There’s a moment on every business class flight where you either sink into your seat thinking “this was worth every penny” or wonder why you didn’t just fly economy. I’ve had both of those moments more times than I’d like to admit over a decade of crossing the Atlantic. Not every premium cabin is created equal, and some of the biggest names in aviation will let you down for the price they charge.
These are my 11 best airlines to fly business class to Europe from the USA for 2026, ranked by someone who has slept, eaten, and occasionally suffered in these seats. I’ve left off airlines I wouldn’t rebook, no matter how good their marketing looks. If you’re planning a premium crossing this year, start here.
#1 tip to find cheap business class flights to Europe
For the past four years, I’ve used Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to track business class fare drops to Europe. You set your home airports and they send mistake fares, flash sales, and unadvertised price drops straight to your inbox. It’s completely free to start. In 2025, I saved thousands from their alerts, including a $1,800 roundtrip business class fare from JFK to London on British Airways that was pricing at $4,500 the week before.
The free tier catches plenty of economy deals, and the $49/year premium membership pays for itself with one booking. But if you’re serious about flying business class to Europe, the Elite tier is where it gets ridiculous. I’d suggest starting with the free trial to see how it works for you. If you decide to upgrade, my code JON25 saves you 25%.
Which is the best airline to fly business class to Europe?
Everyone’s got a different priority when it comes to business class. I built this quick reference to help you skip straight to the airline that fits yours.
| If You Want… | Book This |
| Best overall business class to Europe | Air France |
| Best seat in the world (with connection) | Qatar Airways |
| Most reliable US carrier | Delta Air Lines |
| Best value and best food | Turkish Airlines |
| Most fun transatlantic experience | Virgin Atlantic |
| Biggest route network from the US | British Airways |
| Best new product for 2026 | American Airlines |
| Lie flat to Europe without the lie flat price tag | JetBlue |
| Easy access to the smaller European cities | KLM |
If nothing above jumps out, start with your home airport and work backwards. A two stop itinerary on the world’s best airline is still worse than a nonstop on a good one.
1. 🇫🇷 Air France
- ✈️ Hub: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- 🛋️ Best For: If you care about sleeping well and eating even better, this is the one to book
- 🪑 Cabin Options: La Première, Business, Premium Economy, Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue (SkyTeam)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Not all A350s have the new suites. Check the seat map before booking and look for 14 rows of business class to confirm you’re on the right aircraft. If it stops at row 9, that’s the older cabin.
Air France’s newest A350 business class is, in my view, the single best way to cross the Atlantic right now. The fully enclosed suites give you a sliding privacy door, a two metre lie flat bed, a 20 inch 4K screen, and wireless charging in a 1-2-1 layout where every passenger gets direct aisle access. If you manage to snag one of the bulkhead seats, you’ll have enough room to rival most first class cabins flying today.
Then there’s the food, which is where Air France pulls away from the pack. Menus are developed by Michelin starred chefs using seasonal ingredients, paired with proper French wines and champagne that you’d happily order in a restaurant. I’ve yet to hear anyone describe an Air France business class meal as “typical airline food”. After trying it myself, I completely understand why!
For 2026, there’s plenty of new stuff happening. La Première first class is expanding to Atlanta, Boston, and Houston, there’s new service launching to Las Vegas, and high speed WiFi is rolling out across the entire fleet by the end of the year. On the points side, Flying Blue regularly opens award seats from around 50,000 to 60,000 miles one way through transfer partners like Amex and Chase. It’s one of the most accessible premium cabins to book without paying cash.
2. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines
- ✈️ Hub: New York JFK, Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Seattle (SEA)
- 🛋️ Best For: Americans who want a great business class bed without gambling on which plane shows up
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort+, Main Cabin
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Delta One
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles (SkyTeam)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Look for flights marketed as “Delta One Suite” rather than just “Delta One” when booking. The suite product has sliding doors and is a completely different experience from the older open layout.
I wouldn’t normally put a US carrier this high on a list like this, but Delta has earned it. The Delta One suite offers a sliding door, a proper lie flat bed with fantastic Westin Heavenly bedding, and a consistent experience across most of their transatlantic fleet. You don’t have to spend hours researching which aircraft has the good seats because nearly every widebody flying to Europe now has the suite product.
The food isn’t going to compete with Air France, and I think most people would agree with that. But it’s getting better, especially with the new José Andrés collaboration rolling out on select Delta One flights in 2026. Crews tend to be friendly and professional without being performative, which I personally prefer on an overnight flight when I just want to eat, sleep, and not be bothered.
Summer 2026 is Delta’s biggest transatlantic season ever with over 650 weekly flights to nearly 30 European destinations. New routes include Boston to Madrid and Nice, JFK to Porto, Sardinia, and Malta, and Seattle to both Rome and Barcelona. The Delta One Lounge concept is expanding to four cities and the first A350-1000 deliveries are expected this year, bringing an even newer generation of suites to the fleet.
3. 🇶🇦 Qatar Airways
- ✈️ Hub: Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
- 🛋️ Best For: If you want the best business class seat in the sky and don’t mind a Doha connection
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Qsuite (Business), Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Privilege Club (Oneworld)
- 💡 Pro Tip: All US routes are guaranteed Qsuite, but if connecting onward to Europe, check the seat map for that second leg. Not every European route gets it 100% of the time.
I’ll be blunt – Qatar’s Qsuite is still the best business class product flying today. The enclosed suites with sliding privacy doors, lie flat beds, and convertible quad seating for couples or groups changed the game when they launched in 2017, and Qatar has managed to stay at the top ever since. Every US route flies Qsuite equipped aircraft, so you know exactly what you’re getting when you book.
The food and service match the hardware. Think proper multi course dining with quality ingredients, good wines, and cabin crew who are attentive without hovering. Hamad International Airport in Doha is one of the best connecting airports in the world, and the Al Mourjan Business Lounge alone makes the stopover worthwhile. You’ll find restaurant quality dining and spa facilities.
Yes, you’re connecting through Doha, which adds time compared to a direct flight. But for many European destinations the routing is surprisingly efficient, and the experience more than compensates. On points, Qsuite is bookable from just 70,000 Avios one way through Privilege Club, with transfer partners including Amex, Chase, and Capital One. For what many consider the best business class in the world, that’s remarkable value. Qsuite 2.0 arrives on new A350-1000 deliveries later in 2026, bringing higher suite doors, wider beds, and companion window suites.
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Seriously, this is the single best money-saving tool I’ve used in 8+ years.
👉 Send me cheap 2026 flights- Heading to England?: 11 Best Airlines to Fly to London in 2026 (Tested Over 50+ Flights)
4. 🇹🇷 Turkish Airlines
- ✈️ Hub: Istanbul Airport (IST)
- 🛋️ Best For: The best food in the sky at prices that consistently undercut the competition
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Business, Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Miles & Smiles (Star Alliance)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Book flights on the 787 or A350 to guarantee the newer 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access. Some older 777s still fly a 2-3-2 configuration, which is a very different experience.
Turkish Airlines is probably the most underrated business class on this list, and I think it offers the best value for getting to Europe. Fares regularly come in 30 to 40 percent cheaper than competitors, and the soft product punches well above what you’d expect at those prices. The flying chef programme with Do&Co catering is exceptional. I’ve lost count of the frequent flyers who tell me Turkish serves the best airline food they’ve ever had!
The hard product is where it gets complicated. On the 787 and A350, you get modern 1-2-1 seating with lie flat beds and direct aisle access. On older 777s, you’re stuck in a 2-3-2 layout that feels dated. The new Crystal suites with privacy doors are being retrofitted across the 777 fleet and will appear on A350-1000 deliveries in 2026, so the gap is closing fast. Just check your aircraft before booking.
Istanbul Airport is a huge selling point on its own. The Turkish Airlines lounge is one of the best in the world, with a golf simulator, cinema, and more food stations than you can visit in one layover. Istanbul connects to virtually every city in Europe with short onward flights, and Miles & Smiles offers some of the cheapest business class award redemptions around through transfer partners like Citi ThankYou and Capital One.
- Planning a stopover? Istanbul Layover Guide (Tours, Insider Tips & Free Turkish Airlines Perks)
5. 🇺🇸 JetBlue
- ✈️ Hub: New York JFK (JFK), Boston (BOS)
- 🛋️ Best For: A fun business class that often costs less than legacy carriers
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Mint Suite, Mint Studio (front row upgrade), Core (Economy)
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Mint
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: TrueBlue
- 💡 Pro Tip: The front row Mint Studio is a $299 upgrade with a companion seat and the widest bed of any US airline. Worth it on overnight flights if you want extra space to sleep.
JetBlue has no business being this good at transatlantic business class, and yet here we are. Mint Suites on the A321LR offers a fully enclosed space with a sliding door, a lie flat bed, and free high speed WiFi on every flight. The food is impressive with a small plates concept sourced from New York restaurant partners that feels creative rather than corporate. I think it’s the most enjoyable business class dining of any US carrier right now.
The network keeps growing too. Summer 2026 brings 13 European routes from JFK and Boston, including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh, Madrid, Barcelona, and Milan. New premium lounges opened at JFK in late 2025, with Boston following in early 2026, finally fixing the biggest gap in the Mint experience. Transatlantic Mint passengers get free lounge access.
The honest downside is that it’s a narrowbody aircraft. That means you get a single aisle and slightly less cabin pressure than a widebody. I find the mattress could use more padding on overnights. But the crews are consistently excellent with a warmth that bigger airlines struggle to match, and cash fares frequently come in under $1,500 roundtrip. On points, book through Etihad Guest for around 80,000 miles one way with minimal fees, making this one of the better value redemptions to Europe.
- My full guide: JetBlue Mint Class in 2026 (My Honest Review)
- For more reading: 8 Cheap European Vacations That Will Take Your Breath Away
6. 🇬🇧 Virgin Atlantic
- ✈️ Hub: London Heathrow (LHR)
- 🛋️ Best For: People who want business class to be fun rather than just functional
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Upper Class, Premium, Economy Delight, Economy Classic
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Upper Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Club
- 💡 Pro Tip: Book an A350-1000 with 44 Upper Class seats for the full experience. Some A350s only have 16 business seats and fly leisure routes with a scaled down cabin.
Most transatlantic business class cabins blur together after a while. Virgin Atlantic doesn’t. They fly Upper Class from ten US cities including JFK, Boston, Atlanta, LA, San Francisco, and Miami into London Heathrow, with Manchester service expanding for summer 2026. It’s a London focused airline, so it’s ideal if the UK is your destination or you’re connecting into Europe by train or short haul flight.
Upper Class on the A350 has a 1-2-1 layout with lie flat beds, partial privacy doors, mood lighting, and rose gold accents that give the cabin a boutique hotel energy. The window seats angle outward so you’re facing away from the aisle, which works brilliantly for sleeping. I’d recommend choosing row 1 if you can because the footwell is noticeably bigger.
The Clubhouse lounges at JFK and Heathrow are among the best in the business. There’s restaurant quality dining, full bars, and complimentary spa treatments that most airlines save for first class. The food onboard won’t blow you away the way Air France or Turkish will, but the cabin crew more than make up for it with more personality and humour than almost any carrier crossing the Atlantic.
I should note that WiFi isn’t free in Upper Class, which feels outdated for 2026. On points, Flying Club occasionally drops awards as low as 29,000 Virgin Points one way. You can also book through Delta SkyMiles.
7. 🇬🇧 British Airways
- ✈️ Hub: London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW)
- 🛋️ Best For: The biggest transatlantic network from the US to the UK with easy European connections
- 🪑 Cabin Options: First, Club Suite (Business), World Traveller Plus, World Traveller
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Club Suite
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Avios (oneworld)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Check the seat map before booking. Forward facing 1-2-1 means the new Club Suite with doors. Alternating forward and backward seats means the old Club World, which you want to avoid.
British Airways flies to 27 US airports, more transatlantic destinations than any other European carrier. Nine daily flights connect JFK to Heathrow alone, and you can fly direct from cities like Miami, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, and San Diego that many competitors skip. If you need to fly to London or connect onward across Europe, nobody gives you more options.
The Club Suite is a proper product with a 1-2-1 layout, lie flat bed, privacy door, and 18.5 inch screen. It flies on all A350s and 787-10s plus most 777s out of Heathrow. The catch is that BA’s retrofit has been painfully slow, so 787-8s, 787-9s, and A380s still mostly carry the old Club World which is cramped, backward facing, and lacks aisle access for many seats. The A380 is finally getting Club Suite and a new first class starting mid 2026. Plus, Starlink free WiFi rolls out across the fleet this year.
The soft product has always been the weak spot. Food and service can feel uninspired next to what Air France or even Virgin delivers, though it varies by crew. On points, Avios are easy to earn through Amex, Chase, and Capital One. But, the carrier surcharges on redemptions are brutal and regularly add $500 or more each way on top of your miles.
- More options: 11 Best Airlines to Fly to London in 2026 (Tested Over 50+ Flights)
- Considering an upgrade? British Airways First Class in 2026 (My Complete Guide)
8. 🇺🇸 American Airlines
- ✈️ Hub: Dallas (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Miami (MIA)
- 🛋️ Best For: Americans who want a US carrier to Europe with the newest business class product in the sky
- 🪑 Cabin Options: Flagship Suite, Flagship Business, Premium Economy, Main Cabin
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 3 checked bags in Flagship Suite
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: AAdvantage (oneworld)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Look for the 787-9P when booking. The “P” means you get the new Flagship Suite with doors. Standard 787 flights still have the older open layout.
I didn’t expect to be this impressed by American Airlines. The new Flagship Suite on the 787-9P has fully enclosed suites with sliding doors, a 79 inch lie flat bed, wireless charging, and a 17.5 inch screen. It competes with Qatar’s Qsuite, and I never thought I’d say that about a US carrier. New mattress pads, dual sided pillows, and Bang & Olufsen headphones are rolling out across all long haul Flagship flights in 2026 too.
American flies to London from Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and JFK, and summer 2026 brings new routes to Budapest, Prague, Athens, Edinburgh, Milan, and Zurich. The A321XLR with 20 Flagship Suites also launches on JFK to Edinburgh in March, opening up smaller European cities that couldn’t support a widebody. Through the oneworld joint venture with British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair, connecting across Europe on a single itinerary is easy.
The catch is fleet availability. Only about 11 of the new 787-9Ps are flying right now, so most European routes still use the older 787-8 or 777 with previous generation Flagship Business that lacks doors and feels less private. That will improve as more frames arrive, but for now I’d seek out the 787-9P specifically to get the best experience. AAdvantage miles can be earned through Citi and Bilt transfer partners.
9. 🇨🇭 SWISS International Air Lines
- ✈️ Hub: Zurich Airport (ZRH)
- 🛋️ Best For: Travellers who want a refined, customisable business class and a gateway into Central Europe
- 🪑 Cabin Options: First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
- 💡 Pro Tip: The SWISS Senses cabin is only on the A350 right now, flying Zurich to Boston. If your route uses a 777 or A330, you’re getting the old product until retrofits catch up.
SWISS is in the middle of the biggest cabin overhaul in its history, and if you time it right the new product is well worth your attention. The A350 with SWISS Senses launched on the Zurich to Boston route in late 2025 and features 45 business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout with five different seat types. You can choose between a Business Suite, a Privacy Seat near the window, an Extra Long Bed stretching over two metres, or a Classic seat depending on what matters most to you.
I really like the concept of picking your seat based on how you fly. If I’m on an overnight I want the Extra Long Bed. If I’m working, the Extra Space option with more desk room makes sense. That kind of personalisation is rare in business class and it sets SWISS apart from carriers that give everyone the same pod.
Only two A350s are in service now with four expected by end of 2026, so most US routes to New York, LA, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington still fly older 777s and A330s with the previous cabin. A330 retrofits begin spring 2026 but will take time. SWISS flies from eight US cities into Zurich, which connects smoothly across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy on short hops.
- Read next: 10 Flight Hacks to Get to Europe from the US
- For more reading: Affordable Places to Fly From Boston
10. 🇳🇱 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- ✈️ Hub: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)
- 🛋️ Best For: Frequent flyers who value a huge connecting network and a no nonsense ride
- 🪑 Cabin Options: World Business Class, Premium Comfort, Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue (SkyTeam)
- 💡 Pro Tip: All KLM 777s now have new 1-2-1 seats with privacy doors. The 787s still have older reverse herringbone without doors, so check your aircraft.
KLM’s biggest strength isn’t the seat or the food. It’s where they can get you. Amsterdam Schiphol connects to over 90 European cities, including places like Cork, Split, Gothenburg, Bilbao, Naples, and Ljubljana that most transatlantic carriers don’t serve directly. If your final destination is somewhere beyond London, Paris, or Frankfurt, KLM through Schiphol is often the most efficient routing with a short connection and bags checked through.
From the US, KLM flies from 16 cities including New York with up to three daily flights, plus Atlanta, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Miami, Boston, Minneapolis, and newly added San Diego. The 777 fleet has been fully retrofitted with Jamco Venture seats in a 1-2-1 layout with sliding privacy doors, wireless charging, and a 78 inch lie flat bed. I’d say it now competes comfortably with most European carriers on hardware. The 787s are a step behind without doors but still offer direct aisle access and a decent sleep.
KLM and Air France share Flying Blue, so you earn and burn the same miles either way. Awards regularly start around 50,000 miles one way through Amex, Chase, or Capital One. The food is good without being a standout, and you’ll get a miniature Delft Blue house filled with Dutch gin after your meal, which has quietly become one of aviation’s most collected souvenirs.
- Read my full review: KLM Business Class Review in 2026 (Seats, Perks + More)
11. 🇩🇪 Lufthansa
- ✈️ Hub: Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA)
- 🛋️ Best For: Travellers heading to Germany or Central Europe who can confirm an Allegris aircraft before booking
- 🪑 Cabin Options: First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: 2 checked bags in Business Class
- 🎯 Loyalty Program: Miles & More (Star Alliance)
- 💡 Pro Tip: Only the “Classic” seat is free in Allegris business class. The Suite, Privacy, and Extra Long Bed seats cost $185 to $650 extra on top of your ticket, which catches people off guard.
I’ll be honest, Lufthansa is the most complicated airline on this list. The new Allegris business class on the A350 is impressive, with a 1-2-1 layout, lie flat beds up to 220cm, 27 inch 4K screens, and five seat types including front row suites with closing doors that rival anything Qatar or Singapore offers. If you get the right plane and pay for the best seat, it can be a fantastic experience.
The problem is actually getting it. As of early 2026, only about ten A350s fly with Allegris out of Munich to Chicago, San Francisco, New York, LA, and Miami. The new 787s from Frankfurt have Allegris cabins too, but a certification mess means only four of 28 business class seats are usable per plane, with the rest blocked until at least May 2026. Most of Lufthansa’s long haul fleet still flies the old 2-2-2 layout with no aisle access and no privacy whatsoever.
If you can confirm an Allegris A350 on your route, book it. If not, I’d pick almost any other airline on this list over old Lufthansa business class. The Frankfurt and Munich lounges are excellent, the European network behind both hubs is enormous, and you can book through United MileagePlus or Aeroplan via Chase and Bilt transfers.
- Looking to find business class deals to Europe for under $2,000 roundtrip? You’ll want to sign up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (Going.com). While the free version is great for economy deals, the Elite version is what you’ll need to find cheap business class deals.
Global Viewpoint is a personal blog. All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, medical, or legal advice.
