Corporate Traveller’s 2025 hotlist: Our experts’ top picks for business travellers

Of all international carriers departing from Australia, Emirates was named the champion of first class luxury, earning almost half of the votes from Corporate Traveller’s experts for its opulent suites and unparalleled service. Securing second place was Singapore Airlines, with Qatar Airways placing third.

Qatar Airways dominated business class with its game-changing Qsuite, favoured by over half of Travel Managers, followed by Singapore Airlines and Emirates.

Meanwhile, the Airbus A380 soared above the competition for long-haul travel, celebrated for its quiet cabins and spacious design by more than half of the experts polled, followed by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Tom Walley, Australian-based Global Managing Director at Corporate Traveller, says: “Our Travel Managers work closely with airlines and business travellers daily, so they know exactly where the gold standards lie.”

“Emirates’ first class suites, complete with in-flight shower spas and virtual windows, deliver a private, hotel-like experience. Qatar Airways’ Qsuite has redefined business class, blending luxury with functionality, while the A380 remains the long-haul favourite, offering unmatched space and quiet.”

Corporate Travellers’ industry selection comes amid Emirates unveiling its first Airbus A350-900 in November 2024 in a bid to deliver next-generation business class lie-flat seats that meet growing customer demand.^[3] The timing is no accident as airlines race to capture their share of global business travel, the pressure to innovate has never been greater.

Tom says: “Airlines are pushing the boundaries of convenience and luxury at 40,000 feet and in 2025 the bar will rise even higher. Qantas is upping the ante by offering passengers flying from Australia to New York and London a boutique hotel experience in the sky with next generation first class and business class cabins.^[4]

Singapore Airlines’ SGD$1.1 billion investment to outfit its A350 fleet with brand-new first and business class seats signals a strong commitment to elevating the premium travel experience. 

“Right now, the airline has only announced these luxurious suites for its ultra-long-haul flights between Singapore and the United States, but it’s possible we may see them on Australian routes in the future. If that happens, it will be a real boon for corporate travellers who value both rest and productivity on long-haul journeys.”

Emirates’ First Class Suites remain the benchmark for luxury, offering privacy doors, virtual windows, personal minibars, and an in-flight shower spa. “With more space and seamless technology being rolled out in 2025, Emirates’ award-winning first class experience will only strengthen,” says Tom.

For business travellers, Qatar Airways’ Qsuite dominated the category thanks to its innovative features, including lie-flat beds, sliding doors for privacy, and flexible configurations that cater to both solo travellers and groups.^[5]

“Qatar Airways has turned business class into a customisable sanctuary,” says Tom. “It’s not just a seat; it’s a private domain that allows travellers to relax, work, or connect in comfort.”

The Airbus A380 remains a perennial favourite for long-haul travel among the Corporate Traveller experts, loved for its quieter cabins, spacious seating arrangements, and ability to minimise travel fatigue. Its double-deck configuration also enables airlines to enhance passenger experiences across all classes, offering amenities such as onboard lounges and expanded premium seating options.^[6]

Tom says: “The A380 is a long-haul icon. Its sheer scale, design, and onboard extras consistently deliver serenity in the skies. Similarly, the Dreamliner is shaping the future of travel with its focus on passenger comfort and cutting-edge technology.

“Our experts know business travellers deserve far more than a standard seat on a plane,” adds Tom. “They deserve an experience that makes the journey as productive and enjoyable as the destination.”

Ranking of the top first class airlines, business class airlines and long-haul aircraft 

^{[1]  https://www.gbta.org/research/2024-business-travel-index-outlook-bti/ 
[2] Internal poll in December 2024 of 69 Corporate Traveller, Travel Managers 
[3] https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-officially-unveils-its-first-a350-aircraft/ 
[4] https://www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au/first-business-class-flights/ 
[5] https://www.qatarairways.com/en-us/onboard/qsuite.html#:~:text=Pure%20privacy,Exclusive%20Diptyque%20amenity%20kit 
[6] https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/a380#:~:text=The%20flagship%20in%20comfort%20trends&text=With%20its%20unique%20cabin%20architecture,favourite%20in%20all%20cabin%20classes.} 

About Flight Centre Travel Group

The Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers. The company, which is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in dozens of countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Asia. ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) also operates the global FCM corporate travel management network, which extends to more than 100 countries through company-owned businesses and independent licensees, along with Corporate Traveller, the flagship business specific to the small-to-medium-sized enterprise sector. For more information, visit fctgl.com.