There are all kinds of features that contribute to a great business class experience. While I would hardly consider this to be the most important aspect of a business class flight, some airlines offer their passengers pajamas.
This can be useful on a couple of levels. For one, pajamas can be helpful for getting comfortable on a flight, and for keeping the set of clothes you board with fresh. Furthermore, since you can keep pajamas, they’re a fun way to remember a great flight, and can also be enjoyed at home, especially if you’re an avgeek.
While most airlines offer pajamas in first class, it’s not common to get them in business class. In this post I wanted to compile a list of the airlines that offer pajamas in business class. This is the current situation to the best of my knowledge, though if I missed any airlines or I got details wrong about which flights offer them, please do let me know.
With that out of the way, here we go, in no particular order…
In this post:
Qatar Airways business class pajamas
Qatar Airways is known for its incredible Qsuites business class, and I’d guess that the airline probably hands out more pajamas to business class passengers than any other airline. In general you can expect to be offered pajamas on Qatar Airways when traveling in business class on all long haul flights, and on overnight medium haul flights as well.
Qatar Airways has gone through different collaborations over the years, with the most common collaboration being with The White Company.
Qantas business class pajamas
Qantas business class passengers receive what might just be my favorite pajamas offered in business class on any airline, as they feature Qantas’ iconic kangaroo logo. These are offered on select long haul flights from Australia, including to the United States, Singapore, London, etc.
Virgin Atlantic business class pajamas
Virgin Atlantic business class (often referred as “Upper Class”) passengers also receive complimentary pajamas on all overnight flights. This consists primarily of flights across the Atlantic, but also includes flights to Asia. As someone who loves Virgin Atlantic, I wish they were branded a bit more, but I do find them to be comfortable.
EVA Air business class pajamas
EVA Air business class passengers are offered pajamas on long haul flights, including flights to and from the United States and Europe. These are designed in partnership with Jason Wu, and are among the most stylish pajamas offered by any airlines.
Gulf Air business class pajamas
Gulf Air business class passengers receive pajamas on all medium haul overnight flights (including from Bahrain to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Singapore, Manila, etc.), and they’re also sometimes available on request on daytime flights of similar lengths. While it’s nice that these are offered, I have to say that these aren’t otherwise the most exciting pajamas out there.
Oman Air business class pajamas
Oman Air business class passengers can request pajamas on all medium haul overnight flights (including from Muscat to London, Paris, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Manila, etc.), and they’re also sometimes available on request on daytime flights of similar lengths. I quite like these pajamas, and prefer them to those offered by Gulf Air.
United Airlines business class pajamas
United Airlines business class (often referred as “Polaris”) passengers receive pajamas on request on flights of over 14 hours. Let me emphasize that you have to know to ask for these, as they won’t generally be proactively offered by the crew. This is only available on United’s longest flights, like selection flights to Asia, Australia, and Africa.
American Airlines business class pajamas
American Airlines business class passengers receive pajamas on select premium long haul routes. American’s ultra long haul route network isn’t exactly robust at the moment, so this could include flights to Auckland, Delhi, Doha, Sydney, and Tokyo.
Starlux Airlines business class pajamas
Starlux Airlines business class passengers receive pajamas on long haul flights (including Los Angeles and San Francisco flights). They’re offered proactively, and are among the highest quality pajamas I’ve received in business class.
Air Serbia business class pajamas
Air Serbia business class passengers receive pajamas receive pajamas on request on overnight long haul flights. Air Serbia has a small long haul network, so this primarily includes flights from Chicago and New York to Belgrade.
Air India business class pajamas
Air India business class passengers receive pajamas on most long haul flights. Those have been nicely upgraded recently, because nowadays the airline offers sleepwear from Tumi. The pajamas are unisex and are crew neck style, with Tumi branding and an accent highlight of Tumi red on the drawcord.
Emirates business class pajamas
Emirates business class passengers proactively receive pajamas on flights of over nine hours. This is a new feature as of February 2024, so it’s nice to see the airline rolling this route. This custom loungewear consists of a relaxed cowl neck top and drawstring pants, and is available in two sizes.
Other business class pajamas with limitations
The above are the airlines that most consistently offer pajamas in business class. However, there are some other airlines that offer pajamas, but with more limitations. For example:
- Those traveling in the JetBlue Mint Studio across the Atlantic receive pajamas; this is a special front row business class experience with an upcharge compared to the Mint Suite
- Those traveling in Condor “Prime” business class seats receive pajamas; this is a special front row business class experience you pay more for
- All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines give you cardigans in business class on long haul flights, but these are only for use during the flight, and need to be returned
Bottom line
It’s always a treat to get pajamas on a flight, especially if you’re an airline fan and enjoy wearing these at home. While there are lots of amazing business class products out there, not that many airlines offer pajamas. Furthermore, even on the airlines that do offer them, some only provide them on request, so it helps to know what to expect.
What are your favorite airline pajamas you’ve received? Did I miss any airlines?
Not your standard airline, but Azerbaijan. Airways gives PJs on their long haul routes (NYC/Beijing to Baku)
Cathay Pacific used to provide excellent pyjamas. Almost tracksuit quality. I have suitcases full of airline suits. Wouldn't fly long haul without a pair, so if I'm on an airline that doesn't have them I'll usually pack a Qantas suit.. just to be an Aussie.
I loved this article because, all things considered and prices being pretty similar, I’d pick a pajama-giving flight over one that doesn’t. Thanks so much for this helpful list!
I have ca 6 pairs from Qatar and 2 more from EVA...actually those PJs are great and heavily used...they easily match every PJ I ever bought...no flights planned on PJ supplying airlines this year but lets see what 2025 brings
Cute idea.. but I picture those jammies to look and feel like they came from the sale pile at Dirt Cheap
QR biz is very rough and flimsy (35% cotton). BA first (100% cotton) is average, silky collared and better than QR.
QF biz (88% cotton) is one of the most comfortable long-sleeve shirts I've worn. It's a bit oddly sized with extra fabric around the mid-section (which sucks if you're not... yk, fat) but it's incredibly soft--among the most lightweight and soft feeling shirts I have.
Polaris (? cotton) one that I just...
QR biz is very rough and flimsy (35% cotton). BA first (100% cotton) is average, silky collared and better than QR.
QF biz (88% cotton) is one of the most comfortable long-sleeve shirts I've worn. It's a bit oddly sized with extra fabric around the mid-section (which sucks if you're not... yk, fat) but it's incredibly soft--among the most lightweight and soft feeling shirts I have.
Polaris (? cotton) one that I just got is close to QF for comfort. It's very well portioned for me and "snaps in place" / feels "just right" and have a more smart casual look to it.
So in summary, they could sit in Macy's/JCP up to being in Saks (Polaris bedding is actually branded that), Neiman, Bloomingdale's etc. Certainly better than GAP or Walmart/Target & worse.
You don't get a pyjama on Qatar Airways e.g. from Doha to JNB even if the flight is long haul.
And btw, you won't get an amenity bag e.g. on the 17h+ flight vom AKL to DOH. Just a paper box.
Qatar is only loading as many meals in total (!) for C as there are passengers on board, so last rows get the leftovers.
Qatar is not the airline it used to be pre-pandemic.
BA have been taking this skimping on loading enough catering for almost a decade. To the point that they assume some in each cabin won't eat, so they don't even load the number of meals for the number of souls on board
'British" Airways or the UK brand of a Madrid registered multinational NEVER provide pajamas in business, again cut to increase profits (like functional IT systems and effective cabin cleaning/maintenance.
We just returned from JNB - DOHA - SFO last Sunday May 12 and Ended up with 4 sets of pjs - 2 sets outbound 2 sets inbound, 1 per each leg of the trip and they were all full in business class. We didn’t have to ask either. Kept my city pillows too.
For the price one pays for business class of more than 6 hours, it surely is a tiny fraction of their costs to supply pyjamas or lounge wear to their business class passengers. It can help with branding too.
I flew DFW-ICN on AA twice in January.
No PJ’S :(
My new favourite airline pyjamas are the Rebecca Vallance edition to commemorate Qantas flying QF 3/4 - stylish and not too heavy ....... and even better.... liberated from my daughter!
On ANA I was not only given a “cardigan” but PJ bottoms. It was a bit awkward at the end of the flight when they collected them and I had to dig them out of my carry-on. I had assumed they were mine to keep.
I'm also currently wearing my Starlux pants, I'm really impressed with their quality. I think they're a big step above the EVA set I received on the same trip. Only annoyance is the largest size they had on my flight was L.
Best set I've had post-pandemic was Qatar special edition for Qatar2022 World Cup. Well made, stylish and comfortable. Get regular use, and launder well, unlike some.
It's a mystery why AirFrance doesn't supply any. I imagine they'd be trés chic if the do get around to it!
You should mention also Lufthansa´s "half pajamas" (the pajama shirt) made by Van Laack for all long haul LH Business Class passengers
Why didn’t i get them ? Had two long haul flights with LH last month.
One flight was over 10 hours.
JFK: REALLY!? really.... (3)premium lounes (which should be one nice one!)
so Exec Plat people need to walk an extra mile for the "Admirals Club"
so odd that AA is obsessed with their love of Britsh Airways. which is one step above RyanAir
I can't imagine caring about this. I would just wear sweats and go right to sleep.
I have to laugh at posts like this. This is absolutely not one of the reasons people choose one airline over another....
I actively seek out flights that do.
I'm here on this post deciding which airline(s) to fly BKK to MIA and this is one of the perks I'm interested in. There are a lot of avgeeks here, it's not just a blog for business travelers.
American's long haul PJs are shockingly good... just don't expect them to actually remember to load them at JFK.
Does anyone know if EVA pajamas are true to fit? I don't want to order too big or small. Thanks.
Just flew EVA in December and the pajamas were true to size. When distributing the pjs, the flight attendant looked us over and then handed pjs that fit us well.
If you get a size too small, they will happily replace, and you might be able to keep them if you ask politely. Happened to me.
I seriously don't get this, the constant banging on about qatar "Qatar Airways is known for its incredible Qsuites business class, ...". It's cramped and claustrophobic, the table is badly positioned under the tv so you often knock it when sleeping, the foot tunnel is narrow.
I totally agree. And the J and F lounges are way over rated too.
Sitting in one as i type this and could agree more….
Qantas provides pajamas but not slippers which I found odd
Slippers in F; can't remember if in Business as it's quite a while since I did QF long-haul.
Pre-pandemic, Hainan Airlines gave out decent pajamas with gold silky accents. Currently I’m enjoying lounging in my Starlux PJs.
Well, I guess you get Qatar PJ only if you have business ticket from the start, not in the case of upgrade. At least that was in my case. And it was on the same route. First time I made an upgrade 24h before the departure on the way back and there was no PJ and no amenities, with business ticket I got the whole package.
If you got an upgrade to Business cabin you would have got a full amenities kit with pjs, especially if you'd asked.
When complimentary pajamas are offered, do many business class passengers actually bother to change into pajamas during the flight? What are your observations? Isn't it a quite a hassle to change clothing in the limited space provided by most airplane bathrooms?
I personally bring my own pajamas. And as far as space in the bathroom goes, I tend to use the one that's handicap accessible.
Not difficult. Always change on Emirates JFK-DXB and definitely changed on the non stop Singapore JFK-SIN.
Been wearing my Qantas ones forever, looking forward to new Emirates ones.
Ben, can you update the article to include minimum flight durations that offer pajamas?
I noticed a significant lack of airline branding on the pajamas; except for the Polaris rags.
Sad to read ANA moved to a loaner cardigan.
My two favs are the Qatar pjs and Qantas, though my absolute favorite is my JAL cardigan. I rock the Mr. Rogers look with it.
United has recently changed their PJ's which I would say are more comfy than the Qsuite PJ's
I wear my Qatar pajamas around the house on a regular basis.
Lufthansa offers Pyjama tops (i.e. only shirts) on flights over 11 hours I believe, so it could be part of your "limitations list".
+1 – I hate to give Lufthansa credit, but you did miss them.
Maybe these have disappeared post-pandemic, but has ANA dropped their pants, um, PJs? I'm currently lounging at home in my favorite PJs - from previous business class flights on ANA. I've also got some Thai Airways PJs that I *think* were from business class (I also have some First Class Thai PJs, and the Business Class PJs are different).
The Starlux pajamas are very comfortable. I've been wearing the pants around the house all week since coming back from Taiwan. Much to the dismay of my wife who dislikes the tan color of them.
Can confirm, Air India PJs were some of the best i have ever encountered.
China Eastern provide PJs in long haul J & F too