My Favorite — And Least Favorite — Ways To Fly Business Class to Europe

As someone who takes travel seriously, I’ve learned that not all business class experiences are created equal. I’m the type of person who tracks aircraft swaps, monitors airplane seat retrofits, and maximizes points redemptions like a second job.

That said, I’ve flown across the Atlantic in everything from true luxury to business class, which made me wonder if I should’ve just saved my miles and booked economy instead.

Here are the 3 best business class flights I’ve taken to Europe — and 3 I’d likely skip next time if a better option was within reach.

3 Outstanding Business Class Experiences to Europe

In my experience, European and Asian airlines consistently offer a better business class experience to Europe than their U.S. counterparts.

I rarely fly U.S. carriers on transatlantic routes, as the service and overall experience are a step below what international airlines deliver. Of course, not every airline is the same. But after flying business class to Europe with more than a dozen carriers, the differences are hard to ignore.

1. Air France Business Class (Airbus A350-900)

After 3 flights in Air France’s business class from my home airport of Miami (MIA), I can confidently say the airline’s newest product has completely raised the bar.

My first 2 flights were on the Boeing 777-300 — a solid experience, but those aircraft still feature the older business class cabins. It wasn’t until my most recent trip, onboard the airline’s Airbus A350-900, that I truly understood what a game-changer this new seat is.

Air France’s latest business class suite is arguably one of the most underrated in Europe-bound premium cabins. The hard product is excellent: fully enclosed suites with privacy doors, a large footwell, wireless charging, and elegant finishes that feel unmistakably French in their style and sophistication. It’s clear a lot of thought went into the design, and it shows.

Air France also consistently delivers some of the best inflight catering. I’ll continue to book this product again in a heartbeat. In fact, I’ve already rerouted a future trip to Europe through Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris to experience it again.

2. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class (Airbus A350-1000)

After flying Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class on the A350-1000, it’s clear this is where the product really shines. While Upper Class is solid across the fleet, it’s especially impressive on the A350-1000 — the airline’s newest, most modern, and most fuel-efficient aircraft.

The Upper Class Suite is a major step up from Virgin’s older configurations. It offers a fully lie-flat bed, direct aisle access, and a sleek, private design with Virgin’s signature mood lighting. Everything felt thoughtfully laid out, and the cabin had a clean, contemporary vibe that made the experience feel fresh.

What really stood out, though, was the crew — they were upbeat, cheeky, and polished in that effortless British way that Virgin does so well. The food service felt more like a curated dining experience than typical inflight catering, and while I didn’t spend much time in The Loft (Virgin’s onboard social space), it added a nice touch of exclusivity to the cabin.

Virgin makes flying fun, and I wouldn’t hesitate to book Upper Class on the A350 to London again soon.

3. Singapore Airlines Business Class (Boeing 777-300ER)

This one almost feels like cheating — but if you haven’t flown Singapore Airlines’ fifth freedom route between New York (JFK) and Frankfurt (FRA), it’s absolutely worth seeking out. I flew this route on the Boeing 777-300ER, and the experience was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Singapore Airlines: refined service, thoughtful touches, and excellent catering.

The seat is massive — nearly wide enough for 2 people to sit side-by-side — with excellent bedding and plenty of personal space. While you need to flip the seat manually into bed mode, the crew handles it seamlessly and with signature Singapore grace.

What really sets Singapore apart is the service culture. The experience was elevated from the warm welcome at boarding to a multi-course meal with lobster Thermidor. If every business class flight were like this, I wouldn’t bother with booking first class.

3 Business Class Seats to Europe I Wouldn’t Book Again

Even though business class is meant to offer a premium experience, not all products deliver on that promise. Whether it’s outdated seats, lackluster service, or underwhelming food, some airlines miss the mark.

Here are a few transatlantic business class flights that left me wanting more.

1. American Airlines Business Class (Boeing 777-200)

To be fair, American’s newest Flagship Business Class Suites on the Boeing 787-900 look like a big step forward. The revamped product just launched in June 2025, and from everything I’ve seen, it’s a much-needed upgrade for their long-haul routes. I’d love to try it once it becomes more widely available.

But if we’re talking about the older Boeing 777-200 business class? I’d pass unless there’s truly no other option.

The seat does what it needs to — it’s lie-flat, has direct aisle access, and checks the basic boxes — but that’s about it. There’s nothing memorable or particularly comfortable about it, and the service can be hit or miss. I’ve had some great crews, but I’ve also had flights where asking for a glass of water felt like an inconvenience.

When I’m flying internationally, I usually go out of my way to choose a foreign carrier. The difference in soft products, from meals and amenities to attention to detail, is noticeable. And with so many European airlines offering a better experience for a similar price (or miles), it’s tough to justify choosing American’s older product.

2. British Airways Club World (Airbus A380-800)

I don’t mind British Airways’ newer Club Suite — it’s a major improvement over the old yin-yang layout. But for me, there’s one dealbreaker: the surcharges.

You can book British Airways business class with points, but often with $800 to $1,000 (or more) in taxes and fees per person. That’s a tough sell for a product that, while decent, doesn’t come close to being the best in its class — especially when I can fly airlines like Air France or even Virgin Atlantic to London for significantly less in cash.

To be honest, it’s just not worth the premium. Club World can feel closer to an elevated premium economy experience (despite the lie-flat seat) than a top-tier business class. Aside from lounge access at Heathrow, there’s not much that really stands out. Unless I stumble on a great cash deal (which is rare), I usually pass.

3. Lufthansa Business Class (Non-Allegris Configuration)

Lufthansa’s new “Allegris” business class looks fantastic — sliding doors, modern suites, and a layout that finally feels up-to-date. But the catch? It’s still only available on a limited number of routes and on select aircraft, primarily newly delivered Airbus A350-900s.

Most of the time, you’ll end up on the older 2-2-2 seats with little privacy and a soft product that’s pretty basic. That means if you’re looking to book Lufthansa business class on any of the following aircraft: Boeing 747-400, Boeing 747-8, Airbus A340-300, Airbus A340-600, and Airbus A330-300, you won’t get the modern Allegris business class product.

The service is efficient but can come across as a bit cold, and the food doesn’t do much to excite. Compared to other European carriers, the hard product feels behind the times — although that should change in a few years when Lufthansa completes the rollout of Allegris on more aircraft.

I’m usually happy to reposition or go out of my way to fly an airline’s best business class. But with Lufthansa, that’s a lot of hassle for a product that’s just OK. Until Allegris is more widely available, I’ll pass on Lufthansa business class.

Final Thoughts

Flying business class to Europe should feel like a reward, not a risk. After countless flights, I’ve come to appreciate the airlines that truly invest in their cabins, the crew, and the overall experience.

For me, it’s about the little things: a glass of wine in a well-designed seat, a meal that actually tastes fresh, and a crew that treats you like a guest, not an inconvenience. When all that comes together, I don’t just arrive rested — I arrive genuinely happy.