Summary Airlines can adopt unique configurations for business class to enhance passenger experience. All Nippon Airways' "The Room" features backward-facing seats with privacy doors. JetBlue's Mint business class includes lie-flat seats in a unique diagonal configuration.
Traveling in business class transports you into a new realm of comfort and enjoyment. For airlines worldwide, the development of the onboard experience can differentiate an airline from the competition. Airlines can adopt multiple configurations to deliver a delightful business class experience.
Most airlines adopt the 1-2-1 configuration for their first and business class cabins, which enables all passengers to have direct aisle access. However, Simple Flying decided to investigate the carriers that have chosen some peculiar adaptations of business class that even raise the eyebrows of the most Frequent Fliers . 1 Top & Tailing All Nippon Airways (ANA) One of Japan's two major carriers, All Nippon Airways , debuted a business class cabin on its Boeing 777 fleet designed to provide an in-flight sanctuary for its passengers.
Named "The Room," these suites carved out a dedicated area for passengers to both feed included and remain private when required. Onboard, the window seats are positioned so that every other passenger remains facing backward, with your feet going under the side table of the passenger in front or behind them. Additional highlights included a wife sofa and 24-inch high-definition entertainment.
The key focus is minimization and de-cluttering so there is ample storage and a place for everything. A large privacy door is part of the setup for peace and quiet at 30,000 feet. The seats were designed by architect Kengo Kuma, who also created Japan's National Stadium for the Tokyo Olympics.
2 Time for snuggles Singapore Airlines Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines is famous worldwide for its luxury and variety of onboard experiences. While the airline deploys a premium dense A350-900ULR flight directly between Singapore and New York airports, all passengers in business class onboard, its widebody flights ensure direct aisle access. For one of its business class designs, two seats in the middle of the aircraft feature a divider that runs the length of the seat.
This can be raised up to make things private, brought down halfway for a casual chat with a colleague, or down to create two side-by-side single beds. For those with enough cash, if you need even more privacy, you can splurge for first class, where SQ upgraded its Airbus A380s a few years ago with a new first class product known as Suites. The suites live up to their name, are on the upper deck, and feature a recliner and separate bed on long flights.
While first class seats might be falling, there are still some fancy ways to get around the world. Love learning about points and miles? Read more of our loyalty news and guides here . 3 All aboard JetBlue Mint JetBlue Airways New York-based JetBlue has a unique business class that enables the airline to treat passengers with its narrowbody fleet with the best possible onboard experience.
The airline, which historically flew within North America and the Caribbean, has more recently expanded its network to include several European destinations with the Airbus A321LR. These aircraft can accommodate one business class (Mint) seat on either side of the plane, for a total of 24 onboard, plus 114 economy seats in the rear. Onboard, Mint passengers have two configurations: Mint Studio The front two seats, which include a desk and footstool for visiting passengers, alongside: Mint Set in a diagonal pattern, each seat has its own window and door.
Fully lie-flat seats include memory foam cushions, pillows, and customizable blankets. Read our review onboard here . JetBlue’s largest transatlantic route network operates from its primary base at New York JFK.
Have you heard the Simple Flying podcast recently? 4 Just the two of us Azman Air You read that right; Azman Air operates in what could be considered the most exclusive business class. Its Airbus A340-600 , an aircraft it acquired from Virgin Atlantic, offers just two business class seats onboard, leaving room for 411 economy seats. Azman Air was established in 2010 by Nigerian businessman Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina.
It operates domestic passenger services from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN) in Kano. Although the aircraft was acquired from Virgin Atlantic , the seating layouts of the two configurations are not similar. Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A340-600s typically utilize 45 Upper-Class seats, 38 premium seats, and 233 economy seats, bringing the total cabin capacity to 316 seats.
Azman Air , however, completely renovated the aircraft's interior after taking delivery, specifying just two central business class seats. The two seats are front and center of the aircraft. While the row directly behind it has a 2-4-2 configuration, the front row has a 2-2-2 configuration.
The two business class seats are offered in the middle section. The business class seats use upgraded leather, are wider, and have slightly more legroom than economy seats. There is also no visible separation, such as a curtain, between the economy class and business class that is typically seen.
The Azman Air business class seats are among the most exclusive in the world. 5 No reclining onboard Finnair Those traveling through Helsinki Airport on the nation's flag carrier, Finnair , adopted a business class seat design that does not recline. The European carrier introduced the concept on its aircraft as part of a cabin refresh inspired by Scandinavian lounge furniture.
Passengers can relax and stretch in any position, but the seat is positioned in a shell instead of reclining, almost like on a sofa. While it may not appeal to some, it has proven popular. The seat has added features, including extra storage, a reading light, USB-A and C sockets, and wireless chargers.
Simple Flying got to experience the product; read our review here . A total of 14 routes will boast the new cabins this summer..
