Typically I like to make “best of” lists, including about the world’s best business class seats, world’s best business class airlines, etc. Not to be too negative, but I thought it would be nice to mix things up, and talk about the world’s worst business class seats.
I figured that sounds kind of fun, though I do have a bit of PTSD about labeling things as “worst,” following my Cairo Airport saga. Hopefully this post doesn’t lead to any airline or country bans, or to any airlines releasing video footage of me enjoying a flight! 😉
My least favorite business class seats out there
Before I start sharing what I consider to be the worst business class seats, let me clarify a few points:
- This list is intended to be relative rather than absolute, since obviously virtually any fully flat seat would be better than a non-fully flat seat; rather, I’m largely considering the competitive landscape, and/or the products that are most in need of a refresh
- I’m only including products where a large percentage of the fleet has a seat, so I’m not going to include products where an airline has imminent plans to retire a configuration, or where it’s just one or two planes with a certain configuration
- This list isn’t in any way ranked, but rather is just a collection of products that come to mind; please view this as a lighthearted post, as I’m sure I’m not remembering some products
- I’m focusing specifically on hard product here, and not on soft product, so this doesn’t factor in the overall experience offered by an airline
- For the most part I’ll be listing specific airline products, though not across the board, as you’ll see below
With that out of the way, let’s get into it… and then I’m curious to hear what OMAAT readers think.
Intra-Europe business class products
This isn’t specific to an airline, but I think we can all agree that Europe probably has the most disappointing business class standard of anywhere in the world. Business class is simply economy with a blocked middle seat, so it’s a far cry from some comfortable luxury.
People are often confused by how European airline can get away with this. Well, the reality is that since no major European carrier has tried to do better, there’s not much competitive pressure to improve. This configuration also gives airlines a lot of flexibility, since they can change the size of premium cabins with each flight.
Air New Zealand & Virgin Atlantic herringbone business class
When Virgin Atlantic introduced herringbone seats in 2003, it was pretty cutting edge, since very few airlines had flat beds in business class. However, well over 20 years later, this product really isn’t competitive anymore. You face the aisle (often looking at other passengers), there’s virtually no storage, and you have to get up to turn your seat into a (very hard) bed.
You’ll find this seat on Virgin Atlantic 787-9s and A330-300s, though you’ll find a much better business class product on A330-900neos and A350-1000s. Fortunately Virgin Atlantic plans to retrofit its Dreamliner cabins, though the project is only starting in 2028 (meanwhile the A330s will be retired eventually). Air New Zealand also has this product, though the airline is starting to reconfigure its aircraft.
Ethiopian Airlines 787 angled business class
Ethiopian Airlines is a powerhouse in Africa, offering an unrivaled route network. The airline has an inconsistent business class experience across its fleet. Over half of the carrier’s 787-8s have angled seats in business class. While Ethiopian was supposed to start reconfiguring these planes, that project has been delayed, and hasn’t started yet.
Even worse, these 787-8s are used for some of the carrier’s longest routes, including some 18-hour journeys to the United States (with a refueling stop in Rome).
Royal Air Maroc top/bottom business class
Top or bottom? No, this isn’t Grindr, it’s just Royal Air Maroc’s 787-8 business class. I just find this configuration to be really odd, especially if you’re in the window seat and sleeping, and you’re basically on a pedestal for the person next to you. These seats also have bad padding, and it feels like sleeping on an ironing board.
Lufthansa non-Allegris business class
Admittedly Lufthansa is starting to roll out its new Allegris business class, though the carrier’s old business class will be flying around for several more years, and is what you’ll currently find on a vast majority of Lufthansa’s long haul fleet.
Lufthansa’s old business class is great if you’re traveling with family and a small child, since you can be so close to them, and enjoy the flight together. But for everyone else, this configuration offers very little privacy, and you’ll be playing footsie with your neighbor. What a contrast to compare Air France’s long haul business class fleet to that of Lufthansa in terms of direct aisle access and spaciousness.
Emirates angled 2-3-2 business class
Emirates is known for being one of the best airlines in the world, and has an amazing halo effect from its A380s, including the first class shower suites, the business class bar, etc. However, the carrier’s most common aircraft in service is the 777, and a large percentage of 777-300ERs still have angled business class seats in a 2-3-2 configuration.
Now, in fairness, the airline is now aggressively retrofitting these aircraft, with a new product that’s much better, but still not cutting edge. The fact that one of the world’s most well regarded airlines has this as its current business class is kind of impressive in terms of how well marketing can work.
Air India 777 business class
If you think Emirates’ 777 business class is bad, Air India’s is even worse. The airline has angled seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and they’re basically falling apart (passengers sometimes even have to sign waivers acknowledging this!), and also have way worse entertainment than Emirates. When you consider the outrageously long routes that these planes fly, it’s super disappointing.
Now, Air India does plan on reconfiguring these jets, though the project is substantially delayed. Also keep in mind that not all 777s have these seats, as Air India is leasing some planes that previously flew for other airlines, with different interiors.
Delta 767-300ER business class
Delta has an absolutely massive variance when it comes to the quality of its long haul business class seats. Delta’s 767-300ERs have what I’d consider to be the weakest wide body, international business class product, offered by any US airline.
While the seats have direct aisle access, that’s where the good news ends. The seats are super tight, and the entertainment screens are tiny and low resolution. Even worse, Delta has plans to fly these planes until at least 2030 (and until at least 2028 on international routes), with no plans to refresh the cabins. And Delta wonders why its net promoter score across the Atlantic has taken such a hit in recent years. What a massive contrast these seats are to United’s gorgeous 767 interiors.
British Airways Club World business class
To British Airways’ credit, the airline has been aggressively retrofitting its long haul aircraft to introduce the new Club Suites business class, which is an improvement over the old product. However, a majority of 787s, Gatwick-based 777s, and A380s, feature the outdated Club World business class. This has up to eight seats per row, doesn’t offer direct aisle access, and the general quality of these seats leaves a lot to be desired.
British Airways does plan to reconfigure it A380s, though that project won’t start until some point in 2026. Meanwhile Gatwick-based planes are expected to maintain these interiors.
Bottom line
Business class sure has come a long way over the years, with some absolutely amazing experiences. However, some airlines are still stuck in the past. In some cases it’s because airlines don’t think they have to invest, and in other cases it’s due to delivery delays with new aircraft, plus supply chain challenges.
The above are some of the products that don’t impress me, across a variety of airlines and regions.
What do you consider to be the worst business class seats out there, by whatever metric you’d like to use?
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