If you’re a business traveler, you’ve likely had the experience of paying a lot for a business class ticket and then getting stuck on a flight where the amenities really don’t live up to your expectations.
Which is why we thought it was high time to do an in-depth ranking of the best U.S. airlines for business class in-flight amenities. We used our extensive experience traveling and flying on dozens of airlines each year, as well as our knowledge of which carriers offer certain amenities in business class.
We also consulted our guide to flying in business class — which includes tips on how to score upgrades, find cheaper fares, figure out which seats are the best, get lounge access for cheap or free, and other useful info — to help further inform this ranking. Keep reading so you can be better prepared the next time you book yourself into the pointy end of the plane:
A new report reveals the best airlines to fly with in terms of business class in-flight amenities. The results are based on an analysis of more than 100,000 reviews from over 170 different airlines.
TripAdvisor’s second annual Airline Review Index for Business Class ranked Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways as three of the top airlines to fly with. All three Middle Eastern airlines scored 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars in the study.
Other notable airlines that made the top 10 include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, ANA All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines.
Airlines are competing to offer the best business class amenities, and this is a good thing for travelers. JetBlue has joined the fray with its new Mint Business Class. Mint flies from JFK to San Francisco and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to Barbados, Aruba, and other destinations in 2016. Onboard, you’ll find lie-flat seats that convert into beds, plenty of legroom, power outlets, a cocktail table (the perfect place to work), and a 15-inch touch-screen TV.
It’s also a good thing for airlines because business travelers are willing to pay more money for better service. And it’s not just business travelers who benefit: every airline passenger enjoys higher standards when airlines compete.
The chart below compares the amenities offered by some of the best U.S. airlines for business class perks:
If you are going to fly business class, you should get what you pay for. From tasty meals to seat comfort, airlines have always competed for their customers’ business by offering all kinds of different amenities. However, not all airlines are created equal in terms of value and quality. Business travelers may be in for a bit of a surprise when flying economy class with some major airlines, as amenities may not be as advertised or as plentiful. So which airlines have the best business class in-flight amenities?
1. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is one of those carriers that has an excellent reputation among travelers worldwide, great food and excellent customer service, but they also offer wonderful amenities that make flying first or business a little more comfortable. Besides the more than 30 channels of live television on demand and fax machines available on their A340-500 aircraft (available on flights from Los Angeles to Singapore), passengers flying in business class on the Airbus A380 enjoy flat beds and massage functions, as well as noise-canceling headphones and personal LCD screens featuring over 300 movies, TV programs and audio selections. They also have a mini bar in each suite.
2. Etihad Airways
This Abu Dhabi-based carrier offers travelers flying in first or business class the ability to experience shower
The top 5 airlines for in-flight amenities are:
-Delta Airlines
-American Airlines
-United Airlines
-Alaska Airlines
-JetBlue Airways
Flying business class has its perks: the food is better, the seats are more comfortable and there’s often a separate lounge for business class passengers to relax in before their flight. But we all know it’s the little things that really make the biggest impression; here’s what you can expect from each carrier when flying business class on domestic flights within the United States.
American Airlines
Inflight Amenities: noise-canceling headphones with a microfiber travel case, an amenity kit with earplugs, lip balm and other essentials, a blanket and pillow, an office kit with a pen, pad of paper and international electrical adapters. The kit also contains a personal care amenity kit that includes products like mouthwash and shoehorns (yep, they think of everything). There is also an amenity kit for female travelers that contains items such as face wipes, moisturizer, mouthwash and more.
I recently had the opportunity to fly American Airlines business class from Dallas (DFW) to London (LHR). I was very impressed with the entire experience and thought that I would share my thoughts on why American Airlines business class is one of the best in the world.
American Airlines has recently gone through a business class cabin refresh and they now offer fully lie-flat beds in business class on all international flights, which is a huge win for business travelers like myself. On top of that, American Airlines also offers one of the best inflight entertainment systems in the world.
When flying in American Airlines business class, you will get a free amenity kit filled with toiletries that are very similar to what Delta Air Lines hands out. The only difference is that I think the Delta kits are slightly nicer than what you get on American.
The food and beverage service is another aspect that sets American apart from other airlines. The food alone is enough reason to fly with them because it is some of the best airline food I have ever had
I could go on and on about how great American Airlines business class really is, but then again it really depends on your needs as a traveler. If you want great food and luxurious amenities then American Airlines is for you.
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