Best Business Class Seats For Couples & Families? Here Are My Favorites...

It’s Q-suite. However… routing through Doha these days… eh, I’d give it more time…

I know a lot of people didn’t like old BA club world but this was something the middle seats were really good for. The direct aisle access, individual notes obsession looked good pre-Covid in a high business travel scenario, but with more premium leisure demand a bit more of a mix of seating types. If Lufthansa allegris development had started by looking at people not revenue (and started after Covid) we might have had something quite good.

I have a toddler right now and I’m actively avoiding business class because there’s precious few seats where I could stop them from unbuckling and running down the aisle during takeoff and landing.

How about the least favorite list for couples and families? Have to imagine Luft-kaka (is that what you call it @1990?) takes the cake? Was looking at a Swiss redemption for 2027 and honestly thinking that I wouldn't book it for the family if the older A330 (which I know is not exactly world class) was retrofitted into the new swiss senses. The family seating chart alone is outrageous - the adults have to sit in the aisle seats while the kids get the window privacy seats for safety reasons? My word what a mess.

I fly alone and have only had a window seat in a 1-2-1 J. As the new tiered J fares evolve, I'm for sure paying the extra to not have a chance of being in the "2" section.

I've said this before but TK's old seats are really underrated and the best for family's. Huge legroom, no cubbyhole for feet, and really comfortable as a bed.

I think how the divider is setup makes a huge difference. Do you have to lean forward to talk even with it slid out of the way? On a recent trip in Polaris, we were surprised how well the middle pair of seats worked for us. We weren't sleeping right next to each other, but that's sort of a benefit if you're sleeping a different times, but we could still chat, enjoy meals together, etc.

I’d like to credit “Luft-kafka” to commenter All Due Respect; and, yes, the LH group new config. is indeed odd.

@Lucky q suite next gen will have the companion suite, offering face to face at the window. I couldn’t find any renderings with a very quick search, but maybe one is out there or hiding in a patent.

It's not great in any other way but the old British Airways Middle seats are great for travelling with young kids - they have a huge enclosed space in the middle and parents are very close to them.

Another callout that doesn't get enough mention is Qatar's 787-9. They're the only airline to do this, as I'm aware, but they use a reverse herringbone seat on the outside, while the inside seats use herringbone.
This means that people who like to look out the window can see perfectly, while the inside seats can be perfect for people travelling together.
Not sure why more airlines don't do this

What about BA’s old business seats? They are on the way out but can still be found on some planes.

You've forgotten to include the best business class seats for travelling with infants, which are the old BA seats (still in existence on certain BA aircraft).

Hi Ben, have you travelled AF Business wih your child? tWe flew AF Business when our one year old was a lap infant. She is now 4, and I am taking her to Europe, and booked AF J Class on their 777-300.
AF policy is you can only book the single window seat for the child, as they deem it is safer for the child across the aisle from the parent, than in the center pair of seats.
This seems counterintuitive, as I would prefer to have her seated in the center pair of seats next to me than across the aisle. Curious if you have any experience with this considering how often you travel with your child.

AF has the same policy, which is not making any sense. Adults in the aisle, with kids in the window for safety reasons.

I believe United is doing similar to some of their center seats on their new 787-9s as well.

This is the most important question. Thank you for asking it, because I also would like to know if the divider goes down on these different ones.

For Couples = first row, middle seats on Air France’s A350-900. Huge amount of extra legroom and space (versus other business class seats on this plane) plus privacy doors

I’m literally in the middle of a round the world trip with my 4 year old and nanny. Beware of aircraft swaps where you originally booked J class with side by side seats (like LX 777 or TK 777). Due to aircraft swaps or having to fly another airline due to schedule changes, we ended up on reverse herringbone on some segments, which is not ideal if you are traveling with a small child. The worst seats with a small child is herringbone because you can’t access the aisle to help your child while your tray is out.

Polaris center pairs are solid for couples too.

Totally agree. Turkish is always a favorite, from the soft product to the lounge in Istanbul and the ability to one stop connect to most countries in the world.... Whenever I say this inevitably someone mentionsn the seats and I really dont find them bad since I travel as a family of four.

Then once in a while you get the newer A350 with doors which is pretty tough to beat

If LH can make this list, IB odd numbered rows have to as well.