perfect for the price, with roundtrip fares starting around $2,500, but can be higher.
I am continuously impressed by most airlines business class meals, but the truffle-topped scallops on La Compagnie was easily one of the best inflight dishes I’ve ever had.
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