The best new business class seats arriving in 2024

Although we’re halfway through the year, 2024 remains set to unleash a wave of new business class suites from many of the world’s leading airlines.

And it won’t just be about those posh pews themselves: behind the almost-inevitable sliding doors you can expect high-tech trappings such as wireless charging pads and 4K video screens with Bluetooth audio streaming direct to your own noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds.

The year has already gotten off to a flying start (ahem!) with the debut of slick new business class from Hawaiian Airlines, Lufthansa and Japan Airlines, each impressive in their own way.

On flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles, Hawaiian Airlines’ Boeing 787 Leihoku Class – in Hawaiian, leihoku means a lei or garland of stars – combines includes paired middle ‘Cabana Suites’ and ceiling LED lights depicting the constellations of the night sky.

Lufthansa’s long-awaited Allegris business class finally launched on the Airbus A350, with Boeing 787s and 747s to follow – although the German flag-carrier’s A380s are getting a different seat, as Lufthansa doesn’t expect the superjumbos to be flying for much longer.

Meanwhile Japan Airlines upped the ante with its A350 business class suites, which feature personal in-suite wardrobes and noise-cancelling stereo speakers built into the headrest.

But is the best yet to come? Here are seven more business class suites due to make their debut in the months ahead...

Qatar Airways Qsuite 2.0

Widely regarded as an industry benchmark and ‘the seat to beat’, Qatar Airways’ Qsuite business class is about to get even better.

The Gulf carrier has previously indicated a late July reveal for its second-generation Qsuite, although this could be pushed back now that its proposed Boeing 777-9 launchpad has moved from 2025 to 2026.

Former CEO Akbar Al Baker described the Qsuite 2.0 as as “a huge enhancement of the current Qsuite, because people now are all booking on QR because of the Qsuite, it's a brand that is now really known to everybody”.

Early reports suggest the Qsuite will move to a lighter-weight materials and framework to increase the fuel efficiency of aircraft, with the possibility of a revised height for the walls and door, increased storage and more room around the passenger’s feet.

How do you make the Qsuite even better? We'll soon see...

Emirates new 777, A350 business class

This is another one that’s under wraps for now, but at least not for much longer.

Emirates has just started upgrading the Boeing 777-300ER fleet with its “next generation” business class, which like Emirates’ A380 business class will have a staggered 1-2-1 layout (no more paired seats by the window, and no more middle seat either) with a personal mini-bar.

As part of the refit, the 777 will also gain “a small bar for customers to quickly grab mid-flight snacks and refreshments.”

This same seat is expected to feature on the Gulf carrier’s factory-fresh Airbus A350, arriving in August 2024 for flights from mid-September.

The first refurbished 777 will begin flying from Dubai to Geneva on August 11, so watch for Emirates next-gen business class to break cover sometime from mid-July to August 11 at the latest.

Cathay Pacific 777 Aria Suites business class

Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific is soaring into a new era with a fresh business class on its flagship Boeing 777-300 jets.

The Aria Suites – which we expect to take wing in August – will give business travellers a taste of the ‘suite life.’

Cathay's new Aria business class suite.

In many ways a reimagining of the airline’s long-standing business class, which debuted in 2010 and was refined in 2016, topline features include sliding closed doors, a massive 24-inch 4K video screen, wireless charging and an altogether warmer look and feel – think gentle curves and patterned wood grain-like surfaces.

A moveable divider between middle seats is sure to be welcomed by flyers.

And yes, there will finally be a dividing screen between the centre seats!

Air New Zealand Business Premier

October 2024 will see Air New Zealand ditch its 20-year old ‘sleeper shells’ in favour of an all-new Business Premier class.

Each new-look Business Premier crib has a sliding privacy panel – albeit not a full door – plus a storage cabinet and vanity mirror.

In the front row of the business class cabin are four private Business Premier Luxe suites.

With more space than a standard Business Premier seat, along with a proper door, there’s also a ‘buddy seat’ where a travelling companion can share a meal, a glass of wine or a game of cards.

Meals and drinks are the same as the rest of business class, although there are upmarket touches such as a Merino wool throw.

While originally slated for newly-delivered Boeing 787s which would be dedicated to marathon routes from Auckland to New York and Chicago, a delay in the Dreamliner’s arrival to 2025-26 will see Air New Zealand first refurbishing current 787s.

And they won’t necessarily be locked into those ultra-long US routes, with the airline telling Executive Traveller “our retrofit aircraft could be on any long-haul and short-haul route (anywhere we fly the 787 currently).” 

Malaysia Airlines A330neo, A350 business class

September should also bring the arirval of the first Malaysia Airlines A330neo, and with it a fresh international business class that will be familiar to many globetrotters.

The high-privacy pew – which will also be retrofitted to the Oneworld member’s long-range Airbus A350 fleet from early 2026 – is built on Collins Aerospace’s Elevation platform, which is also used by British Airways for its Club Suite business class and Etihad Airways’ A350 Business Studio suite.

Malaysia Airlines' new A330neo and A350 business class suite.

These A330neo jets will replace the Kuala Lumpur-based carrier’s workhorse A330s which dominate routes across Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East; the airline has confirmed the first A330neo route will be between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne from November 2024.

Malaysia Airlines' new A330neo and A350 business class suite.

American Airlines Flagship Suites 

This business class seat is allegedly so good that it killed first class: at least that’s the take of American Airlines, which joins other carriers in removing first class from its international fleet.

The all-new Boeing 777 and 787 Flagship Suites feature more personal space than American’s current business class, along with the now-almost-mandatory sliding door.

American Airlines' new Boeing 787 Flagship Suites business class.

As a halfway point to transforming into a lie-flat bed, American claims its Flagship Suites convert into a relaxed “chaise lounge position” – which to us sounds like marketing-speak for what other airlines and seat-makers invariably refer to as Lazy Z, sun-lounge or deckchair mode.

American Airlines' new Boeing 787 Flagship Suites business class.

Other creature comforts include several storage nooks, power from AC and dual USB-A and USB-C sockets and, Executive Traveller understands, wireless charging for smartphones.

Although American’s 787 deliveries have been delayed (as is the case with many other airlines), the carrier tells Executive Traveller its Flagship Suites will still take off by the end of this year on a retrofit of its older Boeing 777-300ERs.

Riyadh Air 787 business class

The tail end of 2024 will see Gulf startup Riyadh Air pull back the curtain on its 787 business class suites, ahead of the Saudi Arabian flag carrier beginning commercial flights in mid-2025.

We already know these private business class berths will tick all the boxes, but CEO Tony Douglas tells Executive Traveller they will be closer to first class in their finish as well as service.

“What we’re looking to do, with an obsessional attention to detail with guest experience, is to bring that next level of refinement through how we make you feel.”

Read more: Riyadh Air CEO promises ‘Mercedes Maybach’ business class