I've flown on 3 five-star airlines in business class this year and there was a clear winner

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 12:59 IST

The author has flown on 3 five-star Asian airlines since January, including Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Korean Air.Taylor Rains/Insider

I've flown on five-star carriers Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Korean Air this year.
The ultra-long-haul journeys were in business class across the Pacific Ocean.

Since January, I've spent dozens of hours leapfrogging across the Pacific Ocean on three roundtrip flights between the US and Asia.

My trips were on Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Korean Air. The companies are considered by airline ranking website Skytrax as three of only 10 five-star carriers in the global industry.

Half of the legs I was booked in economy — experiences that made me realize how mediocre US products are comparatively.

I sat at the front of the plane for the other three flights, though.

After the ultra-long-haul journeys, I found the three high-class airlines' business products easily delivered in terms of comfort and service, but just one checked every single box.

Here's how Singapore, ANA, and Korean's premium cabins compare. Insider paid a media rate for these journeys.

My span of luxury flying started with an 18-hour trek from Singapore to New York's JFK International Airport in January.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I then flew on Japan's largest airline, ANA, from New York-JFK to Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

The author on ANA.Taylor Rains/Insider

The third five-star carrier I experienced this year was Korean Air from Los Angeles to Seoul in June.

A selfie of the author on Korean.Taylor Rains/Insider

Every seat across these three carriers was a different design, but each spacious lounger came with the regular bells and whistles of business class.

Singapore Airlines A350 business class.Sorbis/Shutterstock

Across the board, the airlines had great inflight entertainment. Singapore and ANA had bigger screens, though.

The remote was helpful since the TVs were out of reach for the most part.Taylor Rains/Insider

Korean Air's 17-inch TV is the smallest of the bunch.

The screen also wouldn't stay turned off and shined when I tried to sleep. I ended up putting my sweater over it.Taylor Rains/Insider

Nevertheless, Korean makes up for this with its storage space.

The storage on ANA (top left), Korean (bottom left), and Singapore (right).Taylor Rains/Insider

The bins are thanks to the carrier's unique "Apex Suite" design.

The walkway from the author's window seat to the aisle.Taylor Rains/Insider

However, aisle seat passengers will not have bins — one reason I suggest booking a window.

The staggered seats on Korean, the bins lacking in the aisle.Taylor Rains/Insider

Meanwhile, each airline offered a good amenity kit filled with toiletries, as well as slippers and an eyemask — though I also got pajamas on ANA.

The amenity kit onboard Korean.Taylor Rains/Insider

Regarding food, almost everything was delicious — but I have my favorites.

Fish and cheese on ANA (top left and bottom right), Korean porridge (top right), and the beef dish on Singapore (bottom left).Taylor Rains/Insider

My favorite dining experience up until flying on Korean was on Singapore, primarily because of the beef dinner and the "floating island" dessert.

The fruit and "floating island" desserts.Taylor Rains/Insider

However, the bibimbap dish on Korean is now hands-down the best food I've ever had on a plane.

Bibimbap.Taylor Rains/Insider

In addition to seat comforts and tasty food, the five-star airlines even offer luxuries in the lavatories.

The small shelves with toiletries in the lavatory on Singapore.Taylor Rains/Insider

While Korean's lavatory was simple — yet clean — ANA and Singapore offered things like a full-body mirror and a bidet.

Razor onboard Singapore (top left), bidet and full-body mirror on ANA (right), and Korean's basic lavatory with toiletries (bottom left).Taylor Rains/Insider

Although every airline easily had more pros than cons, ANA was the only one to offer full privacy.

The closed doors created a cocoon for travelers.Taylor Rains/Insider

The Japanese carrier's "The Room" business class is essentially a tiny hotel room thanks to the sliding door.

The author's enclosed business class seat on ANA.Taylor Rains/Insider

While it doesn't have an actual door, the window seat passengers on Korean also get great privacy.

The author is standing in the walkway to take this photo.Taylor Rains/Insider

Aisle seat passengers, however, do not have the same level of privacy.

The entrance to the aisle seat on Korean, with no door.Taylor Rains/Insider

The wings on Singapore offered the least privacy, but I still had my own personal space without the feeling of eyes on me.

One of the seats in the row behind me.Taylor Rains/Insider

The beds are the other significant difference between Singapore, ANA, and Korean's business class.

The bed on Singapore.Taylor Rains/Insider

Of the three, ANA and Singapore had the bigger beds each large enough to lay on my stomach.

The bed was so big I could fit myself, two pillows, my purse, and my water bottle on it.Taylor Rains/Insider

I liked ANA's bed better than Singapore's for one reason, though: I didn't have to set it up manually.

The handle to put Singapore's A350 business class seat in lie-flat mode. The storage slot behind it can hold the pillows and blanket.Taylor Rains/Insider

Meanwhile, Korean did not have the same giant bed that its competitors offered.