There are a lot of choices for business class in commercial aviation today. However, some truly stand out above the competition. Some boast class-leading service quality, luxurious cabin seating, or unique inflight amenities. The top names in the business are in a race to the top, staking their airline’s success on a brand name renowned for quality and luxury.
In this review, we will go down the list of five of the finest business class flying options in the world. Not only that, these select few airlines fly the colossal Airbus A380. The unrivaled size of the “Super Jumbo” makes it possible for incredibly opulent cabin spaces to be crafted inside its fuselage walls. So, without any further ado, the five fly outfits we will explore are: British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
British Airways
Club World
The business class treatment starts with expedited check-in and bag drop service as well as lounge access to pass the time before boarding. The 
British Airways lounges offer a buffet service to satiate pre-flight nibbles before embarking on the upper deck jet bridge, one of the three that are used to board the A380. Once the cabin is seated, business class is greeted with warm towels and a welcome drink to settle in.
The business class cabin is on the upper deck of the giant A380 flown by BA and laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration. The seats face forward and rearward in alternation for privacy, which comes with one downside: the flight attendants occasionally need to reach over aisle-side seats to assist window-seat occupants during meal service, etc.
BA provides bedding made by the White Company with a quilt that is comforting for long voyages, according to Wander Up Front. The seating offers a lie-flat recline for sleeping and flight attendants will make wake-up calls on request, as Business Traveller reported. The lavatories are very large, which makes them an easy and convenient changing booth.
BA was the first carrier to offer a lie-flat bed in business class when it debuted the Club World cabin product in 2000. The Club Suite is being rolled out through progressive overhauls of the BA fleet to update the business class cabins, which are starting to be a bit outdated by comparison to competitors. Delivering attentive service, fine dining, drinks, and quality amenities makes business class on a BA A380 one at the top of the charts.
Emirates
At-Seat Minibar
Emirates is a name that is synonymous with luxury air travel. The business class airfare doesn’t include the famed shower suite available for first class, but it does come with a minibar, lie-flat sleeper, a large private pod, and an invitation to the onboard lounge for a social break. You can even view the menu and preorder your inflight meals up to two weeks before your departure.
Welcome drinks and hot towels are complimentary for business class flyers after taking their seats. Arranged in a 1-2-1 floor plan on the upper deck of the A380, Emirates has “honeymoon” seats for couples traveling together to share the center row as a personal bubble. Alternatively, there is a retractable divider wall to separate the center seats as well as the Aviator covered in a trip report.
The inflight meal and drink menus incorporate local dishes depending on the flight routes and the bar is open for business shortly after take off and stays running until just before landing. Amenity kits are more limited in business class, but as Emirates is doing makeovers on its fleet, it’s also rolling out more goodies for flyers, like lounge wear, sleep kits and Bulgari luxury goods.
The Emirates business class is frequently rated as one of the best in the world thanks to both the flying experience and the top-tier landside service, as well as exclusive lounges around the world. For long-haul and ultra-long-haul flyers, the step up from economy to business class is especially worth the cost. Emirates’ inflight entertainment (IFE) is serious as well, with 6,500 streaming channels and some of the latest releases available.
Etihad
Business Class Studios
Etihad’s A380s feature some of the most opulent business class cabin options ever to take flight. The business class cabin is arranged in a staggered seating configuration with forward and aft-facing options depending on even or odd seats. The outside, even-numbered seats are forward-facing and offer window seating as well.
The space itself is a large private pod with a lie-flat recliner, side storage spaces, and lots of open space for comfort or baggage. The bathrooms are large in the business class cabin and come stocked with luxury personal amenities on top of those provided by the in-seat service.
Business class also has access to “The Lobby” lounge, which separates the first class cabin. Inside is opulent seating with capacity for six passengers at a time with a coffee bar. The lounge has a self-serve wine bar and, as Aviation with Krish reported, the flight attendants will ensure you are never left waiting for your next drink or bite.
The one shortcoming of the offering compared to the competition is the lack of a privacy door. The addition of the door would take it up to the next level, and potentially beat out the other entries on our list. The giant jets equipped with this unique cabin service fly to London and New York for the UAE-based carrier.
Despite sharing the same small home market as Emirates, 
Etihad Airways is also consistently ranked among the best business class cabin products in the world. The airline has distinguished its brand identity and carved a strong reputation despite the competitive market. If you have the opportunity to fly aboard an Etihad A380 on a long-haul journey, it is certain to be a memorable experience.
Singapore Airlines
Semi-Private Pod
The seating on Singapore Airlines is not as private as the first class cabin, but it’s not far off either. Numerous traveler reviewers have praised the design for its comfort and seclusion despite the absence of a door for actual isolation, such as The Luxury Traveller. The center aisles are akin to Emirates with an option to lower the center divider if you travel with a friend or loved one and want to share a little bubble to yourselves along the way.
The welcome service is reportedly very prompt, with a customary drink accompanied by a hot towel and amenity pack. The highly reputed inflight menu is also available for viewing before takeoff, with meal booking available just over a week in advance. Food quality aboard the business class cabin on Singapore’s A380’s receives widespread praise of the highest orders, satisfying the cravings of many discerning flyers.
The lavatories aboard are spacious, with additional amenities on top of the personal kits provided in-seat. The galley and lavatory section separates the different cabins to make the business class section feel more open. Of course, landside lounge access, expedited check-in, and early boarding to make the entire process as smooth and enjoyable as possible from curbside to takeoff.
The stellar reputation of 
Singapore Airlines is largely thanks to the exceptional product offered on its flagship A380 jets. The enormous aircraft are as good at delivering uncompromising travel comfort as they are at serving as brand ambassadors, with the giant planes drawing attention everywhere they fly.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has a unique angled business seat that faces out the windows, and centerline seats include a removable partition wall for couples and traveling companions similar to some of the others on this list. Window seats technically have two windows per seat, thanks to the unique arrangement, which makes natural lighting abundant and affords unrestricted aerial views.
The standout perk is the bar, which is open to business class and first class flyers inflight. Offering a social atmosphere that harkens back to the “golden days of flying,” Qatar is one of the few carriers in the world to provide this special experience on its A380s.
Although the even more exceptional QSuites are not available on Qatar’s A380sthe business class seats lie flat and feature high-quality bedding from The White Company, similar to those found on BA. Ambient lighting is adapted throughout the stages of the flight to make the environment as calm and relaxing as possible.
Pajamas are provided by the cabin crew to make your flight as restful as possible. Dipytque of Paris provides the personal and bathroom products. The lavatories are spacious and comfortable, with two at the front and two at the back of the business class cabin.
Premium service is offered landside, and flight attendants are quick to deliver an Arabic-style lemon and mint welcome drink after boarding is complete in the upper deck. Food offered in Qatar’s A380 business class is among the highest reviewed in the industry, similar to Singapore Airlines’ product. The menu is available to view and plan ahead of time if desired, and you can order at any time during the flight, with spacious eating surfaces to make every meal enjoyable.
Qatar is ranked as the best business class in the world by many sources, like The Points Guy and others. In addition to the aircraft, the lounges are renowned for opulence, fine dining, and exceptional service. For frequent flyers and discerning travelers alike, the Qatar business class product on the airline’s enormous A380s is sure to impress.
