When it comes to flying Business Class, travellers from Australia are truly spoiled for choice. All of the ‘Big Three’ Middle Eastern carriers fly here – as do the ‘Big Three’ US airlines. Almost every premium Asian airline serves Australia too: not to mention airlines based closer to home, as well as further afield.
On most long-haul flights, two things in Business Class are relatively standard. One is direct aisle access from every seat – meaning there’s nobody to step over, or stepping over you. The other is a fully flat bed: the second magic ingredient for a good night’s sleep. Give travellers those two staples, and most are happy.
But a small number of Business Class seats stand out from the rest. They have a real X-factor about them: features that few other airlines can rival in Australian skies. You might even say that the very best Business Class seats meet – if not, exceed – the standards some other airlines follow in First Class.
So what are these high-performing Business Class cabins? We’re fortunate to travel all year round for work. With that in mind, we’ve ranked our top five favourites in Australian skies based solely on the seat. This isn’t about lounges or loyalty, and it’s not about meals, service or entertainment content. It’s not even about onboard bars, which are often shared between Business and First Class. It’s about that seat on your boarding pass: where most travellers spend most of their time.
Without further ado, here are our picks for the top five Business Class seats flying from Australia in 2025.
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1. Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 Qsuite
- Where it flies: Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to Doha. From 1 December 2025, Canberra to Doha (via Melbourne). Qsuite also appears on Virgin Australia’s ‘wet lease’ flights to Doha operated by Qatar Airways, from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Melbourne-Doha ‘wet lease’ flights will be added from December 2025, joining Qatar Airways’ standard Qsuite-equipped flights.
- Popular ways to book using points: Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
When it comes to X-factors like closing privacy doors and double beds in Business Class, the Qatar Airways Qsuite has both. And let’s be honest – even in First Class, you don’t always get a door: or a double bed. Qatar knew that when designing Qsuite, and even now, still cheekily describes the experience as ‘First in Business’.
What’s interesting about this pick is that Qsuite is around eight years old. But in our book, it’s still the world’s leading Business Class seat. Since its initial unveiling in March 2017, we’re yet to see another Business Class product leapfrog Qsuite.
In fact, I still remember the sheer awe throughout the room when Qsuite was unveiled. I’d flown to Germany for the big reveal at ITB Berlin, on a flight from Doha with Qatar Airways’ CEO. I knew it’d be a big event… but once the display was open, you could barely get within 10 metres of the mock-up. Everybody was crowding around to see the next big thing in aviation.
Qsuite wasn’t – and still isn’t – like anything else in Business Class, anywhere in the world.
Where Qsuite exceeds the rest is in its versatility. Flying solo? Grab a window seat, close the door and you’re in your own little world. Have a companion? Perhaps, snooze together in a big double bed – and close the doors. Or keep things professional, sit further apart and raise the central privacy wall when you want some ‘me time’.
There’s also ‘The Quad’: groups of four Qsuites that can become an open, shared space.
Point Hacks review: Virgin Australia x Qatar Airways Boeing 777 Qsuite Business Class (Sydney – Doha)
2. Cathay Pacific’s Boeing 777 Aria Suite
- Where it flies: Sydney and Melbourne to Hong Kong. Look for CX161/CX162 (Sydney), and CX104/CX105 (Melbourne).
- Popular ways to book using points: Cathay (Asia Miles), Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Cathay Pacific has long established itself as a leader in Business Class. In the years where Singapore Airlines was still flying angled-flat beds on Australian routes (and without universal direct aisle access, at that!), Cathay Pacific had already made 1-2-1 the standard. Now, the carrier’s Aria Suite cabin goes one better.
You’ll still get those expected perks, of course. But Aria Suite introduces a door for privacy. That’s something that Cathay Pacific doesn’t offer even in its First Class cabin. There’s also a greater emphasis on lighting, with travellers able to choose between warmer mood lighting and cooler bright lighting, depending on their mood and plans.
Settle back and relax with a 24-inch 4K screen at every seat. This comes fixed in place, rather than being a fold-out monitor that needs to be stowed during take-off and landing. Support for Bluetooth audio also keeps the wires at bay, for “an immersive cinematic experience.”
Also read: How to book Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite with points
3. Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A350 Delta One Suite
- Where it flies: Sydney to Los Angeles year-round. Seasonally, from Melbourne and Brisbane to Los Angeles (usually over the Australian summer).
- Popular ways to book using points: Delta SkyMiles for the best availability, plus Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Of the other Business Class seats travelling Down Under, the Delta One Suite also stands out. It’s modern, luxe, private, and easily the best Business Class seat flying directly between Australia and the United States.
Now, there are no double beds or ‘quads’, as with Qsuite – and it’s not quite as new as Aria Suite. But the Delta One Suite comes into its own with a closing privacy door at every seat. Given Delta’s flights between Australia and Los Angeles run overnight and land in the mornings, it makes getting a good night’s sleep that much easier. After all, when you’re flying across the Pacific, that’s usually the goal.
Unlike Qatar’s proprietary Qsuite, Delta One Suite is a heavily modified version of Thompson Aero Seating’s VantageXL seat. Pops of red, white and blue make the product distinctly American – or should I say, distinctly on-brand for Delta.
It’s not all about the bling. Small touches like stylish adjustable ambient lighting give the seat a premium feel. Storage options are plentiful, the seat is blissfully comfortable, and the ‘do not disturb’ feature is a favourite when it’s time to nod off.
Point Hacks review: Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 Delta One (Los Angeles – Sydney)
4. British Airways’ Boeing 777 Club Suite
- Where it flies: From late October until late March ever year, from Sydney to Singapore and London (Heathrow).
- Popular ways to book using points: Qantas Frequent Flyer, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay (Asia Miles) and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
It’s fair to say that British Airways hasn’t always been regarded for its long-haul Business Class. After all, the carrier still operates many flights with very outdated Club World seats. In those cabins, you literally face another passenger during take-off and landing – almost like sitting on a train. But for those patient enough to wait, along came Club Suite.
Practically a chalk-and-cheese change for BA, Club Suite goes big on privacy. Forget that public transport feeling. In Club Suite, you can close the door, and the space is your own. And if you’re sitting in the centre of the cabin, a second divider also provides a reprieve from your neighbouring flyer.
Club Suite is a customised version of the Collins Aerospace Elevation seat based on the manufacturer’s highly popular Super Diamond seat. It’s that level of privacy that separates BA from the pack.
Even without the door-toting tweaks of Elevation, Super Diamond is a superbly comfortable seat. I’ve previously flown it from Vancouver to Brisbane with Air Canada, and enjoyed a solid eight-hour rest. Those with an eye for detail might also see the similarities with Virgin Australia’s now-defunct ‘The Business’ seat. But of that trio, only BA brings the door.
Just be aware that BA tends to offer Club Suites on Sydney flights only during the busier ‘northern winter’ airline scheduling period, which is late October through late March. In other months, the Boeing 787 often appears—for now—with those less favourable Business Class seats.
Also read: How to book British Airways’ Club Suites from Australia using Qantas Points
5. Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A330neo Business Class
- Where it flies: Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur (all flights), plus Sydney to Kuala Lumpur (one daily return flight).
- Popular ways to book using points: Qantas Frequent Flyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Malaysia Airlines Enrich.
Malaysia Airlines’ newest Business Class experience makes for a fresh entrant among these ranks. The carrier’s Airbus A330neo Business Class cabin brings a key feature not found on Malaysia’s ‘regular’ A330s: closing privacy doors. If you look closely, this is also based on Collins’ Elevation seat – the same as BA Club Suite.
The difference between Malaysia Airlines and British Airways is a tough call when ranking. In our book, BA nudges ahead by a whisker given the greater focus on design style and customisation, to give the cabin less of an ‘aircraft plastic’ feel. But realistically, both seats are very comfortable and highly desirable.
For now, Malaysia Airlines’ newest planes only appear on a few select routes. That’s planned to expand onto every Australian service by early 2026.
Also read: Photo tour: Inside Malaysia Airlines’ new Airbus A330neo
Runner up: Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380 Business Class
- Where it flies: Selected flights from Sydney to Singapore. Seasonally, the A380 can appear from Melbourne to Singapore as well.
- Popular ways to book using points: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
Many travellers really value privacy in Business Class. After all, that’s a key reason our ‘top five’ rankings above all go to seats with closing doors. But for others, a Business Class experience is less about being closed off from everyone. Instead, it’s about sharing a special flight with a special someone.
That’s where Singapore Airlines’ upgraded Airbus A380 Business Class seats come into play. You won’t find doors, as in Qsuite, Aria Suite, Delta One Suite, Club Suite or on Malaysia Airlines’ newest planes. Instead, three lucky pairs can combine their seats to form a double bed on every flight. These are found only at the bulkhead rows – thus, three couples per flight.
If you want to cosy up, the seats to book are 11D + 11F, 91D + 91F and 96D + 96F. Just ask the crew to make up your bed in these magic rows, and it’s done. During waking hours, you can sit together too – something possible at every centre pair of seats.
While having double beds positions Singapore Airlines above the rest of its competition as a runner up in this rundown, the seat is also a solid pick on daytime flights. The design is premium yet understated. The bold purples you see in images are, of course, out of view once seated. Instead, you feel cocooned by the seat’s shell and have all your belongings within easy reach.
We recognise that some travellers may favour this seat even more highly than those above – particularly when flying with a partner. For others, especially for those beyond six feet tall taking an overnight flight, choosing a bulkhead seat can maximise comfort. Even if that’s just a solo seat by the window.
Point Hacks review: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 Business Class (Sydney – Singapore)
Summing up
Our picks for the top five Business Class seats go beyond the conventional. And of course, different travellers have different priorities – such as whether a double bed or a closing door is more important, if you can’t have both.
It’s also true that there are many excellent Business Class experiences available on flights from Australia. Two others that stand out are the Taiwanese carriers China Airlines and EVA Air. Both fly immaculate Business Class cabins to the East Coast, but they don’t have doors or double beds.
Other airlines with the Airbus A380 – particularly Emirates, Qantas and Qatar Airways – also elevate the experience by offering somewhere else you can sit. That is, an inflight bar or lounge: and yes, I’ve experienced all of these too, to compare. But again, these rankings are all about the Business Class seat. It’s also fair to mention China Eastern’s modern seats – which are built on the same base design as Delta One. In our view though, China Eastern’s seats tick the basic boxes, but don’t prioritise design style in the same way as the other top five seats with closing doors.
Whether you place as much importance on the seat – or instead choose an airline based on the food, drinks, service, lounge experience, loyalty or anything else – is your call. But if all of these elements were considered, any rankings would be highly subjective. And of course, everybody has their own favourite.
On that note, what’s your favourite Business Class seat? Vote for your favourite from our top five, and let us know your thoughts via the comments below.
Of our top picks, which is your favourite Business Class seat?
Also read: The five best First Class seats flying from Australia
Except where otherwise credited, all imagery courtesy of the respective airline.
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IMHO, the importance of doors is way overstated.
The door is an absolute gimmick! The door is more of an enticement to peer in out of curiosity than anything else.
Have flown 777, 787, A350, and A380 business suits of EY, SQ, QR and UA, the SQ suite is a standout especially the newer A359s. ANAs service and in flight dinning eclipses them all.
Can’t speak for other products but SQ better than QR and ANA would be #1 with a better suite on their 787s
I wonder if the airlines turn a blind eye to the infidelities happening in these double bed seats? Doesn’t say much for the Middle Eastern prudishness. I bet the Coldplay couple booked in to some of these on business trips.
Hi Chris Hope you can recommend Husband is an amputee so for the long trip of Sydney to LHR we must have flat beds (but not double) Budget of course is important and the use of a lounge in all airports for the return journey The use of a lounge would also mean we do not mind if there is a fairly long gap between planes at the hub. No actual date yet but around the end of this year End Sept or a little later for 4 weeks in all or plus a couple of days if this gives better price by moving the day Thanks in advance
Yvonne – I find that if you time things right, the Japanese airlines (both JAL and ANA) can offer a very competitive price. I would actually recommend an overnight layover at Haneda. The airport hotel is right at the airport, not too expensive, and a good night sleep and proper meal can go a long way in making the trip less of a hassle.
Maybe (a lot) less styish, but more economical, are the Chinese airlines. They range from terrible to decent to nice and if the price is right, they are worth considering.
Beware Finnair though. Through some weird loophole they sometime publish mixed-class flights as Business Class, and you find that one of the sectors is in economy.
Hi Chris, are you sure we can still use QFF points to redeem China Eastern Airlines? I can’t find any on QFF website and vaguely remember Qantas and China Eastern partnership has ended.
Hi Steffano, while the Joint Venture was would down, China Eastern remains a Qantas partner. There’s a full page on the Qantas website about the partnership, and China Eastern remains listed in the Qantas reward tables, including the future table covering flights booked after 5 August. That said, reward seat availability hasn’t generally been showing online with Qantas for a while now, so you may need to call.
Airlines need to realise cheap leather is not luxury, it’s uncomfortable. And Singapore business class flat bed is terrible. One has to sleep diagonally, as the leg rest space is 30 degrees offset. A bizarre decision.
I was going to say that China Airlines (Taiwan) has to be up there, but you mentioned it in the summing up. Great seat, great service, great food, great lounge in TPE. No door, but that is not in my top 10 wants for business class.
Agree with you on both points, CI is great and doors not in my top 10. The other Stan.
I’ve noticed the quality of planes that fly between Asian hubs and Australia are substantially inferior to those flying between Asian hubs and Europe. The middle east planes seem to be better.
I’ve noticed that too. Don’t understand why because we are big travellers and hence big spenders of travel.
I always enjoy upstairs on the Emirates A380, esp the A or K seats against the windows. Away from the aisles and there is so much storage space and a light and airy feel. The decor not everyone’s taste, but I like it.
Interested to checkout the China Eastern product shown here.
Just flew the new BA suites from Singapore last week and can confirm it’s great! I don’t quite understand the earlier comments, I love the use of doors to give that sense of privacy when sleeping. You can choose to leave door open if you wish. The walls are low enough to give sense of space. P.S. partner had the steak and can confirm delicious
Having my first experience with BA club suite in 3 weeks.
Personally I actually don’t like doors with business class. Looks fancy but feels really cramped and claustrophobic. Business class is already narrow and tight, the door just take up extra space.
I’m surprised JAL’s skysuite didn’t make it to the list. It’s still very private and has more foot space than most other business class which only has a tiny cubby.
I am with you Michael. I have no interest in doors what so ever. I also agree re JAL and I assume Korean as well who also use the Apex style seats. An open footwell has a far far higher rankling for me than a seat designed with style over substance. (looking at you Singapore air)
Singapore A380 Sydney to Singapore – all ‘Couples Seats’ are reserved for people with babies.
They do not go on sale till 72hours prior to departure. They cannot be booked or reserved in advance. Thus, Chris, you need to remove from this list next time.
I disagree with the Singapore A380. Maybe it was just the seats we had (22D and 22F) but it was not a lie-flat seat in any way whatsoever. The footrest positioned to the side of the seat instead of in front made for a really awkward sleeping position.
Other than that, the seat is great but I wouldn’t classify it as a lie-flat.
A shame it’s virtually impossible to book a Qatar business seat from Aus – Europe using points redemption without paying double points.
Their claim of paying 90k points one way is a white whale, and virtually every business redemption I’ve searched for is 180k points one way.
That’s a great summary, Chris. I’m with you, QSuite is brilliant – but, the overall package is still SQ for me (this said, I’ve always slept best in the QSuite overnight to Doha ready for the work day).
Very Good Article in the AFR today by one of the Ashtons (Rear Window) about the Qantas blocking
Thank you for this comprehensive input! Hopefully it provides some more fodder for other readers to compare the products.