Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today : Top 10 airlines with the best Business Class on transatlantic flights
On May 21st 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the firsts solo, nonstop transatlantic flight in history, flying his Spirit of St. Louis from Long Island in New York to Paris in France. While this historic event is widely known across the globe, it was not the first transatlantic flight as that honour goes to British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown, who crossed the pond in June 1919 in 16 hours in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy Bomber. Less than 100 years later, transatlantic flights in modern jets are routine, following very clearly defined routes which rank among the busiest air routes in the world. Every day between two and three thousand aircraft fly across the North Atlantic between Europe and North America. Dozens of airlines compete on these routes, offering a wide range of onboard products and cabin layouts. Here’s my top 10 list of airlines with the best Business Class products on transatlantic flights. Although Emirates and Singapore Airlines also offer select transatlantic flights (e.g. Athens to New York or Manchester to Houston), I’ve only included European and American carriers in this list.
There is more information below the slideshow. Think I missed one? Share your favorite transatlantic airline in the comments section.
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10. AUSTRIAN AIRLINES
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier of Austria. Although its Business Class flatbed seats are not the best in the industry, Austrian Airlines has always been my favorite airline within the Lufthansa Group to fly across the pond. What really sets Austrian Airlines apart – among all airlines – is its delicious onboard catering. With the award-winning company DO&CO, Austrian has chosen a partner that creates airline foods using only fresh raw ingredients. On board Austrian’s long-haul flights across the Atlantic Ocean, a qualified chef from Austrian’s catering partner DO & CO accompanies the Business Class crew, who takes the passengers’ orders and also serves freshly prepared meals which rank among the best in the skies.
- Official website: Austrian Airlines
- Review: read my review of Austrian Airlines’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
9. UNITED AIRLINES
United Airlines, commonly referred to as United, was established by the amalgamation of several airlines in the late 1920s. In 2018, the airline flew more than 150 million passengers to 355 airports across the globe. United has the most comprehensive transatlantic route network of all North American carriers. While the carrier used to have a bad reputation (especially since the merger with Continental in 2011), they got rid of that with the introduction of new aircraft, an impressive Polaris Business Class product (which is now available on all of the carrier’s wide-body aircraft), fabulous lounges, and great onboard bedding. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance.
- Website: United Airlines
- Review: read my review of United Airlines’ Business Class in a B777 here.
- Review: read my review of United Airlines’ Business Class in a B787 Dreamliner here.
8. LA COMPAGNIE
Launched in July 2014, La Compagnie is an exclusively 100% Smart Business Class airline operating regularly scheduled transatlantic flights between New York (Newark International Airport) and Paris (Paris Orly Airport) as well as New York (Newark International Airport) to Milan (Milan Malpensa Airport), and seasonal service between New York (Newark International Airport) and Nice (Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport). Offering competitively low Business Class fares, La Compagnie’s Airbus A321neo fleet is fitted with 76 full-flat seats and provides thoughtful amenities including a state-of-the-art entertainment system, unlimited Wi-Fi service and a unique dining experience offering fresh menu items by renowned chefs.
7. JETBLUE
Headquartered in New York City borough of Queens, Jetblue is the 6th largest airline in the USA. The company was founded in 1999 by Brazilian-American entrepreneur David Neeleman and based on the success formula of Southwest Airlines, although Jetblue tried to distinguish itself by offering a superior inflight entertainment system, more leg room in couch, free WiFi, and complimentary drinks & snacks. Although Jetblue is a low cost carrier, they do offer a superb Business Class product (designated Mint), available on select Airbus A321 aircraft. In the past years, Jetblue also launched transatlantic A321 flights between New York and London, Paris and Amsterdam, offering Business Class passengers excellent food, amenities and seats (including two bulkhead Mint Studios).
6. CONDOR
Over the past two years, German leisure airline Condor has completely replaced its B767 fleet by Airbus A330neo aircaft. The Condor A330neo – which is used on several transatlantic routes – impresses with numerous amenities for guests in all booking classes. Among the highlights for Business Class are fully-lie-flat sleeper seats in a stylishly designed cabin. Each guest has direct access to the aisle and, thanks to generous storage areas and a cocktail table, plenty of space for personal items. The four Prime Seats in the front row of the cabin offer even more space, a bigger bed, a “visitor” seat, an extra-large screen and other exclusive benefits. On long-haul flights, internationally inspired “Taste the World” menus with several courses are offered
- Website: Condor
- Review: coming soon
KLM Royal Dutch Airline, the flag carrier of the Netherlands, is the oldest operating airline in the world (founded in 1919). I always look forward flying with KLM, in spite of the fact that its aircraft don’t have a cutting edge Business Class seat (although the carrier is in the process of installing suites with sliding doors on its Boeing 777 aircraft). I mainly love KLM because the airline stands out by doing things differently, with a lot of personality and with a sense of place by focusing on it Dutch roots and rich history. For example, at the end of a transatlantic flight, each Business Class passenger gets a Delft Blue miniature traditional Dutch house, filled with Dutch gin, also known as “jenever” (distilled by the Bols distilleries).
- Website: KLM
- Review: read my review of KLM’s Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of KLM’s Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
- Review: read my review of KLM’s Business Class in an Airbus A330 here.
4. DELTA AIR LINES
Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta Air Lines – typically referred as Delta – is the world’s second largest airline, the sixth-oldest airline by foundation date, the oldest airline still operating in the USA, and a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance. Delta ranks high on my list of my favorite transatlantic carriers because of its excellent on-time performance (which ranks among the best in the USA). In addition, Delta also installed an excellent Business Class product (called Delta One Suite) on its Airbus A330neo and A350 aircraft, with a sliding door at each suite. Where Delta may improve is in the quality of its loyalty program and the age of its aircraft fleet (which is currently the oldest in North America).
- Website: Delta Air Lines
- Review: read here my review of Delta’s Business Class in a B767
- Review: read here my review of Delta’s Business Class in an A350 (Delta One Suite)
3. BRITISH AIRWAYS
Over the past years, the United Kingdom’s flag carrier British Airways has dramatically increased its onboard product, with improved catering, excellent bedding, and stylish amenity kits, which rival the best in the skies. In 2019, the airline also introduced a new suite concept onboard its A350, Boeing 787-10 and B777 planes, with direct-aisle access, a suite door for greater privacy, luxurious flat-bed seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, enviable 18.5-inch inflight entertainment screens, and 40 % more storage space per seat (including a vanity unit and mirror). However, keep in mind that a lot of British Airways older planes are not refurbished yet and still feature the old Business Class product with the now infamous “Ying/Yang” seat plan.
- Official website: British Airways.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in an Airbus A380 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 747 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
- Review: read my review of British Airways’ Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
2. VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, traveling in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class makes a transatlantic journey something to look forward to. The carrier is a favorite of many travelers because of its great lounges, trendy vibe, and enthusiast crew. Over the past years, Virgin Atlantic acquired several A350 aircraft, which feature excellent Upper Class seats, laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration. The airline has installed a slightly different although equally good Business Class product – with a fully closing privacy door – onboard its new A330neo aircraft. The latter also feature the Retreat Suite, a brand new innovation in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class offering which consists of two exclusive suites at the front of the cabin.
- Official website: Virgin Atlantic
- Review: read my review of Virgin Atlantic’s Business Class in an Airbus A350 here.
1. AIR FRANCE
Over the past decade, Air France has invested a lot in its Business Class offering, improving an already excellent product (especially on its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft) and confirming its position as Europe’s most glamorous airline. In 2022, Air France unveiled its new long-haul Business Class seat, which is progressively rolled out on its Boeing 777 fleet: reverse herringbone suites in a 1-2-1 layout, featuring cool gadgets such as sliding doors, wireless charging, and bluetooth audio. The incredibly private Business Class seat, attentive service, gourmet cuisine designed by Michelin starred chefs, a carefully selected wine and Champagne list, and a wide selection of in-flight entertainment make for an excellent flight experience across the Atlantic.
- Official website: Air France
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class in a Boeing 787 here.
- Review: read my review of Air France’s Business Class in a Boeing 777 here.
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