As any frequent business traveler will tell you, a comfortable flying experience makes all the difference during a hectic business trip, which is why travel managers should take care when booking the best airlines for long-haul business travel.

If you’re traveling more than just a few hours, you need space to stretch out, get a little work done and catch some shut-eye. A positive experience means arriving in your destination feeling refreshed and ready to go. A negative experience can mean lessened productivity and a lackluster experience — which no one, business traveler or travel manager, wants, when so much often rides on a business trip. Whether snagging that new client, making a good impression at that conference or overseeing a new project, it’s critical that business travelers arrive ready to get the job done.

Some airlines have the business travel experience down to a fine art, while others leave a lot to be desired. For the best business travel experience possible, here are the six best airlines for long-haul business travel experiences, worldwide, no matter your industry or where you’re headed. 

1. Qatar Airways and the QSuite

When you travel in Qatar Airways’ QSuite, you’ll enjoy a business-class experience that’s more akin to first class. The QSuite is only available on certain routes and aircraft, but if you can reserve one for your next trip, you’ll find that each suite really is a suite.

A sliding door makes for lots of privacy. If you’re traveling with a family member (maybe for a little bleisure travel after your work is done), you can combine your two QSuites for extra space and even more privacy. The suites offer lots of room to dine, work, enjoy a little in-flight entertainment and sleep. Plus, Qatar’s business class is well-known for its luxurious amenities and top-notch culinary program.

2. All Nippon Airways and The Room

Much like Qatar Airways, All Nippon Airways offers a business-class seat with its own name and brand identity. “The Room” is a super-spacious and private business-class seat (though, to be honest, it really is more of a room than a seat) that will allow business travelers to truly relax during an international flight.

The extra-wide seat is a little more reminiscent of a sofa than a seat and “Rooms” can be combined if you’re traveling with a colleague or family member. There’s a lot of storage space, so you can really settle in for a long-haul flight, while keeping organized. Plus, travelers rave about the entertainment display, with its crisp imaging that will rival any of your latest tech.

3. Delta

If traveling in the United States for business, you can find some of the country’s best business-class flights on Delta.

The business-class Delta One Suite offers comfortable seating, a large workspace that can easily fit your laptop, plus more, and a door that you can close for a little extra privacy or when you go to sleep. The Delta One experience also includes special amenities, such as Westin bedding, amenity kits with products from TUMI and Kiehl, and even complimentary loungewear on certain routes. The in-flight meals are not your average airline grub and the wine list will most definitely tempt you. 

4. Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines consistently wins awards for its luxury offerings and you’ll see why when you fly with this carrier in its business class. Even though the airline services some of the longest routes in the world, you’ll hardly notice the hours slipping by.

While these business-class seats are not equipped with sliding doors, like some of the other business-class offerings on our list, they’re still plenty private. The middle seats can be conjoined as well, and the two seats combined turn into a double bed.

5. Emirates

Emirates likewise offers a supremely luxurious business and first-class experience. In business class, not only do you enjoy huge amounts of private space, with an ample work and dining area, but also amenities like your own mini bar. Just make sure to book your flight on one of Emirates’ Airbus A380 aircraft, where the business-class seats are superior, with extra room.

Regardless of the aircraft, though, you can expect an equally luxurious business trip pre-flight and during a layover, as to what you’ll see in the skies. The Emirates lounges are not to be missed.

6. EVA Air

EVA Air’s business-class product wins high marks for its spacious seats that provide a home-away-from-home vibe. As you settle in, you can tuck your coat into the designated space and kick off your shoes, as you’ll find a dedicated storage space for those as well. The seats turn into comfy, large beds, which you’ll enjoy with your complimentary pajamas, but only after enjoying some of EVA’s top-notch culinary offerings. Other amenities include noise-canceling headphones.

Also, if you think that the seats might be a little wider on EVA Air, you’re not imagining things. These business-class seats are about four to six inches wider than what you’ll see in comparable business-class settings.

Make Sure Your Business Trip Starts on the Right Foot

A business-class flight can set the tone for the rest of a business trip. Do you want that tone to be tired, cranky and frazzled, or calm, collected and ready to get some work done? For the best business travel experience possible, book with one of our six preferred best airlines for long-haul business travel. 

Need some help with the planning? JTB Business Travel helps travelers, travel managers and executives book best-in-class business travel experiences every day. Beyond just booking travel, though, JTB Business Travel also ensures the rest of your business travel experience is as seamless and smooth as possible, too, from departure, all the way through your trip and arrival back home. Get in touch today to learn more about our suite of services.