Air Luxe
Carriers across the globe are unveiling plush new business class seats
AS GLOBAL BUSINESS travel spending rebounds, airlines are upgrading their cabins and designing new business class seats. Many airlines are now replacing first class cabins with business class due to shifting consumer demand, while major carriers such as American Airlines, Qantas and Qatar Airways are improving their business class offerings. Here are five business class cabins, seats and suites expected to take to the skies in 2024.
American Airlines
The biggest carrier in the U.S. will debut its hotly anticipated Flagship Suite, which will come in two versions—one on new deliveries of Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321XLRs and the other on retrofitted 777-300ERs. The new seats will provide more space than current cabins, wood-effect sliding doors for added privacy, and dark gray seats surrounded by calming gray walls with deep red touches.
Hawaiian Airlines
Although Alaska Airlines is attempting to push through a takeover of Hawaiian Airlines, the Hawaiian carrier is still expected to fly under its brand name and livery, and passengers will be able to enjoy its much anticipated Leihōkū Suites starting this month. Evoking the Polynesian culture that defines the Hawaiian Islands, the new business class cabins will feature 34 Leihōkū Suites in a 1-2-1 configuration.
All suites will include lie-flat seats, sliding privacy doors and 18-inch IFE screens. The design is inspired by Hawaii’s culture and natural landscape, with sunset and sunrise light settings and intricate ocean and wind patterns throughout. Passengers will be able to enjoy the Leihōkū Suites on Hawaiian’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific is introducing its Aria Suites on its flagship aircraft, the Boeing 777-300ER. Exact details and specifications are yet to be confirmed, but the airline has provided a glimpse of the new design in a teaser video.
With a warm and inviting golden-brown color scheme, the stylish suites include elegant curvature, woodlike surfaces and a clever folding tray design for generous storage space. It is also expected to come with modern touches such as wireless charging capabilities and a large 4K IFE screen.
The Aria Suites are scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2024.
Air New Zealand
New Zealand’s flag carrier is scheduled to launch its brandnew Business Premier cabins this year, designed based on customer feedback. It will replace its somewhat dated business class seats on its ultra-long-haul Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The new cabin will feature 42 Business Premier seats in a 1-2-1 formation and eight extra-spacious Business Premier Luxe suites that include a “buddy seat” so passengers can enjoy a meal or drink with a companion. The suites will have a neutral gray color scheme with pink and purple touches, sliding privacy panels, a cabinet and mirror, and huge 24-inch 4K IFE screen. Air New Zealand’s Business Premier cabins are scheduled to launch in September.
Saudia
The national airline of Saudi Arabia has exciting plans in the coming years. The first of 15 Airbus A321XLR aircraft will introduce a new business class seat designed by Thompson Aero, which is already being used in JetBlue’s Mint suites. The new cabin will be designed in a 1-1 configuration, with the front row providing extra room to allow two passengers to dine together.
Additionally, the airline has partnered with Collins Aerospace to equip its brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and retrofit its current 777s and Airbus A330s with all-new closed-door suites. According to Rossen Dimitrov, Saudia’s chief customer experience officer, the new seats are expected to arrive in early 2026 and “will come with many surprises.”
The Leihōkū Suites are inspired by Hawaii’s culture and natural landscape, with intricate ocean and wind patterns throughout.