As the battle for the lucrative business travel market grows more intense – with the spoils of success, and the cost of failure, greater than ever before – airlines have decided that a lie-flat bed is no longer enough.
From domestic business class cabins which wouldn't be out of place on an international flight, to seats which are more like suites, a handful of airlines are busy redefining business class as we know it.
What's so special about it? The new wave of business class for Etihad's Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 jets, the Etihad Business Studio brings suite-style design to business class travel.
In addition to an 80.5 inch bed (2.04 metre) bed, there's a side table and ottoman to maximise your space.
A top-loading cupboard and space below the ottoman provide plenty of storage – something of a trend among many new business class seats.
On the A380, Business Studio guests also have access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar located between the first and business class cabins.
When you can fly it: From December you’ll be able to book into Business Suites on Airbus A380 flights between Abu Dhabi and London. The superjumbo will also fly between Sydney and Abu Dhabi from June 2015, with the Boeing 787 slated for Brisbane-Abu Dhabi services.
What's so special about it? Revealed last year, this update to Singapore Airlines' already-impressive business class could easily be mistaken for first class.
Between sitting upright and lying flat-out, the seats offer new ‘Lazy Z’ and Sundeck modes – perfect for watching TV, reading a book or casually tapping away on your laptop.
There’s a new amenity storage area in the side console, a separate laptop stowage area and a personal vanity mirror, while the meal table is height-adjustable to suit all travellers.
The entertainment screen is boosted to 18 inches from the previous 15.4" size, while an ‘all-in-one business panel’ takes care of your power and connectivity needs.
When you can fly it: It’s already available on SQ217/218 from Melbourne to Singapore and then onwards to London, while upgrades of the airline’s current Boeing 777-300ER fleet will begin next year, with all refits completed by 2016.
What's so special about it? US airline JetBlue raises domestic business class to a whole new level with semi-private suites on flights between Los Angeles and New York.
With echoes of the transcontinental turf war that's played out between Qantas and Virgin Australia on east-west flights, JetBlue is going up against United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta.
Complete with closing doors, there are four semi-private suites on each aircraft plus 12 standard Mint seats.
The Mint premium cabin offers with the longest (80 inches, or 2.03 metres) widest (22.3 inches, or 56 cm) flatbeds in the US domestic market.
Creature comforts include multiple AC outlets and USB ports for each seat, a massage function and satellite TV.
When you can fly it: JetBlue Mint services are currently flying between New York’s JFK airport and Los Angeles, with a New York-San Francisco service coming later this year.
From domestic business class cabins which wouldn't be out of place on an international flight, to seats which are more like suites, a handful of airlines are busy redefining business class as we know it.
Etihad Business Studio
What's so special about it? The new wave of business class for Etihad's Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 jets, the Etihad Business Studio brings suite-style design to business class travel.
A top-loading cupboard and space below the ottoman provide plenty of storage – something of a trend among many new business class seats.
On the A380, Business Studio guests also have access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar located between the first and business class cabins.
Singapore Airlines Business Class
What's so special about it? Revealed last year, this update to Singapore Airlines' already-impressive business class could easily be mistaken for first class.
There’s a new amenity storage area in the side console, a separate laptop stowage area and a personal vanity mirror, while the meal table is height-adjustable to suit all travellers.
The entertainment screen is boosted to 18 inches from the previous 15.4" size, while an ‘all-in-one business panel’ takes care of your power and connectivity needs.
When you can fly it: It’s already available on SQ217/218 from Melbourne to Singapore and then onwards to London, while upgrades of the airline’s current Boeing 777-300ER fleet will begin next year, with all refits completed by 2016.
JetBlue Mint
What's so special about it? US airline JetBlue raises domestic business class to a whole new level with semi-private suites on flights between Los Angeles and New York.
Complete with closing doors, there are four semi-private suites on each aircraft plus 12 standard Mint seats.
The Mint premium cabin offers with the longest (80 inches, or 2.03 metres) widest (22.3 inches, or 56 cm) flatbeds in the US domestic market.
Creature comforts include multiple AC outlets and USB ports for each seat, a massage function and satellite TV.
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