I flew business class on 6 airlines this year and there was a huge difference between the best and the worst

Taylor RainsJan 12, 2024, 18:36 IST

Selfies of the author in business class — Condor on the left and Korean on the right.Taylor Rains/Insider

I've flown in long-haul business class on six different airlines since September 2022.
My favorite overall was Japan's All Nippon Airways, while Air New Zealand was the least impressive.

Over the past 12 months, I have experienced six different international business class products thanks to my job as Insider's aviation reporter. And — among this particular bunch — I've found that none of them are like the other.

My string of high-class flying started in September 2022 when I flew on Air New Zealand's inaugural trek from New York to Auckland, which is now the world's fourth-longest flight at about 18 hours.

I then flew on the world's longest flight in January from Singapore to New York on Singapore Airlines, followed by a journey from Paris to Newark on a little-known all-business class airline called La Compagnie.

In March, I flew on Japan's largest carrier All Nippon Airways in its famous "The Room" business class. And, in June, I tried out German leisure carrier Condor's new business class from New York to Frankfurt.

Most recently, I trekked 12 hours from Los Angeles to Seoul in Korean Air's "Prestige" business class.

After experiencing each, and having little experience flying business class before, I realized how different each airline's luxury product is — so much so that my favorite and least favorite are actually leagues apart.

Here's how the six business class cabins compare and their pros and cons, including everything from privacy and food to lavatory design and bed comfort. Insider paid a media rate for all of my flights.

The main thing I noticed about this group of six airlines is that not a single one truly resembled the other, each having distinct differences that make or break the experience.

Selfies of the author in business class — ANZ on left and ANA on right.Taylor Rains/Insider

The main thing I noticed about this group of six airlines is that not a single one truly resembled the other, each having distinct differences that make or break the experience.

Probably the most significant feature that set each apart was the privacy — and All Nippon Airways set the bar.

Taylor Rains/Insider

What makes the carrier's business class particularly special is its full privacy door, which makes the product feel more like a tiny hotel room rather than an airplane seat.

Taylor Rains/Insider

What makes the carrier's business class particularly special is its full privacy door, which makes the product feel more like a tiny hotel room rather than an airplane seat.

Korean Air is the only other carrier that provides a somewhat fully enclosed space thanks to its unique "Apex Suite," making it the most comparable to ANA in terms of privacy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Korean Air is the only other carrier that provides a somewhat fully enclosed space thanks to its unique "Apex Suite," making it the most comparable to ANA in terms of privacy.

The Apex design is good because it features a staggered layout, allowing a walkway to be installed between the window seat and the aisle.

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, I noticed that this level of privacy is really only reserved for those lucky enough to snag a window seat.

Taylor Rains/Insider

None of the other carriers' seats created a pod-like feeling, with La Compagnie probably lacking the most in terms of privacy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I will give credit to La Compagnie though for its unique business model, which flies all-business-class-equipped Airbus A321neos between Europe and the US. And, fares are relatively less expensive.

Taylor Rains/Insider

I will give credit to La Compagnie though for its unique business model, which flies all-business-class-equipped Airbus A321neos between Europe and the US. And, fares are relatively less expensive.

Condor also offers lower fares compared to Air New Zealand and the three Asian airlines, but I appreciate its direct-aisle access and improved privacy compared to other carriers.

The view from my seat on Condor during a flight from New York to Frankfurt in June.Taylor Rains/Insider

Condor also offers lower fares compared to Air New Zealand and the three Asian airlines, but I appreciate its direct-aisle access and improved privacy compared to other carriers.

While privacy is a major selling point for business class customers, the actual bed itself can be a game changer too. Out of the six, ANA and Singapore easily offered the best lie-flat experience.

A collage showing how wide the Singapore (top) and ANA (bottom) seats are, and how big they are when converted into a lie-flat bed.Taylor Rains/Insider

While privacy is a major selling point for business class customers, the actual bed itself can be a game changer too. Out of the six, ANA and Singapore easily offered the best lie-flat experience.

Albeit they have slimmer beds, Korean and ANZ still let me get comfortable sleeping on my stomach.

Collage of the skinnier business class lie-flat beds: Air New Zealand (top left), Korean Air (top right), La Compagnie (bottom left), and Condor (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

Although not as big of a deal to me compared to other design features, adequate and effective storage space can definitely make a business class seat feel bigger — which proved especially true on Korean.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Although not as big of a deal to me compared to other design features, adequate and effective storage space can definitely make a business class seat feel bigger — which proved especially true on Korean.

While Korean wins the storage war, Singapore and ANA are close seconds thanks to their various cubbies, pockets, and shelves.

The cubby storage on Singapore (left) and ANA (right).Taylor Rains/Insider

Condor, ANZ, and La Compagnie definitely falter compared to the Asian airlines, all offering just small slots and nooks for clutter.

The storage on La Compagnie (top left), Condor (top right and bottom right), and ANZ (bottom left) shows the small spaces I had to work with.Taylor Rains/Insider

ANZ actually has one of the worst products for storage — it's pretty much just what you'd find in economy.

The little shelf was made from the space where the TV stored into the wall of the seat — meaning it wasn't even available during takeoff and landing.Taylor Rains/Insider

While I'm picking on ANZ, it also lost points due to its extremely tiny TV — it was easily the smallest I've ever seen in business class.

Taylor Rains/Insider

By comparison, Singapore and ANA offered the largest televisions, with Condor, Korean, and La Compagnie also providing decent-sized flat screens.

The flatscreen TVs on Condor (top left), La Compagnie (top right), ANA (bottom left), and Korean (bottom right). Korean's was smaller than expected.Taylor Rains/Insider

At least every airline offered a remote control, though Singapore, ANA, and Korean's were better — another thing that makes the five-star airlines stand out.

Singapore's entertainment system on its A350 business class.Taylor Rains/Insider

As far as the other common perks of business class, all six airlines offered some sort of amenity kit, with most also providing slippers and an eye mask.

The amenity kits onboard Korean (top), La Compagnie (bottom left), and Condor (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

Meanwhile, the tray tables on all six carriers were all adjustable and stored out of the way of the bed, so I didn't feel like any was encroaching on my legroom when sleeping.

Tray tables on La Compagnie (top left), ANA (top right), Korean (bottom left), and ANZ (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

Meanwhile, the tray tables on all six carriers were all adjustable and stored out of the way of the bed, so I didn't feel like any was encroaching on my legroom when sleeping.

Aside from the physical product itself, I thought the level of customer service was great on all six airlines — which is expected of business class — though a few particularly shined.

Singapore Airlines flight attendants onboard the carrier's A380 in 2020 when it was turned into a restaurant.Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

Aside from the physical product itself, I thought the level of customer service was great on all six airlines — which is expected of business class — though a few particularly shined.

Specifically, Korean, Singapore, and ANA I thought had the most overachieving flight attendants — they were always checking in on me, keeping my drinks full, and making sure I was never short of snacks.

Red wine held by the Korean Air flight attendant.Taylor Rains/Insider

Specifically, Korean, Singapore, and ANA I thought had the most overachieving flight attendants — they were always checking in on me, keeping my drinks full, and making sure I was never short of snacks.

That's not to say that the cabin crews on Condor, La Compagnie, and ANZ weren't terrific, but there is an obvious difference in how they act and perform their duties.

An Air New Zealand business class flight attendant.Taylor Rains/Insider

One of the grosser parts of flying is the lavatory, but I was happy to see all six airlines made a point to keep the bathrooms fresh and clean throughout the long flights.

The lavatories on La Compagnie (top left), Condor (top right), ANA (bottom left), and Korean (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

One of the grosser parts of flying is the lavatory, but I was happy to see all six airlines made a point to keep the bathrooms fresh and clean throughout the long flights.

But, hands down, the best lavatory was onboard ANA thanks to its rare bidet.

The bidet settings.Taylor Rains/Insider

I also appreciate the full-body mirror on Japan's largest carrier, which was also present on Singapore. The latter also had a touchless bin opener.

The lavatories on ANZ (top left) and Singapore (right and bottom left).Taylor Rains/Insider

Probably one of the most fun parts of flying business is trying all of the inflight meals, many of which include the local cuisine of the airline.

Ramen noodles on ANA in business class.Taylor Rains/Insider

Up until I flew on Korean, my favorite food experience was on Singapore thanks to the particularly delicious beef dish that came with sauteed spinach, roasted mushrooms, and potatoes.

The appetizer, bread, main dish, and floating island dessert on Singapore.Taylor Rains

Up until I flew on Korean, my favorite food experience was on Singapore thanks to the particularly delicious beef dish that came with sauteed spinach, roasted mushrooms, and potatoes.

But, Korean surprised me, which is now officially my favorite inflight meal.

Taylor Rains/Insider

La Compagnie also came through on its promise for top-grade inflight food.

La Compagnie's breakfast pudding and pastries (top left), the truffles (top right), and the salmon main dish (bottom).Taylor Rains/Insider

Overall, none of the carriers had bad food.

Condor's appetizer (top left), ANZ's breakfast (top right), ANA's bento box (bottom left), and Singapore's tangy potatoes (bottom right).Taylor Rains/Insider

After flying on all six airlines in business class, there isn't one particularly "bad" airline that was miserable all around. However, I'd pin ANA as my overall favorite.

Taylor Rains/Insider

After flying on all six airlines in business class, there isn't one particularly "bad" airline that was miserable all around. However, I'd pin ANA as my overall favorite.

Meanwhile, Singapore and Korean outshine La Compagnie and Condor simply for storage and bed space.

Flying in Singapore's A350 business class from Singapore to New York-JFK — the world's longest flight by distance.Taylor Rains/Insider

When it comes to ANZ, however, business class is at the bottom of the totem pole.

The angled seats across the aisle from me were private from the neck up, but the two side walls blocked off each neighbor when sleeping.Taylor Rains/Insider

It's incredible how different ANA and ANZ's business class products are, especially since both were flying ultra-long-haul across the Pacific.

Taylor Rains/Insider

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I flew business class on 6 airlines this year and there was a huge difference between the best and the worst

The main thing I noticed about this group of six airlines is that not a single one truly resembled the other, each having distinct differences that make or break the experience.

Probably the most significant feature that set each apart was the privacy — and All Nippon Airways set the bar.

What makes the carrier's business class particularly special is its full privacy door, which makes the product feel more like a tiny hotel room rather than an airplane seat.

Korean Air is the only other carrier that provides a somewhat fully enclosed space thanks to its unique "Apex Suite," making it the most comparable to ANA in terms of privacy.

The Apex design is good because it features a staggered layout, allowing a walkway to be installed between the window seat and the aisle.

However, I noticed that this level of privacy is really only reserved for those lucky enough to snag a window seat.

None of the other carriers' seats created a pod-like feeling, with La Compagnie probably lacking the most in terms of privacy.

I will give credit to La Compagnie though for its unique business model, which flies all-business-class-equipped Airbus A321neos between Europe and the US. And, fares are relatively less expensive.

Condor also offers lower fares compared to Air New Zealand and the three Asian airlines, but I appreciate its direct-aisle access and improved privacy compared to other carriers.

While privacy is a major selling point for business class customers, the actual bed itself can be a game changer too. Out of the six, ANA and Singapore easily offered the best lie-flat experience.

Albeit they have slimmer beds, Korean and ANZ still let me get comfortable sleeping on my stomach.

Although not as big of a deal to me compared to other design features, adequate and effective storage space can definitely make a business class seat feel bigger — which proved especially true on Korean.

While Korean wins the storage war, Singapore and ANA are close seconds thanks to their various cubbies, pockets, and shelves.

Condor, ANZ, and La Compagnie definitely falter compared to the Asian airlines, all offering just small slots and nooks for clutter.

ANZ actually has one of the worst products for storage — it's pretty much just what you'd find in economy.

While I'm picking on ANZ, it also lost points due to its extremely tiny TV — it was easily the smallest I've ever seen in business class.

By comparison, Singapore and ANA offered the largest televisions, with Condor, Korean, and La Compagnie also providing decent-sized flat screens.

At least every airline offered a remote control, though Singapore, ANA, and Korean's were better — another thing that makes the five-star airlines stand out.

As far as the other common perks of business class, all six airlines offered some sort of amenity kit, with most also providing slippers and an eye mask.

Meanwhile, the tray tables on all six carriers were all adjustable and stored out of the way of the bed, so I didn't feel like any was encroaching on my legroom when sleeping.

Aside from the physical product itself, I thought the level of customer service was great on all six airlines — which is expected of business class — though a few particularly shined.

Specifically, Korean, Singapore, and ANA I thought had the most overachieving flight attendants — they were always checking in on me, keeping my drinks full, and making sure I was never short of snacks.

That's not to say that the cabin crews on Condor, La Compagnie, and ANZ weren't terrific, but there is an obvious difference in how they act and perform their duties.

One of the grosser parts of flying is the lavatory, but I was happy to see all six airlines made a point to keep the bathrooms fresh and clean throughout the long flights.

But, hands down, the best lavatory was onboard ANA thanks to its rare bidet.

I also appreciate the full-body mirror on Japan's largest carrier, which was also present on Singapore. The latter also had a touchless bin opener.

Probably one of the most fun parts of flying business is trying all of the inflight meals, many of which include the local cuisine of the airline.

Up until I flew on Korean, my favorite food experience was on Singapore thanks to the particularly delicious beef dish that came with sauteed spinach, roasted mushrooms, and potatoes.

But, Korean surprised me, which is now officially my favorite inflight meal.

La Compagnie also came through on its promise for top-grade inflight food.

Overall, none of the carriers had bad food.

After flying on all six airlines in business class, there isn't one particularly "bad" airline that was miserable all around. However, I'd pin ANA as my overall favorite.

Meanwhile, Singapore and Korean outshine La Compagnie and Condor simply for storage and bed space.

When it comes to ANZ, however, business class is at the bottom of the totem pole.

It's incredible how different ANA and ANZ's business class products are, especially since both were flying ultra-long-haul across the Pacific.