While airlines are recording record profits, they are also investing in their new aircraft and seats. Here are the 10 upcoming Business Class products to fly in the next 12-24 months.
10 New Upcoming Business Class Seats
1. Cathay Pacific Aria Suite
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300/ER, B777X
Expected Entry into Service: Late 2024
Cathay Pacific is set to launch its all-new Aria Business Class suite on the Boeing 777-300/ER. This new suite features sliding doors for better privacy, wireless device charging, and a 4K IFE screen with Bluetooth audio.
The design includes extended wings to maintain privacy even with the doors open and additional storage under a wide shelf. The suite’s woodgrain-like surfaces and gentle curves further create a modern, comfortable environment.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the new Business Class suite, details regarding the seat’s exact dimensions and configuration remain under wraps.
New Cathay Pacific Aria Business Class Suite. Image: Cathay Pacific
2. Qatar Airways QSuite 2.0
Aircraft: Boeing 777X
Expected Entry into Service: TBD
Building on the success of its QSuite, Qatar Airways is working on the second-generation QSuite 2.0.
While the exact configuration and details are still under wrap, this bespoke suite will likely debut on the Boeing 777-9 featuring high-tech touches, a bigger and wider seat.
This upgrade will include lighter-weight materials to improve fuel efficiency, taller walls and doors for increased privacy, more storage space, and advanced tech features like USB-C and wireless charging. The 4K IFE screen will offer Bluetooth audio streaming for a seamless in-flight experience.
Qatar Airways current Qsuite
3. Qantas Project Sunrise Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
Expected Entry into Service: 2025
Qantas has unveiled its Project Sunrise Business Class cabins for the Airbus A350, designed for ultra-long-haul flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and London. The A350-1000s will feature 52 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, each with direct aisle access and sliding doors for privacy.
Qantas A350 Business Class. Image: Qantas
The new Business Class seats can be converted into two-meter flatbeds and will include a larger storage. Moreover, it will feature a large dining table, an 18-inch ultra-high definition touchscreen TV, and multiple personal device charging options, including wireless induction charging.
Qantas A350 Business Class. Image: Qantas
4. Emirates
Aircraft: Airbus A350, Boeing 777-300/ER, Boeing 777X
Expected Entry into Service: 2024 (for A350 and refurbished B777-300/ER)
Emirates is introducing a new Business Class seat on the Airbus A350 and retrofitting Business Class on their Boeing 777-300/ER. The new 1-2-1 configuration will replace the current 2-3-2 layout on the B777, offering direct aisle access for all passengers.
While Emirates has not announced the seat details, the new Business Class seat is expected to feature all-aisle access, advanced in-flight entertainment, and modern amenities. It is reported that Safran’s Fusio and Unity seats are among the top contenders for Emirates’ new Business Class suites.
Last year at the Dubai Airshow, Emirates signed a series of agreements with Safran valued at more than $1.2 billion, which include seats for its new fleet of A350, B777X, and B787 aircraft.
Safran Unity Business Class seats. Image: Safran
5. Malaysia Airlines
Aircraft: Airbus A330neo
Expected Entry into Service: November 2024
Malaysia Airlines will debut its new business class cabin on the Airbus A330-900, featuring Collins Aerospace Elevation seats. These seats, similar to those found in British Airways’ Clubworld and Etihad Airways’ A350 Business Studio suite, offer individual privacy doors, direct aisle access, wireless charging, and larger IFE screens.
These A330neos will feature 28 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration. The Kuala Lumpur-based carrier stated that it aims to enhance the passenger experience with advanced technology and increased privacy, setting a new standard for its long-haul routes.
“The new A330neo cabin will feature many ‘firsts’ for the airline and historically in its fleet. The airline is set to become the world’s leading carrier to feature Elevation seats on the A330 airframe, solidifying its position as an industry leader in passenger experience and innovation.”
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines New Business Class
6. LOT Polish Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Expected Entry into Service: 2026
LOT Polish Airlines is retrofitting its Boeing 787-8 fleet with Recaro Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring direct aisle access for all. This marks a significant upgrade from the carrier’s current layout in a 2-2-2 configuration.
Each seat will feature sliding doors, 17.3-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth audio, USB-C ports, and wireless charging. The new cabins will be designed with a deep blue and copper aesthetic, reflecting the Polish landscape.
LOT Polish Airlines New Business Class
Passengers will be able to step aboard LOT Polish Airlines B787s with a fully modernized cabin by 2026. Recaro Aircraft Seating, Safran Passenger Innovations, Viasat, and Tangerine have collaborated on this product.
LOT Polish Airlines New Business Class
7. Air New Zealand
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Expected Entry into Service: Mid-2025
Air New Zealand is set to introduce its new Business Premier Suites on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, starting mid-2025. The airline will be the launch customer for the Safran Visa Business Class seat, named Business Premier Suites.
The new Business Class cabin refit on all Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be complete by 2026, offering a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration with fully lie-flat seats. It will be 20.5 inches (52 centimeters) wide and 80.25 inches (204 centimeters) long when flat. The seat shell stands 47 inches (119 centimeters) off the floor, and although Air New Zealand opted not to have sliding doors, retractable shields provide additional privacy.
Air New Zealand Business Premier Luxe Suites
The front row of the new cabin will offer new Business Premier Luxe suites, featuring upgraded soft furnishings, sliding privacy doors, a larger table, a buddy seat allowing for face-to-face companion dining, and more space to stretch out.
Other features include 24-inch IFE screens, USB-A, USB-C, AC power outlets, Bluetooth audio, and wireless charging.
Air New Zealand Business Premier Luxe Suites
Air New Zealand Business Premier Luxe Suites
Air New Zealand will configure its B787s in two different configurations. Most of them will feature 22 Business Premier seats and four Business Premier Luxe Suites. In contrast, some B787s exclusively operating ultra-long-haul flights will be configured with 42 Business Premier seats and eight Business Premier Luxe Suites.
Air New Zealand Business Premier Suites
Originally set to launch in September of this year, the new Business Class seat will now take flight on ultra-long-range Boeing 787s dedicated to the Auckland-New York and Auckland-Chicago routes starting mid-2025.
8. American Airlines Flagship Suites
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9, Airbus A321XLR, Boeing 777-300ER
Expected Entry into Service: Late 2024
American Airlines’ new Flagship Suites will be installed on newly delivered Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321XLRs. Additionally, existing Boeing 777-300ERs will be reconfigured with these seats, though the exact timeline for this reconfiguration is yet to be determined.
American Airlines Flagship Suites
These reverse herringbone seats will offer direct aisle access, privacy doors, wireless charging, Bluetooth capability, and multiple storage spaces. Premium options include additional amenities like Nest Bedding products and exclusive skincare kits. The Flagship Suites are based on the Adient Ascent product.
American Airlines Flagship Suites
9. United Airlines Polaris Business Class
Aircraft: Boeing 787, Boeing 777, Airbus A321XLR
Expected Entry into Service: TBD
United Airlines is introducing two new Polaris Business Class products. The first is a new wide-body product with doors at every seat, promising enhanced privacy and comfort. The second is for its Airbus A321XLRs, designed primarily for transatlantic flights.
While details for the upcoming Business Class product on wide-body aircraft are scarce, the A321XLRs will feature a herringbone configuration with direct aisle access and doors. Even though these seats will be installed with just 28 inches of pitch, they will offer a bed length of 75-78 inches.
United’s A321XLR will feature 28 Polaris Business Class seats, with seats facing the aisle at a 49-degree angle, focusing on space efficiency and passenger comfort.
United Airlines Current Polaris Business Class
10. Saudia New Business Class
Aircraft: Airbus A321XLR
Expected Entry into Service: To be announced
Saudia is set to introduce the VantageSOLO suite on its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. These suites offer increased privacy with a privacy shield and an additional door in the aisle. The VantageSOLO suite, manufactured by Thompson Aero Seating fully reclines into bed mode and includes an 18-inch IFE screen, along with increased storage space.
These new A321XLR aircraft will be deployed on routes across Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and Africa, including Milan, Barcelona, Brussels, Rome, the Maldives, and Dakar.
Saudia New Business Class Suite
Singapore Airlines B777-9
Aircraft: Boeing 777-9
Expected Entry into Service: 2025
Singapore Airlines is expected to introduce a new First and Business Class product on its Boeing 777-9s. Although details are sparse, the emphasis will be on offering advanced privacy features, enhanced comfort, and technology for long-haul travelers.
Given Singapore Airlines’ history of innovation in premium cabins, the new cabin is anticipated to include fully flat beds, direct aisle access, and the latest in-flight entertainment with 4K screens and Bluetooth connectivity.
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