Qatar Airways has been named the best business class airline for Australian travellers in the Flat Beds Best Business Class Awards 2026, which rank the top 20 carriers using Australian booking data.
Turkish Airlines placed second and Finnair third, ahead of Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Emirates. Flat Beds says the awards are the only business class rankings based specifically on Australian travellers.
Qatar Airways’ win was driven by its Qsuite, a private business class product with a closing door. The airline also took out the best business class meals and best airport experience categories.
Turkish Airlines was praised for consistently strong fares across a wide range of destinations, including some of the sharpest pricing to Europe. Its bookings through Flat Beds are up more than 200 per cent year-on-year. Flat Beds said it would likely have won overall if not for the older 777s it still operates to several key Asian gateways.
Finnair’s AirLounge seat and its Platinum Plus Lounge sauna helped it score highly for value, consistency, frequent flyer benefits and lounges.
Etihad, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, United and Emirates rounded out the top 10. Singapore Airlines placed sixth after deductions for an older and inconsistent seat product and higher pricing, a factor that also weighed on Cathay Pacific.
Emirates won best business class service but placed 10th after heavy deductions for its 777-300ER, which has returned to several Australian routes with a 2-3-2 layout and angled business class seats. Its high price points also hurt its value score.
Other category winners were Oman Air (best value to Europe) and United (best value to North America). Oman Air was marked down for its basic 737 Max 8 product on some routes, but Flat Beds said its pricing remains the best in the market, with the added benefit of Qantas frequent flyer points.
The methodology
Flat Beds said it assessed the airlines on the metrics that matter most to its clients. It first ranked carriers by booking volume ex-Australia, then assessed overall value, seat product quality, meals, branded lounges and frequent flyer benefits. Airlines were also ranked on consistency, reliability, service and the airport experience at their hub city.
The elements were weighted, with the seat product earning the most points because it is where passengers spend the most time. Overall value, service, consistency and frequent flyer benefits followed as the factors Flat Beds says matter most to its customers. Reliability, airport experience and branded lounges were included as secondary considerations.
Qantas falls short
Flat Beds managing director Mark Trim said Qantas scored well for the consistency of its long-haul business class across the A330, 787 and A380.
“Where it fell short was the airport experience and lounges, which can be crowded or need updating,” he said, adding that dining was another area for improvement.
Trim said the airline’s consistency mark is expected to slip in 2027, when its A321XLRs begin servicing Asia with recliner-style seats and no in-seat entertainment.
Bookings up 20%
Flat Beds’ business class bookings are up 20 per cent year on year, which Trim attributes to travellers chasing value.
“People are still travelling but chasing their perception of value with each travel purchase,” he said. Value, he added, is a mix of time, price and quality, with travellers weighing those factors trip by trip rather than staying loyal to a brand.
Trim also urged travellers to book by aircraft type rather than airline brand, citing large differences in seats and onboard experience within the fleets of Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific and ANA.
Trim’s tips for business class bookings
- Book eight to 10 months ahead for peak periods such as Christmas and the European summer.
- Travel mid-week and avoid school holidays if price matters most. April to June and September to October are increasingly peak, while mid-July to late August, late October to November and mid-February to mid-March tend to offer the cheapest fares, depending on route and events.
- Check the aircraft and seat type for your specific flight.
- Compare inclusions such as lounge access, Wi-Fi and transfers, as many fares are now unbundled.
- Book through a business class specialist.
