3. American Airlines
Why you want to fly it: Not only has American upgraded its soft amenities, adding plush Casper bedding and menus by James Beard Award-winning chef Maneet Chauhan, the airline has also done a good job at standardizing premium cabins across its long-haul fleet. This means that, despite such small variations as rear-facing seats on Boeing 787-8s and some 777-200s, you’ll almost always get direct-aisle access, plenty of privacy (from a 26-inch-wide or 27-inch-wide seat), and seats that recline into 79-inch-long beds.
How to book it for less than coach: American AAdvantage miles are your best (and practically your only) choice here. How many you’ll need depends on where you’re flying: Budget 57,500 from the U.S. to Europe or South America, and up to 80,000 to get to the South Pacific or Australia.
Caveats: The only transfer partner for American is Starwood Preferred Guest, which makes it difficult to rack up miles for awards. A co-branded credit card can help.
4. United Polaris
Why you want to fly it: The long-awaited Polaris business-class concept has been rolling out—very slowly—since June 2016, featuring deluxe Saks Fifth Avenue bedding on 78-inch-long seats, cooling gel pillows, and Soho House Cowshed Spa amenity kits. Now the brand is promising to pick up the pace on refitting its long-haul fleet with the new seats; so far, they’re available on routes from San Francisco and Newark, including those to Frankfurt, Tokyo Narita, and Tel Aviv.
How to book it for less than coach: United Airlines Inc.’s MileagePlus program is a transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards (and also Starwood, but at an unfavorable transfer rate); expect to pay 60,000 miles each way from the U.S. to Europe, or 70,000-75,000 miles to Asia, depending on where you are traveling to. Another approach is redeeming miles from All Nippon Airways’ Mileage Club or Air Canada’s Aeroplan program—both of which are American Express and Starwood transfer partners—for awards on United.
Caveats: Cross-checking your seat map before booking is critical, as availability is still highly limited. So far, Polaris has been installed only on 17 Boeing 777-300ERs, eight 767s, and three 777-200s.
5. Japan Airlines Sky Suites
Why you want to fly it: The Apex Suite, a standardized business-class cabin, can be purchased and installed by any airline. Despite that convenience—and the extreme comfort it offers to travelers, with privacy partitions between seats, industry-leading entertainment systems, and a staggered cabin layout—few airlines have yet to roll it out. Find it on most of Japan Airlines Co.’s long-haul Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners; the carrier has enhanced the standard Apex design with breathable Airweave mattress pads and menus by acclaimed Japanese chefs.
How to book it for less than coach: JAL’s Mileage Bank program is a transfer partner of Starwood Preferred Guest and charges a mere 85,000-100,000 miles round-trip from the U.S. to Japan. It costs marginally more—60,000 miles each way—to book through partners, such as American and Alaska Airlines.
Caveats: Japan Airlines tends to open up premium award space on its flights within two weeks of departure, which works well only for flexible travelers. Also be wary of outdated aircraft: Some Boeing 787-8s don’t even have seats that fully flatten.
6. Air France
Why you want to fly it: They’re not brand-new—Air France-KLM SA’s Air France unit introduced its latest business class seats in 2014—but the carrier’s lie-flat, blue-white-and-red seats offer a truly French experience from gate to gate. Passengers are treated to Clarins amenity kits and noise-canceling headphones, and meals come courtesy of such celebrated Parisian chefs as Bocuse d’Or-winner Michel Roth.