Star Alliance, the world's first and largest global airline alliance, includes 26 airlines serving over 1,300 destinations in 195 countries. For frequent flyers and premium passengers, the business class offerings across these airlines vary significantly—despite the shared alliance. While all member airlines promise comfort, seamless connectivity, and premium perks, each has a distinct business class product in terms of hard and soft services.
This blog presents a fact-based comparison of business class on top Star Alliance airlines: Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Turkish Airlines, EVA Air, and Swiss International Air Lines. These carriers were selected due to their consistent rankings in Skytrax and customer satisfaction surveys.
The comparison is structured around core business class features: seating configuration and comfort, in-flight dining, service standards, lounge experience, and additional perks. Insights are drawn from verified airline specifications, product reviews, seat maps, Skytrax rankings, and official press releases.
The goal is to help business travelers, aviation enthusiasts, and frequent flyers make informed decisions based on hard facts—whether they’re choosing a carrier for a transcontinental flight, a long-haul intercontinental journey, or planning mileage redemptions via a Star Alliance frequent flyer program.
We avoid generic praise or biased airline promotion. Instead, we analyze the product as it is delivered onboard and on the ground.
Seat comfort and privacy in business class is arguably the most crucial factor, particularly for long-haul flights. Star Alliance member airlines deploy varying seat types, from older angled-flat seats to cutting-edge suites with full privacy doors.
Singapore Airlines offers one of the widest business class seats in the industry—up to 34 inches—configured in a 1-2-1 layout on its A350 and Boeing 777-300ER. All seats convert into full-flat beds, and the 2017 and 2018 regional and long-haul configurations feature a blend of hard-shell privacy and aisle access.
ANA’s “THE Room” business class on select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is one of the most spacious in the market. Introduced in 2019, these suites feature closing doors, 1-2-1 layout, 24-inch entertainment screens, and sofa-style width of 38 inches. It rivals some first-class products.
Turkish Airlines offers a mix. On the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350, the newer 1-2-1 herringbone configuration provides direct aisle access and lie-flat beds. However, older aircraft still use 2-3-2 or 2-2-2 seating, which can compromise privacy. The newer seats are competitive but lack a door.
Lufthansa's current business class is less competitive, featuring a 2-2-2 layout with minimal privacy and limited direct aisle access. The airline is rolling out the new “Allegris” business class with 1-2-1 seating, privacy partitions, and individual temperature control, starting from 2024.
EVA’s business class features reverse herringbone seating (1-2-1) on most Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft. The seat is elegant, with good privacy and ample personal space. While lacking sliding doors, it is consistently praised for comfort.
Swiss operates Thompson Vantage seats in a staggered 1-2-1/2-2-1 layout. Some rows offer “throne” seats with extra privacy and space, while others feel cramped. Lie-flat beds are standard, but the uneven layout affects consistency.
Verdict: ANA leads in seat innovation and privacy, followed by Singapore Airlines and EVA. Lufthansa lags with its current product but promises improvements. Turkish and Swiss vary by aircraft and seat layout.
Star Alliance carriers all aim to provide a fine dining experience in the sky, but the approach, presentation, and quality of offerings differ significantly.
Singapore’s “Book the Cook” program is unmatched, allowing pre-selection of gourmet meals like lobster thermidor or lamb loin up to 24 hours in advance. Meals are served restaurant-style with porcelain dishware and metal cutlery. Wine pairings are curated by master sommeliers.
ANA features a strong East-meets-West offering, with authentic kaiseki Japanese courses and premium Western meals. ANA is one of the few airlines that changes its menu monthly. It also serves premium sake and award-winning Japanese whisky in business class.
Known for onboard “flying chefs,” Turkish Airlines offers abundant and flavorful Turkish and international cuisine. Bread baskets, meze platters, and made-to-order entrees are common. Presentation is exceptional, and hot towel service remains a tradition.
While Lufthansa provides multi-course European meals, its consistency is a known issue. The presentation lacks the polish of competitors, and meal quality varies across routes. However, the beverage selection includes premium German wines and international spirits.
EVA’s meals are inspired by both Asian and Western tastes, with options like braised beef cheek and eel rice. The airline partners with premium food brands and offers limited-edition meals. Champagne and fine wine are standard, including Laurent-Perrier.
Swiss emphasizes regionality in its cuisine. The “SWISS Taste of Switzerland” program rotates menus every three months, focusing on cuisine from different cantons. Food quality is generally above average, though portion sizes are modest.
Verdict: Singapore Airlines and ANA set the standard for business class dining with choice, presentation, and flavor. Turkish Airlines stands out for volume and cultural authenticity. EVA and Swiss are consistently strong, while Lufthansa needs improvement.
Soft service—including crew interaction, responsiveness, and personalized care—can significantly affect passenger experience.
Renowned for its polished, proactive service, Singapore Airlines consistently ranks at the top in Skytrax and customer ratings. Cabin crew receive intensive training, focusing on cultural awareness and hospitality. Personalized greetings and attention to detail are hallmarks.
ANA matches Singapore Airlines in professionalism, though with a more reserved approach. Service is meticulous, prompt, and respectful, often reflecting Japanese hospitality norms (omotenashi). Language skills are strong, and service recovery is quick.
Turkish’s service can be hit or miss. On flagship routes, especially out of Istanbul, crew are attentive and enthusiastic. However, inconsistency exists on secondary routes. Turkish aims for warmth, and the flying chef adds a touch of elegance.
Lufthansa service is functional but rarely personal. Staff efficiency is prioritized over warmth, and while professional, the service lacks flair. This reflects the airline's corporate style rather than individual initiative.
EVA’s crew are highly rated for being friendly and unobtrusive. They offer good language skills and quiet efficiency, ideal for long-haul rest-focused passengers. The airline doesn’t overpromise but delivers consistent service.
Swiss crews are multilingual and efficient, but feedback often describes the service as cold or impersonal. The level of hospitality can depend on the crew, and Swiss sometimes misses the mark in creating a welcoming environment.
Verdict: Singapore Airlines and ANA dominate this category with flawless service culture. EVA Air follows closely. Turkish Airlines has potential but lacks consistency. Lufthansa and Swiss lag in warmth and personalization.
A complete business class experience starts on the ground. Lounge access, boarding efficiency, and baggage handling are key differentiators among Star Alliance airlines.
The SilverKris Lounge network, especially The Private Room in Singapore, offers premium amenities, à la carte dining, and showers. Business class lounges are spacious, with power ports, Wi-Fi, and local dishes. Check-in counters are dedicated and efficient.
ANA’s lounges at Tokyo Haneda and Narita are modern, with sushi bars, sleeping pods, and showers. Business class passengers receive fast-track immigration and priority baggage handling. Lounges outside Japan vary in quality depending on partners.
The Turkish Airlines Business Lounge at Istanbul Airport is one of the largest globally, with live cooking stations, nap rooms, a library, and entertainment areas. Ground services are robust, though check-in can be chaotic at busy times.
The Lufthansa Business Lounges in Frankfurt and Munich are functional but unremarkable. First Class Terminal in Frankfurt is exclusive—but not for business class. Priority check-in, security, and boarding are reliable, yet lounges can get crowded.
EVA Air's lounges in Taipei Taoyuan International Airport are aesthetically pleasing and offer gourmet snacks, workstations, and quiet zones. However, they’re not on the scale of ANA or Singapore. Baggage priority is effective.
Swiss lounges at Zurich offer stylish comfort, with Alpine themes, gourmet buffets, and panoramic views. Zurich’s SWISS Business Lounge includes showers, workspaces, and a whiskey bar. Ground handling is precise, as expected in Switzerland.
Verdict: Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines offer best-in-class lounges. ANA and Swiss perform well in their hubs, while Lufthansa and EVA Air are solid but less distinctive.
Comparing business class across Star Alliance airlines reveals a spectrum of excellence, with ANA and Singapore Airlines consistently leading in almost every category—from seating and food to service and lounge access.
ANA’s “THE Room” stands out as arguably the best business class seat globally, combining privacy, space, and innovation. Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, excels in service refinement and culinary offerings with its acclaimed “Book the Cook” program and impeccable cabin crew training.
Turkish Airlines impresses with its cultural food service and lounge scale, making it a strong option for travelers focused on culinary comfort and ground amenities. EVA Air offers quiet consistency with a strong hard product and understated yet attentive service.
Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines, while efficient, lag in product modernization. Lufthansa’s upcoming “Allegris” redesign promises a significant leap forward, but as of now, it trails in seat comfort and service personalization. Swiss performs better with its ground product and cuisine but falls short on consistency and warmth in onboard service.
Ultimately, the best Star Alliance business class experience depends on individual priorities:
For seat innovation and privacy, choose ANA.
For culinary finesse and polished service, go with Singapore Airlines.
For lounge experience and onboard volume, Turkish Airlines is a solid contender.
For balanced comfort, EVA Air offers reliability without extravagance.
Frequent flyers might also consider route availability, loyalty programs, and aircraft consistency. For example, booking a flight on ANA’s “THE Room” is only possible on select 777-300ER routes, and not all Turkish Airlines aircraft have the latest seating.
While all Star Alliance carriers offer lie-flat beds, direct aisle access, and priority handling, only a few elevate business class to a near-first-class experience.
Final Verdict:
If you want a no-compromise business class with exceptional consistency, Singapore Airlines and ANA are top-tier. For those seeking culinary delight and lounge luxury, Turkish Airlines shines. The others are strong regional players but require scrutiny before booking, depending on aircraft and route.
Lina Zhou is a globe-trotting travel writer from Chengdu, China. With a passion for hidden gems and cross-cultural experiences, she shares practical tips, visa guidance, and immersive stories from every corner of the world. When not exploring, she’s sipping tea while planning her next adventure.
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