We’ve seen a trend whereby an increasing number of airlines are offering what I like to call a “business class plus” product, which is a special seating option within the business class cabin. While business class has come a long way in general, these seats can take your experience to the next level.
I’d like to take a closer look at that in this post. Which airlines are offering this, why, and how much extra do these seats cost?
Why airlines are introducing “premium” business class
Airlines do everything in their power to utilize space on aircraft efficiently. This can be done in a variety of ways, ranging from cramming as many seats into an aircraft as possible, to creating as many differentiated products onboard as possible, so that there are buy-up opportunities.
In recent years, we’ve increasingly seen airlines introduce premium products within business class. Really this is just another example of airlines trying to create additional revenue streams.
The logic for these business class plus products is pretty straightforward. In most business class configurations nowadays, seats utilize the space to the side of the seat in front, to minimize each seat’s overall pitch. That’s why we often see business class seats with small footwells, since that’s what’s needed to make the seats economical.
In the first row of the cabin, though, space can’t be utilized as efficiently, since there’s no seat in front where you can place a footwell. Historically airlines haven’t done much to differentiate the first row, perhaps aside from a marginally larger footwell. However, that’s a trend that has changed.
Airlines have increasingly been making the first row of business class more spacious, and selling those seats at an extra cost. In some cases, airlines also differentiate the soft product, while in other cases they don’t.
Airlines offering “business class plus” products
With the above out of the way, let me share some of the airlines offering business class plus products. As I go over each product, I’ll talk about:
- What makes the seat better than other business class seats in the cabin
- If the soft product is at all differentiated
- How you can score these seats
Note that I’ll only be covering the products that are currently in service. So I won’t include any new business class products on the horizon, which may have special front row products. I also won’t include products that just have marginally bigger footwells at the bulkhead, since that’s probably most airlines.
With that out of the way, here we go, in no particular order…
Virgin Atlantic Retreat Suite (A330-900neo)
Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330-900neos have two special business class seats (1D, 1G), known as Retreat Suites.
While the seats might on the surface look similar to the other staggered seats in this configuration, what makes the product unique is that you have more space. You get a much larger ottoman, you can dine face-to-face with your travel companion, the beds are larger (the bed becomes 6’7″), and the entertainment screens are larger (27″ vs. 17″). There’s no differentiation to the soft product.
If you want to select one of the Retreat Suites, the cost can vary (sometimes around £300 per person per flight), and it can be selected through Virgin Atlantic’s website in the weeks leading up to departure.
JetBlue Mint Studio (A321LR & A321neo)
JetBlue’s Airbus A321LRs and A321neos have two special Mint business class seats (1A, 1F), known as Mint Studios.
What makes these seats unique is that they boast a massive amount of extra space. Rather than being a herringbone seat where you’re right next to someone, you have a bench next to you where you can even have someone visit you in your seat, as well as extra storage. There’s no differentiation to the soft product.
If you want to select one of the Mint Suites, the cost is currently typically $299 per person for transatlantic flights, though the cost can vary. You can purchase these seats anytime between when you book and when you travel.
American Flagship Suite Preferred (787-9P)
American’s newest Boeing 787-9s equipped with Flagship Suite seats (designed as 787-9Ps) also feature a special front row business class (1A, 1L, 2D, 2H, 10D, 10H, 10L, 11A), known as Flagship Suite Preferred.
These seats feature quite a bit more personal space over the other seats, including more space for your feet, and more storage. There’s also some soft product differentiation, including pajamas and mattress pads.
While the expectation is that these will eventually cost extra, for now, American is letting all business class passengers assign these at no extra cost, subject to availability.
Condor Prime Seat (A330-900neo)
Condor’s Airbus A330-900neos have four special business class seats (1E, 1F, 2A, 2K), known as Prime Seats.
What makes these seats special is that they have ottomans that are way larger than what you’ll find in the rest of the cabin. You can also dine face-to-face with your companion, and the entertainment screens are larger (24″ vs. 17″). Condor also differentiates the soft product, offering those in Prime Seats a snack basket, free Wi-Fi, pajamas, and more.
If you want to select one of the Prime Seats, the cost is currently typically around $300-600 per person per flight, so pricing is all over the place. You can purchase these seats anytime between when you book and when you travel.
Lufthansa Allegris Business First Row Suite (A350-900)
Lufthansa’s Airbus A350-900 Allegris business class features an irrational number of seating options, though the most noteworthy is the suites that are available in the first rows of the two business class cabins (2A, 2D, 2G, 2K, 8A, 8D, 8G, 8K).
These seats feature an unreal amount of personal space, that will make you feel like you’re in first class. The seats have privacy doors, higher partitions, extra storage, larger ottomans, and bigger entertainment screens. It really is like a different experience than the rest of the cabin. There’s also a slight differentiation with the soft product, including extra bedding and pajamas.
If you want to select one of these seats, the pricing is currently €400 to €600 per person per flight. You can purchase these seats anytime between when you book and when you travel.
Air New Zealand Business Premier Luxe (787-9)
Air New Zealand’s new Boeing 787-9 business class recently debuted, as it’s being retrofitted on existing Dreamliners. These planes have four special business class seats (1A, 1B, 1J, 1K) in the first row, known as Business Premier Luxe.
These seats feature doors (unlike the other business class seats), and more personal space, with features like an ottoman that can double as a buddy seat, plus a larger tray table. There are also special amenities, like an extra throw.
These seats are bookable by any confirmed business class passenger, at the cost of 250 NZD for short haul flights, and 820 NZD for long haul flights.
Malaysia Airlines Business Suite (A350-900)
Malaysia Airlines’ Airbus A350-900s have four special business class seats (1A, 1D, 1G, 1K), known as Business Suites. Back in the day, this product was actually marketed as first class, but the airline decided to rebrand it.
These seats are significantly different than the standard business class seats the airline has. They’re suites with proper doors, and are quite a bit more spacious than the standard business class. Note that this includes a differentiated soft product as well, from premium lounge access, to a better inflight menu.
Business Suites are sold as a totally separate product, and can be purchased at the time you make your booking. Expect it to be significantly more expensive than business class.
Asiana Airlines Business Suite (A380)
Asiana Airlines’ Airbus A380s have 12 special business class seats (seats in rows 1-3), known as Business Suites. In reality, this used to be marketed as the first class cabin, but the airline decided to rebrand it.
This is probably the most spacious business class product you’ll find anywhere, as the cabin has huge suites with doors. While the rest of business class is on the upper deck, this is located at the front of the lower deck. The soft product is also differentiated a bit, with better lounge access on the ground, plus more bedding onboard.
Business Suites are sold as a totally separate product, and can be purchased at the time you make your booking. Expect it to be significantly more expensive than business class. However, there are also reports of discounted upgraded being sold at check-in, typically around $500 per person per flight for a long haul sector.
Oman Air Business Studio (787-9)
Oman Air recently rebranded its first class as Business Studio. This product is available on two Boeing 787-9s, which primarily fly to London (LHR) and Bangkok (BKK). Oman Air was struggling to actually sell this product with decent yields, so the airline has instead decided to market it as Business Studio.
There are eight seats in this cabin, in a 1-2-1 configuration. Seats have 82″ of pitch, 23″ personal screens, and privacy doors.
This is marketed as a separate business class product, so you have to book into it directly. Oman Air Business Studio includes some premium offerings over business class, like free Wi-Fi, but for the most part, it’s the business class soft product.
ITA Airways business class (A321neo)
ITA Airways has a fleet of premium Airbus A321neos, which feature business class, premium economy, and economy. You’ll find 12 business class seats on these planes, in a 1-1 configuration. While these seats are all in a reverse herringbone layout, the first row of seats is the most impressive, as it features a lot more space for you feet, much like in JetBlue Mint.
This front row seat is marketed as an extra space seat, and can be assigned for a reasonable premium for anyone booked in business class. For example, on some A321neo flights, you can expect the fee is around $100 to assign these special seats. There’s no differentiation in the soft product, though.
China Eastern business class (A350-900)
China Eastern’s Airbus A350-900s have four special business class seats (1A, 1D, 1G, 1K), and they’re not talked about a whole lot.
The plane is snazzy in general, and has staggered seats with doors in business class. The first row of seats has extra space, including a much bigger ottoman, and larger entertainment monitors, similar to what you’ll find on Condor and Virgin Atlantic. Now, there’s not actually a whole lot out there about the soft product, so I’m not sure if that’s differentiated.
Rather than being a seat assignment upgrade option, this is actually marketed as a separate business class product. When you go to China Eastern’s website to book a flight on the A350, you’ll see the option of booking “Business Class” or “Luxury Business Class,” with the latter being this product.
Shanghai Airlines business class (787-9)
Shanghai Airlines’ Boeing 787-9s have four special business class seats (1A, 1D, 1G, 1K).
Shanghai Airlines is actually a subsidiary of China Eastern, and this is exactly the same setup as above for China Eastern. You’ll find that the standard seats are marketed as “Business Class,” while the bulkhead seats are marketed as “Luxury Business Class,” and can be booked when you reserve your ticket.
Air France business class (A350-900 & 777-300ER)
Air France’s newest Airbus A350-900s (1A, 1D, 1H, 1L, 10A, 10L) and reconfigured three-cabin Boeing 777-300ERs (1A, 1D, 1H, 1L, 9A, 9D, 9H, 9L), and reconfigured four-cabin Boeing 777-300ERs (9A, 9D, 9H, 9L) feature some amazing seats in the bulkhead rows.
Note that formally these aren’t marketed as a special product in the same way as above, but they’re really special seats. While Air France has comfortable reverse herringbone seats throughout these jets, the bulkhead rows have an unbelievable amount of personal space, with a massive ottoman. This is the biggest ottoman you’ll find at any seat in the industry.
Air France doesn’t actually sell these seats at an extra cost. The intent is that they’re reserved for Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members in advance. Then within 72 hours of departure, they can be assigned by any confirmed business class passenger. However, in many cases, some of these seats can be assigned in advance by any passenger, so it’s always worth checking the seat map.
Singapore Airlines business class (A350-900 & 777-300ER)
Singapore Airlines’ long haul configured Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs feature some very special bulkhead seats.
Much like on Air France, these aren’t formally marketed as a special product, but that doesn’t make them any less exceptional. While other Singapore Airlines business class seats have a footwell to the side that you have to place your feet into, these seats offer way more space, whether sitting up or sleeping. Being able to snag one of these can greatly change your impression of the experience.
Singapore Airlines doesn’t sell these seats at an extra cost, but instead they’re reserved for KrisFlyer PPS Club members in advance. Then within 96 hours of departure, they can be assigned by any confirmed business class passenger (from 48 to 96 hours, you can only reserve these by phone).
Bottom line
Not only have we seen business class improve hugely over the years, but we’re also seeing airlines increasingly create a cabin within a cabin. Generally these products are thanks to the extra space available at bulkheads. Airlines are making the most of this by creating seating that they hope consumers will be willing to pay extra for, and I’d say many airlines have succeeded.
I figured it would be useful to recap the airlines offering these kinds of experiences. I think this is a trend that we’re only going to see continue, so I’m sure when I update this list in a couple of years, it’ll be much longer.
What do you make of these “business class plus” products?
