Best airlines, suites, seats and more: the Australian Business Traveller Awards

The Australian Business Traveller Awards recognise the trend-setters and game-changers in the highly competitive business travel market across 30 categories ?including first class suites and business class seats, airport lounges, frequent flyer programs, inflight food and wine, travel technology and more.

Best Airline: Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways’ ‘Flying Reimagined’ campaign was both ambitious and brilliantly executed, spearheaded by the launch of the airline’s Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 fleet which raise luxury travel to new heights.

The high praise for Etihad’s first class and business class, meals and service has all helped catapult Etihad Airways to win this year’s title of Best Airline.

Best First Class: Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways effectively reinvented first class flying with the launch of its Airbus A380 First Apartment.

This leapfrogged competitors Emirates and Singapore Airlines with an unrivalled 39 square feet of space boasting a separate armchair and bed, personal vanity cabinet and wardrobe plus a chilled drinks cabinet.

From elegant lighting to Poltrona Frau leather upholstery there's an uncompromising attention to detail in the First Apartment suites. 

Best Business Class: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines’ ‘Next Generation Business Class’ for its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is arguably superior to many airlines’ first class offering.

Superbly crafted by JPA Design as a truly bespoke business class, we were impressed by the seat’s comfort, style and practical convenience such as plenty of personal space and storage options. 

Best Domestic Business Class: Qantas A330 Business Suite

There’s not a domestic business class seat anywhere in the world which tops the new Qantas A330 Business Suite.

With gate-to-gate recline, a fully lie flat bed, direct aisle access and plenty of shelving and stowage nooks for working inflight, the Marc Newson-styled seat gets a confident thumbs-up from every business traveller.

Best Premium Economy Class: Qantas

Created by award-winning designer Marc Newson, Qantas' premium economy seat remains the most comfortable in an increasingly crowded field.

The exceptional lumbar support, integrated footrests and extra legroom make this the seat to beat for even the longest international flight.

Best Economy Class: Qatar Airways Airbus A350

Qatar Airways cleverly marries the overall sense of space in the Airbus A350 cabin with an economy seat that’s a generous 18 inches wide, with ample room around the knees for even the tallest traveller.

Best Inflight Food: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines turns each flight into a five-star restaurant experience with its Book the Cook service, which quite literally takes inflight cuisine to new heights. Lobster at 40,000 feet? Why not!

The quality and variety of meals is unsurpassed, and frequent travellers appreciate the ability to enjoy different dishes even if they fly every week.

Best Inflight Wine: Qantas 

Qantas boasts one of the most extensive cellars in the sky, with top-shelf whites, reds and Champagnes. It’s also the third largest buyer of Australian wine, which it proudly showcases to the world.

Best inflight lounge: Qatar Airways A380

Offering premium travellers a social space where they can mix and mingle, the elegant lounge and inflight bar on Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 boasts a private jet vibe.

The considered design, warm colour palette and high-end finishes are testimony to the exacting standards which Qatar Airways has applied from tip to tail of its superjumbo flagship.

Best First Class Amenity Kit: Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific’s first class amenity kit brings to life the airline’s 'Life Well Travelled' motto.

This unique collaboration with Australian brand Aesop includes signature skincare products in a specially-designed stackable case which is both elegant and functional. 

Best Business Class Amenity Kit: Emirates

Emirates’ business class amenity kit won us over with the inclusion of quality products from luxe brand Bvlgari including perfume, and all in generous sizes which you’ll enjoy using long after your flight.

Best IFE System: Emirates

With over 2,000 channels of movies, TV shows and music, plus live TV stations and inflight Internet, Emirates’ ICE system is the perfect way to spend those hours in the air. You could fly around the world for weeks on end and still not see half of what ICE has to offer!

Best Cabin Crew: Virgin Australia

There seems to be a special something behind the smile of Virgin Australia’s inflight team – a genuine enthusiasm, a love of their job which takes that warm, friendly Aussie attitude and turns the dial up to 11.

Best Airline Alliance: Star Alliance

With some 28 member airlines under its wing, Star Alliance can take business travellers almost everywhere they need to go.

Frequent flyers especially value the ability to use their points or miles to upgrade across all member airlines, although on the downside there's less consistency in lounge access than with competitor Oneworld.

With ANA flying to Australia later this year and Turkish Airlines planned for next year, Star Alliance will become an even better option for Australian business travellers.

Also read:

• Best lounges, airports & hotels: the Australian Business Traveller Awards
• Best frequent flyer program, credit card: the Australian Business Traveller Awards
• Best technology: the Australian Business Traveller Awards

The Australian Business Traveller Awards recognise the trend-setters and game-changers in the highly competitive business travel market across 30 categories ?including first class suites and business class seats, airport lounges, frequent flyer programs, inflight food and wine, travel technology and more.

Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we’re @AusBT

David Flynn

David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.