What makes a great business class seat?
Every long-haul business class seat now turns into a flat bed, so the differences are in the details. These are the things that separate a good seat from a great one:
Qatar Airways Qsuite
- Book with
- Avios, through Qatar Privilege Club
- Door
- Yes
- Double bed
- Yes, in the centre seats
- Fly via
- Doha, to Asia, Australia and beyond
The Qsuite is the seat everyone talks about, and for good reason. Every suite has a door, and the centre pairs can be turned into a double bed. Groups of four can even create their own private room.
The best part for UK collectors is that you can book it with Avios. Move your Avios to Qatar Privilege Club and book there, where the surcharges are usually much lower than booking through British Airways.
Best for couples and anyone flying to Asia or Australia via Doha.
British Airways Club Suite
- Book with
- Avios, through British Airways Club
- Door
- Yes
- Double bed
- No
- Fly from
- London Heathrow, worldwide
British Airways' newer business class seat has a door and direct aisle access for everyone. It's a big step up from the older Club World seats, which BA is still replacing across its fleet.
Because it flies direct from Heathrow, it's the easiest premium seat to book with Avios. It also works with the Companion Voucher from the BA Amex cards, which is how many couples fly business together for the Avios of one.
Best for flying direct from London, and using a Companion Voucher.
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Suite
- Book with
- Virgin Points
- Door
- Yes, on the A330neo
- Double bed
- No
- Fly from
- London, to the US and Caribbean
On Virgin's newest A330neo aircraft, the Upper Class Suite has a sliding door, a large screen and wireless charging. Two front-row seats on each of these planes are "The Retreat", Virgin's biggest suite, with a seat for a second person to join you for dinner.
You book with Virgin Points, which you can collect from Virgin cards or move across from Amex Membership Rewards. Virgin's onboard bar and social space is part of the experience too.
Best for flights to the US, especially if you collect Virgin Points.
ANA The Room
- Book with
- Virgin Points, by phone
- Door
- Yes
- Double bed
- No
- Fly from
- London to Tokyo
ANA's The Room is one of the widest business class seats in the sky, with a door and a huge screen. It feels more like a small private room than an airline seat.
You can book it with Virgin Points, but it isn't shown on the Virgin website. You need to find the seat first, then call Virgin to book it. Reward seats can be hard to find, so search early and be flexible with dates.
Best for a special trip to Japan, if you can be flexible.
Japan Airlines A350-1000
- Book with
- Avios, through British Airways Club
- Door
- Yes
- Double bed
- No
- Fly from
- London Heathrow to Tokyo
Japan Airlines' newest business class is a fully enclosed suite with a door, and the airline's service and food are among the best anywhere. You can book it with Avios on the British Airways website, which makes Tokyo a realistic trip for UK collectors.
Best for Tokyo with Avios, and anyone who rates great service and food.
Cathay Pacific Aria Suite
- Book with
- Avios, through British Airways Club
- Door
- Yes, a sliding door
- Double bed
- No
- Fly via
- Hong Kong, to Asia and Australia
Cathay's new Aria Suite has a sliding door, a large 4K screen and Bluetooth for your own headphones. It's being fitted to Cathay's Boeing 777-300ER planes, so check which seat your flight has.
Cathay is a British Airways partner, so you can book it with Avios. It's a great way to reach Hong Kong, or to carry on to Asia and Australia.
Best for Hong Kong and onward trips to Asia.
Finnair AirLounge
- Book with
- Avios, through Finnair Plus or BA
- Door
- No
- Double bed
- No
- Fly via
- Helsinki, to Asia and the US
Finnair's AirLounge doesn't recline like a normal seat. Instead it's a padded shell you can sit in like a sofa, then turn into a flat bed. It's comfortable, private and a little different from everything else.
Finnair also uses Avios, and its fees are often lower than British Airways', which makes it great value for Asia via Helsinki.
Best for value trips to Asia via Helsinki.
Quick comparison
| Seat | Book with | Door | Double bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways Qsuite | Avios | Yes | Yes |
| British Airways Club Suite | Avios | Yes | No |
| Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Suite | Virgin Points | Yes, A330neo | No |
| ANA The Room | Virgin Points | Yes | No |
| Japan Airlines A350-1000 | Avios | Yes | No |
| Cathay Pacific Aria Suite | Avios | Yes | No |
| Finnair AirLounge | Avios | No | No |
How to book these seats with points
- Search early. Many airlines release reward seats about a year ahead. The best seats go first.
- Be flexible. Moving your trip by a few days, or flying midweek, makes a big difference.
- Compare where you book. The same Qatar or Iberia flight can cost far less in fees when booked through that airline's own programme.
- Check the aircraft. Airlines fly different seats on different planes. Look at the seat map before you book.
- Find the seat before moving points. Transfers between programmes can't always be undone.
Want more tips for getting the best value? Read our guide to the smartest ways to spend your Avios.
Which card gets you there fastest?
Every UK card that earns Avios or Virgin Points, compared side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best business class seat I can book with Avios?
For most people, the Qatar Airways Qsuite. It has a door, a double bed option for couples, and lower fees when booked through Qatar Privilege Club.
Do I pay anything on top of the points?
Yes. You always pay taxes and charges, and some airlines add surcharges that can be several hundred pounds. Booking through the airline's own programme often lowers them.
Can I use a Companion Voucher on these seats?
The British Airways American Express Companion Voucher works on British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus flights booked with Avios, such as the Club Suite. It can't be used on Qatar, ANA or the other partners in this guide.
How far in advance should I book?
As early as you can. Reward seats on popular routes are often released around a year ahead and can go quickly.