Enjoying good sleep is vital to our physical, mental and emotional health. A comfortable temperature, little or no noise, low lighting, and a meal not too close to bedtime are key ingredients, but they are by no means the exclusive elements for good sleep, particularly when you are 39,000 feet up in the sky.
A board meeting after a Red-eye flight is a huge incentive to getting good rest & relaxation on board. But even without that as a driver, good quality sleep allows us to go about our business feeling relatively normal.
Airlines have done much to create the right ambience for sleep, with mood lighting, fully flat beds, enclosed seats, soft bedding and sleepwear, direct aisle access, more spacious cabin configuration and far more flexible meal times and meal types - to create the time to sleep.
Which aircraft you fly in will also be a factor as new aircraft are much quieter, have more flexible cabin lighting, improved cabin air systems with higher humidity and lower cabin altitude and improved sleeping arrangements.
Generally speaking, paying a premium for a Business (or indeed First) Class seat gives travellers greater control over when and how they sleep in terms of when and how they sleep, aided by the layers of services and soft products both on the ground and in the air to create the right conditions for a good night’s sleep.
The First-Class.com guide to the best beds & bedding in the sky – Part 1:
British Airways
Luxury lifestyle brand The White Company provides the bedding and the amenity kit in Club World, the airline’s long-haul Business Class cabin. As part of the Club Suite on board – unveiled in 2019 – a day cushion doubles as a lumbar support, a soft large pillow in a white cotton pillowcase enhances on-board comfort, a super-soft, satin-trimmed woven day blanket tops a luxurious duvet with padded mattress topper to complete bedtime on board BA. The British Airways Club Suite features a 1-2-1 configuration, a fully flat bed, and a privacy door. Many airlines now offer similar business class suites with privacy doors, reflecting a broader industry trend toward enhanced privacy and comfort in business class travel.
The airline claims noise is kept to a minimum on night flights by eschewing trolleys for meals; instead cabin crew deliver the tray by hand. Similarly, they keep shut-eye to a maximum by asking passengers if they wish to be woken for breakfast.
And, of course, the Club World 200-centimetre (79 inch) fully-flat seat has direct aisle access so you do not have passengers climbing over you to get to the toilet in the middle of the night. On aircraft fitted with the Club Suite, each seat includes a privacy door. digital controls to control seat function and good storage which includes a vanity unit and mirror. The tray table is large and adjustable, making it functional for both working and dining during your flight. Sliding doors are increasingly being introduced by several premium carriers like Qatar, British Airways, and Delta, reflecting a significant trend among airlines to introduce privacy doors in business class seating. Airlines are increasingly focusing on creating enclosed suites in business class to enhance passenger privacy and comfort.
Snacks, drinks, and refreshments are available at whim from the Club Kitchen.
The Club Suite continues to be rolled out across British Airways’ long-haul fleet.
Arguably, BA’s Airbus A350 aircraft feature modern cabin architecture, including improved lighting and lower cabin altitude, with lower noise levels, high ceilings, ambient lighting, higher levels of humidity and refreshed air. When booking, it is important to check the aircraft type and review the seat map, as different aircraft types can impact the business class experience and seat configuration. Window seats offer more privacy and better views, while aisle seats provide easier access; bulkhead seats are often preferred for their extra space and privacy.
British Airways' Club Suite is a staggered business class product, providing more personal space and privacy compared to traditional configurations. This is a step up from older flat seats and angled flat seats, and offers a different experience compared to reverse herringbone seats, which are popular for their fully flat design and direct aisle access but can feel claustrophobic for some passengers. Business class seats have evolved dramatically from recliners to fully flat beds, angled flat seats, and now to enclosed business class suites and class suites with doors. A fully flat bed with direct aisle access is now a common requirement for a great business class seat. Staggered business class seats provide more personal space and privacy compared to traditional configurations.
In the premium cabin hierarchy, business class sits above premium economy and premium economy cabins, offering a superior experience. Business class suites and class suites now rival first class seats on some airlines in terms of privacy and luxury. The Club Suite design minimizes the presence of bad seats, unlike some other airlines' older configurations.
Industry-wide, many airlines such as Air France, American Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Delta (with the Delta One Suite), and Qatar Airways (with the Q Suite) have introduced new business class products, including advanced business class suites and the Vantage XL seat, reflecting the ongoing evolution and competition for the best business class beds.
Read the First-Class.com review of British Airways Club World
Cathay Pacific
This Asian carrier also unveiled an enhanced long-haul Business Class product in 2019, which included mattress, slippers, better quality bedding and amenity kits, from luxury sustainable body skincare and homeware brand Bamford.
The soft products make for a comfortable bedtime setting, namely a larger, plush sleeping pillow, 400 thread count 100% cotton embroidered pillowcase, a two-piece piece duvet with 100% cotton, a luxurious mattress topper and premium quality slippers. The amenity kit includes useful eye mask and ear plugs.
Meals are hand delivered by cabin crew, an Express Meal option helps to maximise sleep time as does pre-ordering breakfast, if desired.
These frills enhance the hardware on board, i.e. the fully-flat bed, privacy partitions, adjustable lighting, and the one-click sitting and sleeping settings. The tray table is well-designed, spacious, and easy to use for both work and dining, adding to the overall functionality of the seat. Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Suite features a large 24-inch 4K monitor and innovative design elements for enhanced comfort and privacy. Compared to reverse herringbone seats, which are popular for their fully flat design and direct aisle access but can feel claustrophobic for some passengers, the Aria Suite offers a more open and inviting space.
In Cathay’s Airbus-A350 aircraft, for example, the cabins are more spacious, there is less noise, intelligent lighting and better levels of cabin pressure and humidity which help reduce jetlag. It’s important to check the aircraft type when booking, as different aircraft types can impact the business class product and overall sleeping comfort. When selecting your seat, window seats provide extra privacy and unobstructed views, while aisle seats offer easier access. Bulkhead seats, often located at the front of the cabin, can provide additional space and privacy.
Business class seats have evolved dramatically from recliners to flat seats, angled flat seats, and now to business class suites and class suites with doors, with many airlines adopting these advanced products for greater privacy and comfort.
The competition for the best business class seat has intensified, with airlines like Qatar Airways, ANA, and Cathay Pacific leading the way in innovation and comfort. Compared to other airlines, Cathay’s Aria Suite stands out for its privacy and spaciousness, ensuring there are few, if any, bad seats in the cabin.
Read the First-Class.com review of Cathay Pacific Business Class
Japan Airlines
The latest iteration of the JAL Sky Suite incorporates soft and hard products which make for a comfortable night’s sleep. The fully-flat bed is the anchor, with a seat width of 51-52 centimetres (20 inches) which, when the movable armrests are stowed, extend the width to more like 74 centimetres (29 inches). For comparison, ANA offers up to 38 inches of seat width, while most top-tier carriers provide beds over 75 inches long, ensuring ample space for taller passengers.
The maximum bed length is 198 centimetres (78 inches) although this varies slightly on different aircraft. It’s important to check the aircraft type, as seat features and configurations can differ between models, impacting your sleeping comfort. Expect it on the Boeing 777 and the 787 aircraft.
The cabin itself is configured 1-2-1, which gives aisle access from every seat, and there are movable dividers for added privacy when sleep is the order of the day. Center seats in this configuration are ideal for couples or companions traveling together, while window seats offer superior privacy and personal space for solo travelers. Premium business class seats often feature this 1-2-1 layout for direct aisle access and maximum privacy.
JAL's Sky Suite is a staggered business class product, providing more personal space and privacy compared to traditional flat seats or angled flat seats. Bulkhead seats in this layout are especially spacious and private. The configuration minimizes the presence of bad seats, unlike some other airlines, ensuring a consistently comfortable experience throughout the cabin.
Business class seats have evolved dramatically from simple recliners to business class suites and class suites with doors and advanced technology, offering an elevated experience for travellers. Many airlines have adopted these advanced suites, but JAL's product stands out among other airlines for its privacy and comfort.
Read the First-Class.com review of Japan Airlines Business Class
Qatar Airways
The Doha-based Middle Eastern carrier has won numerous accolades for its innovative QSuites, which offers both aft and forward-facing seats plus a unique quad configuration. The center seats in certain rows can be converted into a double bed, providing extra comfort and flexibility for couples or families traveling together. For family travel, other rows can combine four suites to all face in on each other. A key feature of the QSuite is the sliding door, which provides exceptional privacy and creates a luxurious, enclosed cabin environment.
QSuite is widely recognized as one of the best business class suites and class suites available, offering exceptional privacy, space, and amenities compared to other airlines. Fully flat single and double beds are enhanced with a bespoke turn-down service which sees the arrival of pillows, a quilted mattress, and a plush duvet, as well as sleepwear and slippers from luxury lifestyle brand The White Company.
Qatar Airways’ Qsuite is often regarded as the gold standard for business class due to its versatility and polish. Its spaciousness and privacy make it a top choice for tall passengers. While many airlines are now introducing similar business class suites, QSuite remains a standout in the industry. The latest innovations in business class seating focus on improved technology, privacy, and comfort. The introduction of privacy doors in business class seating has become a significant trend among airlines, and airlines are increasingly focusing on creating enclosed suites in business class to enhance passenger privacy and comfort.
There is mood lighting and on the A350-1000 aircraft, overhead bins have been removed from the central aisle to give a feeling of open space. There are “Do Not Disturb” buttons to activate too.
Two Italian luxury brands – BRIC’S and Castello Monte Vibiano – have partnered with the airline on selected routes – have created luxury amenity kits to keep lips, eyes and skin well hydrated during the flight.
QSuites are fitted on the airline’s new Airbus 350-1000 and numerous A350-900s and many Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft. Many regular travellers say QSuites are a First- Class experience set in a Business Class cabin.
Read the First-Class.com review of Qatar Airways Business Class
United Airlines
None other than the iconic New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue teamed up with the US carrier to create luxury custom bedding for Polaris customers. There are silky soft duvets, two sizes of pillow, a day blanket and a mattress cushion. In addition, Slippers are widely available, and sleepwear is offered on selected long-haul routes.
The cabin – configured either 1-2-1 features forward-facing fully-flat beds up to 198 centimetre (78 inches) in length and up to 58 centimetres (23 inches) wide, all with direct aisle access. United Airlines’ Polaris business class features longer beds, which can be especially beneficial for taller passengers. When selecting your seat, consider the advantages of window seats for privacy and views, aisle seats for easy access, and bulkhead seats for extra space and privacy—especially in United’s business class suites. It’s important to check the aircraft type when booking, as seat features and configurations can vary between different models within United’s fleet, impacting your overall comfort and experience on long-haul flights.
Powered privacy dividers, illuminated “Do Not Disturb” signs, personal lamps and sleep-themed amenity kits from Sunday Riley – with ear plugs, ergonomic eye mask and premium skincare items – complete the picture.
All new United aircraft have the all-singing, all-dancing Polaris product, namely Boeing 777-300ERs, 787-10s and 787-8s. United’s new Polaris Suites feature sliding privacy doors and large 4K screens, representing a new business class standard. The upcoming United Polaris Studio Suite expected to enter service in the mid-2020s will offer 25% more space than standard Polaris seats, further enhancing the business class experience. Business class seats have evolved dramatically from simple recliners and angled flat seats to private business class suites and class suites with doors, high walls, and custom configurations. United’s flat seats provide superior comfort compared to angled flat seats still found on other airlines, and the new business class suites and class suites minimize the presence of bad seats, ensuring a consistently high level of privacy and comfort. While many airlines are introducing similar business class suites, United’s new products stand out in the market for their innovation and passenger-focused design.
Read the First-Class.com review of United Airlines Business Class
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our guide to The Best Business Class Beds & Bedding
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