• Singapore Airlines business class seating. It topped the Bounce business class ratings survey, with a score of 9.57. Reuters
    Singapore Airlines business class seating. It topped the Bounce business class ratings survey, with a score of 9.57. Reuters
  • Business class with Qatar Airways. The airline came second in the survey, with a score of 9.29. AFP
    Business class with Qatar Airways. The airline came second in the survey, with a score of 9.29. AFP
  • Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific was placed third, with an overall score of 9. Photo: Cathay Pacific
    Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific was placed third, with an overall score of 9. Photo: Cathay Pacific
  • Staff serve a business class meal on a Turkish Airlines flight. Turkey's flag carrier came fourth in the survey. Getty Images
    Staff serve a business class meal on a Turkish Airlines flight. Turkey's flag carrier came fourth in the survey. Getty Images
  • Business class with Etihad. The Abu Dhabi airline was praised for its cabins and seating, cuisine and service. Photo: Etihad
    Business class with Etihad. The Abu Dhabi airline was praised for its cabins and seating, cuisine and service. Photo: Etihad
  • Emirates business class. The Dubai airline scored particularly highly for airport experience, entertainment and amenities. Emirates and Etihad tied in fifth place. Photo: Emirates
    Emirates business class. The Dubai airline scored particularly highly for airport experience, entertainment and amenities. Emirates and Etihad tied in fifth place. Photo: Emirates
  • Business class with Japan Airlines. Bloomberg
    Business class with Japan Airlines. Bloomberg
  • All Nippon Airways tied with its Japanese rival in seventh place. AP
    All Nippon Airways tied with its Japanese rival in seventh place. AP
  • Business class on Air New Zealand. AFP
    Business class on Air New Zealand. AFP
  • Staff cleaning business class seats on a Thai Airways aircraft. EPA
    Staff cleaning business class seats on a Thai Airways aircraft. EPA
  • Sleeping arrangements in Virgin Atlantic business class. Photo: Virgin Atlantic
    Sleeping arrangements in Virgin Atlantic business class. Photo: Virgin Atlantic
  • Business class aboard a Delta Air Lines aircraft. Photo: Delta
    Business class aboard a Delta Air Lines aircraft. Photo: Delta

Airlines

The world's best business class airlines revealed

Emirates and Etihad both made the list with the same score

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

April 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Business class on a flight may not always be an option — but when it is, it’s certainly hard to pass up. However, with so many airlines offering their take on flying business, which do it best?

A new study by Bounce has compiled a list the top airlines with the best business class. This is based on reviews from Businessclass.com, with the rankings compiled considering factors such as airport experience, cabin and seat, meals, beverages, service, entertainment and amenities and facilities. Scores were out of 10.

Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the top business class cabins.

Singapore Airlines led the ranking, with an overall score of 9.57, followed by Qatar Airways (9.29) and Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific (9).

“Singapore has been synonymous with luxury since taking to the skies almost 50 years ago and had near-perfect scores across the board,” says the study.

“As well as scoring 10 out of 10 for both its cuisine and beverages, Singapore also gained a perfect score for its service and entertainment too.”

Also on the list are Emirates and Etihad Airways ― tying in fifth place with the score of 8.71. Emirates scored higher in airport experience, entertainment and amenities and facilities, while Etihad did better in cabin and seating, meals and service.

Here's a list of the best business airlines

1. Singapore Airlines, 9.57

2. Qatar Airways, 9.29

3. Cathay Pacific, 9

4. Turkish Airlines, 8.86

5. Etihad Airways, 8.71

5. Emirates, 8.71

7. Asiana Airlines, 8.57

7. Japan Airlines, 8.57

7. All Nippon Airways, 8.57

10. Air New Zealand, 8.43

10. Thai Airways, 8.43

10. Hainan Airlines, 8.43

10. Virgin Atlantic, 8.43

10. Delta Air Lines, 8.43

Scroll through the gallery below to see Emirates' business class cabins

  • Emirates has unveiled a brand new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Courtesy Emirates
    Emirates has unveiled a brand new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Courtesy Emirates
  • The new Business Class cabin also features a social area – unique to the Boeing 777-200LR fleet. Courtesy Emirates
    The new Business Class cabin also features a social area – unique to the Boeing 777-200LR fleet. Courtesy Emirates
  • Economy class seats onboard the 777-200LR have also been refreshed to the latest colour palette of soft greys and blues. Courtesy Emirates
    Economy class seats onboard the 777-200LR have also been refreshed to the latest colour palette of soft greys and blues. Courtesy Emirates
  • The newly refurbished Emirates 777-200LR aircraft is set in a two-class configuration which offers 38 Business Class seats. Courtesy Emirates
    The newly refurbished Emirates 777-200LR aircraft is set in a two-class configuration which offers 38 Business Class seats. Courtesy Emirates
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Founded: 2017

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1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Updated: June 22, 2023, 12:11 PM
AirlinesEmirates AirlinesEtihad Airways