On such airlines as Emirates and Singapore, you have to book into lavish first-class cabins to get enclosed suites, made-to-order meals, and name-brand pajamas. On others, these top-end perks exist one notch down, in business.
Airlines such as Qatar Airways and Delta are installing next-generation suite-style seats in that tier; American and United pamper passengers with hotel-style bedding; and still others, like Air France and Japan Airlines, serve menus created by locally renowned chefs.
Sometimes, that level of service is reflected in the airfare, with transoceanic business-class tickets topping $10,000 in some cases. But if you have airline miles or credit-card points that transfer to frequent-flier programs, they’re bookable for less than the cost of a coach seat. Here’s how to do just that for the best business-class cabins in the skies.
1. Qatar Airways QSuites
Why you want to fly it: Back in March 2017, Qatar Airways Co. was the first airline to install suite-style seats with retractable doors in business class, when it introduced its innovative QSuites. Certain seats can be combined into double beds or four-person socializing spaces for passengers who are traveling together; good sleep is basically guaranteed, thanks to quilted mattresses and full-sized pillows, plus pajamas from the White Co. and Do Not Disturb indicators on the suite doors.
Find the QSuites on some of the airline’s flights, from Doha to Chicago O’Hare, Houston, New York JFK, Washington Dulles, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Seoul, and Shanghai.
How to book it for less than coach: Redeeming miles through Qatar’s own Privilege Club frequent-flier program isn’t the best way to book a QSuite—not since the carrier raised award prices in May. Instead, pay for your seat with American Airlines Inc. AAdvantage miles, British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, or other OneWorld alliance currencies. American Airlines Inc. might be the best of the bunch: It charges just 70,000 miles each way to fly business between the U.S. and Doha. But start your search for available seats by using the award search on Qantas’s or British Airways’ sites—they’re more user-friendly.
Caveats: Qatar’s long-haul fleet is somewhat inconsistent, so double check the type of aircraft and the seat map on your flight to make sure the plane features the new suites.
2. Delta One Suites
Why you want to fly it: Like Qatar’s QSuites, Delta Air Lines Inc.’s new business-class cabin, called Delta One, features closing suite doors and do-not-disturb lights. Its seats also have memory foam cushions, customizable lighting settings, and Tumi amenity kits stocked with Kiehl’s products. The meals—created by such prominent American chefs as Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo—are presented on Alessi serviceware. Find the suites on Delta’s A350s flying from Detroit to Amsterdam, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, and Tokyo Narita, or from Atlanta to Seoul. Coming soon: routes from Los Angeles to Shanghai and Detroit to Beijing.
How to book it for less than coach: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest—offering plenty of options for adding miles to your account. You can search and book Delta awards right on Virgin’s site, and the program charges only 50,000 miles each way between the U.S. and Europe; getting to Asia takes just 10,000 miles more.
Caveats: The cheapest award tickets, called “saver-level” seats, are extremely scarce in Delta’s suites. If you find one, book immediately.