Premium cabins, compared seat by seat and aircraft by aircraft.
Business class and premium economy compared seat by seat and aircraft by aircraft: British Airways, Lufthansa Allegris, Emirates, Qatar and Virgin.
British Airways sells two different seats under one name, Club World. This is what separates them, which aircraft carry the newer one, and how to tell which is on your flight.
Photo: MatJarosz, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
A smaller cabin, a wider seat, sparkling wine before a three-course meal, and up to two checked bags on most routes.
Photo: British Airways
The Classic Seat is the one to beat. The other four each sell a single extra, and the price depends on who you are and what you booked.
Photo: Vuxi, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
A wider leather seat, a glass of bubbly and a meal on china. The lounge is not included.
Photo: 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
Three aircraft, several generations of seat, and one rule: the aircraft name alone does not settle it.
Photo: Andy Mitchell from Glasgow, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
A quad of seats, some facing backwards, sold on select routes. The aircraft type narrows it down; the booking settles it.
Photo: Raymondeuro, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons
On both airlines, business is where the bed lies flat, the lounge comes with the ticket and each checked bag can weigh 32 kg. This is what premium economy already includes, and what the step up costs.
Photo: British Airways
Four checks, taken from what the airlines say about their own cabins. The verdict stays with you.